Sr Project Manager Battery & Solar Storage (Flexible Carolina's West Location Options)

Duke Energy; Charlotte (NC); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Duke Energy, headquartered in Charlotte, NC, seeks a Senior Project Manager to deliver utility-scale solar and battery energy storage projects from approval through operation. You will manage EPC contractors, navigate complex interfaces, and ensure safety, quality and on-time delivery across multiple stakeholders.

This role requires regional travel and a strong owner’s perspective. Ideal candidates bring a track record of capital project leadership, deep experience with EPC contracts, and the

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 7+ years of related work experience or 11 years with HS/GED in a relevant field.
• Experience leading complex capital projects, preferably utility-scale solar/BESS or energy infra.
• Strong leadership, communication, negotiation, and decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead utility-scale solar and battery projects from approval to operation and closeout.
• Manage EPC contractor relationship and ensure safety, quality, schedule and budget.
• Coordinate owner scope, grid interconnection and asset readiness for turnover.
• Oversee project controls, change management, and contract compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Negotiation

Decision-making

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Construction/Business/PM

MBA / Master's / PMP / PE / AACE or equivalent certification

Job description

More than a career - a chance to make a difference in people's lives.

Build an exciting, rewarding career with us - help us make a difference for millions of people every day. Consider joining the Duke Energy team, where you'll find a friendly work environment, opportunities for growth and development, recognition for your work, and competitive pay and benefits.

The preferred location for this position is Charlotte, NC but the hiring manager will consider other locations from Greensboro, NC and westwards to Asheville, NC.

The Senior Project Manager (SrPM) has single-point accountability for the safe, predictable, and successful delivery of utility-scale solar and battery energy storage (BESS) projects from project approval through commercial operation and project closeout.

Reporting to a General Manager within Duke Energy's Project Management & Construction (PMC) organization, the SrPM serves as the owner's lead representative and is responsible for overall project performance, including safety, quality, scope, schedule, cost, risk management, stakeholder alignment, commissioning, operational readiness, and asset handover.

Projects are primarily executed through Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contracts and range in value between $100M and $500M. The SrPM leads a matrixed team of internal subject matter experts, manages the EPC contractor relationship, and integrates all owner responsibilities required for successful project delivery. This includes coordination with development, engineering, construction, transmission, operations, plant integration, project controls, supply chain, environmental, permitting, stakeholder engagement, and other support organizations to ensure owner-furnished equipment, grid interconnection requirements, operational readiness, and contractual obligations are successfully delivered.

The successful candidate will maintain an owner's mindset, providing effective oversight and governance while ensuring both internal stakeholders and external contractors remain aligned on achieving project objectives.

Build a Smarter Energy Future at Duke Energy

Project Management & Construction (PMC) is responsible for building Duke Energy's next generation of power infrastructure and is supporting one of the largest capital investment programs in the company's history.

As Duke Energy works to meet growing customer demand and advance a reliable, affordable, and increasingly cleaner energy future, PMC is actively constructing utility-scale solar generation, battery energy storage facilities, natural gas generation, advanced nuclear, pumped storage hydro, and other emerging energy technologies across the company's service territories.

PMC serves as Duke Energy's owner organization for project execution, bringing together multidisciplinary teams to transform approved investments into operating assets. Our project leaders are responsible not only for construction delivery, but also for integrating engineering, operations, transmission, supply chain, regulatory, and commercial requirements necessary to safely place assets into service and deliver long-term value for customers.

This role provides the opportunity to lead projects that are helping shape the future of the energy industry while working alongside experienced utility professionals, industry-leading EPC partners, and multidisciplinary teams across Duke Energy.

Key Responsibilities

Project Leadership

• Lead utility-scale solar and battery energy storage projects from project approval through commercial operation and closeout.
• Own overall project performance, including safety, scope, cost, schedule, quality, risk, and stakeholder alignment.
• Lead multidisciplinary matrixed project teams and drive effective coordination across the organization.

EPC Contractor Management

• Serve as Duke Energy's primary interface with EPC contractor leadership.
• Establish strong working relationships while holding contractors accountable for contractual commitments, safety performance, quality, schedule, and project outcomes.
• Lead resolution of project issues, recovery plans, claims, and commercial matters.

Project Integration & Asset Readiness

• Coordinate owner scope, owner-furnished equipment, grid interconnection requirements, and operational readiness activities.
• Partner with receiving asset owner organizations, plant integration teams, and operations personnel to ensure successful turnover and long‑term asset performance.
• Manage critical interfaces among EPC contractors, suppliers, transmission organizations, original equipment manufacturers, and internal stakeholders.

Commercial & Risk Management

• Manage project budgets, forecasts, contingencies, change management, and contract compliance.
• Identify and mitigate project risks and ensure timely escalation of significant issues.
• Support resolution of commercial matters, contractor claims, and key business decisions.

Commissioning & Operational Turnover

• Lead commissioning, testing, startup, and commercial operation activities.
• Ensure assets are delivered safely, meet contractual acceptance requirements, and are ready for reliable operation.
• Support project closeout, warranty management, and lessons learned activities.

Executive Communication

• Provide transparent and accurate project reporting to senior leadership.
• Present project risks, opportunities, decisions, and recommendations clearly and effectively.
• Build confidence through proactive communication and issue management.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 7 plus years work related experience OR,
• In lieu of Bachelors degree(s) AND 7 year(s) related work experience listed above, High School/GED AND 11 year(s) related work experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business, Project Management, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience leading complex capital projects.
• MBA, Master's degree, PMP, PE, AACE, or other relevant professional certification.
• Experience delivering utility‑scale solar, battery energy storage, power generation, transmission, industrial, or other major infrastructure projects.
• Experience managing EPC, design‑build, or similar contracting arrangements from an owner or contractor perspective.
• Experience managing grid interconnection, commissioning, and operational turnover of utility‑scale generation assets.

• Familiarity with utility operations, project controls, commercial management, and contract administration.
• Strong leadership, communication, negotiation, and decision‑making skills.

Travel Requirements

Regular travel is an essential function of this role. The Senior Project Manager is expected to maintain a visible presence at assigned project sites, contractor offices, equipment manufacturing facilities, and key stakeholder locations throughout the project lifecycle.

Travel will primarily be within the geographic region supported by assigned projects; however, periodic travel outside the region should be expected to support project, supplier, portfolio, or business needs. The successful candidate must be willing and able to travel as required to effectively lead project execution and maintain strong field engagement.

Mobility Classification - Field

#LI-PG1

#LI-Field

The Senior Project Manager may have relationships with individuals in the following organizations ranging from individual contributors to Senior Department/Enterprise Leadership (i.e. individual contributors up to executive management):

• Community Relations
• Finance
• Engineering
• Environmental, Health and Safety
• Enterprise Security
• Global Risk Management and Insurance
• Human Resources
• Quality
• Development
• Project Controls
• Construction Management
• Supply Chain
• Legal Department
• Project Management Center of Excellence (PMCoE)
• Operations
• Corporate Communications
• Regulatory and Compliance
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Fuels
• Others

Travel Requirements

50+%

Relocation Assistance Provided (as applicable)Yes

Represented/Union PositionNo

Visa Sponsored PositionNo. This is not a Visa Sponsored Position. This role requires the ability to work lawfully in the U.S. without employment-based immigration sponsorship, now or in the future.

Please note that in order to be considered for this position, you must possess all of the basic/required qualifications.

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