Assistant Program Manager

Center for Energy and Environment•Minneapolis, MN

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Assistant Program Manager joins the Center for Energy and Environment’s Market Transformation department and reports to the Operations Manager. The role leads vendor procurement and supports the department’s annual work planning and budgeting. The Market Transformation team accelerates the development and adoption of emerging energy-efficiency and decarbonization technologies across Minnesota. The position supports procurement processes from RFP/RFQ development and vendor outreach through selection, contracting, documentation, invoice approval, and compliance monitoring. It also supports annual budget and workplan development, spending reconciliation and analysis, reporting, and process improvements. The role works closely with department staff and Legal, Accounting, and Operations, and shares responsibility for onboarding and staff training related to procurement, contracting, and operations. This is a hybrid position with 1–2 days onsite at the Minneapolis office; candidates local to the Twin Cities are encouraged to apply. The expected pay range upon hire is $31.50–$34.00 per hour, depending on qualifications and experience.

Requirements

Knowledge of procurement practices, including RFP/RFQ development and contract lifecycle management.
Proficiency with Microsoft 365, particularly Excel for budget and spend analysis, identifying trends and variances, and using document-management and tracking tools.
Familiarity with AI tools or willingness to learn them for efficiency, analysis, and workflow improvements, with awareness of responsible use, human oversight, data confidentiality, accuracy, and bias.
Familiarity with state-funded contract compliance requirements or ability to learn quickly.
Strong attention to detail when reviewing contracts and compliance documentation.
Ability to independently manage multiple processes, exercise sound judgment in vendor and contracting decisions, solve problems, and take ownership of outcomes.
Strong time management and prioritization skills.
Clear written and verbal communication skills, including communication with external vendors.
Ability to work effectively across departments, including Legal, Operations, and Accounting.
Professionalism and discretion when handling vendor and contract information.
Three to five years of experience in operations, procurement, budgeting, or financial administration.

Nice To Haves

A degree in a related field or equivalent experience.
Experience spanning both vendor or contract management and budget or financial analysis.
Experience with RFP/RFQ processes, vendor contract management, budget development, financial tracking, or spend analysis.
Familiarity with nonprofit or energy-sector work.

Responsibilities

Maintain knowledge of CEE procurement policies and goals and collaborate with the legal team.
Support Market Transformation staff with procurement processes, including developing RFPs and RFQs and determining which process to use based on policy and program needs.
Maintain RFQ vendor lists and support vendor solicitation, outreach, and communication during RFP and bidding processes.
Coordinate with Legal, Accounting, and Operations to ensure procurement processes, selection criteria, and documentation meet organizational and state compliance requirements.
Track procurement timelines and decision points, make vendor selection and contracting recommendations within organizational guidelines, and maintain complete, current, auditable procurement records.
Ensure contracts are correctly set up and meet compliance requirements before execution; maintain procurement and contract files according to document-retention requirements.
Manage vendor invoice approvals, retain payment documentation, monitor vendor compliance, and flag issues for resolution.
Support development of the annual Market Transformation budget and workplan with the Operations Manager.
Monitor and reconcile department and initiative spending against approved budgets, identifying variances, trends, risks, and opportunities.
Prepare labor and non-labor budget analysis and reporting for initiative managers, leadership meetings, and ad hoc requests.
Develop tools and processes to help managers understand and manage contract, initiative, and department spending.
Partner with Accounting on project coding, budget allocations, monthly reconciliation, invoicing, and billing.
Provide related administrative and project management support as needed.
Identify and implement department-wide process improvements that increase clarity, consistency, and efficiency.
Identify opportunities to use AI and emerging technologies to streamline workflows, improve efficiency, and enhance accuracy while maintaining human oversight and compliance with organizational policies.
Develop and maintain processes, tools, and documentation that help staff understand responsibilities and complete work effectively.
Work with staff and managers to identify operational needs, communicate process updates, and support implementation of improved processes.
Share responsibility with the Program Coordinator for onboarding new staff, including materials and process training related to procurement, contracting, and operations.
Support staff development activities and training sessions related to procurement and contracting practices.
Perform other duties as assigned or apparent.