Senior Program Manager, Market Development Initiatives

Walker-Miller Energy • Detroit, MI

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Program Manager works directly with the assigned utility client and serves as the senior portfolio lead accountable for delivery across multiple workforce and industry-development programs. The role is responsible for ensuring client commitments are delivered within scope, schedule, and budget; leading program staff; coordinating internal and external partners; managing risks and issues; and driving performance and continuous improvement across the portfolio. The ideal candidate is a dynamic, client-facing leader with strong program, financial, and people management experience and a passion for advancing equity and opportunity in sustainability-focused careers.

Requirements

• 5+ years of program or portfolio management experience, including workforce development, contractor/industry development training, or comparable client-facing implementation work.
• 3+ years of direct and/or indirect people leadership experience required.
• Proven leadership abilities in a rapidly changing environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing program budgets, forecasts, invoices, and resource plans in addition to project delivery.
• Experience in workforce development, community/economic development, energy efficiency, utility programs, or public-sector program management.
• Client relationship management and/or business development experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading multiple programs, cohorts, or workstreams in a fast-paced environment.
• Detail-oriented and able to prioritize workload and delegate appropriate work assignments to staff.
• Must be flexible to handle a wide variety of tasks and complete work in a timely fashion in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, specifically Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Experience using CRM, program management, and reporting systems to maintain accurate portfolio data and performance reporting.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing with customers, clients and employees.
• Ability to analyze and interpret data and solve practical problems.
• Ability to interpret financial and operational data, including budgets, percentages, ratios, KPIs, and trends.
• Ability to translate data into actionable program decisions and clear client-facing reporting.
• Reliable transportation.
• Action Orientated Execution: Can align execution with strategic goals and objectives. Can identify and implement innovative approaches to execution. Can effectively manage and mitigate risks.
• Collaboration: Achieves shared goals through effective teamwork and collaboration, demonstrating a strong ability to coordinate efforts and resolve conflicts. Leads cross-functional teams to achieve objectives.
• Communication: Builds strong relationships through exceptional communication skills, influencing stakeholders and driving consensus. Effectively manages communication in ambiguous situations.
• Data Analysis: Uses data to inform project improvements and decision-making.
• Decision Making and Problem Solving: Makes strategic decisions that consider long-term implications and align with organizational goals. Identifies potential and non-apparent pros and cons associated with decision options. Anticipates potential challenges, conducts root cause analysis, and implements sustainable solutions that drive improvement.
• Entrepreneurial Business Development: Identifies opportunities to expand impact within an existing client portfolio, develops scalable program approaches, and translates client needs, performance data, and ecosystem changes into sustainable growth opportunities.
• Financial Management: Analyzes program budgets, forecasts, invoices, resource plans, and financial performance; identifies variances and corrective actions; and partners with Finance and program leadership to maintain delivery within approved scope and budget.
• Industry Domain Knowledge: Has a deep understanding of industry and domain specific tools and methodologies in relevant areas of expertise (e.g., expertise in areas such as program management, regulatory compliance, energy efficiency, etc.) Can apply industry and domain knowledge to solve problems.
• Leadership & People Management: Leads and manages complex teams effectively. Develops and implements strategies to create a high-performance team culture. Mentors and coaches team members to develop their skills. Helps attract, develop, and retain talent for both internal and external stakeholders.
• Partnership Development: Develops strategic partnerships aligned with organizational goals. Identifies and cultivates high-impact partnerships. Leads partnership initiatives and projects. Builds strong relationships with key stakeholders.
• Program Development: Oversees complex program portfolios and ensures consistent implementation across multiple pathways and cohorts. Uses KPIs, client feedback, and program data to evaluate performance and identify improvements. Develops and implements evidence-based strategies for program improvement. Mentors and develops others in making data-driven program changes.
• Project Management: Leads and manages multiple interrelated projects within a program. Develops program strategies and plans. Allocates resources and manages program budgets. Ensures alignment of projects with organizational goals.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Manages stakeholder expectations, resolves conflicts, and consults with stakeholders to address their concerns proactively. Can influence stakeholders and clients to support initiatives.
• Technology Skills: Effectively utilizes a range of technology tools and software to produce desired outputs

Nice To Haves

• Master’s Degree, preferred.
• Degree in Community Relations, Marketing, Supply Chain, Logistics, Business Management, or a discipline in energy or related field from an accredited University.
• Familiarity with Monday.com or similar project management software.
• Prior experience leading utility-sponsored workforce development, energy-efficiency, or other complex client-funded programs, preferred.
• PMP Certification preferred but not required.
• CEM Certification preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Oversee multiple concurrent programs and cohorts within the assigned MDI utility portfolio, with accountability for scope, schedule, budget, performance, client commitments, and, when applicable, grant or philanthropic funding.
• Serves as the senior program lead for assigned utility program delivery, balancing timelines, staffing capacity, budget, risks, and cross-program dependencies.
• Manages full suite of program elements across the assigned portfolio: Recruitment, onboarding, training, placement, and follow-up for multiple cohorts and program pathways within the assigned utility portfolio.
• Integration of reporting across programs, ensuring data alignment for leadership dashboards.
• Coordinates larger partner networks (10-20+ active relationships with partners/vendors).
• Leads strategic employer, contractor, and partner engagement across the assigned utility portfolio.
• Designs or refines processes for efficiency and consistency across programs.
• Ensures compliance and performance tracking across diverse funding requirements.
• Serves as escalation point for Program Managers and other delivery staff.
• Partners with the Director of MDI and Finance to develop annual staffing and financial plans and monitor budget-to-actual performance, labor utilization, program expenses, and forecasted portfolio needs.
• Leads portfolio staffing and capacity planning, including hiring, onboarding, workload allocation, and performance management across Program Manager and Coordinator roles.
• Owns portfolio-level risk and issue management and escalates scope, schedule, budget, or performance concerns with recommended corrective actions.
• Manage direct reports and oversee the portfolio delivery team. This includes workforce planning, interviewing, onboarding, assigning work, completing performance evaluations, coaching, mentoring, succession planning, and directing work.
• Complete and manage quarterly program performance evaluations with staff and client.
• Provide ongoing leadership to program staff, aligning priorities, client commitments, workload, communications, and cross-program dependencies to achieve portfolio goals.
• Lead and develop team members based on core values-driven culture that encourages top performance with compassion.
• Develop and implement strategies to meet participant, employer, contractor/service-provider, and other pipeline goals based on assigned program objectives.
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of the program’s strategic direction regarding energy efficiency and the business activities of its customers.
• Develop and oversee the processing of program paperwork through designated tracking systems.
• Coordinate with program evaluators to understand evaluation plans and communicate program procedures to staff.
• Be a member of several working groups that will coordinate the program with other organizations working in the program.
• Own portfolio-level KPI reporting and performance reviews, ensuring timely, accurate, and actionable reporting to the client and Walker-Miller leadership.
• Incorporate “best practice” methods of energy efficiency program implementation.
• Provide a professional appearance appropriate to represent both Walker-Miller and the client.
• Lead and attend relevant presentations promoting energy efficiency programs.
• Practice effective project management skills in leading the program.
• Serve as the primary day-to-day relationship lead for the assigned utility client, proactively managing expectations, priorities, risks, and opportunities while representing Walker-Miller’s interests.
• Own the review and coordination of monthly invoices, financial forecasts, budget variance reporting, and activity reports for the client and Walker-Miller management.
• Oversee development and execution of client-approved marketing, outreach, and recruitment strategies that support participation and program goals.
• Oversee participant onboarding, setting clear expectations and goals for program engagement and success.
• Ensure program teams maintain a consistent participant-support model that promotes engagement, professional growth, retention, and successful outcomes.
• Build partnerships with community organizations, educational institutions, and industry leaders to support participant recruitment, training, and placement.
• Collaborate with internal teams, including Operations, HR, Finance, Marketing, and Data/IT, to align portfolio objectives, staffing, reporting, and financial performance with organizational goals.
• Represent Walker-Miller Energy Services at industry events and workforce development forums.
• Stay informed on industry developments, workforce trends, and best practices in workforce development.
• Incorporate participant and stakeholder feedback to enhance program delivery and outcomes.
• Develop strategies to expand the program’s reach and impact in alignment with organizational objectives.
• Establish and maintain client reporting processes, operating rhythms, and portfolio governance tools.
• Drive year-over-year continuous improvement in program operations, delivery quality, client experience, and resource efficiency.

Benefits

• Walker-Miller Energy Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
• Embrace Equity by encouraging qualified candidates from all backgrounds and identities to apply for open positions!
• Participates in E-Verify.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior