Senior Project Manager – PV & Battery Energy Storage Systems

Pivot Energy•Chicago, IL

9d•$130,000 - $160,000

About The Position

Pivot Energy is seeking a Senior Project Manager (BESS) to lead delivery of DC-coupled, hybrid PV+BESS, and standalone storage projects from mid- | late-stage development through construction, commissioning, and closeout. This role will represent the voice of Project Delivery and partner closely with Development, Estimating, Preconstruction, Contracting, and Project Management to advance pipeline opportunities, develop and codify BESS operating standards, and execute projects on time, on budget, safely, and in compliance with code and tax-credit requirements.

Requirements

7+ years of utility-scale or C&I renewable energy project management, with 3+ years delivering BESS projects to COD.
Proven experience coordinating with AHJs, including fire departments, and navigating NFPA 855/IFC permitting.
Working knowledge of NEC Articles 480/690/706/705, UL 9540/9540A, UL 1973, IEEE 1547/1547.1, and utility interconnection standards.
Demonstrated success managing EPCs, negotiating commercial terms, and overseeing long-lead procurement for storage components.
Proficiency with Procore (project controls), Microsoft Project or P6 (scheduling), and Power BI (reporting).
Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.

Nice To Haves

IPP owner’s-rep experience delivering PV+BESS portfolios.
Experience with EMS/DERMS integration, SCADA, DAS, and utility telemetry requirements.
Familiarity with IRA PWA compliance systems (e.g., LCPtracker) and audit readiness.
PE, PMP, DBIA, or equivalent credential.

Responsibilities

Partner with Development to validate site feasibility, interconnection strategy, and BESS architecture (DC-coupled, AC-coupled, hybrid, standalone).
Works with SVP to define short-term and long-term scalable processes.
Own delivery planning late-stage development through hand-off to OnM | AM, closeout; establish baseline schedules, risk registers, and commissioning plans.
Lead design coordination with EPC and internal engineering; conduct constructability reviews and manage design changes via Procore change events.
Plan and manage long-lead procurement (BESS enclosures, PCS/inverters, transformers, MV gear, EMS/SCADA, fire suppression).
Collaborates with all stakeholders, internal and external.
Interface with AHJs (planning, building, electrical, and fire) to obtain permits; develop repeatable playbooks for NFPA 855/IFC compliance and UL 9540/9540A pathways.
Coordinate safety and quality programs; ensure compliance with OSHA, NFPA 70/70E, and Pivot QA/QC standards.
Develop BESS operating standards: templates, workflows, testing & cold and hot commissioning protocols (FAT, SAT, functional performance, capacity & duration tests).
Integrate Prevailing Wage & Apprenticeship (PWA) compliance workflows with Deloitte/ORCA and LCPtracker; maintain audit-ready records.
Negotiate and/or support EPC contracts and change orders; implement DOA-aligned workflows with Legal, Finance, and Supply Chain.
Track project controls in Procore and report performance in Power BI; drive P90 forecasting for NTP/MC/COD/SC milestones.
Lead cross-functional issue resolution (interconnection, EMS controls, fire code interpretations, supply chain constraints).
Own stakeholder communication plans; present status and risk mitigations to executives and partners.
Ability to travel to project sites, AHJs, and vendor facilities.
Cross-functional collaboration Development – early engagement to surface constructability, permitting, and code requirements; inform business cases and schedules.
Estimating – provide design inputs, vendor quotes, and historicals to refine BESS ROMs and EPC/BOP estimates.
Preconstruction – run RFPs, evaluate EPC bids, and align technical/commercial terms for storage scope.
Contracting – define storage-specific exhibits (specs, testing, commissioning, warranty, code) and recovery schedule provisions.
Project Management – standardize delivery workflows, risk registers, and change management tailored to storage.

Benefits

Excellent health/dental/vision insurance benefits with up to 100% of premiums covered by the company
Four weeks of vacation plus employment milestone bonus vacations
Company-paid life insurance and short- & long-term disability coverage
Generous parental leave
401(k) matching
Home Office setup stipend for new employees
Public transit reimbursement
PTO for volunteering in the community
Charitable donation matching up to $500/year
Professional development and educational reimbursements