Senior Project Manager, Research & Development

North Carolina Advanced Energy Corporation • Raleigh, NC

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

North Carolina Advanced Energy Corporation (Advanced Energy), a nonprofit energy consulting firm headquartered in Raleigh, works with utilities, governments, manufacturers, and public and private partners to support clean, affordable, reliable, efficient, and safe energy. The Senior Project Manager oversees Advanced Energy’s research and development portfolio and manages larger, more complex projects independently. The role develops and executes project plans, manages schedules, budgets, resources, milestones, and deliverables, and helps advance concepts from research and market validation through pilot execution, refinement, and transition to delivery. The position calls for subject matter expertise in product development and related research, collaboration with technical teams, customers, and internal stakeholders, and the ability to turn emerging industry needs and complex challenges into practical, scalable solutions. The person may also lead or mentor other staff.

The position is based in the Raleigh office and is hybrid. The role coordinates cross-functional product and service development, supports decisions about R&D priorities, develops business cases and proposals, conducts and communicates research, and maintains client and stakeholder relationships. It is an exempt, full-time position; work hours may occasionally vary or be irregular as reasonably required to meet organizational goals.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business management or a relevant technical field and at least 5 years of experience managing projects; an equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience may be considered.
• PMP certification is desired; ability to become certified is required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products.
• Project planning, time management, communication, writing, and research skills.
• Ability to problem-solve, analyze, and interpret data.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Detail-oriented and organized.
• Strong project budgeting and financial management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Commitment to exceptional internal and external customer service.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Ability to work indoors in a normal office environment, remain stationary most of the time, operate a computer, printer, and other office equipment, and occasionally move around the office.
• Ability to spend extended hours in front of a computer screen and communicate and exchange accurate information with internal and external customers.
• Ability to occasionally lift or move boxes or objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

Nice To Haves

• Experience using project management software applications.
• Knowledge of relevant industries, including power utility programs in residential, commercial, and industrial markets, and electric transportation.
• Knowledge of energy efficiency, renewable energy, research and development, or product development.
• PMP certification.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the R&D portfolio, tracking active projects and pilots, budgets and variances, milestones, expected outcomes, and next-step decisions.
• Develop and implement project plans, strategies, milestones, tasks, decision points, and expected outcomes.
• Coordinate and lead stakeholder initiatives, including work plans, engagement of volunteer stakeholders, meeting facilitation, workshops, presentations, client visits, travel, and events.
• Support leadership in evaluating and prioritizing R&D initiatives based on company strategy, customer needs, potential impact, and available resources; prepare portfolio updates and decision materials.
• Coordinate cross-functional product and service development, including research, customer input, scope development, pilot planning, and transition to delivery.
• Help develop business cases, value propositions, delivery approaches, resource needs, and recommendations for new products and services.
• Work with subject matter experts and delivery, business development, sales, marketing, finance, human resources, and technical staff to support development and launch of new offerings.
• Provide timely reports to funding sources, teams, management, and other internal or external audiences on portfolio status, results, risks, and recommended next steps.
• Use applicable software for project management and scheduling, research issues with team members, and develop technical tools and processes to improve work.
• Continuously seek process improvement strategies.
• Conduct research on topics that support team goals, strategy, R&D priorities, and potential new products and services; summarize programs and prepare final reports.
• Incorporate study findings into Advanced Energy training and product or service development, and present and explain findings to clients and other external stakeholders.
• Maintain technical and professional knowledge through workshops, professional publications, personal networks, and professional societies.
• Provide technical and project management mentoring to junior staff.
• Develop and maintain client and stakeholder relationships, gather input to inform research priorities and potential offerings, and coordinate partner roles and responsibilities.
• Assist the assigned team with identifying and securing additional projects.
• Work with business development on proposals and strategies to gain new work; prepare and deliver proposals and contract agreements, including scopes of work, budgets, and timelines.
• Document lessons learned from prior projects to inform future business development.

Benefits

• Flexible hybrid schedules.
• An array of leave options.
• Career support and opportunities to develop expertise.
• A supportive and respectful work environment that promotes creativity, collaboration, community, and belonging.

What This Job Offers

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