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 across residential, commercial and industrial, renewables, and electric transportation markets. The Senior Project Manager oversees the R&D portfolio and manages larger, more complex projects, guiding concepts from research and market validation through pilot execution, refinement, and transition to delivery. The role requires subject matter expertise in product development and related research, and collaboration with technical teams, customers, and internal stakeholders to turn emerging industry needs and complex challenges into practical, scalable solutions. The position may also lead or mentor other staff and is based in the Raleigh office. This hybrid, exempt, full-time position involves project planning and execution, portfolio coordination, technical research, client and stakeholder relationships, and proposal development. Work takes place in a normal indoor office environment, with occasional travel to interface with customers. Work hours may vary or be irregular when reasonably required to meet organizational goals.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business management or a relevant technical field and at least 5 years of project management experience; an equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience may be considered.
Ability to obtain PMP certification is required.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office products.
Project planning, time management, communication, writing, and research skills.
Ability to problem solve, analyze and interpret data, and work both independently and in teams.
Detail-oriented and organized.
Strong project budgeting and financial management skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Commitment to providing exceptional internal and external customer service.
Valid driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Coordinate the R&D portfolio, tracking active projects, pilots, budgets, variances, milestones, expected outcomes, and next-step decisions.
Develop and implement project plans, strategies, milestones, tasks, decision points, and expected outcomes.
Lead collaborative stakeholder initiatives, including work plans, stakeholder engagement, meeting facilitation, workshops, presentations, client visits, travel, and events.
Support leadership in evaluating and prioritizing R&D initiatives and 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 internal 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, and research issues with team members to resolve problems.
Develop technical tools and processes and continually seek process improvements.
Conduct research supporting team goals, strategy, R&D priorities, and potential new products and services; summarize programs and prepare final reports.
Incorporate study findings into Advanced Energy trainings and product or service development.
Present and explain reports and findings to clients and other external stakeholders.
Maintain technical and professional knowledge through workshops, publications, networks, and professional societies.
Provide technical and project management mentoring to junior staff.
Develop and maintain client and stakeholder relationships, gather input, and coordinate project partners’ roles and responsibilities.
Assist the assigned team in identifying and securing additional projects.
Partner with business development on proposals and strategies to gain new work.
Create and deliver proposals and contract agreements, including scopes of work, budgets, and timelines, in partnership with Business Development.
Document lessons learned from completed projects to inform future business development.