Utilities Renewable Energy Project Manager
About The Position
The Utilities Renewable Energy Project Manager will lead utility-scale renewable energy projects, including solar and battery energy storage projects, from early development through transition to operations. The role is responsible for delivering projects on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with company safety, quality, and performance standards. It provides cross-functional leadership and coordinates internal subject matter experts and teams across Engineering and Construction, Environmental, Real Estate, Regulatory, Interconnection, Legal, Finance, and other functions. The position oversees project milestones, risks, dependencies, cost estimates, budgets, forecasts, financial models, and development risk registers. It supports financing activities and regulatory cost-estimation needs, coordinates site due diligence and permitting, and manages project contracts and contractor performance. As Owner’s Representative, the role leads EPC contract processes and works with project teams and external stakeholders to advance construction and development activities. It also supports safe, quality construction, project reporting and documentation, and turnover from construction to asset operations. The position is based in Indianapolis, with the option to work from a generation facility or the Electric Building. Travel to project locations of up to 30% is required.
Requirements
- Undergraduate degree in engineering, project management, construction management, or equivalent.
- At least 8 years of professional experience in a project management role for the construction of energy projects.
- Familiarity with technical standards for battery energy storage systems and PV facilities.
- Experience leading EPC contract negotiations.
- Experience in construction or development of utility-scale PV solar and energy storage projects.
- Strong proficiency with critical path method (CPM) scheduling.
- Superior written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
- Strong stakeholder management skills.
- Outstanding interpersonal skills, including the ability to maintain calm and effective exchanges during stressful situations.
- Excellent organizational skills and the ability to create effective project plans and executive-level reporting that support timely action and decision-making in time-pressured scenarios.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, Procore, and Adobe Acrobat.
- Willingness and ability to travel to project locations up to 30%.
Nice To Haves
- Project Management Institute PMP certification.
Responsibilities
- Conduct due diligence on potential solar and battery energy storage sites, assess site suitability, and participate in reviewing and analyzing reports such as environmental and geotechnical reports.
- Manage project schedules, budgets, forecasts, financial models, and development risk registers, and support cost estimates for regulatory filings.
- Work with internal and external stakeholders, including engineering consultants, permitting agencies, landowners, utilities, customers, and contractors, to advance project milestones.
- Support discretionary permitting efforts, public meetings, regulatory engagement, and environmental due diligence.
- Coordinate engineering, site due diligence, land activities, and infrastructure planning to keep projects on schedule.
- Manage contracts and ensure compliance with project agreements, including site control, equipment supply, and commercial contracts.
- Serve as Owner’s Representative for EPC contract management or Built Asset Transfer Agreements on high-impact, utility-scale U.S. solar and energy storage projects.
- Lead contract negotiations with Legal, Contract Management, and subject matter expert teams.
- Define and document RFPs and scopes of work for third-party EPC firms, and lead EPC selection and contract negotiation.
- Review and manage contractor schedules, budgets, scope, subcontractors, environmental health and safety plans, and permit compliance.
- Manage and coordinate utility interconnection processes for construction projects and related interconnection and testing documentation.
- Represent the company in engagements with landowners, local governmental agencies, customers, contractors, suppliers, and other project stakeholders.
- Coordinate EPC contractors, consultants, and equipment vendors to ensure compliance with contract terms and delivery of contractual deliverables within project budgets and schedules.
- Coordinate internal project engineering, commissioning, procurement, asset management, legal, finance, and accounting staff, along with contractor, stakeholder, regulatory, and permitting-authority deliverables.
- Ensure project quality control and safe construction practices through on-site inspections as needed, coordinating with third-party firms when necessary.
- Lead project status meetings with AES management, energy offtakers, utilities, EPCs, and finance counterparties, using project plans and status dashboards to facilitate discussion.
- Manage the collection, organization, and filing of project documentation for internal use, external stakeholders, and project financing needs.
- Lead project turnover from construction to the Asset Operations team.
- Assist with developing internal operating policies, standards, and procedures.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
