The Solar Project Manager is responsible for leading utility-scale solar projects through the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) lifecycle, from project handoff through commercial operation. This role oversees project planning, budgeting, scheduling, procurement, contract administration, construction execution, and stakeholder coordination to ensure projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and in compliance with contractual, regulatory, and quality requirements.

The Solar Project Manager serves as the primary point of coordination between Development, Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Operations, external contractors, consultants, lenders, and project owners.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Project Development & Pre-Construction

• Partner with the Development team to ensure all development milestones are completed prior to project handoff.
• Manage the seamless transition of projects from Development to EPC execution.
• Provide technical and operational input during project design, engineering, constructability reviews, and pre-construction planning.
• Coordinate engineering support for permitting and development activities as required.
• Develop comprehensive project execution plans, schedules, staffing plans, and resource requirements.

Project Planning & Financial Management

• Develop and manage project budgets covering engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, and project closeout.
• Monitor project costs, forecast expenditures, identify variances, and implement corrective actions to maintain budget objectives.
• Track project performance using established metrics and provide regular reporting to executive leadership.
• Manage project schedules and ensure timely completion of all critical milestones.

Procurement & Contract Management

• Lead competitive bidding and procurement activities for equipment, materials, and construction services.
• Prepare bid packages, evaluate proposals, negotiate contracts, and provide vendor recommendations.
• Ensure detailed scopes of work are established for all service agreements.
• Support contract development, negotiation, and execution for:
• EPC Agreements
• Construction Management Agreements
• Equipment Supply Agreements
• Warranty Agreements
• Commissioning Agreements
• Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs)
• Letters of Intent (LOIs)
• Term Sheets
• Review commercial and execution terms of EPC contracts and provide recommendations to senior leadership.

Project Execution & Construction Management

• Lead project execution throughout engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, and closeout.
• Coordinate internal teams and external contractors including civil, mechanical, electrical, interconnection, and quality assurance personnel.
• Organize and facilitate recurring project meetings to communicate project status, assign action items, and resolve issues.
• Ensure contractors perform work in accordance with contract requirements, project specifications, safety standards, and quality expectations.
• Monitor project risks and proactively develop mitigation strategies.

Regulatory Compliance & Commercial Operations

• Ensure compliance with EPC contracts, lender requirements, permitting conditions, and reporting obligations.
• Oversee compliance related to:
• Interconnection Agreements
• Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) requirements
• Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs)
• Environmental and regulatory requirements
• Manage project energization, initial in-service dates, commissioning activities, and achievement of commercial operation.
• Ensure all contractual conditions precedent are satisfied before declaring commercial operation.

Project Closeout & Operational Transition

• Coordinate project turnover with the Operations team to ensure a successful transition into long-term operations and maintenance.
• Verify completion of punch list items, turnover documentation, warranties, as-built drawings, and project closeout deliverables.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives by developing project processes, reporting tools, performance metrics, and documentation standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, or a related technical discipline preferred.

• 2-5 years of project management experience within utility-scale solar, renewable energy, power generation, or heavy industrial construction.
• Strong understanding of utility-scale solar project development and EPC execution.
• Excellent contract administration and vendor management experience.
• Working knowledge of transmission and interconnection processes is preferred.

• Knowledge of construction safety standards and quality management practices.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and project management software.

• Native to project site, and ability to travel to other project sites.
• Ability to work in outdoor construction environments and navigate active job sites.
• Occasional extended hours may be required to support project milestones and commissioning activities.