Director of Solar Outreach, Market and Strategy

Role Overview

• Oversee successful delivery of a large solar program market outreach team to achieve goals, execute deliverables on time and budget, and deliver high client satisfaction.
• Develop strong cross-department coordination with our information systems team to develop, maintain and enhance the custom software used to implement our programs.
• Monitor program performance metrics, budgets, and timelines; identify and address risks or bottlenecks proactively.
• Stay current on energy codes, incentive programs, and emerging technologies to inform strategic decisions.
• Review and approve client deliverables, proposals, and reports to ensure compliance and high standards.
• Demonstrate understanding and capabilities of project and program management to be successful in the role.
• Lead a team. Determine and formulate policies and strategies to manage and motivate internal staff and subcontractors.
• Supervise and support a multidisciplinary team, fostering collaboration, accountability, and professional development.
• Manage workload distribution, including recruiting, staffing, and assigning work across the team.
• Conduct performance management and supervision of department staff.
• Facilitate internal communications, team meetings, and cross-functional coordination to drive operational excellence.
• Maintain regular communication with department staff and management to direct priorities.
• Maintain and develop client and partner relationships, ensuring continued service excellence, and demonstrating exceptional client management skills.
• Engage with clients, partners, and stakeholders to ensure satisfaction, resolve issues, and strengthen relationships.
• Facilitate collaboration across internal and external teams to achieve shared goals effectively.
• Support development of proposals and business development efforts.
• Follow through on proposals for new and current projects and programs.
• Support business development by identifying new opportunities and contributing to proposal strategy.
• Collaborate with department and company leaders to execute a strategic growth plan for Energy Solutions’ DERs products.
• Demonstrate leadership and management qualities essential for success in the role.
• Maintain deep awareness of industry trends, policy developments, and emerging technologies.
• Collaborate closely with the department leadership to align departmental goals with organizational strategy and growth targets.
• Promote a culture of innovation, inclusion, excellence and continuous improvement across all program areas.
• Lead and support change management efforts by guiding teams through transitions, aligning stakeholders, and fostering adaptability to evolving priorities and program goals.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, energy, policy, engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience with program implementation and growth, ideally in demand response and/or storage program administration.
• A minimum of 12 years of work experience including at least 5 years of supervision and leadership of multigenerational teams.
• Familiarity with the North American solar market ideally in energy and utility business and market with a focus on Illinois and/or income-qualified offerings.
• Effectively worked with and/or managed operational teams, ideally managing implementation or product teams, to provide the necessary outcome to a client.
• Familiarity working with software development and bridging that gap between client needs and software costs and timelines.
• Demonstrated outstanding problem solving, quantitative, and analytical skills.
• Ability to solve complex problems, provide solutions and balance competing priorities.
• Experience leading contract negotiations and renewals with clients.
• Strong client management and project management skills.
• Proven track record of successful supervision or organizational leadership experience.
• Strong financial acumen including budgeting, cost management, and maximizing profitability.
• Demonstrated ability to provide thought leadership to achieve energy and climate goals.
• Ability to work in a team-oriented collegial and collaborative, but fast-paced and dynamic environment at a growing company.
• Exceptional interpersonal and written communication skills.
• Detail oriented with ability to manage time and organize competing priorities.
• Travel expectation of up to two occasions per year, including flights if applicable.

Benefits

• generous retirement package
• medical insurance
• dental insurance
• vision insurance
• other pre-tax contribution plans
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)