Director of Solar Outreach and Market Strategy (Remote - Chicago, IL)

Energy Solutions is a company focused on delivering large-scale energy, carbon, and water-use savings. They are seeking a Director of Solar Outreach and Market Strategy to lead a team in the management and growth of solar adoption programs in Illinois, collaborating on strategic initiatives to drive a decarbonized grid.

Responsibilities:

• 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
• 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
• 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
• Represent Energy Solutions as a visible thought leader through client engagement, industry conferences, and participation in key industry boards and forums

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
• Quarterly travel to Chicago required; additional travel as needed