Program Manager, Commercial Solar Pre-Construction - Solect Energy

Overview

Solect Energy is a leading provider of solar and energy storage solutions for businesses, schools, cities, towns, and nonprofits in the Northeast, with over 800 installed projects totaling more than 160 MW. With a team of experts in development, technology, policy, incentives, and financing, we offer a comprehensive approach to help our clients reduce energy costs and maximize their solar and storage investments. Our Operations & Maintenance team serves more than 700 customers, maintaining a 99% renewal rate each year. Based in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, Solect is a wholly owned subsidiary of Pattern Energy Group.

Responsibilities

This Program Manager, Commercial Solar Pre-Construction is responsible for developing and managing a qualified network of electrical and mechanical contractors to support commercial solar construction projects. The position requires expertise in solar and electrical construction, including the ability to interpret construction documents, single-line diagrams (SLDs), contracts, and budgets. The successful candidate will source, onboard, and manage contractor relationships as well as negotiate scopes and deliverables. The Program Manager will need to monitor performance and drive continuous improvement initiatives. This hire will work closely with utilities, customers, contractors, and cross-functional teams across Pre-Construction, Construction, Safety, Operations, Logistics, and Legal. This individual will help ensure contractor readiness, program effectiveness, and scalable construction capacity while balancing multiple priorities and traveling to project sites as needed.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and expand a qualified network of electrical and mechanical contractors to support commercial solar construction needs.
• Ability to read and interpret construction documents and SLDs
• Ability to create and review budget plans and manage budgets
• Interpersonal/negotiating skills to interface with:
  • Utility
  • Customers
  • Contractors
• Budget management and understanding
• Construction background – specializing in :
  • Solar
  • Electrical
• Required to travel to site meetings as needed
• Comfortable with contract interpretation and analysis
• Organized- with high initiative/drive
• Able to effectively prioritize multiple levels of tasks/requirements
• Source, evaluate, and onboard new contractor partners, including coordination of agreements and cross-functional onboarding requirements.
• Serve as the primary relationship owner for contractor engagement, maintaining regular communication through calls, meetings, site visits, and performance discussions.
• Partner with Safety, Project Management, and Operations teams to align contractors with company standards, workflows, and execution expectations.
• Monitor contractor performance trends, gather leadership feedback, and facilitate continuous improvement discussions to strengthen quality and readiness.
• Support contractor program development by identifying process improvements, strengthening partner experience, and helping scale construction capacity.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders across Pre-Construction, Construction, Logistics, Safety, Legal, and executive leadership to ensure program effectiveness.
• Help negotiate scopes, deliverables, and performance expectations with contractor partners in alignment with business needs.

Qualifications

Qualifications

• 5-10 years of experience in contractor management, solar construction operations, pre-construction planning, program management, or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience sourcing, vetting, onboarding, and managing strategic construction partners.
• Experience in solar, electrical, mechanical, or commercial construction environments.
• Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record.
• Strong business, financial, and operational acumen with the ability to assess performance and support scalable growth.
• Strong budget planning and budget management experience
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office tools, including Excel, Outlook, Word, and Teams.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, negotiation, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and build trust with contractor ownership and leadership teams.
• Preferred: experience scaling contractor networks in a high-growth construction or renewable energy environment.

Work Environment and Travel

• This position requires at least 60% travel to local project sites and company facilities as needed to support business operations.
• Travel is intermittent and represents a limited portion of overall responsibilities.

Special Position Requirements

• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Solect Energy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Company does not discriminate based on race, religion, creed, color, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, citizenship, disability, medical condition, genetic predisposition to a disease, lawful off-duty conduct or political activities, or any other legally protected status. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, leave of absence, compensation, and training.

The expected starting pay range for this role is $78,000 - $128,000 USD. This range is an estimate, and base pay may vary above or below these amounts based on several factors, including but not limited to location, work experience, certifications, and education. In addition to base pay, Pattern’s compensation program includes a bonus structure for full-time employees at all levels. We also provide a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, voluntary benefits, family care benefits, an employee assistance program, paid time off and bonding leave, paid holidays, a 401(k)/RRSP retirement savings plan with employer contributions, and employee referral bonuses.

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