Senior Program Manager

Company
Massachusetts Clean Energy Center
Location
Boston, MA, US

About the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) is a state economic development agency dedicated to accelerating the growth of the clean energy sector across the Commonwealth to spur job creation, deliver statewide environmental benefits and to secure long-term economic growth for the people of Massachusetts. MassCEC works to increase the adoption of clean energy while driving down costs and delivering financial, environmental, and economic development benefits to energy users and utility customers across the state.

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center’s (MassCEC) mission is to accelerate the clean energy and climate solution innovation that is critical to meeting the Commonwealth’s climate goals, advancing Massachusetts’ position as an international climate leader while growing the state’s clean energy economy.

MassCEC is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization where everyone is welcomed, supported, respected, and valued. We are committed to incorporating principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice in all aspects of our work in order to promote the equitable distribution of the health and economic benefits of clean energy and support a diverse and inclusive clean energy industry. MassCEC strives to lead and innovate in equitable clean energy and climate solutions.

Job Overview

MassCEC seeks a talented and experienced candidate to serve as a Senior Program Manager in MassCEC’s High-Performance Buildings focus area. The Senior Program Manager will play a key role in designing and overseeing initiatives to unlock pathways for eliminating emissions from the Commonwealth’s buildings. This position will primarily focus on the Commercial and Industrial (C&I) building sectors and will serve to demonstrate and bring to market the core systems, business practices, and programs to make achieving the state’s 2050 net zero emissions goals a reality. MassCEC expects the responsibilities of this position to evolve and expand as MassCEC pursues future endeavors.

This work will involve engaging with and leveraging industry stakeholders, conceptualizing and designing market transformation initiatives, and implementing programs that effectively address barriers to sector decarbonization. The Senior Program Manager will engage in this sector across many fronts, including with consumers and property owners, industry solution providers, workforce, energy efficiency program administrators, and policy makers. The role will implement initiatives from MassCEC’s building decarbonization strategy to increase awareness, address technological hurdles, foster new business approaches, enhance available workforce, and recommend realignment of institutional practices and policies. Furthermore, the Senior Program Manager will serve as a resource for MassCEC and other state agencies on matters related to C&I building decarbonization.

The Senior Program Manager will report to the Senior Program Director but may also provide support to other members of the Executive Team. This position will serve as a C&I building decarbonization specialist and advisor and will manage the day-to-day operation of MassCEC’s buildings programs. Depending on the project, the Senior Program Manager will oversee the work of Program Managers, Program Administrators, and Interns and will collaborate with staff across the organization.

Job Duties

The successful Senior Program Manager will work collaboratively with the Senior Program Director, members of the High-Performance Buildings team, grantees, consultants, stakeholders, and other members of the organization as needed, including Finance, Legal, senior management, and other program staff.

The selected candidate will have specific duties to, at a minimum:

  • Contribute to new program development, including:
    • Support program development processes, including conducting research, supporting stakeholder outreach, and drafting program requirements;
    • Support the Senior Program Director by maintaining internal schedules, detailed tasks, and external communications; and
    • Proactively review, adjust, and enhance existing program administration workflows and tools in response to program design changes or efficiency improvements.
  • Manage and oversee stakeholder, consumer, and industry outreach throughout the Commonwealth and with additional focus on Environmental Justice Communities;
  • Draft, write and execute specific building decarbonization program documents and Request for Proposals (RFP’s) through the relevant internal approval system;
  • Manage program application queues, program tracking, budgets, and metrics development and reporting;
  • Manage contractors and projects participating in MassCEC initiatives, including those with complex scopes and long timelines;
  • Engage with policy making and advisory groups, including the Energy Efficiency Advisory Council, Northeast Energy Partnership working groups, etc.; 
  • Collaborate with the City of Boston on helping support property owner and industry provider engagement and compliance with the Boston’s BERDO 2.0 building performance standard;
  • Engage with counterparts in state agencies on issues, programs, and policies relating to building decarbonization;
  • Identify studies, programs, and best practices from outside of Massachusetts for consideration as an initiative within Massachusetts;
  • Collaborate on state building policy recommendations, including building performance standards, declining heating fuel emissions caps, and associated supporting programs and policies;
  • Contribute to efforts in MassCEC’s workforce development, technology development, and investments groups on issues related to buildings;
  • Continually support enhancement of MassCEC’s building decarbonization strategy;
  • Contribute to collaborative initiatives on a regional or federal level, such as responding to federal funding opportunities;
  • Provide timely responses to inquiries from applicants, potential applicants, installers, lenders, awardees, and other program stakeholders;
  • Alert team members to potential problems and work cooperatively with the program team and relevant stakeholders to ensure prompt resolutions;
  • Develop, implement, and maintain programmatic efficiency for all programs assigned;
  • Supervise the work of Program Managers, Program Administrators, and Interns, as needed;
  • Record and maintain awards and invoices in the internal management system, ensure project/contract integrity, and track results;
  • Work with the communications team to update program information on the website and send emails about program updates to stakeholders;
  • Supervise consultants, contract staff, and/or interns; and
  • Monitor project schedules and run reports to track project status, results, and internal operating efficiency.

Position Qualifications

Education:

  • Bachelor's degree, preferably in energy or environmental science/studies, economics, architecture/building science, business management, engineering, or related field;
  • Advanced degree preferred. 

Experience:

  • 5+ years of experience in program management, policy, and/or program administration with a record of progressing professional responsibility;
  • Experience with project or program management;
  • Experience in the public sector, building/construction industry, and/or renewable energy industry.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • Knowledge of building decarbonization technologies and practices, including building electrification and envelope improvements especially in existing buildings;
  • Familiarity with relevant regulatory, policy, and programmatic interventions related to decarbonization, especially in buildings;
  • Understanding of the construction and trades industry and ability to engage with diverse stakeholders including architects and engineers, property owners/managers, HVAC companies, construction managers, and consumers;
  • Ability to converse proficiently on semi-technical topics related to buildings and building decarbonization technologies;
  • Rigorous attention to detail;
  • Well-developed customer service skills and proficient organizational skills;
  • Keen understanding of prioritization and an ability to work effectively on multiple projects under tight deadlines;
  • Demonstrated ability to get up-to-speed quickly and work independently;
  • Excellent problem-resolution skills, and demonstrated ability to make informed decisions;
  • Team-first attitude and the capacity to be flexible in a dynamic work environment;
  • Demonstrated ability to work with internal and external stakeholders, and cultivate appropriate relationships;
  • Working knowledge of basic accounting and payment processing (budgets, invoices, etc.) preferred;
  • Ability to read and absorb complex contracts, polices, rules, etc. and extract the information needed to ensure compliance with each;
  • Strong mastery of Excel with an ability to explain graphic information effectively;
  • Excellent interpersonal, diplomatic, and verbal/written communication skills;
  • Experience with making cross-functional decisions impacting programs, metrics, and results; and
  • Must be able to comply with MassCEC’s Mandatory Covid-19 Vaccination Policy (requiring either full vaccination or the grant of an exemption prior to commencement of employment) developed in response to Executive Order 595 issued by Governor Baker.

To apply                                                                                                                                

Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit a resume and cover letter through our Online Career Center.  Applicants with diverse backgrounds, experiences, ability and perspectives are encouraged to apply.