Intern Energy Efficiency Program Jobs in California

PROGRAM MANAGER

California | Hybrid

ABOUT OUR CLIENT

Our client is a minority-owned business specializing in energy efficiency, electrification, decarbonization, and demand-side management programs. With offices across multiple states, the company combines national reach with local market understanding. Their work advances sustainable energy solutions, supports economic development, and prioritizes benefits for disadvantaged communities. As a leader in clean energy program implementation and consulting, the organization helps clients achieve meaningful environmental and economic outcomes through innovative, high-impact projects.

Position Description

Our client is seeking a highly organized and motivated Program Manager to support implementation of a Large Commercial Energy Efficiency Program for a major California natural gas utility. In this role, you will manage day-to-day program operations and support successful delivery of services to large commercial customers.

The Program Manager will play a key role in coordinating program activities across internal staff, customers, contractors, and other stakeholders to ensure services are delivered effectively, program requirements are met, and administrative processes are completed accurately and on time. This includes managing program planning, supervising program staff, tracking performance, coordinating service delivery, preparing reports, overseeing invoicing support, supporting internal financial management, and helping maintain strong communication across the program team.

This role also serves as the primary day-to-day point of contact for the utility client, with responsibility for maintaining a strong client relationship, coordinating with utility staff regarding approvals and program support needs, and ensuring alignment on priorities, schedules, deliverables, and performance expectations. In addition, the Program Manager may conduct outreach to high-potential customers to support program participation and strategic project development.

The Program Manager may also support the company's broader business development efforts in California by helping build relationships in the energy efficiency community, identifying and qualifying potential opportunities, contributing to proposal and pricing development, supporting partnership development, and representing the company in relevant industry forums and market conversations.

The Program Manager works closely with program leadership, outreach staff, account managers, engineers, finance, administrative staff, and business development leadership to support a high-quality customer experience, strong program performance, and continued market growth.

Objectives of this Role

Program Operations Management

• Manage day-to-day implementation of program services to ensure activities are delivered efficiently, on schedule, and in alignment with program requirements.

Client Relationship Management

• Serve as the primary day-to-day contact for the utility client, maintaining strong communication, responsiveness, and coordination on program needs, approvals, and performance.

Service Delivery Coordination

• Coordinate internal teams and program activities to support effective delivery of services to large commercial customers.

Staff Supervision

• Supervise program staff, support accountability and performance, and help ensure work is completed at a high level of quality.

Financial and Administrative Management

• Support internal financial management of the project, including P&L oversight, invoicing, reporting, and coordination with finance and leadership.

Performance Tracking

• Monitor program activity, pipeline movement, project status, customer participation, and other key metrics to support program goals and timely issue resolution.

Strategic Customer Engagement

• Conduct or support outreach to high-potential customers where needed to advance participation and project opportunities.

Business Development Support

• Help strengthen the company's market presence in California by building relationships, identifying and qualifying opportunities, supporting proposal development, and contributing to strategic partnerships.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify process improvements and operational efficiencies that strengthen program performance and customer experience.

Daily and Monthly Responsibilities

Program Management & Client Coordination

• Manage Program Delivery: Oversee day-to-day program operations, ensuring activities are completed in accordance with program requirements, schedules, budgets, and quality expectations.
• Manage Client Relationship: Serve as the primary point of contact for the utility client on day-to-day matters, including status updates, issue resolution, planning discussions, approvals, and coordination of support needs.
• Coordinate with Utility Staff: Work directly with internal utility staff to support approvals, resolve operational issues, align on delivery priorities, and facilitate smooth implementation of services.
• Coordinate Meetings and Work Planning: Schedule and lead internal meetings, client meetings, and program planning sessions; document notes, action items, and follow-up needs.

Team Leadership & Service Delivery

• Supervise Program Staff: Provide direction, oversight, and support to program staff; monitor workloads and performance; and help ensure accountability for deliverables and service quality.
• Coordinate Internal Teams: Work closely with outreach staff, account managers, engineers, and administrative personnel to support aligned execution of program activities and customer services.
• Support High-Potential Customer Outreach: Conduct or support direct outreach to high-potential customers to help drive participation, address barriers, and advance strategic opportunities.
• Support Customer Service Quality: Help ensure customers and stakeholders receive responsive, coordinated, and professional support throughout the program experience.

Performance & Reporting

• Track Program Activity: Monitor customer activity, project progression, service delivery milestones, pipeline status, and other performance indicators to help keep the program on track.
• Manage Reporting: Prepare, review, and support submission of recurring client reports, internal performance updates, dashboards, presentations, and other required documentation.
• Monitor Deadlines and Deliverables: Track deadlines, action items, and assigned responsibilities across the team to support timely completion of work.
• Maintain Program Documentation: Ensure records of customer activity, project status, deliverables, communications, approvals, and operational materials are organized, current, and accessible.

Financial & Administrative Support

• Support Internal Financial Management: Assist with project financial oversight, including tracking budget performance, supporting P&L management, coordinating invoicing inputs, and working with finance and leadership on related administrative needs.

Problem Solving & Process Improvement

• Identify and Resolve Issues: Recognize delivery challenges, administrative bottlenecks, customer concerns, or data gaps and take appropriate action to resolve them or escalate them as needed.
• Contribute to Process Improvement: Recommend and support implementation of improvements to workflows, reporting, tracking systems, financial management practices, coordination processes, and business development support.

Business Development & Market Engagement

• Develop Strategic Partnerships: Help identify and cultivate relationships with potential subcontractors, partners, and industry collaborators that strengthen the company's ability to pursue and deliver work.
• Represent the Company in the Market: Participate in conferences, industry events, trade groups, and networking opportunities to increase the company's visibility and market intelligence.
• Identify and Qualify Opportunities: Help identify potential new business opportunities, monitor upcoming procurements, qualify leads, and provide input on go/no-go decisions.
• Support Business Development Activities: Build and maintain relationships within the California energy efficiency market, including utilities, implementers, trade allies, consultants, and other market actors.
• Support Proposal and Pricing Development: Assist with proposal development, staffing approaches, partnership strategies, scope development, and pricing inputs for new opportunities.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in business, environmental studies, engineering, energy management, public administration, or a related field; or equivalent relevant experience.

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in program management, project coordination, operations, client services, or related roles within the energy sector, including energy efficiency, utility programs, renewable energy, grid modernization, or sustainability initiatives.

Additional Qualifications

• Program Operations Experience: Demonstrated experience managing or supporting program delivery, schedules, reporting, documentation, and cross-functional coordination.
• Client Management Skills: Strong experience working directly with clients, maintaining relationships, coordinating priorities, and supporting issue resolution in a professional services or program delivery environment.
• Leadership Experience: Demonstrated ability to supervise staff, coordinate team activities, and support accountability for deliverables and performance.
• Financial and Administrative Skills: Experience supporting project financial management, invoicing, reporting, documentation, and multiple concurrent priorities with strong attention to detail.
• Business Development Awareness: Ability to identify and help qualify opportunities, support partnership development, and contribute to proposals and pricing in coordination with leadership.
• Communication Skills: Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with internal teams, clients, customers, and external partners.
• Organizational Skills: Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to track details, manage deadlines, and maintain high-quality work in a fast-paced environment.
• Problem-Solving Ability: Ability to identify issues, prioritize effectively, and implement practical solutions in coordination with leadership and team members.
• Technology Skills: Proficiency with Microsoft Office and experience using spreadsheets, CRM systems, project tracking tools, and reporting platforms.
• Mission Alignment: Commitment to sustainability, energy efficiency, and delivering high-quality service in support of equitable clean energy outcomes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Utility Program Experience
• Large Commercial Customer Experience
• California Market Knowledge
• Financial Management Experience
• Customer and Market Engagement Experience
• Proposal and Partnership Experience
• Cross-Functional Team Environment

WE OFFER

• Competitive base salary ($95,000-$140,000) commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• Performance-based bonus tied to individual and company performance.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match.
• Comprehensive health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
• Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays.
• Professional development and training opportunities.
• A dynamic, inclusive work environment that encourages collaboration, innovation, and growth.

Join Us

In this role, your work will directly support the growth of a mission-driven organization advancing equitable clean energy solutions across the country.

Our client is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Work Arrangement

Note: This is a hybrid position, with in-office and remote flexibility. Employees are required to be in the office at least three days per week: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

Sponsorship

This employer does not offer visa sponsorship for this position.