Program Manager Director Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Company Overview:

Walker-Miller Energy Services is a 26-year-old Detroit-based, core-values driven company committed to changing lives through energy efficiency.  We create and manage customized energy waste reduction programs that help electric and gas utilities meet mandated energy savings goals.   

Our experience driven philosophy of clean energy as economic development helps families and businesses save energy and save money. Through innovative, inclusive initiatives, we help build communities by creating local jobs, producing equitable energy savings for all rate payers, and spurring the growth of diverse local businesses.

Our operating philosophy is reflected in our core values. We refer to them as BEHIVE.

B - Boldly Go

E - Embrace Equity

H - Humble Confidence

I - Inclusive Stewardship

V - Value Reputation

E - Extraordinary Experience

 Job Overview:

The Program Manager supports the Senior Program Manager who works directly with multiple clients to ensure deliverables fall within the applicable scope and budget. Will coordinate with others to ensure all aspects of each program/project are compatible and will hire new talent as needed to fulfill client needs. This position accomplishes this through a respectful, constructive, and energetic style, that exhibits our core values. The ideal candidate is a dynamic leader with experience in program management and a passion for advancing equity and opportunity in sustainability-focused careers.

Essential Responsibilities: This list of duties and responsibilities is not all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities, as management may deem necessary from time to time.

• Lead, embrace and operate within our core values.
• Oversee 1 program and any related sub-initiatives within the MDI Client portfolio.
• Recruitment and onboarding for cohort participants.
• Day-to-day tracking of KPIs and deliverables for assigned program.
• Coordination of external stakeholders (partners/vendors).
• Ensures reporting accuracy for their specific program(s) in Salesforce/PowerBI and other reporting tools.
• Supports employer engagement but is not primary lead for multi-program strategy.
• Responsible for implementing established and developing new program processes.

Leadership & Program Management:

• Manage direct reports and oversee program staff where applicable. This includes interviewing, planning, assigning, completing performance evaluations, coaching, mentoring and directing work.
• Complete and manage quarterly program performance evaluations with staff and client.
• Provide daily leadership to program staff including managing program promotions, communication, marketing requests, and assisting team to creatively meet the program's goals.
• Lead and develop team members based on core values-driven culture that encourages top performance with compassion.
• Develop and implement a plan to attract new customers/energy efficiency and clean energy service providers to meet program objectives.
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of the program's strategic direction regarding energy efficiency and clean energy and the business activities of its customers.
• Develop and oversee the processing of program paperwork through designated tracking systems.
• Coordinate with program evaluators to understand evaluation plans and communicate program procedures to staff.
• Be a member of several working groups that will coordinate the program with other organizations working in the program.
• Manage and report KPIs as required to the client, partner, or our company's management by the requested due date.
• Incorporate "best practice" methods of energy efficiency and clean energy program implementation.
• Provide a professional appearance appropriate to represent both Walker-Miller and the client.
• Lead and attend relevant presentations promoting energy efficiency and clean energy programs.
• Practice effective program management skills in leading the program.
• Manage the utility relationship and serve as an advocate for the client.
• Assist with the preparation of monthly invoices and activity reports as required to the client, partner, or Walker-Miller management.

 Program Recruitment & Engagement:

• Work directly with the client to supervise, develop, and implement marketing and communications plans to educate customers about energy efficiency and clean energy and drive participation in energy efficiency and clean energy programs.
• Lead and attend relevant presentations promoting energy efficiency and clean energy programs.
• Oversee participant onboarding, setting clear expectations and goals for program engagement and success.
• Act as a mentor and advocate for participants, fostering their professional growth and ensuring a supportive program environment.

 Stakeholder Collaboration:

• Build partnerships with community organizations, educational institutions, and industry leaders to support participant recruitment, training, and placement.
• Collaborate with internal teams, including Operations and HR, to align program objectives with organizational goals.
• Represent Walker-Miller Energy Services at industry events and workforce development forums.

 Continuous Improvement:

• Stay informed on industry developments, workforce trends, and best practices in workforce development.
• Incorporate participant and stakeholder feedback to enhance program delivery and outcomes.
• Develop strategies to expand the program's reach and impact in alignment with organizational objectives.
• Provide administrative services plan to develop client reporting processes.
• Ensure continuous improvement of operations year after year.

Basic Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's degree required; equivalent work experience may be considered.
• 2+ years of Workforce Development, contractor training, Program Management or equivalent experience.
• 2+ years of direct or indirect leadership required.
• Proven leadership abilities in a rapidly changing environment.
• Proficiency in financial and program/project management.
• Experience in community development, grassroots organizing, workforce development, public sector program/project management.
• Sales, marketing or business development background.
• Proven leadership in a fast-paced environment.
• Detail-oriented and able to prioritize workload and delegate appropriate work assignments to staff.
• Must be flexible to handle a wide variety of tasks and complete work in a timely fashion in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, specifically Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Strong data entry skills in entering information in tracking systems/databases.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing with customers, clients and employees.
• Ability to analyze and interpret data and solve practical problems.
• Knowledge of mathematical concepts such as fractions, percentages and ratios.
• Reliable transportation.

 Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's Degree, preferred.
• Degree in Community Relations, Marketing, Supply Chain, Logistics, Business Management, or a discipline in energy or related field from an accredited University.
• Familiarity with Monday.com or similar program/project management software.

 Licenses & Certifications

• Valid driver's license.
• PMP Certification, preferred but not required.
• CEM Certification, preferred but not required.

Travel Requirements

• Ability to travel up to 50% locally.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• The team member is frequently required to sit, stand, walk; talk and hear; and ability to touch and handle tools and/or controls
• Must also be comfortable speaking in front of large or small groups.
• Ability to lift up to 10 pounds

Note: Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

The above information describes the general duties and requirements necessary to perform the principle functions of the position. This shall not be construed as a detailed description of all the duties and requirements that may be necessary in this position.

Walker-Miller Energy Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Pay Transparency: This compensation range is provided as a reasonable estimate of the current starting salary range for this role. If this opportunity includes multiple job levels, the salary information represents the job level minimum and the job level maximum. There are multiple factors that are considered in determining final pay for a position, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location, education and certifications as well as contract provisions regarding labor categories that are specific to the position.

A team member may be eligible for additional pay, premiums, or bonus potential. Walker-Miller Energy Services offers eligible employees health, vision and dental insurance, retirement, and tuition reimbursement.

 Compensation Range: $89,640-$105,000 annually.

At Walker-Miller Energy Services, we Embrace Equity by encouraging qualified candidates from all backgrounds and identities to apply for open positions! We have several optional questions about candidates' demographics, but they do not impact hiring decisions. In fact, all candidate demographic data is anonymized for compliance purposes and to reduce unconscious bias in the hiring process, so none of the information collected here will be attached to your individual application. We ask for this information because Walker-Miller is committed to inclusive recruitment practices, so we hold ourselves to a high standard in developing a candidate pool that is diverse in background, experience, and perspective.

Walker-Miller Energy Services participates in E-Verify. Which confirms employment authorization of all newly hired employees and most existing employees through an electronic database maintained by the Social Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security. For new hires, the E-Verify process is completed in conjunction with the Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification on or before the first day of work. E-Verify is not used as a tool to pre-screen candidates. For up-to-date information on E-Verify, go to www.uscis.gov and click on 'E-Verify' located near the bottom of the page.

E-Verify Notice

E-Verify Notice (Spanish)

Right to Work Notice

Right to Work Notice (Spanish)