Project Delivery Manager Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

New Leaf Energy is an experienced clean energy developer that partners with landowners, policymakers, and other stakeholders to accelerate the transition to a world powered by renewable energy. We identify high-value sites, work with landowners and local communities to develop them, and partner with long-term asset owners to bring the most impactful clean energy projects to life.
Position Summary
The Project Delivery Manager serves as the execution engine for the Project Delivery team at New Leaf Energy. Operating as a senior individual contributor in a high-impact program management capacity, this role is responsible for driving cross functional teams toward organizational goals and ensuring that multidisciplinary internal and external stakeholders are optimally engaged throughout the project lifecycle.
The Project Delivery Manager bridges the gap between macro strategy and project level execution, driving the day-to-day implementation of project management tools, standard operating procedures, and governance of the Project Delivery process across the organization. Working within the critical window between the project phases of final design and project close, the Project Delivery Manager establishes and executes clear project goals to safeguard asset valuation and keep transaction timelines on track. This role requires strong operational leadership and the ability to translate high-level corporate and project objectives into distinct, actionable stakeholder tasks. By blending technical project management expertise with strong cross-functional execution, the Project Delivery Manager works to systematically remove schedule risk and accelerate the project's critical path to Notice to Proceed (NTP) and the commercial operation date (COD).
Position Responsibilities
Position responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Execution & Program Management: Partner with Project Managers, Developers, Regional Teams, and Engineers to drive consistent workflows across the organization using established SOPs and tools. While day-to-day schedule management is handled by individual project managers, this role will leverage deep project management expertise to collaborate closely with those PM's designing objectives that support NLE's strategic goals amidst complex buyer, technical and regulatory challenges.
• Build and Optimize: Take ownership in both building and improving the system and tools used to execute the Project Delivery process so that it remains tightly calibrated with organizational and team objectives.
• Pipeline Derisking: Conduct targeted portfolio and timeline analyses to proactively mitigate schedule risks, minimize critical-path delays, and provide guidance to expedite projects toward NTP, Mechanical Completion, and COD.
• External Partner Management: Manage and optimize day-to-day operational relationships with partner EPCs and engineering firms within New Leaf's key markets.
• EPC Bid Process Support: Facilitate building of project work scope designs, manage external EPC bid processes, and support the commercial evaluation and negotiation of contracts with regional partners and vendors.

Desired Qualifications

• 5-8 years of sophisticated project management, program management, or project operations/delivery experience within the renewable energy sector;
• Experience managing complex project portfolios with a demonstrated ability to maintain operational stability and drive velocity through volatile or ambiguous project environments;
• Strong ability to break down high level objectives, translate them into distinct stakeholder work streams, and influence cross-functional team members without direct authority;
• Clear understanding of the project sale process, renewable project development business models, and how project value flows through the VSM into that sale process;
• Demonstrated experience managing external EPCs, engineering firms or other similar contractors through bid processes and contract execution;
• Experience effectively communicating across business functions, including Interconnection, Project Development, Engineering, and Project Finance;
• Bachelors in Engineering or related area of study required; and
• PMP (Project Management Professional) Certification or Masters in Business Administration Desired

Compensation
New Leaf Energy compensates all employees in three ways: market-competitive base salary, plus above-market variable compensation, plus an equity-like program such that all employees experience the benefits of ownership. We use a data-driven and transparent methodology to calibrate compensation that is externally competitive and internally equitable, guided by the New Leaf Energy compensation manual, which is available to all employees.
Under our compensation framework, the likely base salary range for this position in Chicago is $121,450 - $142,890. The on-target annual cash bonus associated with this position is an additional 20% percent of base salary. Your actual salary may be above, in, or below this range, depending on your location and experience. Our office locations in Lowell, Boston, Oakland, and Chicago all carry geography-based upward adjustments to the base pay range.
We value transparency and can share more during the interview process.
Benefits and Culture
New Leaf Energy's success is driven by our collaborative, long-term relationships based on trust and transparency. We offer a flexible work environment that places significant responsibility in independent teams and creates opportunities for innovation and personal growth. New Leaf Energy's benefits are designed to appropriately recognize our employees' contributions and enable a reasonable work/life balance. Our benefits include:

• Competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental and vision;
• A 401k plan with immediate vesting and a company match (100% of the first three percent of your pay; 50% for the next two percent you contribute);
• An open and self-managed paid time-off policy;
• A hybrid work location policy that supports working from home for part of the week;
• A parental leave policy for both birthing and non-birthing parents, available immediately upon hire;
• Professional development and education assistance.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
New Leaf Energy values the diverse perspectives, skills, experiences, and contributions of all employees. We want all our employees to feel like they belong and are empowered to be their most authentic selves at work. We're actively committed to fostering diversity and creating an inclusive environment not only within our own organization but also within the clean energy industry.
We seek a diverse candidate pool in this-and every-search. New Leaf Energy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, genetics, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state, federal and local laws. In addition to federal law requirements, New Leaf Energy complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. EEO M/F/D/V.
A Note to Third-Party Recruiters
New Leaf Energy's People + Culture team coordinates all recruiting and hiring at our company. New Leaf Energy does not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters, staffing firms, or related agencies. Resumes are only accepted from third-party recruiters, staffing firms, or related agencies if a signed agreement is in place AND if external recruiting assistance is authorized by the People + Culture team for a specific position. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of New Leaf Energy. New Leaf Energy is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.