Project Manager Iii - Geothermal Operations Lead

Posting Title
Project Manager III - Geothermal Operations Lead

Location
CO - Golden

Position Type
Regular

Hours Per Week
40

Working at NREL
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado is the nation's primary laboratory for research and development of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.

From day one at NREL, you'll connect with coworkers driven by the same mission to save the planet. By joining an organization that values a supportive, inclusive, and flexible work environment, you'll have the opportunity to engage through our ten employee resource groups, numerous employee-driven clubs, and learning and professional development classes.

NREL supports inclusive, diverse, and unbiased hiring practices that promote creativity and innovation. By collaborating with organizations that focus on diverse talent pools, reaching out to underrepresented demographics, and providing an inclusive application and interview process, our Talent Acquisition team aims to hear all voices equally. We strive to attract a highly diverse workforce and create a culture where every employee feels welcomed and respected and they can be their authentic selves.

Our planet needs us! Learn about NREL's critical objectives, and see how NREL is focused on saving the planet.

We invite all interested candidates to apply for this opportunity. While we recognize that job seekers may hesitate if they don't meet every requirement, we encourage dedicated individuals who meet all the basic and additional required qualifications of the role to submit an application. We value the opportunity to consider those who believe they have the necessary skills and ambition to succeed at NREL.

Job Description

NREL's Geothermal Program is seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Project Manager to serve as the Geothermal Program Operations Lead. This role will support the Geothermal Laboratory Program Manager (LPM) and will lead the program's operations activities, including portfolio performance monitoring, roll-up cost assessments, variance analysis, knowledge management, and operational processes. The emphasis of this role is on project portfolio administration, report tracking, assisting with DOE Program Manager meetings and requests and coordination of NREL project Principal Investigators (PI).

We are looking for an individual who is comfortable working with multiple technical and support staff to develop and implement project and program control systems, integrate project data for decision makers, and identify problem areas and solutions. The ideal candidate will foster a collaborative, inclusive, respectful and productive work environment to support innovation and creativity and act as advisor to management and customers on project issues and program operation systems.

This position will coordinate closely with the Geothermal LPM and DOE counterparts, project controllers and managers, project PIs, and financial analysts to ensure successful project delivery in support of organizational and program goals. The position may also interact closely with the center directors, group managers, business support staff, and other laboratory program managers and various NREL departments associated with the Geothermal program.

Job Duties Include but Not Limited To:
Act as main point of contact and advisor to management and customers on project issues and program operation systems. Initiate, plan, and/or direct and manage large-scale program activities such as annual operations planning, financial or spend plans, AOP planning, proposal coordination, quarterly reporting, funding management, peer reviews, and annual resource planning. Communicate and execute plan with project controllers, project managers, PI's and other stakeholders supporting geothermal projects. Assist the LPM with annual strategic program planning. Create and implement project and program control systems and integrates project data for decision makers, identifies problems areas and solutions. Provide financial analysis as needed, including cash flow, un-costed carryover, cost projections, end-of-year un-costed reconciliation. Manage budgets and financial reporting for the geothermal program, including tracking and reporting progress toward business, operational, and programmatic goals. Serve as the NREL point-of-contact for all projects within the program, including forecasting and resource availability. Communicate program, center, directorate, and/or lab-wide process changes and manage integration into the program operations systems as necessary. Provide training or access to training on new processes/best practices. Lead the development and maintenance of Geothermal Research Operations Team Processes and Procedures Manual. Coach operations team on project management/project controller best practices. Perform complex resource planning/forecasting duties in coordination with other center project managers and leadership to ensure program projects are resourced appropriately. Communicate project risks and develop mitigation plans. Identify program obstacles and champion solutions. Foster strong relationships and hold regular interactions with DOE, other project managers, and external stakeholders. Track, analyze, and present program and project status data to relevant team members. Manage/oversee program reporting activities to DOE such as QALMS. Manage the client tracking/reporting process for financials and milestones; develop/review financial reports for the client as requested; and track and manage funding actions in coordination with the client. Support quality control and consistency across GTO AOPs. Manage and report on budgets, spending, metrics, and deliverables to NREL management and DOE. Support PEMP process for the geothermal program: setting and tracking goals, reporting, etc. Oversee milestones and monitor adherence to master plans and schedules. Monitor and regularly report on project and portfolio health. Ensure alignment between GTO AOPs and NREL geothermal programmatic strategy and goals. Guides successful completion of high-impact project(s) that have a significant impact in advancing NREL's strategy and institutional reputation. Champion proposal coordination efforts for competitive DOE solicitations and SPP partnerships. Develop operational solutions to complex problems which require the regular use of ingenuity and innovation. Ensures solutions are consistent with program objectives. Create and implement methods for analyzing and collectively managing project(s). Analyzes strengths and weaknesses of program activity and develops solutions to achieve greater overall program success. Manage special projects as needed (develop lab tours for guests, LDRD briefing). Understand and adhere to Laboratory policies and procedures; communicate those as needed to operations and research teams. Coordinate seminars, foreign and domestic visits, workshops, large and small meetings, and other visits as needed; assist with agendas, notes, action items, and follow-up activities. Basic Qualifications
Relevant PhD or equivalent relevant education/experience. Or, relevant Master's Degree and 3 or more years of experience or equivalent relevant education/experience. Or, relevant Bachelor's Degree and 5 or more years of experience or equivalent relevant education/experience.

* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date. Additional Required Qualifications Advanced understanding and application of project management principles, concepts, practices, and standards; including experience in finance and business processes, administrative experience. Proficiency and experience using Microsoft Office Suite, SharePoint, and other computer software programs such as PowerBI needed to effectively track and manage a portfolio. Demonstrated ability to build and maintain trusting relationships with team members and project leaders. Strong ability to prepare professional communications that are appropriate for internal and external stakeholders. Demonstrated ability to work independently to manage complex project(s) activities, deliverables, and problems. Highly organized and detail oriented. Preferred QualificationsStrong interpersonal and communications skills. Skills in problem-solving related to project and programmatic challenges. Experience leading complex and detailed schedule development across a program based on an understanding of multiple projects in partnership with client stakeholders and team members. Ability to act and respond adaptively in a research environment that is sometimes fast paced and sometimes sluggish. Job Application Submission Window

The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed.

Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week)
Job Profile: Project Manager III / Annual Salary Range: $79,600 - $143,300

NREL takes into consideration a candidate's education, training, and experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining the salary level for potential new employees. In compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, a potential new employee's salary history will not be used in compensation decisions.

Benefits Summary
Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; short*- and long-term disability insurance; pension benefits*; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match*; life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance; personal time off (PTO) and sick leave; paid holidays; and tuition reimbursement*. NREL employees may be eligible for, but are not guaranteed, performance-, merit-, and achievement- based awards that include a monetary component. Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement. Limited-term positions are not eligible for long-term disability or tuition reimbursement.

* Based on eligibility rules

Badging Requirement
NREL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which includes a favorable background investigation.

Drug Free Workplace

NREL is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.

If you are offered employment at NREL, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.

Submission Guidelines

Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at NREL you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.

EEO Policy

NREL is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.

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