Senior Program Manager

Company Overview:

Walker-Miller Energy Services is a 25-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 assist electric and gas utilities meet mandated energy savings goals.   

Our experience driven philosophy of energy efficiency 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 Senior Program Manager works directly with multiple (utility) clients to ensure deliverables fall within the applicable scope and budget. Will coordinate with other contractors to ensure all aspects of each 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, based on operational needs. 

• Embrace and operate within the core values.  
• Manage a large cross functional team including internal stakeholders from various operations and support departments. Including 5 or more subcontractors on behalf of 4 or more utility partners.
• Assist in the development of a QA/QC plan to ensure accurate program results and good evaluation results.  
• Thrive in a collaborative environment.  
• Function well with a diverse group of communities, clients, and team members.  
• Work under frequent time pressures.  
• Use good judgment to plan and accomplish goals.  
• Escalate all issues and troubleshoot as needed.   

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. 
• Manage monthly client deliverables such as forecasting, accruals, invoicing, and production data file delivery.
• 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 service providers to meet program objectives. 
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of the program’s strategic direction regarding energy efficiency 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 program implementation. 
• Provide a professional appearance appropriate to represent both Walker-Miller and the client. 
• Lead and attend relevant presentations promoting energy efficiency programs. 
• Practice effective project 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 drive participation in energy efficiency programs.
• Lead and attend relevant presentations promoting energy efficiency 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.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree required; equivalent work experience may be considered.
• 7+ years of Program Management or equivalent experience, in lieu of a Bachelor's degree.
• 5+ years of Program Management or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years’ experience working in the energy efficiency industry required.
• 3 + years of direct or indirect leadership required.

Basic Qualifications:

• Proven leadership abilities in a rapidly changing environment.  
• Proficiency in financial and project management.  
• Experience in community development, grassroots organizing, workforce development, public sector 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.  
• Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as the fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry.  
• Reliable transportation.   

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree.
• 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 project management software.

Licenses & Certifications:

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

Required Skills:

• Project Management: Leads and manages multiple interrelated projects within a program. Develops program strategies and plans. Allocates resources and manages program budgets. Ensures alignment of projects with organizational and client goals.
• Stakeholder Management: Manages stakeholder expectations, resolves conflicts, and consults with stakeholders to address their concerns proactively. Can influence stakeholders and clients to support initiatives.
• Communication: Effectively conveys complex information and ideas clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences, building rapport and trust. Can effectively explain one's own knowledge and/or technical information to others in ways that are easy to understand.
• Data Analysis: Uses data to inform project improvements and decision-making.
• Program Development: Oversees program implementation and manages complex programs. Delivers high-impact training programs to diverse audiences. Conducts thorough program evaluations, including advanced data analysis (e.g., comparisons to KPIs, industry analysis, impact assessments) and qualitative methods. Develops and implements evidence-based strategies for program improvement. Mentors and develops others in making data-driven program changes.
• Technology Skills:  Effectively utilizes a range of technology tools and software to produce desired outputs.
• Collaboration: Achieves shared goals through effective teamwork and collaboration, demonstrating a strong ability to coordinate efforts and resolve conflicts. Leads cross-functional teams to achieve objectives.
• Leadership: Leads and manages complex teams effectively. Develops and implements strategies to create a high-performance team culture. Mentors and coaches team members to develop their skills. Helps attract, develop, and retain talent for both internal and external stakeholders.
• Financial Management: Analyzes financial data to identify opportunities for cost savings and efficiency improvements, incorporates social and environmental factors into financial decision-making, and measures and reports on the social and environmental impact of financial activities.
• Energy Efficiency Knowledge: Has a deep understanding of industry and domain specific tools and methodologies in relevant areas of expertise (e.g., expertise in areas such as program management, regulatory compliance, energy efficiency, etc.) Can apply industry and domain knowledge to solve problems.

Travel Requirements

• Ability to travel up to 50% locally.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Frequent sitting, standing and walking. 
• Must also be comfortable speaking in front of large or small groups.  
• Ability to lift up to 10 pounds.   

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.

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.

Salary Range: $107,500-$125,000/annually

Walker-Miller Energy Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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)