VP, Construction (Chicago)

Job Posting: VP, Construction

Reports To: Chief Operations Officer

Company: SunVest Solar, LLC®

Location: Chicago, IL (Loop - 200 N LaSalle St)

Type: Full-Time

Compensation: Competitive Base Salary + Discretionary Bonus + Comprehensive Benefits

A reasonable estimate of the current salary range is $225K+ commensurate with experience.

Are you passionate about renewable energy and eager to have a meaningful impact through your career? SunVest Solar, LLC (“SunVest”) is a rapidly growing, renewable energy platform, headquartered in Chicago with assets across the country. We are expanding our team and seeking a VP, Construction to play a pivotal role in ensuring successful delivery and management of solar projects, contributing significantly to our operational excellence and customer satisfaction. As a leader in solar development with a robust project pipeline, SunVest offers an exciting opportunity for individuals looking to thrive in the dynamic world of renewable energy.

About SunVest:

SunVest’s mission is to cultivate access to renewable energy for a sustainable America. We are a rapidly growing leader in renewable energy with expertise across the energy transition value chain, including development, construction, financing, and operations. SunVest is advancing an industry-leading pipeline of nearly 2 gigawatts of development projects, with a growing portfolio of assets under management expected to reach 300 megawatts in 2026. SunVest is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, in the dynamic West Loop neighborhood. For more information, visit

Position Overview:

SunVest’s Project Management (Construction) team is responsible for the successful delivery of solar projects from development and preconstruction handoff through EPC contracting, construction, commissioning, and closeout, ensuring that projects are completed safely, on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.

As the VP, Construction based in our Chicago HQ and reporting to the Chief Operations Officer, you will be responsible for overseeing our Commercial and Industrial (C&I) and solar projects (500 kW to 50 MW) throughout the execution lifecycle—from preconstruction handoff and EPC contractor selection through contract negotiation, construction, commissioning, and closeout. The successful candidate will own a key element of SunVest’s sustainable growth strategy, establishing disciplined project and commercial controls while managing up to 100 projects in various stages of contracting and construction.

Key Responsibilities:

Project Lifecycle Management:

• Oversee solar projects from preconstruction handoff through EPC contract execution, construction, commissioning, and closeout, ensuring they are executed safely, on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.
• Develop and implement project execution plans, baseline budgets, and schedules; identify potential challenges; and establish contingency strategies to mitigate risks.

EPC Contracting and Commercial Management:

• Lead the end-to-end EPC contracting process, including bid strategy, contractor selection, scope alignment, commercial negotiation, contract execution, and handoff to construction, in coordination with Development, Preconstruction, Engineering, Procurement, Legal, and Finance.
• Own the commercial and risk terms of EPC agreements, including price, scope boundaries, schedule and milestones, payment terms, liquidated damages, performance guarantees, warranties, insurance and bonding, and change-order and claims procedures.
• Ensure EPC agreements align with approved budgets, project financing and sale requirements, and SunVest’s risk tolerances; drive timely resolution of contract exceptions before execution.
• Administer EPC contractual obligations through completion, including notices, schedule enforcement, payment applications, change orders, claims, backcharges, retainage, substantial and final completion, and warranty closeout.

Team Leadership and Contractor Management:

• Lead, mentor, and develop the in-house project execution team, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and excellence.
• Manage EPC contractor relationships and performance, ensuring delivery meets SunVest’s safety, quality, schedule, cost, and contractual requirements.

Compliance and Quality Assurance:

• Ensure compliance with all environmental laws, policies, and regulations, promoting a culture of strict adherence to compliance protocols.
• Implement and uphold rigorous quality assurance processes to ensure the highest standards of project execution and safety.

Communication and Reporting:

• Maintain open communication channels with senior management, providing regular updates on project status, risks, and opportunities.
• Collaborate closely with Development, Preconstruction, Engineering, Procurement, Legal, Finance, and Asset Management to align EPC contracting and project execution with organizational goals and ensure seamless handoffs into construction and operations.

Continuous Improvement:

• Analyze project and contract outcomes, contractor performance, claims, and cost and schedule variances to capture lessons learned, improve contracting standards, and strengthen project execution processes.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field required; advanced degree or relevant certifications preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in project management or construction, with at least 3 years in a leadership role within the solar or renewable energy sector and significant experience delivering distributed generation and/or small utility-scale solar projects.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex solar construction projects, with a deep understanding of industry standards, safety protocols, and emerging technologies.
• Substantial experience negotiating and administering EPC agreements, including scope development, risk allocation, payment structures, schedule and milestone commitments, liquidated damages, warranties, performance security, change orders, claims, and closeout.
• Experience managing a mix of delivery models, including third-party EPC, multi-prime, and self-perform construction, is preferred.
• Proven experience in building, leading, and motivating high-performing teams.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively across various departments and with external stakeholders.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to make data-driven decisions and solve complex problems efficiently.
• Excellent problem-solving skills with a proactive approach to identifying issues and implementing effective solutions.
• Certifications such as NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) and OSHA 30-hour training are highly desirable.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Full-time position with competitive base salary commensurate with experience, bonus opportunities, 401(k) employer match, health/vision/dental benefits
• Paid time off including company holidays
• Great opportunity to work with a well-respected fast-growing company in an exciting industry
• Opportunity for advancement

SunVest is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

The salary range for this role reflects the broad array of factors considered in making compensation decisions. These factors include, but are not limited to, skill sets, experience, training, licensure, and certifications, as well as other business and organizational needs. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the geographic differential associated with the location where the position may be filled. A reasonable estimate of the current salary range is $200K+ commensurate with experience.

We do not accept unsolicited agency resumes and we are not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes. We request that recruiters and agencies refrain from contacting us regarding this or any other role within the company. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Join SunVest in leading the charge to cultivate access to renewable energy for a sustainable America!