Project Manager

Title: Project Manager

Company: Rethink Electric

Location: Wood Dale, IL

Type: Full-Time, In-Office

Compensation: $130,000.00 - $160,000.00 per year + Discretionary Bonus + Comprehensive Benefits

About Rethink

Rethink Electric is a leading commercial and industrial solar electrical contractor with more than 15 years of experience and more than 1,000 projects installed. We specialize in the construction and installation of commercial and industrial solar projects across the United States, including rooftop and ground-mount systems.

Rethink partners with solar developers, EPCs, building owners and other project stakeholders to safely and efficiently construct high-quality solar energy systems.

Position Overview

Rethink Electric is seeking an experienced Project Manager – Solar EPC Construction to lead the execution and delivery of commercial and industrial solar projects throughout the United States.

This is a construction-focused EPC Project Manager position, not an owner/developer project management role. The Project Manager will be responsible for managing projects from Notice to Proceed (NTP) and mobilization through construction, commissioning, Substantial Completion and final turnover to the customer/O&M team.

The Project Manager will serve as the primary point of coordination between Rethink's field operations, engineering, procurement, subcontractors, customers and other project stakeholders. The successful candidate will be accountable for delivering projects safely, on schedule, within budget, in accordance with contract requirements, and to Rethink's quality standards.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on construction project manager who understands how solar projects are actually built and can effectively manage the people, materials, schedule, costs, contracts and issues required to successfully execute a project.

Key Responsibilities

Project Execution & Construction Management

• Lead the execution of commercial and industrial rooftop and ground-mount solar projects from NTP through final completion.
• Develop and maintain project execution plans and coordinate project mobilization.
• Establish clear project objectives, responsibilities, milestones and deliverables for internal teams and subcontractors.
• Coordinate engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning activities to ensure successful project execution.
• Work closely with the Superintendent, Foremen and field crews to identify and resolve construction issues.
• Monitor daily and weekly construction progress and take corrective action when performance does not meet the project plan.
• Develop and implement recovery plans when projects fall behind schedule.
• Ensure construction activities are performed in accordance with approved drawings, specifications, contract requirements and applicable codes.

Schedule Management

• Develop, maintain and actively manage the project baseline schedule.
• Establish and manage critical path activities and contractual milestones.
• Develop and maintain three-week and other short-term look-ahead schedules as required.
• Track project progress against planned production and milestone dates.
• Identify schedule risks and develop mitigation and recovery strategies.
• Coordinate schedule impacts associated with engineering, permitting, procurement, material deliveries, weather, subcontractors and customer requirements.
• Communicate schedule status and potential delays to project leadership and customers in a timely manner.

Subcontractor & Field Team Management

• Manage and coordinate subcontractors throughout project execution.
• Establish clear expectations for schedule, production, quality, safety, documentation and contract compliance.
• Monitor subcontractor performance and address deficiencies promptly.
• Review subcontractor schedules, manpower levels and productivity.
• Coordinate with field leadership to ensure adequate manpower, equipment and materials are available to maintain the project schedule.
• Support subcontractor procurement, scope alignment, negotiations and performance management.

Procurement & Material Management

• Coordinate project procurement activities with the estimating, procurement and operations teams.
• Track major equipment and material procurement from purchase through delivery to the project site.
• Identify long-lead items and material risks that could impact the construction schedule.
• Coordinate material deliveries, site logistics and equipment requirements.
• Resolve material shortages, damaged materials, incorrect deliveries and other procurement issues that affect project execution.

Cost & Financial Management

• Manage project budgets and monitor actual and committed costs against the approved project budget.
• Maintain accurate project cost forecasts and identify potential cost exposures.
• Review subcontractor invoices, purchase orders and project expenditures.
• Identify cost impacts associated with changes, delays, productivity issues and unforeseen conditions.
• Work with project leadership to develop and implement cost-control measures.
• Support monthly project forecasting and financial reporting.

Contract & Change Management

• Manage project execution in accordance with the EPC contract, subcontract agreements, drawings, specifications and other contractual requirements.
• Identify changes in scope and document potential cost and schedule impacts.
• Prepare and support change order requests, claims and other contractual correspondence.
• Ensure required notices are issued in accordance with contractual requirements.
• Maintain appropriate documentation to protect Rethink's contractual position.
• Monitor subcontractor compliance with contractual obligations.

Customer & Stakeholder Management

• Serve as a primary point of contact for the customer during construction.
• Lead or participate in weekly construction and project status meetings.
• Provide accurate project status updates, including schedule, cost, progress, risks, issues and recovery actions.
• Maintain professional relationships with customers, subcontractors, consultants, utilities, AHJs and other project stakeholders.

Quality, Safety & Compliance

• Support Rethink's safety culture and ensure project activities are performed in accordance with company safety requirements and project-specific requirements.
• Coordinate quality control activities and ensure work complies with approved plans, specifications and applicable codes.

Commissioning, Completion & Turnover

• Coordinate construction completion activities with commissioning and operations teams.
• Support system energization, testing and commissioning activities.
• Manage punch-list development and completion. .

Project Documentation & Reporting

• Maintain accurate project records within Procore and other company systems.
• Manage RFIs, submittals, meeting minutes, daily reports, schedules, change documentation and other project records.
• Prepare weekly and monthly project reports.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Business, Architecture or a related field preferred; equivalent construction experience will be considered.
• 5+ years of construction project management experience, preferably with commercial/industrial electrical, renewable energy or solar EPC projects.
• Demonstrated experience managing construction projects from mobilization through completion and turnover.
• Commercial or industrial solar construction experience strongly preferred.
• Experience managing subcontractors and field construction teams.
• Strong understanding of construction scheduling, project controls, procurement and cost management.
• Experience with contract administration, change orders and subcontractor management.
• Proficiency with Procore, Microsoft Project, Primavera P6 or similar construction/project management software.
• Strong Excel skills and the ability to analyze project cost and schedule information.
• Ability to read and understand construction drawings, specifications, contracts and project schedules.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects in a fast-paced construction environment.
• Willingness to travel to project sites as required.
• Strong problem-solving skills with a proactive approach to identifying and resolving project issues.

Compensation & Benefits

• Full-time position with competitive compensation commensurate with experience.
• $40–$49/hour estimated compensation range.
• Discretionary bonus opportunities.
• 401(k) employer match.
• Health, vision and dental benefits.
• Paid time off, including company holidays.
• Opportunity for advancement within a growing renewable energy construction company.

Rethink 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 compensation 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, certifications and 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. At Rethink, it is uncommon for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role, as compensation decisions are tailored to the specifics of each case.

We do not accept unsolicited agency resumes and 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.