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 help 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

Position Summary:

Walker-Miller Energy Services (W-M) is seeking a mission-driven and experienced Program Manager to lead the implementation of our Clean Energy Contractor Capital Access Program. This innovative initiative is designed to increase access to capital for small and medium-sized diverse-owned contractors who are building the clean energy future. The Program Manager will also oversee a comprehensive Needs Assessment conducted by a subcontractor, designed to inform the strategy and direction of this high-impact program.

At Walker-Miller, we believe in empowering people and enriching communities through energy efficiency. This position is ideal for a collaborative leader who is passionate about inclusion, clean energy, and supporting underserved business communities. The Program Manager will work closely with internal teams, external partners, and community stakeholders to deliver measurable impact and ensure program excellence.

Essential Responsibilities: This role is likely to evolve as the program progresses, in response to emerging needs and priorities.

• Embrace and operate within our core values.

Program Leadership

• Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of all phases of the Clean Energy Contractor Capital Access Program.
• Develop and manage a detailed project plan with defined milestones and deliverables.
• Ensure all project goals are met on time and within scope, while maintaining program quality.
• Oversee program budget and lead all fiscal management activities, including forecasting, tracking, and reporting.
• Ensure alignment with W-M's strategic objectives and commitment to social and economic inclusion.

Stakeholder and Partner Engagement

• Identify, engage, and maintain relationships with capital providers, community lenders, non-lending support organizations, and other partners throughout Illinois.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive stakeholder engagement strategy to expand program reach and impact.
• Serve as the primary liaison for internal departments and external partners, ensuring effective and transparent communication.
• Represent W-M in meetings, public forums, and partner events with professionalism and purpose.

Needs Assessment Oversight

• Manage and support the subcontractor responsible for the program's Needs Assessment.
• Monitor subcontractor performance and ensure findings are effectively integrated into program planning and execution.
• Use assessment results to shape investment strategies and long-term program growth.

Performance Tracking and Reporting

• Define and monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), including capital secured, contractor growth, and investment outcomes.
• Prepare and submit reports summarizing program milestones, risk mitigation, and overall impact.
• Ensure consistent, clear communication with W-M leadership and stakeholders on progress and challenges.
• Inclusion and Market Development Strategy
• Lead the development of a Market Development Action Plan that reflects W-M's commitment to inclusion, fair access, and economic opportunity.
• Ensure the program contributes to broader organizational goals of workforce development, community investment, and clean energy access for historically marginalized businesses.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Public Policy, Finance, Sustainability, or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years' experience in program or project management, ideally within clean energy, economic development, or small business finance.
• Demonstrated success engaging diverse stakeholders and leading cross-sector partnerships.
• Strong understanding of capital access strategies, financial products, and inclusive economic development.
• Proven ability to manage program budgets and conduct accurate forecasting.
• Outstanding communication skills, both written and verbal, with a talent for translating complex ideas for diverse audiences.

Desired Qualifications:

• Masters degree.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) or similar certification.
• Familiarity with Illinois' clean energy ecosystem and community development finance networks.
• Experience working with diverse-owned businesses and applying inclusion-centered frameworks.

Travel Requirements

• TBD- travel across the state as needed

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Required to sit, stand, walk; talk and hear; and ability to touch and handle tools and/or controls
• The team member is frequently required to stand, walk, kneel, crouch, and/or crawl
• Ability to lift up to 30 pounds
• Noise level is typically low to moderate

At Walker-Miller Energy Services, we believe in showing people how to save money while saving the planet. If you're ready to lead a transformative program that helps diverse contractors grow and thrive in the clean energy economy, we invite you to join our team.

Note: Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

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.

Walker-Miller Energy Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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.

Compensation Range: $89,460-$105,000

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)