Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) Project Manager

Senior Project Manager – Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)

Position Summary

KLE is seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager to lead the delivery of utility-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects on behalf of our utility clients. This role will oversee projects from development through engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, and turnover while serving as the owner's representative to ensure safety, quality, schedule, budget, and regulatory compliance.

Projects may be delivered under Build-Transfer, EPC, or Design-Build agreements and require coordination across developers, engineering firms, construction contractors, equipment suppliers, utility stakeholders, permitting agencies, and regulatory organizations.

The ideal candidate has successfully delivered complex utility, transmission, substation, renewable energy, battery storage, or large infrastructure projects and thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary project manager and owner's representative for utility-scale BESS projects.
• Lead project execution from early development through commercial operation and project closeout.
• Manage project scope, schedule, budget, risk, and overall project performance.
• Coordinate activities among developers, EPC contractors, engineering consultants, equipment suppliers, utility operations, environmental teams, permitting agencies, and regulatory stakeholders.
• Oversee engineering reviews, procurement milestones, construction activities, commissioning, and project turnover.
• Monitor contractor performance and ensure compliance with contractual requirements.
• Facilitate project meetings and provide clear communication to executive leadership and project stakeholders.
• Identify project risks and develop mitigation strategies to maintain schedule and budget objectives.
• Review project documentation, change orders, RFIs, submittals, invoices, schedules, and progress reports.
• Ensure projects comply with utility standards, safety requirements, environmental regulations, and applicable industry codes.
• Support permitting activities and interface with AHJs, interconnection teams, environmental groups, and regulatory agencies as needed.
• Track project KPIs and prepare executive-level reporting on project status, financial performance, risks, and forecasts.
• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure contractors execute work in accordance with established safety expectations.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, or related technical field.
• 8+ years of project management experience delivering large capital projects.
• Demonstrated experience managing utility, renewable energy, battery storage, transmission, substation, or other complex infrastructure projects.
• Experience managing multiple stakeholders across engineering, construction, operations, environmental, permitting, and regulatory organizations.
• Strong understanding of project controls, scheduling, budgeting, forecasting, and risk management.
• Experience administering EPC, Design-Build, or Build-Transfer contracts.
• Excellent communication, leadership, negotiation, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and project management software such as Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience delivering utility-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects.
• Experience with lithium-ion battery technologies and energy storage system integration.
• Familiarity with interconnection processes and utility transmission or distribution systems.
• Knowledge of renewable generation projects including solar, wind, or hybrid facilities.
• PMP certification preferred.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license is a plus.
• Experience working directly with investor-owned utilities or electric cooperatives.

Desired Competencies

• Executive-level communication and stakeholder management
• Strategic planning and critical thinking
• Leadership in matrixed project organizations
• Contract administration and commercial awareness
• Schedule and budget management
• Risk identification and mitigation
• Conflict resolution and negotiation
• Team leadership and mentoring
• Decision-making in complex project environments
• Commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement

Work Environment

• Hybrid or client-site based, depending on project needs.
• Travel to project sites, client offices, and construction locations as required.
• Ability to participate in occasional field walks and construction inspections.

Why KLE

KLE partners with utilities across North America to deliver critical infrastructure projects that improve reliability, resiliency, and the transition to cleaner energy. Our project managers serve as trusted advisors to our clients, leading multidisciplinary teams and delivering complex progr…