Project Manager - Sustainability and Energy

Position Summary:

We are seeking a highly motivated Project Manager - Sustainability and Energy to support and execute strategic energy, renewable, and sustainability initiatives across our organization. This role will be responsible for planning, managing, and delivering projects that improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and support corporate sustainability goals. The ideal candidate combines strong project management expertise with technical knowledge of renewable energy systems, building performance, sustainability reporting, and financial analysis.

This individual will work cross-functionally with facilities, real estate, fuels, finance, procurement, operations, and executive leadership to identify opportunities, manage project execution, and measure business and environmental outcomes.

This position is based out of our Corporate Headquarters in Reading, PA and candidates must be able to work on site 4 days per week and 1 day of work from home per week. 

Major Responsibilities:

• Support the planning, development, and implementation of renewable energy projects, including onsite solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, battery storage, and other clean energy initiatives.

• Support solar development activities, including site assessments, feasibility studies, permitting support, vendor coordination, and project execution, project management.

• Help with evaluating and negotiating Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), Energy Service Agreements (ESAs), and other renewable energy procurement strategies.

• Identify and manage building energy efficiency projects, including HVAC optimization, lighting upgrades, building automation systems, electrification initiatives, and energy conservation measures.

• Develop project business cases including capital investment estimates, lifecycle cost analysis, ROI, NPV, payback period, and total cost of ownership.

• Support LEED certification, green building initiatives, and sustainable construction projects.

• Coordinate sustainability reporting and disclosure programs, including greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories, ESG reporting, CDP, Ecovadis, and other sustainability frameworks.

• Support waste management programs - identify opportunities to reduce and divert waste and help develop a comprehensive waste management plan and metrics

• Support grant and funding initiatives - help manage Penske grant management programs across the US

• Develop, monitor, and report sustainability KPIs, energy metrics, carbon reduction targets, and executive dashboards.

• Collaborate with utility providers, engineering consultants, contractors, and government agencies on incentive programs, rebates, and grants.

• Utilize AI-powered analytics and project management technologies to improve project planning, forecasting, reporting, and operational efficiency.

• Manage project schedules, budgets, risks, procurement, and stakeholder communications from initiation through completion.

• Ensure compliance with environmental regulations, energy codes, and corporate sustainability standards.

• Continuously evaluate emerging clean energy technologies and recommend innovative solutions that improve operational and financial performance.

• Other projects and tasks as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Sustainability, Environmental Science, Energy Management, Construction Management, Business, or a related discipline.

• 5+ years of experience managing sustainability, renewable energy, energy efficiency, or capital improvement projects.

• Demonstrated experience managing commercial or industrial solar energy projects.

• Strong understanding of renewable energy technologies, energy markets, utility programs, and building systems.

• Experience with LEED certification requirements and sustainable building practices.

• Knowledge of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), renewable energy procurement, and utility interconnection processes.

• Experience performing financial modeling, ROI analysis, capital planning, and project cost estimation.

• Familiarity with ESG reporting, sustainability disclosures, carbon accounting, and environmental performance metrics.

• Strong project management, organizational, and communication skills.

• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects with competing priorities.

• Regular, predictable, full attendance is an essential function of the job

• Willingness to travel up to 40% of the time, work the required schedule, work at the specific location required, complete Penske employment application, submit to a background investigation (to include past employment, education, and criminal history) and drug screening are required.

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

• LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP).

• Certified Energy Manager (CEM).

• Experience with energy modeling and utility incentive programs.

• Knowledge of ISO 14001, ISO 50001, or similar sustainability management systems.

• The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The associate will be required to: read; communicate verbally and/or in written form; remember and analyze certain information; and remember and understand certain instructions or guidelines.

• While performing the duties of this job, the associate may be required to stand, walk, and sit. The associate is frequently required to use hands to touch, handle, and feel, and to reach with hands and arms. The associate must be able to occasionally lift and/or move up to 25lbs/12kg.

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Penske is an Equal Opportunity Employer