Program Manager, Ford Energy

In this position... 
The Program Manager is a high-impact functional leadership role responsible for defining, executing, and safeguarding the post-contract product delivery pipeline within the Ford Energy Sales Organization. In this role, you will serve as the lead authority on transitioning complex Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and integrated infrastructure projects from contract signing to final commissioning.

As a principal individual contributor, you will directly oversee the execution of Ford Energy’s most strategic and complex deployments while establishing the standardized PMO processes, delivery playbooks, and stage-gate controls for the organization.

What you'll do...

Key Responsibilities

1. Functional Leadership & Delivery Frameworks

• Standardized Execution: Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of standardized post-contract delivery processes, playbooks, and stage-gate reviews tailored for BESS projects.
• Portfolio Health: Monitor and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) for project health, delivery efficiency, and financial performance across the Ford Energy portfolio.
• Tools & Systems Architecture: Champion the adoption of advanced program management tools and tracking systems to ensure consistent execution.
   

2. High-Stakes Project Execution 

• Direct Delivery: Take personal accountability for the execution, timeline, and commissioning of Ford Energy’s largest, most complex, or high-risk utility-scale BESS installations
• Risk Mitigation: Conduct rigorous stakeholder and risk analyses to identify deployment hurdles and coordinate cross-functional interventions to unblock delivery pipelines.
• Technical & Operational Alignment:  Act as the primary interface between Sales, Engineering, Finance, and external EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) contractors to ensure aligned execution.
  
   

3. Stakeholder & Customer Management 

• Primary Escalation Contact: Serve as the prime operational contact and consultant for customers, utilities, and senior internal leadership during project deployment.
• Contractual Coordination: Navigate and resolve complex contractual, scheduling, and technical coordination issues with external partners and utility representatives.
• Mentorship: Provide functional guidance, mentorship, and support to other project specialists and engineers across the organization.

You'll have...


Required


 

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Construction Management, a related technical field, or equivalent.
• Experience: 10+ years of program management, project delivery, or PMO experience, with a proven track record of executing large-scale utility, infrastructure, or energy projects. 
• Execution Expertise: 3+ years of experience directly managing, building, and mentoring high-performing project management teams.
• Execution Expertise: Strong background in post-contract execution, EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) workflows, contract management, and utility-scale deployments.
• Leadership Capability: Proven ability to lead, influence, and drive consensus across matrixed, cross-functional engineering and business teams without direct authority.
  
   

Even better, you may have...
Preferred
 

• Master’s degree or MBA.
• PMP (Project Management Professional) or PMP (Program Management Professional) certification.
• Deep domain knowledge of BESS, grid-scale power systems, or renewable energy project lifecycles.

Leadership Attributes
 

• Operational Leader: Able to establish and execute standardized project delivery frameworks and PMO guidelines, ensuring operational readiness for complex deployments
• Collaborative Facilitator: Skilled at bridging gaps and building operational consensus between Sales, Engineering, Finance, and external partners to drive aligned execution
• Execution Champion: Maintains a hands-on, relentless focus on delivery timelines, quality, and project financials, ensuring our most complex commitments to customers are met successfully
• Functional Mentor: Passionate about mentoring and elevating project delivery capabilities across the organization, with the readiness to foster a collaborative team culture as the function grows.

Location & Travel
 

• Location: Dearborn, MI. Palo Alto, CA, or Glendale, KY. This position operates on a hybrid model, requiring regular onsite presence to collaborate with engineering, sales, and manufacturing leadership.
• Travel Expectations: Moderate domestic travel to project sites, customer offices, and supplier locations as needed to oversee c