Senior Project Manager - Solar

• North Sydney

• Senior Project Manager - Solar

• Full-Time Position
  
  

Brief

Smart Commercial Energy is seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager to join our Projects team.

As a leader in the commercial solar and storage space, we design and deliver complex energy solutions across Australia. With a growing pipeline of large-scale and multi-site projects, this role presents an opportunity to take on genuine ownership, senior technical accountability and real impact across our biggest and most complex work.

Based in our North Sydney office, with regular site travel, you'll report to the Program Head and act as a senior escalation point for the wider projects team, providing oversight, mentoring and support as our portfolio continues to grow.

Role

The Senior Project Manager is responsible for the end-to-end management and delivery of a portfolio of the company's largest and most complex commercial solar projects, typically from 500 kW to multi-MW, including multi-site programs, ground-mount installations and, where applicable, battery energy storage (BESS) integrations. The role carries full commercial accountability for its portfolio, spanning scope, contract, margin, program and client outcomes, and acts as a senior technical and delivery escalation point within the projects team, ensuring projects are completed safely, on time, within budget and in compliance with Australian standards and guidelines.

The role does not hold formal line management of other Project Managers, but is expected to provide oversight, mentoring and escalation support to the projects team, and to take on additional oversight where required. Seniority reflects the scale, complexity and commercial accountability of the projects delivered.

Responsibilities 

Safety

• Lead HSE compliance across the portfolio, including SWMS, inductions and high-risk work controls.
• Champion a strong safety culture, leading incident investigations and corrective actions.

Financial and Commercial

• Own budget, forecast, cash flow and margin protection across the portfolio.
• Manage contracts, variations and commercial negotiations with clients and subcontractors.
• Lead procurement strategy for major equipment and subcontract packages.

Results/Output

• Sign off on Site Plans, Single Line Diagrams, Monitoring Schematics and construction methodologies.
• Manage grid connection applications, structural assessments and council approvals.
• Develop project programs and resourcing plans, driving recovery where projects fall behind.

Quality

• Set the quality standard for the portfolio in line with AS/NZS standards and best practice.
• Provide senior technical oversight on PV and battery designs, installs and commissioning.
• Lead commissioning, handover and as-built documentation.

People Management

• Direct project engineers and subcontractors across design, installation, electrical and commissioning work.
• Act as the first escalation point for Project Managers and Project Engineers.
• Mentor less experienced Project Managers and support new starters.
• Own senior client relationships across the portfolio.

Compliance

• Ensure adherence to AS/NZS standards, CEC guidelines and DNSP requirements.
• Lead project risk management and maintain the portfolio risk register.

Reporting

• Report on program, risk, commercial and financial performance to the Program Head.
• Prepare monthly portfolio and client-facing progress reports.

Continuous Improvement

• Lead post-project reviews and drive improvements to delivery processes and tools.
• Contribute technical input to tenders and pre-construction planning.
  
  

Key Attributes

The ideal candidate will have:

• Deep understanding of the electricity industry, photovoltaic systems and battery energy storage systems.
• Extensive project management experience (typically 7+ years) delivering commercial solar projects from 500 kW upwards, including multi-MW, multi-site and ground-mount projects.
• Demonstrated commercial and contract management experience, including variations, claims, extensions of time and subcontract management, with a track record of protecting project margin.
• CEC accreditation for grid-connected system design (highly regarded).
• A tertiary qualification in engineering, construction management or a related discipline, or equivalent industry experience; a formal project management qualification (PMP, PRINCE2 or similar) is desirable.
• Expertise in rooftop and ground-mount solar systems, including complex structural, electrical and grid connection requirements.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills, with the ability to resolve complex technical, procedural and commercial issues independently.
• Highly organised, able to lead and prioritise multiple large-scale projects simultaneously.
• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal, including presenting to senior client stakeholders and executive leadership.
• Strong relationship management with clients, contractors and suppliers, fostering effective internal and external collaboration.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and project scheduling tools such as Microsoft Project.
  
  

Benefits

• Competitive salary package and career development opportunities
• Flexible, family-friendly workplace with hybrid work options after probation
• Market-leading, award-winning employer with a fun and dynamic culture
• Work on cutting edge, innovative and world-first projects for amazing customers
• Talented and supportive team, experienced management
• Sustainable business with strong ESG credentials
• Great North Sydney location: 4 mins walk from Vic X Metro Station, 8 mins from North Sydney train station
• Paid parking available on site if required
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program with six free counselling sessions per year
• A dedicated Learning and Development budget for courses and professional growth