The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado is the nation's primary laboratory for research and development of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.
From day one at NREL, you’ll connect with coworkers driven by the same mission to save the planet. By joining an organization that values a supportive, inclusive, and flexible work environment, you’ll have the opportunity to engage through our ten employee resource groups, numerous employee-driven clubs, and learning and professional development classes.
NREL supports inclusive, diverse, and unbiased hiring practices that promote creativity and innovation. By collaborating with organizations that focus on diverse talent pools, reaching out to underrepresented demographics, and providing an inclusive application and interview process, our Talent Acquisition team aims to hear all voices equally. We strive to attract a highly diverse workforce and create a culture where every employee feels welcomed and respected and they can be their authentic selves.
Our planet needs us! Learn about NREL’s critical objectives, and see how NREL is focused on saving the planet.
We invite all interested candidates to apply for this opportunity. While we recognize that job seekers may hesitate if they don’t meet every requirement, we encourage dedicated individuals who meet all the basic and additional required qualifications of the role to submit an application. We value the opportunity to consider those who believe they have the necessary skills and ambition to succeed at NREL.
Job Description
NREL's Grid planning and analysis center has an opening for a full-time Project Controller. The prime responsibility of this role is to provide specialized project management and financial support to research staff. The emphasis of this role is on project administration, planning, coordination, tracking, and reporting.
The project controller will work under the general supervision and guidance of project leaders and more senior-level staff to support planning, coordinating, implementing, and assessing project activities according to project objectives and deadlines, while assisting to keep project milestones/deliverables on time and within budget. This position serves to support the integration of cross-project elements including but not limited to Finance, Procurement, Funds-in, Risk Management, Project and Business Management, and Client/Sponsor teams. Researches, assembles, and evaluates project information or data and recommends sound practical solutions to project issues.
Key Areas of Responsibility (Level II and level III)
Project budget review and monitoring, subcontract management (SOW development, execution, accruals, approving invoices, tracking and meeting deliverables), task planning and scheduling, documentation management, client reporting, and documenting cost share requirements. Specific project requirements may vary depending on client type and agreement structure.
Job Duties For level II and Level III Might Include:
- Supporting the project team with project management activities: create schedules, monitor progress against deliverables, track costs against plans and manage budgets
- Completing regular assessments of project progress and finances and update plans when indicated
- Researching, assembling and evaluating information/data and develop solutions to issues
- Contributing to and preparing reports, presentations, and group communications to internal and external stakeholders
- Planning, organizing, and executing project activities such as webinars, client meetings, workshops, and conferences
- Preparing project documentation including budget tracking and reporting
- Assisting in the preparation of project management documentation
- Supporting the development of proposals by coordinating with PIs, developing draft materials, compiling, uploading materials, etc.
- Manage and coordinate subcontracting and procurement procedures and serving as technical monitor when needed.
Level III-
All of the above duties plus:
- Acts as a resource for colleagues with less experience; may review the work of other staff members. Responsible for modifying, and improving group policies and procedures.
- Acts as expert resource for staff, reviews the work of other staff members.
- Duties generally include collecting, evaluating and conducting unusually complex analyses, and preparing reports, disclosures, presentations and recommendations related to a specific field or function. May lead functional teams or projects. Responsible for developing, implementing and managing Center/Office policies.
- Plans, designs, and implements advanced concepts, and helps establish strategic direction for assignments and projects.
Basic Qualifications
Level III- Relevant Bachelor's Degree and 5 or more years of experience or equivalent relevant education/experience. Or, relevant Master's Degree and 3 or more years of experience or equivalent relevant education/experience. Or, relevant PhD or equivalent relevant education/experience. Or, relevant JD or equivalent relevant education/experience. Complete understanding and wide application of technical principles, theories and concepts in the field. General knowledge of other related disciplines. Considerable knowledge of laws, regulations, principles, procedures and practices related to specific field. Strong leadership, project management and problem solving skills. Ability to use various computer software programs.
Level II- Relevant Bachelor's Degree and 2 or more years of experience or equivalent relevant education/experience. Or, relevant Master's Degree or equivalent relevant education/experience. General knowledge and application of technical standards, principles, theories and techniques. Frequent application of industry concepts and principles. General knowledge of laws, regulations, principles, procedures and practices related to specific field. Skilled in problem solving, written and verbal communication. Ability to use various computer software programs.
Additional Required Qualifications
- Proficiency and experience using Microsoft Excel and the Microsoft Office Suite and other computer software programs needed to effectively track and manage a project
- Knowledge and application of project management principles and practices
- Thrives in a fast paced, innovative environment
- Initiates projects, works unsupervised, completes tasks independently, solves problems, and does whatever it takes to drive results.
- Excellent prioritization and ability to manage multiple assignments.
- Strong interest in learning about technical and institutional aspects of projects in portfolio
- Experience as an analyst of data, metrics, program impact
- Excellent written and verbal communications skills
- Strong interpersonal, conflict resolution, and collaboration skills
Preferred Qualifications
- Advanced skills in Excel including Lookup, Pivot tables and formulas
- Experience utilizing dashboard creation tools such as PowerBi and Tableau
- Experience as an analyst of data, metrics, program impact
- Excellent written and verbal communications skills
- Strong interpersonal, conflict resolution, and collaboration skills
- Knowledge of national laboratory structures and processes is preferred
- Experience with developing PowerBI dashboards and financial evaluation reports
- Problem-solving skills related to project challenges
- Strong oral and written communications skills
- Ability to prepare professional communications that are appropriate for internal and external stakeholders
- Ability to understand NREL financial systems (EPP, NQuIRE, iProcurement, etc.) to gather and interpret data
- High degree of detail-orientation
Job Application Submission Window
The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed.