Senior Project Consultant, Community Consulting

The Senior Project Consultant, Community Consulting works with communities to guide the implementation of projects and programs, maintains client relationships, and assists with program development for initiatives related to affordable housing and sustainable communities with an emphasis on energy and water efficiency, renewable energy, decarbonization, and community resilience. Projects focus on providing technical assistance to communities to help them achieve their sustainability goals by identifying funding opportunities, connecting them to technical resources, and providing expertise in policy and program design centered on equity, economic inclusion, and community and stakeholder engagement.

This position requires experience with community engagement, best practices and familiarity with building retrofit programs, funding and financing mechanisms for climate and energy programs, building science practices, and their connection with climate equity. The Senior Project Consultant, Community Consulting collaborates with others in the National Strategic Engagement team and with core service departments of Elevate, as well as our national partner organizations.

The Senior Project Consultant reports directly to the Director, Community Consulting. The position is located in Chicago, IL, and is currently fully remote.

• Lead projects and support programs for Elevate’s national consulting work.
• Build trust and cultivate relationships that align with mission-oriented projects, supporting and redirecting resources to those who are most impacted by climate change.
• Support development and launch programs and projects at the intersection of Elevate’s mission and the needs of local communities.
• Oversee project teams that include staff from across Elevate.
• Communicate regular project/program updates and results to internal staff and external stakeholders.
• Support client engagement nationally, including conducting customer outreach, preparing for and participating in client meetings, developing proposals, and coordinating with partnership managers across teams.
• Coordinate across teams and with partner organizations on projects and support client delivery of programs.
• Represent Elevate with local, state, and national energy efficiency stakeholders at meetings, conferences, etc.
• Stay current on affordable housing policies, energy efficiency and green design trends, and available financial and program offerings for building owners, developers, municipalities, and community-based organizations.
• Center the lives and voices of the economically disadvantaged, as well as Black, Brown, and Indigenous people and communities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree or relevant lived experience required.
• A minimum of three (3) years of experience in energy, climate, equity, or other related work.
• A minimum of three (3) years of project management experience, including developing proposals, managing and tracking resources, maintaining client relationships, budgeting and financial reporting, internal and client progress reporting, and quality assurance of deliverables.
• A minimum of three (3) years of experience with municipal climate and energy related funding and financing mechanisms such as municipal bonds, PACE, green banks, revolving loan funds, etc.
• Familiarity with building retrofit programs, building science practices, and their connection with climate equity.
• Understanding of municipal processes and how to work with local government departments to move initiatives forward.
• Experience successfully managing and prioritizing multiple projects simultaneously while delivering on time and within budget.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Commitment to Elevate’s mission and racial equity statement.
• Skilled in listening and amplifying the voices and vision of the community.
• Experience developing and coordinating values-driven, community-rooted programming.
• Ability to foster meaningful and authentic relationships that are supportive and inclusive across internal teams, external partners, and municipal clients.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, as well as…