Associate Manager, Program Operations

Associate Manager, Program Operations

Location: Applicants must be in the Pacific Time Zone to be considered (Arizona applicants are preferred)

Ready to make a difference?

The Associate Manager, Program Operations is a leadership role within ICF’s Energy Efficiency Division, responsible for managing program implementation across the West Region for all West portfolios. This position collaborates with a cross-functional team, including program management, outreach, technical, and marketing personnel, and plays a central role in project delivery, strategy development, and market expansion. They will oversee a team of direct reports (primarily Energy Specialists) to ensure consistent, high-quality client delivery. This role supports the development of a holistic strategy across multiple portfolios, optimizes staffing based on workload fluctuations, and establishes best practices for core programmatic functions such as performance tracking, invoicing, project reviews, and client deliverables.

They will work with the regional Program Operations Manager, client portfolio leads, residential and commercial Program Managers, and the broader regional team to develop and deliver a holistic strategy and consistent client delivery. The role will also coordinate across multiple large portfolios, leverage regional staff based on fluctuating workloads, and develop best practices for programmatic functions such as project reviews, performance tracking, client deliverables, and project startup activities.

Why you will love working here:

- Quality of life: Flexible workplace arrangements, work-life balance
- Investment of the community: Donation matching, volunteer opportunities
- Investment in you: Tuition reimbursement, access to professional development resources, 401k matching, Employee Stock Purchase Plan
- And many, many more (Ask your recruiter for more details!)

What you will be doing:

Direct the quality and performance of the team responsible for the following tasks:

- Timely and accurate project reviews.
- Coordinate and oversee program-level reporting, invoicing, forecasting, KPI tracking, and performance management activities, ensuring accurate deliverables, forecast validation, quality reviews, and timely implementation of corrective action plans to support successful portfolio execution.
- Support internal and external team meetings by prepping and pulling quantitative data, coordinating with project managers on qualitative inputs, coordinating with portfolio lead on agenda, hosting meeting, and documenting action items
- Coordination with rebate processing team to ensure all incentives are processed. Ensure timely customer and subcontractor payments.
- Generate accurate and polished deliverables for all regulatory filings, reports, and presentations.
- Coordinate with portfolio manager for final inputs and approvals.
- Maintain and update shared files, resources and program documents to ensure all program staff has access to latest versions of materials.
- Coordinate with program managers to develop and maintain portfolio-level performance forecasts and trend analysis.
- Maintain business workflow documents and keep process guides updated.
- Draft/compile program awards for clients. Coordinate with marketing to oversee accurate program promotions and information.

Manage operations for the implementation of the West portfolios, responsible for the following tasks:

- Ensure that the programs are performing as expected and explain forecasted variances.
- Collaborate with program managers to ensure all activities related to quality program delivery are executed.
- Present performance metrics to internal and external stakeholders.
- Review and approve large projects in a timely manner and with high attention to detail.
- IT/reporting, requirements coordination, assisting with JIRA ticketing when necessary.
- Field requests from subcontractors.
- Assist with monthly data verification.
- Coordinate regularly with internal team members (such as engineers and energy specialists) to ensure standard operating procedures are followed.
- Conduct final desk reviews/approvals of projects over a certain incentive threshold.
- Manage bandwidth of team and adjust staffing strategies as needed.

What we need you to have (minimum qualifications):

- Bachelor's Degree (or applicants can substitute one year of related experience for one year of education)
- 3+ years of professional experience in program operations, business analysis, financial analysis, reporting, analytics and/or related field

What would be useful (preferred skills):

- Knowledge of the utility market (specifically energy efficiency, demand response, and distributed energy resource programs and markets).
- Certifications related to operational excellence (PMP, Six Sigma, etc.) and/or industry specific certificates (LEED, BPI, RESNET, etc.)
- Project management experience.
- Experience with Power BI (or similar data visualization tool), Power Automate, Excel macros

Professional skills you will use:

- Program implementation, operations management, and performance tracking across multiple portfolios
- Team leadership, coaching, employee development, and performance management
- Business process improvement, workflow optimization, and operational documentation
- Data analysis, forecasting, reporting, and KPI management
- Project management, quality assurance, and stakeholder communication
- IT coordination, systems support, and workflow management
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills with strong analytical capability and attention to detail
- Excellent communication, collaboration, and relationship-building skills across internal teams, clients, and stakeholders
- Strong organizational skills, professionalism, sound business judgment, and ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining confidentiality

Bot and Third-Party Applications

Please note that this application must be submitted directly by the applicant for consideration.  Failure to do so may result in the application being excluded for consideration .   Applicants needing an accommodation for disability or religious purposes in connection with the application process should contact  [email protected]  for assistance.

Working at ICF
ICF is a global advisory and technology services provider, but we’re not your typical consultants. We combine unmatched expertise with cutting-edge technology to help clients solve their most complex challenges, navigate change, and shape the future.

We can only solve the world's toughest challenges by building a workplace that allows everyone to thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer .   Together, our employees are empowered to share their   expertise   and collaborate with others to achieve personal and professional goals. For more information, please read our  EEO   policy.

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Reasonable Accommodations are available, including, but not limited to, for disabled veterans, individuals with disabilities, and individuals with   sincerely held   religious beliefs, in all phases of the application and employment process. To request   an accommodation,   please email  [email protected]  and we will be happy to   assist . All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent   required   to provide needed reasonable accommodations.

Read more about  workplace discrimination righ t s   or our benefit offerings which are included in the  Transparency in (Benefits) Coverage   Act.

Candidate AI Usage Policy
At ICF, we are committed to ensuring a fair interview process for all candidates based on their own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate or   assist   with responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is not   permitted . This policy is in place to   maintain   the integrity and authenticity of the interview process.

However, we understand that some candidates may require accommodation  that involves the use of AI. If   such an   accommodation is needed, candidates are instructed to contact us in advance at  [email protected] . We   are dedicated to providing   the necessary support to ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to succeed.

Pay Range - There are multiple factors that are considered in determining final pay for a position, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location, education and certifications as well as contract provisions regarding labor categories that are specific to the position.

The pay range for this position based on full-time employment is :
$73,738.00 - $125,354.00

Arizona Remote Office (AZ99)