Job Title: Advanced Energy Project Manager

Organization: Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR)

Project: Energy Grant Program

Position Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Location: Eastern Kentucky

Reports To: Chief Operating Officer

SOAR is seeking a mission-driven Advanced Energy Project Manager to coordinate and grow SOAR's advanced energy portfolio. This position will ensure that Eastern Kentucky is well-positioned to benefit from major opportunities in nuclear energy readiness, hydropower development, advanced manufacturing, and other emerging energy sectors.

The Manager will manage multiple grants and contracts, coordinate with federal, state, and local partners, and move projects from early-stage feasibility to community implementation.

This position is an in-office position to report to one of SOAR's main or satellite offices in the region. Extensive travel throughout the region and some out-of-state travel will be required.

Core Responsibilities

• Program Implementation & Grant Management
  • Oversee implementation of SOAR's energy-related grants and contracts, including:
    • KY Office of Energy Policy / Appalachian Wayfinder Contract - Deliver quarterly reporting, project identification, and technical assistance.
    • Energy Communities Alliance Collaborative-Based Siting Grant - Lead town halls, focus groups, and interim/final report submissions.
    • United States Forest Service Appalachian Carbon Exchange (ACE) - Coordinate mapping, workshop planning, and community engagement.
  • Track metrics, prepare reports, and maintain compliance with all funder requirements.
• Nuclear Energy Ecosystem Development
  SOAR has positioned Eastern Kentucky as a leader in nuclear energy readiness. This role will manage and expand that work by:
  • Workforce Development:
    • Partnering with higher education, workforce boards, and training providers to design pipelines into nuclear-related careers.
    • Coordinating programming at the SOAR Summit and regional events to highlight nuclear opportunities.
    • Supporting reskilling efforts for displaced workers and preparing a nuclear outage workforce.
  • Supply Chain Readiness:
    • Identifying and engaging in Eastern Kentucky manufacturers to assess their potential roles in the nuclear supply chain.
    • Connecting local businesses with national partners such as GAIN, MPR, and Envoy Public Labs to qualify for procurement opportunities.
  • Site Preparation + Community Readiness:
    • Assisting communities with applying for Kentucky's Nuclear-Ready Community designation.
    • Facilitating site identification and coordinating with local governments, utilities, and state agencies to prepare for future reactor or facility siting.
    • Hosting community workshops and stakeholder sessions to build public awareness and support.
• Advanced Energy Project Development:
  • Serve as SOAR's lead on Rye Development's Lewis Ridge Pump Storage Hydropower Project, coordinating stakeholder engagement and public education.
  • Monitor and support additional advanced energy opportunities as they arise, ensuring SOAR can quickly respond with coordination and community engagement support.
• Stakeholder Engagement + Ecosystem Support:
  • Lead listening sessions, technical workshops, and roundtables to engage community leaders, industry partners, and residents.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with manufacturers, site selectors, and developers.
  • Serve as a liaison between SOAR, the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, the Nuclear Energy Development Working Group, and federal agencies.
• Reporting + Continuous Improvement:
  • Prepare quarterly and final reports for internal and external audiences.
  • Capture best practices and lessons learned to improve SOAR's energy strategy and engagement model.
  • Provide recommendations to SOAR leadership for new initiatives and partnerships.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in energy policy, engineering, environmental science, public administration, project management, or a related field.

• Minimum 3-5 years of professional experience managing grants, contracts, or complex projects involving multiple partners.

• Proven ability to manage federal, state, and private grants, including reporting, compliance, and stakeholder engagement.

• Strong organizational and time management skills with experience handling multiple, simultaneous projects.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to lead town halls, workshops, and technical sessions.

• Demonstrated success in building and maintaining relationships with government agencies, industry partners, and community organizations.

• Understanding of advanced energy sectors, including nuclear readiness, hydropower, carbon exchange, or related emerging technologies.

• Ability to translate technical information into accessible language for community stakeholders.

• Familiarity with Appalachian or rural ecnomic development strategies.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.

• Regular and reliable attendance required

• Must be able to handle prolonged periods of sitting at a desk or standing at an event

• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at a time when necessary

Preferred Skills:

• Prior experience working with federal and state agencies such as Department of Energy (DOE), Economic Development Administration (EDA), US Department of Agriculture (USDA), or the Kentucky Office of Energy Policy.

• Knowledge of workforce development programming, including reskilling displaced workers.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to anticipate challenges as propose solutions.

Culture and Core Values:

SOAR's mission is simple:
empower every Eastern Kentuckian to economic self-sufficiency through meaningful employment.

Our culture is anchored by putting the interest of Eastern Kentucky first in all that we do. We believe treating others the way we want to be treated is always within our control. Our core values include faith, grit, selflessness, integrity, and empathy. We do our best to exemplify these daily in our interactions with others and with external partners.

Apply Here

SOAR is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.