Environmental Manager– Renewable Energy

ACCIONA Energía is the biggest 100% renewable energy company with no fossil legacy in the world. With more than 30 years of experience and operations in 20 countries on five continents, ACCIONA Energía offers a wide portfolio of tailored energy solutions so that its corporate and institutional clients can meet their decarbonisation goals. This includes the development, engineering, construction, operation and maintenance of renewable power plants -mainly wind and photovoltaic technologies-, energy sales and management and marketing, energy services, self-consumption, electric mobility and new technologies such as storage and green hydrogen. ACCIONA Energía is governed by the most demanding environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) criteria.

The Environmental Manager assists with the development, construction and operation of wind, solar and battery energy storage systems for renewable We’re looking for a Manager, Environmental, Social Impact, Compliance, and Sustainability to lead and integrate these four critical functions across Acciona Energía’s renewable energy projects and operations in North America. This newly created role reflects our global strategy to align these interconnected areas under a unified approach—maximizing their collective impact on responsible project development and operations, regulatory integrity, community trust, and long-term sustainability. The manager will oversee a small team to support implementation across the project lifecycle. Strong expertise in environmental permitting and operational environmental management is essential for success in this role.

Job Description Key Responsibilities:

- Environmental

- Oversee federal, state, and local environmental permitting and compliance for development, construction, and operation of renewable energy facilities, including wind, solar and battery energy storage.

- Collaborate with cross-functional teams, external consultants, and regulatory agencies to manage licensing, permitting, and environmental reporting.

- Identify and mitigate environmental risks, including wildlife and habitat considerations, wetlands and cultural resources throughout project phases.

- Manage environmental data collection, reporting, and integration into Acciona’s Environmental Management System (EMS) following ISO 14001 standards.

- Conduct or oversee environmental audits and site inspections to ensure compliance with internal policies and external regulations.

- Perform due diligence for project acquisition and provide environmental review and risk assessment.

- Assist and provide environmental inputs for project financing.

- Responsible for providing necessary reporting and oversight for environmental spills/releases.

- Provide guidance and training on environmental policies, procedures, and best practices.

- Social Impact Management

- Develop and implement local stakeholder engagement strategies to foster transparency and trust within local communities.

- Support community investment and benefit-sharing programs aligned with project goals and corporate values.

- Present and implement annual social impact management programs.

- Track and manage annual budget for social impact management programs.

- Monitor and report on social impact management performance metrics and commitments.

- Manage social impact management risk identification and mitigation throughout project development, construction and operations.

- Review and track all donations for North America.

- Governance & Compliance

- Ensure adherence to corporate compliance standards and internal controls across all relevant functions.

- Conduct internal compliance audits, track findings, and coordinate corrective actions.

- Maintain compliance risk registers and fulfill reporting requirements as per our risk and compliance management framework

- Support employee training and awareness programs to reinforce compliance culture and ensure adherence to relevant laws and standards.

- Other duties as assigned

- Sustainability

- Compile sustainability reporting from all construction and operating sites.

- Perform audits to ensure reliability of data.

- Submit sustainability reports on a monthly and annual basis.

- Reduce and continuously improve waste streams.

- Collaborate with global teams to implement and advance corporate sustainability strategies.

About You

Required Skills and Competencies

You have a strong foundation in environmental permitting and compliance, with hands-on experience supporting field operations and working closely with site teams, local stakeholders, and communities. You are comfortable managing reporting and auditing requirements, and bring a proactive, solutions-oriented approach to your work. You excel at collaborating across internal teams—both locally and globally—as well as with external partners, ensuring alignment, compliance, and impact at every stage of the project lifecycle.

Qualifications

- Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, or related field.

- Minimum 10 years of experience in environmental preferably in renewable energy, infrastructure, or utilities sectors.

- Demonstrated ability to effectively manage a team.

- Proven track record with environmental permitting, compliance, and stakeholder engagement in the United States and Canada.

- Excellent communication, project management, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

- Ability to communicate effectively with federal and state agencies.

- Ability and willingness to travel up to 25%, including to remote project sites.

- Must possess a valid driver’s license

- Must be able to work in an outdoor environment in all seasons, hot and cold conditions

- Must hold or be eligible to hold a Passport

Comprehensive Benefits – We’ve Got You Covered

- Base Pay: : $120,000 to $ 160,000 (based on experience, education, and skillset)

- 15 % Annual Performance Bonus based on individual performance and company metrics)

- Day 1 Benefits: medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your eligible dependents

- Access to EAP, HSA contributions, and FSA options

- After 90 days: life insurance, disability coverage, and paid parental leave

- 401(k) with company match and immediate vesting

- Paid time off: 15 days PTO, 9 public holidays, and 2 flexible holidays—plus 1 extra day of PTO each year of service

- $50/month wellness reimbursement for fitness-related expenses

- Career development opportunities, tuition reimbursement, and technical training access

Work Environment

- Hybrid work schedule: 3 days in the Downtown Chicago office, 2 days remote

- Modern office amenities include healthy snacks, coffee, and free fitness center access

- Early Fridays with a 3:00 PM cut-off

Job Location:

55 E. Monroe St.,

Chicago, IL 60603

As a company that values diversity as a source of talent, we work to foster an inclusive environment that promotes respect, belonging and engagement so that all people can participate on an equal opportunity basis. We invite everyone to apply regardless of origin, circumstances, background or condition.