Workforce Strategy and Planning Specialist Principal

Job Description
Located in the heart of Central Ohio, Illuminate USA is transforming solar panel manufacturing from our cutting-edge facility in Pataskala. As a new standalone joint venture established by two global leaders in renewable energy, we’ve rapidly grown to over 1,500 associates and are now fully operational in our 1.1 million-square-foot factory. Our vision is to establish one of the largest solar panel manufacturing operations in the Western Hemisphere.
This is an exciting time to join Illuminate USA as we continue to grow and innovate. We’re not just building solar panels—we’re building a team of dedicated, passionate associates eager to make a real impact. If you’re looking to be part of a collaborative, people-focused, and forward-thinking workplace, we want to hear from you!
We offer competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and continuous opportunities for career growth. Come join us on this journey to create a brighter, more sustainable future in the Columbus area.
The Workforce Strategy and Planning Specialist Principal will specialize in aligning our human capital with our long-term business goals while also generating a resource management system capable of optimizing current resource allocation. This role is responsible for knowing the current resource needs, financial forecasting for a future resilient workforce, analyzing skills gaps, scenario modeling for market demand and automation, and recommending talent strategies as well as organizational structure capable of delivering the right people in the right role at the right time.
This role is an enterprise integrator who partners closely with Executive Leadership, HR, Talent Management and Finance to ensure resource management initiatives and program investments are aligned and translated into business output. The ideal candidate is someone who enjoys taking the complex and making it simple. Our Workforce Strategy and Planning Principal is a critical thinker and problem solver who enjoys analyzing data and synthesizing business information to deliver actionable talent strategies with aligned tools and programs.
Responsibilities
Headcount Planning & Control System: Design, build and deliver a resource planning and control reporting system capable of providing leadership with real-time understanding of the daily process coverage needs and gaps.
Capacity Modeling: Develop data models to project long-term headcount supply and demand against corporate growth targets and financial metrics.
Skills Gap Analytics: Segment the current associate population to map existing capabilities and identify systemic risks, future talent shortages, or areas prone to technological obsolescence.
Strategic Scenario Planning: Facilitate organizational design discussions and model "what-if" scenarios to insulate the business against sudden labor market shifts, technology disruptions and equipment automation.
Cross-Functional Synergy: Partner with HR, Talent and Finance (FP&A) to reconcile human capital plans with operating budgets, ensuring headcount adjustments remain financially viable.
Upskilling & Continuity Roadmaps: Collaborate with Talent Management to align strategic initiatives with business needs and build internal mobility frameworks, leadership succession tracks, and training initiatives.
Executive Storytelling: Transform complex workforce analytics and labor market trends into simple and scannable dashboards, reports and presentations to senior leadership
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business, Finance, Human Capital, Statistics, Economics, or a related field (MBA or advanced degree preferred
8+ years of experience in HR analytics, workforce planning, or related roles.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (VLOOKUPs, pivot tables, complex logic modeling) and data manipulation.
Hands-on experience extracting talent metrics out of Human Resources Information Systems such as Workday.
Familiarity with corporate analytics or business intelligence software (e.g., Power BI).
Exceptional presentation and verbal communication skills with maturity capable of handling highly sensitive, confidential organizational data.
At Illuminate USA, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We proudly embrace equal opportunity for all, ensuring that all qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Your unique background and experiences are valued here, as we believe they strengthen our team and drive our mission forward.
Illuminate is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.