Executive Director, Partnerships & Strategy

This position has been deemed critical by the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability Dean’s Office and is exempt from the hiring pause.

This position is based on Stanford’s main campus with consideration given to the option for a hybrid work schedule (partially onsite 3 or more days a week), subject to operational need.

Interested candidates must include a resume and cover letter to be considered for this position.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa.

About Us

The Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability strives to create a future when humans and nature thrive in concert and in perpetuity. The school is made up of a three-part structure to drive global impact: Our academic departments and programs educate students and create new knowledge across areas of research that are crucial for advancing the long-term prosperity of the planet and people; Institutes bridge scholarship at Stanford and beyond, bringing multiple viewpoints to bear on urgent challenges; The Sustainability Accelerator drives new policy and technology solutions through a worldwide network of partners who work with our teams to develop solutions at a global scale. The school is dedicated to creating and supporting a community with the richness of experience and background needed to create solutions that benefit all people, particularly those most affected by environmental damage and climate change.

For more information on the school, click here.

Precourt Institute for Energy

As part of the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, the Precourt Institute for Energy concentrates the talents of the University on energy research and education, from basic science and technology to policy and business. Our mission is to spark the creativity, collaboration, learning, and leadership needed for the global energy transformation. The initiatives, research centers, and educational programs of the Precourt Institute connect across campus in all seven of Stanford’s schools supporting work with the potential to solve the toughest energy challenges from science and engineering to policy and economics. We also build collaborations globally with industry, other research institutions, government, and civic organizations in pursuit of sustainable, affordable, secure energy for all people.

Position Overview

The Precourt Institute for Energy seeks exceptional candidates for the role of Executive Director, Partnerships & Strategy. Reporting directly to and working closely with the Precourt Institute Director, the Executive Director will spearhead the development and execution of a comprehensive strategy that integrates the academic and practitioner perspectives, capabilities and resources across the research, development and deployment pipeline to advance sustainable, affordable and secure energy for all.

Working with the Institute director, faculty fellows, staff and advisory council, the Executive Director will design and build a cohesive fabric to enable the Institute’s centers, initiative and programs (as well as other units across Stanford) to sustain thriving, multi-faceted partnerships with industry and non-profit organizations. The expected outcome is that Stanford partners with practitioners and delivers research impact across all facets of the energy system such that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

The role will spearhead the development and growth of large, funded partnerships and alliances with industry and non-profit organizations, by leveraging the breadth and depth of expertise among Stanford faculty and researchers and by coordinating with centers, initiatives and programs in the Institute and with other units across Stanford. The Executive Director will represent the institute in senior-level strategic discussions and engage with energy leaders.

Your Responsibilities will include:

• Develop and execute a strategic vision and plan that integrates academic and practitioner perspectives, capabilities and resources to advance Stanford’s mission across the entire energy system.
• Create and strengthen connective tissues to bring together specific domains of energy research through strategic convenings and grantmaking.
• Deliver significant funded partnerships between Stanford, industry and non-profit organizations.
• Coordinate with centers, initiatives program and stakeholders across Stanford to catalyze research and partnerships that spans all facets of energy.
• Lead and manage a team supporting complex energy research programs and partnerships, including technical experts and professionals responsible for partnership development, faculty engagement, grantmaking, and program execution.
• Ensure successful execution of funded programs by monitoring progress, managing risks, and maintaining accountability for sponsor expectations and contractual commitments.
• Serve as a senior liaison to management, cross-functional areas, schools, sponsors, and other external organizations.

In addition to the minimum qualifications listed below, our preferred qualifications include:

• PhD degree and 15 years of relevant experience or combination of education and relevant experience. Advanced degree may be required.

• Exceptional understanding of the energy technology ecosystem.

• Exceptional communication skills, including the ability to translate complex technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders, including senior government officials and corporate executives.

• Strategic thinker with the ability to connect technological innovation with economic and policy considerations.

• Demonstrated ability to identify, develop, and cultivate strategic partnerships across academia, industry, and government.

• Proven ability to resolve complex issues quickly and make sound decisions that advance university objectives within a collaborative culture.

The expected pay range for this position is $214,936 to $260,287 per annum.

Core Duties:

• Provide strategy and vision; make decisions that establish objectives for the overall direction or operation of a significant project(s) or area(s).

• Manage staff of a large science, engineering, and/or technical research area, which includes recruiting, hiring, developing, evaluating and setting priorities; manage business, technical, and educational activities for direct reports including managers and technical experts.

• Identify, clarify, and resolve issues with strategic impact and substantial significance, which span multiple areas, using advanced technical and professional knowledge requiring broad discretion and judgment.

• Collaborate with others on the direction of activities relevant to long-term objectives. Develop strategies to ensure effective achievement of objectives.

• Develop policies and procedures as they relate to academic or program activities.

• Implement, evaluate and maintain quality control standards to ensure program success.

• Establish, oversee and manage financials and schedule for large programs and/or multiple projects.

• Recommend the adoption of emerging technologies and the development of new methods and approaches.

• Negotiate with internal departments and external agencies with authority to commit resources and effort.

• Serve as a liaison to senior management, cross-functional areas, schools and external organizations such as sponsors and government agencies.

Minimum Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree and eight years of relevant experience or combination of education and relevant experience. Advanced degree may be required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Experience leading, managing, motivating and developing technical staff.

• Experience leading complex scientific, engineering or technical research projects or programs.

• Detailed understanding of relevant business and technical knowledge and problem resolution.

• Ability to synthesize and articulate technical and scientific methodologies, specifications, and information.

• Knowledge of emerging technologies, trends, methodologies, and resource management principles.

• Demonstrated ability to work and communicate effectively with others. .

• Exceptional customer relationship and consensus building skills.

• Ability to influence and establish effective working relationships in a diverse environment.

• Ability to resolve complex issues quickly and make decisions that meet university objectives in a collaborative culture.