University of Chicago
Director, Strategic Initiatives andPrograms, ETI
University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60290
Job Summary
The Director of Strategic Initiatives and Programs is the senior administrative and strategic leader of ETI, accountable for advancing ETI’s mission, optimizing its operations, and deepening collaboration with the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth (ICSG) and external partners. Reporting to the ETI Faculty Director, the Director partners closely with faculty leadership, university offices, and industry stakeholders to ensure ETI’s programs, including the Energy Transition Network (ETN), achieve measurable impact through research translation, corporate engagement, and policy collaboration. This role requires exceptional project management, stakeholder coordination, communication expertise, and operational leadership.
Responsibilities
Serves as ETI’s primary administrative leader, working closely with the ETI Faculty Director and ICIG to set and achieve joint strategic priorities.
Deepens alignment of ETI initiatives with the broader goals of PME, ICIG, and the Corporate Engagement Office.
Oversees development, execution, and evaluation of ETI’s major initiatives, partnerships, events, and collaborations, including ETN.
Ensures cohesion across ETI programs, communications, and operational activities.
Builds and nurtures relationships with University offices, faculty, industry partners, and external collaborators to advance ETI’s strategic objectives.
Manages partnership and member agreements in collaboration with the Corporate Engagement Office to strengthen stakeholder and partnership coordination.
Leads ETI’s communication strategy in partnership with ICIG Communications and ETN Faculty Directors.
Oversees website content, event announcements, research highlights, media amplification, and development of internal and external communication materials.
Directs logistics for ETI events and initiatives, including speaker and venue coordination and follow-up communications. Implements project tracking systems to monitor timelines, deliverables, budgets, and key outcomes.
Identifies and supports funding opportunities, proposal development, and partnership cultivation to expand ETI’s research and program portfolio enhancing resource development and fundraising.
Supervises, develops, and mentors the Research Operations Associate and the Manager of Programs and Partnerships, supporting ETI’s programs, fostering professional development and team cohesion.
Leads the development and implementation of long-term strategic plans in support of ETI’s vision. Recommends process improvements to enhance program effectiveness and impact.
Performs additional responsibilities as needed to ensure the success of ETI and its affiliated programs.
Manages the dissemination, interpretation and application of program and recommends or makes exceptions.
Contributes to design of program content, policies and strategic planning efforts.
Performs other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications Education: Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Work Experience: Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Preferred Qualifications Preferred Competencies
Proven leadership and strategic planning abilities, with a record of guiding complex, cross‑functional initiatives to successful outcomes.
Demonstrated excellence in program management, partnership development, stakeholder engagement, and business development, ideally within energy technology, sustainability, automotive, or academic‑industry sectors.
Deep understanding of academic research structures, university systems, and external partnerships, with a talent for cultivating and maintaining relationships across diverse internal and external stakeholders.
Highly collaborative, team‑oriented, and entrepreneurial, with a customer‑focused approach and an established network in the energy or automotive sector.
Exceptional communication skills, both oral and written, with the ability to connect with technical and non‑technical audiences, represent the initiative externally, and build rapport that drives strategic impact.
Strong strategic and analytical thinking skills; adept at synthesizing complex information, drawing actionable conclusions, and identifying new opportunities for program innovation.
Outstanding project management and organizational skills, with demonstrated success managing multiple projects, budgets, and deliverables in dynamic, fast‑paced, and ambiguous environments.
Familiarity with scientific, engineering, and policy concepts in the energy and climate sectors; enthusiastic and curious about advances in science and technology.
Work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams, consistently maintaining professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality.
Driven by impact, resilient under pressure, and skilled at navigating shifting priorities while upholding excellence in collaboration and stakeholder engagement.
Working Conditions
Some evening or weekend work on occasion.
Some travel.
Application Documents
Resume/CV (required)
Cover Letter (required)
Three Professional References Contact Information (required)
Benefits Eligible Yes
Equal Opportunity Employer The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the job posting statement. All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. The University of Chicago’s Annual Security & Fire Safety Report can be accessed online at the university website. The University of Chicago is a learning university that offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the posting statement.
Pay $140,000.00 – $155,000.00 (exempt, FLSA)
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Responsibilities
Serves as ETI’s primary administrative leader, working closely with the ETI Faculty Director and ICIG to set and achieve joint strategic priorities.
Deepens alignment of ETI initiatives with the broader goals of PME, ICIG, and the Corporate Engagement Office.
Oversees development, execution, and evaluation of ETI’s major initiatives, partnerships, events, and collaborations, including ETN.
Ensures cohesion across ETI programs, communications, and operational activities.
Builds and nurtures relationships with University offices, faculty, industry partners, and external collaborators to advance ETI’s strategic objectives.
Manages partnership and member agreements in collaboration with the Corporate Engagement Office to strengthen stakeholder and partnership coordination.
Leads ETI’s communication strategy in partnership with ICIG Communications and ETN Faculty Directors.
Oversees website content, event announcements, research highlights, media amplification, and development of internal and external communication materials.
Directs logistics for ETI events and initiatives, including speaker and venue coordination and follow-up communications. Implements project tracking systems to monitor timelines, deliverables, budgets, and key outcomes.
Identifies and supports funding opportunities, proposal development, and partnership cultivation to expand ETI’s research and program portfolio enhancing resource development and fundraising.
Supervises, develops, and mentors the Research Operations Associate and the Manager of Programs and Partnerships, supporting ETI’s programs, fostering professional development and team cohesion.
Leads the development and implementation of long-term strategic plans in support of ETI’s vision. Recommends process improvements to enhance program effectiveness and impact.
Performs additional responsibilities as needed to ensure the success of ETI and its affiliated programs.
Manages the dissemination, interpretation and application of program and recommends or makes exceptions.
Contributes to design of program content, policies and strategic planning efforts.
Performs other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications Education: Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Work Experience: Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Preferred Qualifications Preferred Competencies
Proven leadership and strategic planning abilities, with a record of guiding complex, cross‑functional initiatives to successful outcomes.
Demonstrated excellence in program management, partnership development, stakeholder engagement, and business development, ideally within energy technology, sustainability, automotive, or academic‑industry sectors.
Deep understanding of academic research structures, university systems, and external partnerships, with a talent for cultivating and maintaining relationships across diverse internal and external stakeholders.
Highly collaborative, team‑oriented, and entrepreneurial, with a customer‑focused approach and an established network in the energy or automotive sector.
Exceptional communication skills, both oral and written, with the ability to connect with technical and non‑technical audiences, represent the initiative externally, and build rapport that drives strategic impact.
Strong strategic and analytical thinking skills; adept at synthesizing complex information, drawing actionable conclusions, and identifying new opportunities for program innovation.
Outstanding project management and organizational skills, with demonstrated success managing multiple projects, budgets, and deliverables in dynamic, fast‑paced, and ambiguous environments.
Familiarity with scientific, engineering, and policy concepts in the energy and climate sectors; enthusiastic and curious about advances in science and technology.
Work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams, consistently maintaining professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality.
Driven by impact, resilient under pressure, and skilled at navigating shifting priorities while upholding excellence in collaboration and stakeholder engagement.
Working Conditions
Some evening or weekend work on occasion.
Some travel.
Application Documents
Resume/CV (required)
Cover Letter (required)
Three Professional References Contact Information (required)
Benefits Eligible Yes
Equal Opportunity Employer The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the job posting statement. All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. The University of Chicago’s Annual Security & Fire Safety Report can be accessed online at the university website. The University of Chicago is a learning university that offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the posting statement.
Pay $140,000.00 – $155,000.00 (exempt, FLSA)
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