Yale University
Director, Planetary Solutions Impact Accelerator
Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, us, 06540
Director, Planetary Solutions Impact Accelerator page is loaded Director, Planetary Solutions Impact Accelerator Apply remote type Hybrid locations College St, 101 time type Full time posted on Posted Yesterday job requisition id 128887WD Working at Yale means contributing to a better tomorrow. Whether you are a current resident of our New Haven-based community- eligible for opportunities through the New Haven Hiring Initiative or a newcomer, interested in exploring all that Yale has to offer, your talents and contributions are welcome. Discover your opportunities at Yale!
Salary Range
$120,000.00 - $225,000.00
Position Overview: The Director of the Planetary Solutions Impact Accelerator (PSIA) will lead and manage Yale’s dedicated accelerator focused on commercializing groundbreaking technologies aimed at solving planetary challenges, particularly the climate crisis. The Director will oversee day-to-day operations, participate in proposal solicitation and evaluation, advisory committee coordination, project funding management, and active mentorship of Yale faculty innovators in collaboration with Yale Planetary Solutions. The successful candidate will leverage significant climate and sustainability tech experience, ideally blending technical proficiency and commercialization expertise with knowledge of relevant policies and legislation, to position Yale-developed innovations for substantial planetary impact. To maximize its impact on solving planetary challenges, the fund will prioritize technologies directly addressing root-cause problems rather than adaptation or resilience strategies. Key Responsibilities: Building on Yale Ventures’ proven ability to build and operate thematic technology accelerators, the Director will play a pivotal role in establishing PSIA, including all of the following key responsibilities: 1. Fund Leadership and Strategy: Establish strategic goals and operational plans in consultation with the Principal Investigator, Vice Provost for Planetary Solutions Julie Zimmerman, and Yale Ventures. 2. Proposal Management and Solicitation: Participate in an annual solicitation process to engage Yale faculty researchers across relevant disciplines, collaborating with Planetary Solutions and sister accelerator programs run by Yale Ventures. Guide and mentor faculty innovators in proposal development to maximize scientific rigor, market viability, and impact potential. 3. Advisory Committee Coordination: Recruit, organize, and manage a carefully vetted cross-disciplinary advisory committee composed of external climate and clean tech experts, entrepreneurs and investors. Coordinate committee meetings, facilitate proposal reviews, and incorporate advisory recommendations into project selections. 4. Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EIR) Recruitment and Management: Recruit and engage EIRs with deep domain expertise in climate and sustainability technologies, complementing an already established Yale Ventures EIR corps of almost 200 professionals across multiple technology domains. Oversee climate and clean-tech EIR involvement, ensuring they provide comprehensive feedback and mentorship to faculty teams. 5. Student Fellow Program: Recruit, train, and supervise a cohort of 6-8 students annually from SEAS, YSE, GSAS, YSPH, SOM, Architecture and Yale College. Coordinate student activities in market research, technology assessment, and proposal preparation support. 6. Project Management and Funding Oversight: Administer awarded funds, ensuring project milestones, deliverables, and compliance are systematically tracked and reported. Facilitate regular check-ins with funded projects, providing strategic guidance and addressing barriers to commercialization. 7. Technology Translation Support activities to successfully translate successful projects for real-world impact, either through licensing to established operators or forming new ventures to develop the technology. Help develop the commercialization strategy and identify potential investors. Prepare project teams to pitch to investors and corporate partners, and when necessary support all aspects of new venture formation including identifying founding team members, necessary infrastructure and useful partnerships. 8. Stakeholder Engagement and External Relations: Develop and maintain relationships with investors, industry partners, policymakers, and alumni to enhance PSIA’s network. Represent PSAI at relevant events and conferences. 9. Impact Measurement and Reporting: Establish robust metrics to assess and communicate the PSIA’s effectiveness in achieving commercialization and planetary solutions impact goals. Prepare regular reports for university leadership, advisory committee members, and donors.
Required Skills and Abilities: Minimum of 10 years’ experience in climate and clean technology commercialization, venture capital, startup incubation, or related entrepreneurial roles. Demonstrated leadership ability in managing complex projects, teams, and stakeholder networks. Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, capable of engaging diverse academic, industry, and government stakeholders. Strong analytical and strategic thinking abilities, with experience evaluating technical and market viability of early-stage innovations. Proven track record in securing funding, managing budgets, and successfully stewarding investments in technology-driven initiatives. Preferred Skills and Abilities: Advanced degree (master’s or Ph.D.) in a relevant field (e.g., engineering, environmental sciences, energy systems, or related climate technologies). Established relationships within the climate and clean tech investment community and relevant industry sectors, including (but not limited to) any of the following: (1) Carbon Management & Energy Systems, (2) Low-Carbon Industry & Built Environment, (3) Biosystems, Food & Agriculture, and/or (4) Water & Ecosystem Technologies Familiarity with academic innovation environments and experience translating university research into commercial ventures. Experience mentoring and developing early-career professionals and graduate students. Principal Responsibilities 1. Provide strategic leadership and oversight for the Accelerator Fund, ensuring that all activities and projects align with the Fund’s long-term goals and objectives. Develop and refine strategic plans to drive the Fund’s growth and impact.2. Maintain regular communication with key stakeholders, including university administration, faculty, the Accelerator advisory committee, and other external audiences.3. Oversee and develop the annual report for the Fund’s donors.4. Supervise and manage the Fund team to successfully implement the Fund’s goals and directives.5. Lead the Fund team to mentor faculty teams to develop proposal and resource allocation strategies, including assembling teams, engaging external partners, and editing draft proposals. Understand the competitive advantages and challenges, market opportunity, and additional development required to move projects to the next steps.6. Identify and engage external partners as necessary for the successful execution of funded projects, securing quotes and statements of work as appropriate.7. Grow the departments reputation among faculty as a partner to support commercialization efforts and develop a target list of all prospective projects for potential inclusion to the Fund.8. Lead the Fund team to oversee all funded projects, tracking outcomes and costs as well as variances between budgeted and actual values.9. Lead the Fund team to facilitate the flow of communications between Fund applicants, Yale Ventures staff, and Fund Advisory Board members.10. Develop a culture of appreciation for translational research and funding among faculty and Fund applicants, including researchers less knowledgeable about the commercialization funding landscape.11. In conjunction with Yale Ventures staff, lead ongoing marketing of the Fund, building awareness across the entire University community.12. Advise the Venture Lab program on the specific business needs of Fund awardees, both prior to, during and after the acceleration process.13. Lead the Fund team to gather and analyze information to prepare status reports. Develop tailored executive summaries to communicate progress, challenges, and next steps. Ensure that assignment and scheduling of work follows internal policies and procedures as well as regulatory requirements.14. Maintain document version control; provide a comprehensive editorial review of all drafted content; advise investigators on proposal organization.15. Lead the Fund team to collaborate with the business development team and principal investigators to prepare development plans, define specific objectives and implement alternatives and choices for full proposals.16. Lead the Fund team to work with the business development team and principal investigators to prepare the presentation of full proposals to the Fund advisory board and Yale leadership.17. Maintains timelines and financial resources in alignment with development project’s goals and objectives in support of the Advisory Committee decisions to continue or discontinue development support.18. Tracks and communicates barriers to technical progress of funded projects in order to minimize and/or eliminate risks19. Works with team in Yale Ventures, on the commercialization of selected projects as new ventures and/or licensing if possible.20. May perform other duties as assigned. Required Education and Experience Advanced degree and/or master’s in the related Fund’s academic discipline and at least 10 years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Background Check Requirements All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks basedon the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website. Health Requirements Certain positions have associated health requirements based on specific job responsibilities. These may include vaccinations, tests, or examinations, as required by law, regulation, or university policy. Posting Disclaimer Salary offers are determined by a candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education in relation to the position requirements, along with the role’s grade profile and current internal and external market conditions.
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties throughtheir hiring department.
The University is committed to basing judgments concerning the admission, education, and employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities and seeks to attract to its faculty, staff, and student body qualified persons from a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives. In accordance with this policy and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran.
Inquiries concerning Yale's Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment may be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (OIEA). Note Yale University is a tobacco-free campus.
Why Choose Yale?
Working at Yale means contributing to a better tomorrow. Whether you are a current resident of our New Haven-based community—eligible for opportunities through the New Haven Hiring Initiative—or a newcomer, interested in exploring all that Yale has to offer, your talents and contributions are welcomed. Discover your opportunities at Yale.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Position Overview: The Director of the Planetary Solutions Impact Accelerator (PSIA) will lead and manage Yale’s dedicated accelerator focused on commercializing groundbreaking technologies aimed at solving planetary challenges, particularly the climate crisis. The Director will oversee day-to-day operations, participate in proposal solicitation and evaluation, advisory committee coordination, project funding management, and active mentorship of Yale faculty innovators in collaboration with Yale Planetary Solutions. The successful candidate will leverage significant climate and sustainability tech experience, ideally blending technical proficiency and commercialization expertise with knowledge of relevant policies and legislation, to position Yale-developed innovations for substantial planetary impact. To maximize its impact on solving planetary challenges, the fund will prioritize technologies directly addressing root-cause problems rather than adaptation or resilience strategies. Key Responsibilities: Building on Yale Ventures’ proven ability to build and operate thematic technology accelerators, the Director will play a pivotal role in establishing PSIA, including all of the following key responsibilities: 1. Fund Leadership and Strategy: Establish strategic goals and operational plans in consultation with the Principal Investigator, Vice Provost for Planetary Solutions Julie Zimmerman, and Yale Ventures. 2. Proposal Management and Solicitation: Participate in an annual solicitation process to engage Yale faculty researchers across relevant disciplines, collaborating with Planetary Solutions and sister accelerator programs run by Yale Ventures. Guide and mentor faculty innovators in proposal development to maximize scientific rigor, market viability, and impact potential. 3. Advisory Committee Coordination: Recruit, organize, and manage a carefully vetted cross-disciplinary advisory committee composed of external climate and clean tech experts, entrepreneurs and investors. Coordinate committee meetings, facilitate proposal reviews, and incorporate advisory recommendations into project selections. 4. Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EIR) Recruitment and Management: Recruit and engage EIRs with deep domain expertise in climate and sustainability technologies, complementing an already established Yale Ventures EIR corps of almost 200 professionals across multiple technology domains. Oversee climate and clean-tech EIR involvement, ensuring they provide comprehensive feedback and mentorship to faculty teams. 5. Student Fellow Program: Recruit, train, and supervise a cohort of 6-8 students annually from SEAS, YSE, GSAS, YSPH, SOM, Architecture and Yale College. Coordinate student activities in market research, technology assessment, and proposal preparation support. 6. Project Management and Funding Oversight: Administer awarded funds, ensuring project milestones, deliverables, and compliance are systematically tracked and reported. Facilitate regular check-ins with funded projects, providing strategic guidance and addressing barriers to commercialization. 7. Technology Translation Support activities to successfully translate successful projects for real-world impact, either through licensing to established operators or forming new ventures to develop the technology. Help develop the commercialization strategy and identify potential investors. Prepare project teams to pitch to investors and corporate partners, and when necessary support all aspects of new venture formation including identifying founding team members, necessary infrastructure and useful partnerships. 8. Stakeholder Engagement and External Relations: Develop and maintain relationships with investors, industry partners, policymakers, and alumni to enhance PSIA’s network. Represent PSAI at relevant events and conferences. 9. Impact Measurement and Reporting: Establish robust metrics to assess and communicate the PSIA’s effectiveness in achieving commercialization and planetary solutions impact goals. Prepare regular reports for university leadership, advisory committee members, and donors.
Required Skills and Abilities: Minimum of 10 years’ experience in climate and clean technology commercialization, venture capital, startup incubation, or related entrepreneurial roles. Demonstrated leadership ability in managing complex projects, teams, and stakeholder networks. Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, capable of engaging diverse academic, industry, and government stakeholders. Strong analytical and strategic thinking abilities, with experience evaluating technical and market viability of early-stage innovations. Proven track record in securing funding, managing budgets, and successfully stewarding investments in technology-driven initiatives. Preferred Skills and Abilities: Advanced degree (master’s or Ph.D.) in a relevant field (e.g., engineering, environmental sciences, energy systems, or related climate technologies). Established relationships within the climate and clean tech investment community and relevant industry sectors, including (but not limited to) any of the following: (1) Carbon Management & Energy Systems, (2) Low-Carbon Industry & Built Environment, (3) Biosystems, Food & Agriculture, and/or (4) Water & Ecosystem Technologies Familiarity with academic innovation environments and experience translating university research into commercial ventures. Experience mentoring and developing early-career professionals and graduate students. Principal Responsibilities 1. Provide strategic leadership and oversight for the Accelerator Fund, ensuring that all activities and projects align with the Fund’s long-term goals and objectives. Develop and refine strategic plans to drive the Fund’s growth and impact.2. Maintain regular communication with key stakeholders, including university administration, faculty, the Accelerator advisory committee, and other external audiences.3. Oversee and develop the annual report for the Fund’s donors.4. Supervise and manage the Fund team to successfully implement the Fund’s goals and directives.5. Lead the Fund team to mentor faculty teams to develop proposal and resource allocation strategies, including assembling teams, engaging external partners, and editing draft proposals. Understand the competitive advantages and challenges, market opportunity, and additional development required to move projects to the next steps.6. Identify and engage external partners as necessary for the successful execution of funded projects, securing quotes and statements of work as appropriate.7. Grow the departments reputation among faculty as a partner to support commercialization efforts and develop a target list of all prospective projects for potential inclusion to the Fund.8. Lead the Fund team to oversee all funded projects, tracking outcomes and costs as well as variances between budgeted and actual values.9. Lead the Fund team to facilitate the flow of communications between Fund applicants, Yale Ventures staff, and Fund Advisory Board members.10. Develop a culture of appreciation for translational research and funding among faculty and Fund applicants, including researchers less knowledgeable about the commercialization funding landscape.11. In conjunction with Yale Ventures staff, lead ongoing marketing of the Fund, building awareness across the entire University community.12. Advise the Venture Lab program on the specific business needs of Fund awardees, both prior to, during and after the acceleration process.13. Lead the Fund team to gather and analyze information to prepare status reports. Develop tailored executive summaries to communicate progress, challenges, and next steps. Ensure that assignment and scheduling of work follows internal policies and procedures as well as regulatory requirements.14. Maintain document version control; provide a comprehensive editorial review of all drafted content; advise investigators on proposal organization.15. Lead the Fund team to collaborate with the business development team and principal investigators to prepare development plans, define specific objectives and implement alternatives and choices for full proposals.16. Lead the Fund team to work with the business development team and principal investigators to prepare the presentation of full proposals to the Fund advisory board and Yale leadership.17. Maintains timelines and financial resources in alignment with development project’s goals and objectives in support of the Advisory Committee decisions to continue or discontinue development support.18. Tracks and communicates barriers to technical progress of funded projects in order to minimize and/or eliminate risks19. Works with team in Yale Ventures, on the commercialization of selected projects as new ventures and/or licensing if possible.20. May perform other duties as assigned. Required Education and Experience Advanced degree and/or master’s in the related Fund’s academic discipline and at least 10 years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Background Check Requirements All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks basedon the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website. Health Requirements Certain positions have associated health requirements based on specific job responsibilities. These may include vaccinations, tests, or examinations, as required by law, regulation, or university policy. Posting Disclaimer Salary offers are determined by a candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education in relation to the position requirements, along with the role’s grade profile and current internal and external market conditions.
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties throughtheir hiring department.
The University is committed to basing judgments concerning the admission, education, and employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities and seeks to attract to its faculty, staff, and student body qualified persons from a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives. In accordance with this policy and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran.
Inquiries concerning Yale's Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment may be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (OIEA). Note Yale University is a tobacco-free campus.
Why Choose Yale?
Working at Yale means contributing to a better tomorrow. Whether you are a current resident of our New Haven-based community—eligible for opportunities through the New Haven Hiring Initiative—or a newcomer, interested in exploring all that Yale has to offer, your talents and contributions are welcomed. Discover your opportunities at Yale.
#J-18808-Ljbffr