Director – Strategic Initiatives And Programs

Department

PME Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering

About the Department

The Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME) was established in May 2019 and evolved from the Institute for Molecular Engineering, founded in 2011. The PME integrates science and engineering to address global challenges from the molecular level up. The PME’s rigorous academic and research programs are made possible through the University of Chicago’s unique partnership with Argonne National Laboratory. The Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering is the first new school at the University of Chicago in three decades and the first school in the nation dedicated to molecular engineering. In the next phase of growth as a School, the PME will continue to expand its team of world-class faculty researchers and empower students from diverse backgrounds to collaborate with faculty in cutting-edge facilities. The PME aims to bring solutions for urgent societal problems to the forefront, while training the next generation of scientific leaders and entrepreneurs.

The Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME) brings together researchers and innovators to apply molecular-level science to advance breakthroughs in materials, energy, and sustainability. In collaboration with the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth (ICSG), PME launched the Energy Technology Initiative (ETI) in order to advance next-generation technologies for energy conversion, storage, and distribution. A key component of ETI is the Energy Transition Network (ETN), which unites industry, academic partners, and global leaders to tackle critical challenges in energy conversion and storage. ETN is an affiliate network that provides a pre-competitive forum for companies and researchers to share insights, identify opportunities, and translate innovations from basic research to commercial impact.

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 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 ICSG to set and achieve joint strategic priorities.
• Deepens alignment of ETI initiatives with the broader goals of PME, ICSG, 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 ICSG 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.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in energy, engineering, environmental science, public policy, or a closely related discipline.
• Master’s or other advanced degree.

Experience:

• At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in program management, research administration, energy innovation, or related fields.
• Background in higher education, government, or industry environments involving energy or technology. 

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) 

Job Family

Administration & Management

Role Impact

People Manager

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$140,000.00 - $155,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago 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 Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, 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 University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

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