Manager of Program and Partnerships

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 Manager of Program and Partnerships plays a pivotal role in expanding the reach and influence of the Energy Transition Network (ETN). Reporting to the ETI Program Director and partnering closely with ICSG leadership, you will cultivate industry partnerships, manage critical stakeholder relationships, design high-impact programming, ensure effective member engagement, and oversee program operations and budgets. You will be responsible for facilitating new partnerships with industry and academic collaborators to commercialize key technological innovations in the areas of energy storage and conversion.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates with the Corporate Engagement Office to identify, recruit, and engage new industry partners and stakeholders to expand ETN’s membership, collaborative ecosystem, and growth in strategic partnerships.
• Collaborates with ICSG leadership to ensure alignment of ETN programming and priorities with ICSG’s institutional goals.
• Builds and maintains relationships with ETN members, industry collaborators, ICSG faculty, and University leadership.
• Coordinates membership agreements in partnership with the Corporate Engagement Office, ensuring smooth execution and compliance.
• Designs and leads programming that increases stakeholder engagement, bridges industry and academia, and fosters new partnerships aligned with ETN’s mission in energy conversion and storage.
• Monitors trends, analyzes emerging opportunities, and makes strategic recommendations for future engagement areas and network expansion, staying abreast of industry insights and opportunities.
• Contributes to long-term strategy development, aligns ETN priorities with ICSG programming (fellowships, seed funding, workshops, annual meetings, member visits), and supports the integration of ETN initiatives.
• Serves as the primary liaison for ETN members and the broader University and external community, ensuring clear communication and collaborative success in building community engagement.
• Supports proposal development, fundraising activities, and identification of sponsorship opportunities to sustain and grow ETN.
• Sets program priorities, establishes performance standards, conducts evaluations, reviews quality assurance, and recommends operational improvements.
• Oversees program budgets, tracks expenditures, and provides recommendations to optimize resources.
• Performs additional tasks as needed to advance ETN’s objectives and support PME’s mission.
• Manages program budgets and recommends or makes budgetary recommendations.
• Has a deep understanding when interacting with faculty, researchers and staff for committee work or information.
• 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 5-7 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.
• Advanced degree.

Experience:

• Proven track record of leading technology innovation and commercialization initiatives.
• Five years of progressively responsible experience in administration or program management within the energy, automotive, or industrial sectors, or in a related field.
• Proven experience in program management, partnership development, stakeholder engagement, or business development, ideally within the energy technology, sustainability, automotive, or academic-industry sectors.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple projects, competing deadlines, and budgets within fast-paced, multidisciplinary, and ambiguous environments.

Preferred Competencies

• Demonstrated success cultivating and maintaining complex relationships across a diverse set of internal and external partners, including university units, industry collaborators, and external stakeholders.
• Highly collaborative and team-oriented, with an entrepreneurial mindset, customer-focused approach, and an established network in the energy or automotive sector.
• Exceptional business development and partnership-building, with a talent for building rapport and sustaining relationships that drive strategic impact.
• Strong strategic and analytical thinking skills; adept at synthesizing complex data, drawing actionable conclusions, and identifying new opportunities for program innovation.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail; outstanding project management capabilities with a record of successfully implementing initiatives and guiding teams.
• Superior oral and written communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences, with comfort representing organizations and engaging stakeholders at all levels.
• Deep curiosity and enthusiasm for science, technology, and innovation, and familiarity with scientific terminology.
• Driven by impact, thrive in dynamic settings, and skilled at navigating shifting priorities while maintaining high standards of collaboration and stakeholder engagement.

Working Conditions

• Some evening or weekend work on occasion. 
• Some travel is required for events and engagements. 

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required) 
• Cover Letter (required) 
• Three Professional References Contact Information (required)

Job Family

Administration & Management

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

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

$120,000.00 - $125,000.00

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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