Associate Director

University of Wisconsin Madison • Madison, WI

6d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Wisconsin Energy Institute (WEI) is dedicated to solving global energy challenges by developing sustainable technologies for power, fuels, chemicals, and materials. WEI aims to accelerate a more abundant, resilient, and affordable energy future through knowledge and technology generation. The Institute fosters cross-disciplinary teams to address energy technology challenges holistically, leading to transformative innovations and economic opportunities. WEI's leadership in research, education, and outreach connects campus researchers, government officials, industry, and community stakeholders, advancing the Wisconsin Idea. The Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC), a major WEI program, focuses on economically viable and environmentally sustainable biofuels and bioproducts. The Business Engagement Director, under the WEI Director, will lead programmatic direction for WEI across multiple institutions. This role will oversee communications, education, and outreach groups (seven staff members), facility space assignments, environmental health & safety (EH&S), and external relations. The incumbent will support the WEI Director in daily management and planning of business engagement, communications, education, and outreach. As a member of the WEI Executive Committee, this position influences operational priorities and programs to achieve the Institute's mission. This senior management role is key in developing and managing major organizational functions, including strategic planning and execution. The Business Engagement Director may represent the WEI Director with external stakeholders and meets regularly with the WEI Director and Executive Committee. This is a full-time, 100% FTE position located at the Wisconsin Energy Institute (1552 University Ave, Madison), eligible for up to two days of partial remote work per week, requiring an approved remote work agreement and employee-provided internet/phone. Transportation to the work location is the employee's expense.

Requirements

• A minimum of 6 years of senior-level business engagement experience, with demonstrated success developing networks and collaborations with internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience working with industry connections to support research and other goals.
• Experience overseeing external relations, communications, and/or outreach processes and resources; ability to handle multiple and diverse projects, events and shifting priorities and deadlines.
• The ability to develop best practices and manage major process improvement initiatives in rapidly changing operations and research environments.
• Demonstrated skill and experience in effective policy development, strategic planning, change management, process improvement, and program development.
• Ability to manage, motivate, direct and lead effectively among a diverse group of scientific, technical and administrative personnel.
• Recognized use of discretion, tact and diplomacy of a senior manager.
• Superior oral, written and interpersonal skills as well as excellent presentation and organizational skills.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated experience working with government and private funding agencies and with complex university, federal, and private research grants.
• Master’s Degree in a relevant science, technology, or business field highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Directs the development of large scale and high-profile strategic planning initiatives and objectives to ensure appropriate use of financial, administrative, and staffing resources and alignment with the strategic plan
• Develops operating policies and procedures to comply with regulations, institutional policies, and objectives
• Directs, plans, and implements efforts to build research teams and stakeholder networks, including workshops, meetings and other events and initiatives with internal and external participants
• Directs the implementation of participation in campaign and engagement efforts
• Serves as a liaison to internal and external stakeholder groups providing organizational information and representing the interests of the institution in the cultivation of industry and business partner relationships
• Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees
• Maintains knowledge of significant developments in industry, stakeholders and stakeholder groups, science, public and private research funding, and regulations relevant to the research, education, and outreach mission of the center/institute
• Supervises and develops director-level staff
• Develops and oversees the budget

Benefits

• generous vacation
• holidays
• paid time off
• competitive insurances
• savings accounts
• retirement benefits

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director