Executive Director, Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment

Princeton University • Princeton, NJ

28d

About The Position

Princeton University’s Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment is an interdisciplinary research center advancing technological and policy solutions for global energy and environmental challenges. The Center shapes energy research across campus by cultivating collaborations with diverse Princeton faculty, driving major research initiatives, and fostering partnerships with industry, nonprofits, and government to address real world energy needs. Its educational programs prepare emerging leaders with the knowledge and insight needed to navigate the energy transition.
As a trusted partner to the Andlinger Center director, the executive director is a senior leader with broad expertise in strategic planning, finance, people management, and operations, and brings an energetic, solutions oriented approach. Working with the director, they shape, articulate, and implement center-wide strategies and maintain a comprehensive view across all programs. The executive director understands how the Center’s research, external partnerships, and educational programs intersect and reinforce one another, each being supported by the Center’s core and associated faculty. The individual advises the director and faculty leadership on strengthening programs, identifying gaps, and guiding decisions to align with the mission.
As a thought partner and bridge builder, the executive director offers creative insight to balance growth with operational stability. The executive director manages the administrative and professional staff and leads all administrative, operational, financial, outreach, and programmatic functions.
Reporting directly to the Andlinger Center director, with a secondary reporting relationship to the associate dean for administration in the Dean’s Office of the School of Engineering, the executive director represents the Andlinger Center both internally within the University and externally with strategic partners, advisors, donors, and other stakeholders.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) and 10+ years of experience in an administrative position.
• at least five years supervisory experience, with the ability to coach and mentor staff; values importance of diversity and inclusion
• experience leading an organization toward a shared vision and building consensus among diverse stakeholders; demonstrated ability to design and formulate strategic vision, leadership, and implementation.
• track record in operational management including budget creation, financial oversight, personnel management, and policy adherence; experience in new program development, implementation, and strong analytical abilities.
• proven ability to navigate complex situations; problem solve while being innovative; recommend action while balancing competing priorities.
• ability to initiate and cultivate relationships with all levels of leaders and professionals.
• interpersonal and decision-making skills, emotional intelligence, sound judgment and strategic agility in dynamic environments; demonstrated tact, diplomacy, and discretion;
• appreciation for the values of higher education and sensitivity to the nuances of academic culture.

Nice To Haves

• advance degree in related field
• at least 5 years of leadership experience in a higher education and/or research environment

Responsibilities

• Strategic Direction: In partnership with the faculty director, the executive director provides essential vision and leadership to develop, articulate, plan, and implement center-wide strategy to further the goals of the Center. The individual continues to position the Center for growth by deeply engaging in the development, creation, and evaluation of new strategic initiatives and further advances strategic priorities through planning. They lead strategic priorities, including investing in operational and programmatic excellence. and communications and outreach achievements. The executive director designs organizational strategy, develops internal policies, and leads efforts to acquire resources to establish the internal structure that ensures the center flourishes and reflects operational excellence.
• Governance: In partnership with the faculty director, engage with advisory council members, comprised of leaders across sectors. Also engages with the faculty executive committee on the Center’s strategic plan and faculty hiring plan.
• Research and partner engagement: The executive director supervises and works closely with the assistant directors for research and external partnerships (ranks of professional specialist with the Dean of Faculty), who are charged to engage faculty and cultivate an interdisciplinary research community, foster synergies for research collaboration and innovation, and develop industrial partnerships. Responsibilities include overseeing the Center’s research programs, managing multi-constituent collaborations and events, including those with corporate, global, and government leaders; guiding the strategic evolution and resourcing of the Princeton E-ffiliates Partnership; and ensuring the effective delivery of specialized programs that prepare students for leadership in energy systems and technology innovation, and provide opportunities for sustainable environmental stewardship.
• Administrative leadership and operational management: The executive director serves as the senior staff member in the organization and provides leadership to all members of the Andlinger Center community. The individual is responsible people management; supervises position development, recruitment, and performance review; manages the hiring, performance review, and merit increase process; and sets operational and programmatic priorities. The individual ensures the smooth, effective, and compliant operations within the areas of finance, administration, information technology, and space and facility usage. The executive director is also responsible for the improvement of organizational processes and coordination of procedures for increased efficiency and productivity.
• Budget, financial, and sponsored research management: The executive director oversees the financial management of the varied funding sources, including sponsored research funding, and routinely reviews financial reports; provides financial analysis to support strong business and programmatic decisions, and prioritizes funding for maximum impact. The position oversees financial analysis and reporting, budget development, coordination of FTE and TA budget, including compliance with all internal guidelines and external regulations. Ensures appropriate and timely stewardship of donor funds.
• Communications and Outreach: The executive director guides the communications strategic with the SEAS communications director and the Andlinger Center communications staff to define the brand and increase visibility to most effectively advance the Center’s mission. With the communications team, the executive director leads the strategic planning in identifying key audiences, crafting core messaging, and offering needed resources. The team works to target audiences with messages relevant to the mission and uses communications vehicles with campus communications partners that have far reaching impact. The executive director and Andlinger Center communications team works closely with the SEAS communications director and their team. The individual oversees all communications channels, including website, social media, print, and newsletters; oversees multi-constituent collaborations, events, and projects; cultivates a strong sense of community; and engages in development and stewardship activities.
• The executive director builds effective relationships with campus partners and supports the Andlinger Center’s relationships with external advisors and partners, potential donors, partnering institutions, and other stakeholders. The individual also works with the executive leads of Strategic Partnerships and Engagement, Vice Dean for Innovation, Dean for Research, and Office of Research and Project Administration to create unique opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees