Executive Director, RAPID Manufacturing Institute

American Institute of Chemical Engineers

2h•$200,000 - $300,000•Remote

About The Position

The RAPID Manufacturing Institute, part of the Manufacturing USA network, operates out of AIChE, in partnership with the Department of Energy (DOE), as a collaborative technology ecosystem (development, scale-up, education) to enable the transformation of the process industries for a decarbonized, energy and capital efficient future further advancing U.S. manufacturing competitiveness. We are seeking an experienced, smart, and visionary Executive Director (ED) to lead the RAPID Advancement in Process Intensification Deployment (RAPID) Manufacturing Institute. The ED will develop and implement a long-term vision for RAPID, structure and grow the team to meet this vision, oversee the management of the team and the operations of the institute.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering or related discipline required, with MS or PhD preferred.
Prior success in growing a small company or business unit by creating stakeholder value and managing a highly skilled team
Experience managing large project teams, business units, or a small business
Organized and strategic thinker who can move from ideation through to execution
Ability to translate broad goals into achievable steps, anticipate and solve problems, and take advantage of opportunities.
Ability to motivate and enable others to work toward a shared vision
Collaborative mindset
Willingness to listen to the opinions and perspectives of others
Knowledge of, and experience with, the Dept. of Energy and the Manufacturing USA Institutes
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written).

Responsibilities

Develop and execute a long-term growth strategy that ensures RAPID's sustainability, industry relevance, and continued impact beyond current funding cycles.
Serve as the primary external ambassador for RAPID, building relationships with senior leaders across industry, government, academia, and the Manufacturing USA network.
Identify and secure new funding opportunities, strategic partnerships, sponsorships, and revenue-generating initiatives to support RAPID's mission and growth.
Provide visionary leadership to position RAPID as the national leader in process intensification, advanced manufacturing innovation, and related workforce development activities.
Partner with the RAPID Governing Board and Executive Committee to establish strategic priorities, evaluate organizational performance, and guide long-term decision-making.
Lead organizational growth and transformation efforts, ensuring RAPID has the structure, talent, and capabilities necessary to achieve its strategic objectives while fostering a culture of respect, integrity and collaboration.
Monitor emerging trends in manufacturing, energy, technology, and federal policy to proactively identify opportunities, risks, and competitive advantages for RAPID and its stakeholders.
Establish key performance indicators and success metrics across financial performance, membership growth, project impact, stakeholder engagement, and organizational effectiveness.
Ensure alignment of new projects and existing activities with RAPID’s strategic plan and long-term vision.
Participate with AIChE leadership to ensure consistency of strategy and practices across AIChE and RAPID.