Manager of Program and Partnerships, Energy Transition Network

University of Chicago • Chicago, IL

54d

About The Position

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.

Requirements

• Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
• Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Nice To Haves

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

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.

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees