Senior Program Manager, (Battery) Transportation Safety

UL Standards & Engagement • Evanston, IL

10d • Remote

About The Position

We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Manager, Battery Transportation Safety Program at UL Standards & Engagement. This role is open to the following locations: Evanston, IL, Washington DC, RTP, NC or remote within the US. The Senior Manager, Battery Transportation Safety Program is responsible for spearheading global initiatives and leading ongoing safety programs within the transportation sectors to advance the mission of UL Standards & Engagement (ULSE) to make the world safer, more secure, and sustainable. The Senior Program Manager will leverage their expert knowledge to enhance industry practices focused on the safe transportation in aviation of dangerous goods/hazardous materials, particularly lithium-ion batteries and battery-powered devices. The Senior Program Manager will interface with executive-level industry stakeholders, including airlines, safety organizations, government agencies, and researchers, to drive policy, standards, and best practices that address thermal runaway incidents and improve cabin safety. In this capacity, the Program Manager will lead the Thermal Runaway Incident Program (TRIP) – a collaborative effort with the airline industry to understand and prevent thermal runaway incidents in aviation. The role also involves expanding TRIP’s success to other transportation modes, while raising global awareness and advancing UL’s safety standards, research and industry insights.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum 9 years of related work experience.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree preferred.
• Relevant professional certification a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead aviation transportation safety initiatives identifying opportunities to engage key executive level stakeholders and develop strategic plans with measurable outcomes aligned with organizational goals.
• Serve as an industry recognized expert, in lithium-ion battery-powered device risks and thermal runaway prevention in aviation, providing guidance on safe handling, transport, and storage of rechargeable devices across transportation networks.
• Use established industry networks and cultivate robust relationships with governmental and non-governmental entities, including transportation industry leaders, regulatory bodies, trade industry associations and consumer groups to advance safety initiatives.
• Partner with ULSE’s government engagement and partnerships team to define and execute an advocacy strategy in support of lithium battery transportation safety.
• Actively engage senior level external stakeholders, and represent the organization in industry forums, regulatory discussions and public events through presentations, panel discussions, and publications.
• Lead public education campaigns to raise awareness about the safe transport and use of lithium-ion battery-powered devices.
• Oversee ULSE’s Thermal Runaway Incident Program (TRIP), providing data-driven insights to improve aviation safety protocols and explore expansion of TRIP to other modes of transportation.
• Organize and lead US and International TRIP Summits, bringing together safety, logistics and dangerous goods experts to advance lithium-ion battery safety.
• Facilitate industry collaboration, research exchange and ensure impactful events.
• Facilitate industry collaboration, research exchange and ensure impactful events.
• Lead collaborative efforts with executives throughout the organization to develop strategies and integrate data-driven solutions to effectively deploy safety and hazardous materials initiatives.
• Scope and lead end-to-end project plans, ensure deadlines are met and actively manage milestones and priorities.
• Provide oversight and coaching to team members.
• Cultivate collaborative environment ensuring effective execution of standards, research, and communications activities.
• Identify opportunities for program expansion, ensure continuous evolution and relevance of safety standards, and create capacity for new and high-impact standards.
• Maintain continued awareness of industry trends and external context related to transportation safety, offering insights to inform strategic decisions and direction of standards development and safety advocacy.
• Contribute to and/or lead other department specific and cross-functional.

Benefits

• bonus compensation
• comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans
• generous 401k matching structure of up to 5% of eligible pay
• an additional 4% into your retirement saving fund after your first year of continuous employment
• flexible working arrangements
• paid time off, including vacation, holiday, sick, and volunteer days

What This Job Offers

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