Managing Director, Trienens Institute

Department: Trienens Institute
Salary/Grade: EXS/11

Job Summary

Trienens Senior Director of Operations and Outreach in collaboration with the Institute's Director, co-directors and other key stakeholders, leads the Institute's strategy, operations and expansion. Trienens' mission encompasses transformational research; the translation of research into economic and climate impact, via partnerships with large corporations and through the creation of new venture-backed startups; interdisciplinary undergraduate and graduate education (Masters of Energy and Sustainability Program); and stakeholder engagement. As a pillar of Northwestern University's Strategic Plan, the Institute functions as a university-wide enterprise for sustainability and energy innovation. As such, this position is responsible for building relationships across the university's Schools, Departments, and other Institutes and Centers through informal and formal teaming arrangements that build on Northwestern's strengths while positioning the university to advance in future areas relevant to emerging global sustainability and energy research, climate change adaptation solutions and educational value. This role works in concert with Northwestern's central administrative offices (Office for Research, ARD, Corporate Engagement) to engage prospective donors, faculty, students and staff. The position requires expertise in targeting and building strategic alliances to advance Trienens' goals, financial viability and impact with partners ranging from local public and private sector entities to global corporations, NGOs and other academic institutions.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Develop the vision, mission and operating principles of Trienens, including the Trienens strategic plan. This is an inherently collaborative, comprehensive and dynamic task involving all levels of stakeholders leading to Trienens' long-term vitality and self-sustainability.
• For Trienens' portfolio of affiliated institutes, programs and centers: Create and maintain the infrastructure operating plan and processes to enable efficient operations and compliance with University, donor, sponsored research organizations and other funding entities. Determine and maintain Trienens' optimal organizational structure as the Institute grows and oversee the recruitment, hiring, training and performance management of business research administration and integrated marketing and communications staff. Continually stay abreast of external regulations and trends. Lead capital and operating budget planning in collaboration with the Institute's business and research administration staff responsible for daily transactions such as: purchasing and payroll expenditures, appointments, pre and post award management and compliance, regular reconciliation for all sponsored and non-sponsored activities, and all required reporting to ensure sound financial/fiscal management. Oversee the management of Trienens' collaborative research and office space in collaboration with the Trienens Director of Laboratory Research and Business Administrator to determine allocation and usage of space.
• Initiate and nurture regular, productive communication with Institute faculty, directors, executive council and other advisory groups. Oversee and provide required information reports, analyses, financial statements and programmatic presentations. Work proactively with Alumni Relations and Development and Corporate Engagement to build strong relationships with existing and potential donors or sponsors. Support the activities of advisory boards, including planning and meeting/event engagement. Proactively establish collaborative partnerships with external organizations, including private industry and non-profit organizations. Oversee development of an integrated marketing plan including public relations/public outreach, cutting-edge website, noteworthy original content and presentations, interface with governmental and non-governmental organizations, and awareness-generating programs and events for public stakeholders.
• Proactively interact with other centers and institutes, to develop joint projects. This includes functioning as the strategic "hub" for sustainability and energy centers at Northwestern. In particular, establish links with NU centers/institutes with catalysis, renewable energy development and sustainable materials development as their chief concerns.
• Build research, education and stakeholder engagement across Schools expand Trienens' influence advancing the teaching for energy and sustainability topics across NU schools. Collaboratively manage the current offering of undergraduate and graduate interdisciplinary Trienens courses including the Certificate in Energy and Sustainability and Masters in Energy and Sustainability Programs. Engage donors and corporations to support educational goals and programs in collaboration with ARD and Corporate Engagement. Work with the Study Abroad Office and Schools as needed to support Trienens' international summer programs for students.
• Continually scan the sustainability and energy horizon to position Trienens at the forefront and sustain Northwestern's competitive advantage and brand positioning. Support the international presence of Trienens, both with University partners and with other organizations worldwide.

Miscellaneous

• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelors the physical sciences and/or engineering; liberal arts; or in business, accounting or a related field
• 7+ years work experience with progressively larger responsibilities, or equivalent of education and experience (e.g. MBA). Work experience should include 7+ years of management experience leading diverse technical and business teams and interfacing with executive level corporate, government and academic stakeholders
• Experience in the business of higher education and research.
• Available for occasional evening and/or weekend events.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Proven team leadership and communication, interpersonal and analytic skills and ability to engage government, corporate and academic stakeholders from entry-level to executive levels;
• Adept at complex team development and project management. Ability to work under pressure, prioritize and meet deadlines;
• Demonstrated competency in organization management and financial stewardship;
• Proactive, energetic, innovative;
• Ability to work independently and yet is an accomplished team player

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in business, policy or other relevant fields;
• Prior knowledge/experience in the energy sector, including private and/or public energy; sustainability; or social enterprise sectors;
• Previous management experience in a university environment or highly matrixed environment working across departments and levels of administration;
• Previous experience in creating collaborative partnerships and the development and management of strategic alliances.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Working knowledge of sustainability and energy practices, basic intellectual property principles. Public speaking and media relations experience a plus
  

Target hiring range for this position will be between $115,000-$155,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.

#LI-EN1