Manager of Program and Partnerships, Energy Transition Network

Department

PME Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering

The Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME) was established in May 2019 and evolved from the Institute for Molecular Engineering, founded in 2011. PME integrates science and engineering to address global challenges from the molecular level up. The PME’s rigorous academic and research programs are made possible through the University of Chicago’s unique partnership with Argonne National Laboratory. PME is the first new school at the University of Chicago in three decades and the first school in the nation dedicated to molecular engineering.

In the next phase of growth, PME will continue to expand its team of world‑class faculty researchers and empower students from diverse backgrounds to collaborate with faculty in cutting‑edge facilities. PME aims to bring solutions for urgent societal problems to the forefront, while training the next generation of scientific leaders and entrepreneurs.

The PME brings together researchers and innovators to apply molecular‑level science to advance breakthroughs in materials, energy, and sustainability. In collaboration with the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth (ICSG), PME launched the Energy Technology Initiative (ETI) to advance next‑generation technologies for energy conversion, storage, and distribution. A key component of ETI is the Energy Transition Network (ETN), which unites industry, academic partners, and global leaders to tackle critical challenges in energy conversion and storage.

ETN is an affiliate network that provides a pre‑competitive forum for companies and researchers to share insights, identify opportunities, and translate innovations from basic research to commercial impact.

The Manager of Program and Partnerships plays a pivotal role in expanding the reach and influence of the ETN. Reporting to the ETI Program Director and partnering closely with ICTS 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.

• 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 ICTS leadership to ensure alignment of ETN programming and priorities with ICTS’s institutional goals.
• Builds and maintains relationships with ETN members, industry collaborators, ICTS 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 ICTS 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…