Job Details

Center Director, CIEES, FT or PT
Go to our website »

Position Number: 5546186
Location: Stony Brook, NY
Position Type: Business - Finance

Center Director, CIEES, FT or PT

Required Qualifications (as evidenced by an attached resume): Bachelor's Degree (foreign equivalent or higher) in a related field (e.g., business, finance, science). Five [5] years of full-time experience in energy and related fields (e.g., electrical systems, clean energy, power electronics). Five [5] years of full-time experience managing teams and individuals. Five [5] years of full-time experience in alliance management or related functions focused on energy systems, power electronics, and energy-based innovation. Two [2] years of experience in project management (e.g., scope drafting, implementation and execution). Experience managing partnerships between research institutions and industry.

Preferred Qualifications: Graduate Degree (foreign equivalent or higher) in engineering or energy-related scientific discipline. Graduate degree (foreign equivalent or higher) in business administration (MBA), law (JD), or relevant field. Additional experience [6+] in energy and related fields (e.g., electrical systems, clean energy, power electronics). Four [4] years of experience in product development focused on scientific and/or energy-based innovation. Three [3] or more years of experience with the innovation ecosystem, including large, medium, small, and/or startup businesses. Three [3] years of direct exposure and involvement with large companies in a capacity that built understanding of organizational structure, process, and decision-making. Three [3] years of experience in working with research institution faculty and students. Three [3] years of experience in data collection, management, and reporting. Additional years (3+) in project management (e.g. scope drafting, implementation and execution). Additional years [6+] of full-time experience managing teams and individuals. Served as PI or co-PI on federal sponsored research award agreements, as well as associated processes.

Brief Description of Duties:

This position is the senior leadership role for Economic Development's Center for Advanced Technology (CAT), the Center for Integrated Electric Energy Systems ("CIEES" or "Center") and responsible for all aspects of a major university's CAT program. It is part of the Economic Development (Econ Dev) senior management team and reports to the Associate Vice President for Technology Partnerships. Economic Development is responsible for maximizing Stony Brook University's (SBU's) economic impact through science- and engineering-based research and innovation partnerships with faculty, students, and industry. It does so primarily through many programs and units having a specific focus, including CIEES. CIEES is a New York State Center for Advanced Technology funded by Empire State Development through the New York State Foundation for Science, Technology, and Innovation (NYSTAR). Since its inception in 2015, CIEES has supported the development of future electric grid energy systems through research and industry collaboration. CIEES connects the world-leading expertise of Stony Brook University faculty and staff with the needs of industry. In its boldest and most successful implementation, SBU Econ Dev and CIEES will be true partners with companies in bringing a broad portfolio of science-driven innovation to market and public benefit in the form of new products and services. The Center Director (CD), as the leader of CIEES, is responsible for all aspects of this NYSTAR funded CAT program. The focus is on building and managing a portfolio of collaborations of joint faculty - industry partnerships and commercially-relevant research and development projects in energy and related fields. Success will be measured by the implementation of the CAT program's strategic plan, the scale and quality of industry partnerships and projects, and increased funding through successful proposals to federal, state, industry, and other sources. Ultimately, the CD should build CIEES into a NY State, national, and international center of leadership. There are six fundamental components to the role: 1) leadership, 2) management, 3) project and project portfolio management, including funded projects, proposals, and partner initiatives, 4) funding growth, 5) workforce development, and 6) outreach. They are addressed in detail below. Across all of these areas of responsibility, industry partnerships are central and critical.

The CD will utilize the knowledge gained from previous direct exposure and involvement with large companies to be successful in this role. Understanding the organizational structure, process, and decision-making in large companies is essential. The CD will be a highly motivated self-starter with a record and bias for strong, measurable results and have demonstrated success in program management, grant writing and securing funding, excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong abilities as an individual contributor, manager, and leader, and strong interpersonal skills and professional maturity. With SBU and Econ Dev leadership, especially the Associate Vice President for Technology Partnerships, execute the following duties:

Leadership

Define, implement, and execute strategy and annual plans.

Growth.

Improve existing activities, services, and Center operations.

Responsible for the program budget.

Build and maintain an outstanding advisory board, leveraging member strengths.

Expand and facilitate relationships with industry.

Expand and facilitate relationships with affiliated faculty.

Build brand awareness.

Build and develop an outstanding team.

Program

Operations: Build, manage, and support operations and administration. This includes all Center-related program and project work. This includes management and operation of a lab.

Annual Plan Development and Execution: Responsible for carrying out an annual program plan for the Center to include priorities, projects, resources, team initiatives, and budget.

Advisory Board Meetings: Working alongside Stony Brook University's Center of Excellence (CoE) in Advanced Energy, the Advanced Energy Research and Technology Center (AERTC) Advisory Board Chairman, be responsible for the CIEES Advisory Board, including but not limited to planning, execution, and follow up on actions and meetings. Work with the Econ Dev team to accomplish objectives of the CIEES Advisory Board.

Budgets: Manage Center program budgets with the AVP for Technology Partnerships and the Director of Finance. With Center staff and Econ Dev team oversee processing of all program and related budgets through the Stony Brook University Office of Sponsored Programs and/or the Office of Procurement.

Reporting and Compliance: Direct responsibility for all Center-related reporting and compliance requirements and submissions. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring compliance with all requirements to applicable funding agencies and stakeholders.

Shared Services: Work seamlessly with Econ Dev Shared Services across all areas, including but not limited to HR, Finance, MarCom, Compliance, Program and Project Management, IT, and Contracts and Risk Management. This will include, for example, assisting with defining, modifying and implementing Shared Services workflows that include CIEES functions.

Metrics

Projects, Partners, and Portfolio Management

Projects: Define and directly manage with Faculty and industry team leads, oversee quality science and commercial innovation projects with industry with measurable results on high priority performance criteria important to industry.

Work Plans: With faculty and company partners, draft and define project work plans, which will include, among other things, a scope of work, deliverables and outcomes, tasks, owners, due dates, and budget. The work plan will also include specific funding that will be pursued. Evaluate and track progress against the work plan.

Project Meetings: Responsible for standing working meetings and periodic status meetings to ensure projects progress on schedule and on budget as defined in the work plan. Ensure interim and final reports are completed and valuable.

Project Funding: With AVP for Technology Partnerships and senior executives both internally and externally, identify, prioritize, pursue and secure project funding. Directly and with direct reports, provide proposal and award project management support and coordination.

Partners Roadmaps: With companies and faculty, responsible for a roadmap with each industry partner. Roadmap includes, among other things, the industry-driven challenge and the primary performance metric(s). The roadmap will also include specific funding that will be pursued. Regularly review and assess each industry partnership, evaluating performance to the roadmap and revising as mutually agreed.

Companies: Build deep, long-term relationships with industry partners. Add new partners. Strengthen and expand existing partnerships that leverage Econ Dev Programs that draw differentiating strength through faculty researchers and students.

Faculty: Build deep relationships with faculty partners. Strengthen and expand existing partnerships that leverage Econ Dev Programs that draw differentiating strength through industry relationships.

Government and Advocacy Groups: With companies and faculty, responsible for engaging State and Federal funding agencies as well as advocacy groups on industry-academia programs and opportunities, and leveraging faculty and industry capabilities to obtain commercially-relevant research funding.

Project Portfolio Management: With the AVP for Technology Partnerships and Econ Dev leadership team, contribute in designing, building and implementing a system for managing and tracking a portfolio of projects. This will include the use of project management software for both individual projects and a portfolio of projects that will be integrated into larger campus workflows and systems. After implementation, responsible for project portfolio management.

Budgets and Project Processing: Oversee processing of all projects and related budgets through the Stony Brook University's Office of Sponsored Programs and/or the Office of Procurement.

Reporting and Compliance: Together with direct reports, responsible for all reporting and compliance requirements of projects. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring compliance and reporting requirements with applicable funding agencies and sponsors. - Metrics: Track center performance metrics to evaluate success.

Funding

With the AVP for Technology Partnerships and SBU and Econ Dev leadership team, develop and implement funding growth strategy, including but not limited to proposals and awards.

Execute an annual plan for growing program and project funding by securing grants and other monies. Develop a robust pipeline of program funding opportunities, proposals, and awards. Work with senior executives both internally and externally to identify, prioritize, pursue, secure, and manage proposals and awards.

Monitor all relevant funding sources continuously, identifying appropriate funding opportunities for the CAT program and related projects. Discuss with the Econ Dev leadership team and prioritize.

As part of a larger proposal team, ensure assembly and writing of high-quality proposals that are submitted in a timely manner.

With project, Econ Dev, and SBU teams, ensure all award requirements are met in a high quality, timely manner.

Metrics

Outreach and Events

Brand and Reputation: In collaboration with Econ Dev and other SBU leaders, raise awareness, market, and build a brand for the program to regional, national, and global constituencies and prospective supporters. This includes, but is not limited to, establishing new outreach efforts and events with industry and academics outside of Stony Brook University.

Events: Together with the Associate Director of Marketing and Events for Economic Development and program personnel, lead strategy, planning, expansion efforts and execution of conferences and events associated with the center's focus area.

External Community: Represent the CAT to regional business organizations by serving on committees, participating in programs and events, attending meetings, and becoming an integral part of the community.

Internal Community: Identify and engage faculty and areas on campus for multidisciplinary collaborations and opportunities.

Metrics

Workforce Development and Industry-Oriented Education

Together with the Workforce Development Manager and Education Initiatives and direct reports, develop and oversee a robust workforce development and industry-focused training program for the CAT. This will include external training and engagement with elementary and secondary schools and community colleges designed to foster student interest in scientific or technical careers or provide workforce training outside of SBU, as well as internal training and engagement of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students at SBU through research assistant positions and internships with industry.

Extended Team: Build an extended team across areas to leverage expertise, effort, and structure.

Metrics

Management of Team and Direct Reports

Oversee and manage direct reports including but not limited to developing position descriptions, recruiting, hiring, defining objectives, workload distribution, annual performance appraisals, approval for time off, personnel issues, counseling, and terminating.

Together with VP Coordinator for Economic Development, develop and implement appropriate professional development and training programs for direct and indirect reports.

Through excellent use of Performance Programs and Evaluations, inform, develop, and correct direct and indirect reports' performance.

Other duties as assigned.

Special Notes:

The Research Foundation of SUNY is a private educational corporation. Employment is subject to the Research Foundation policies and procedures, sponsor guidelines and the availability of funding. FLSA Exempt position, not eligible for the overtime provisions of the FLSA. Minimum salary threshold must be met to maintain FLSA exemption.

Due to U.S. Export Control laws and regulations, the candidate hired will need to be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or other "protected individual" (as defined by 8 U.S.C. Sec. 1324b(a)(3).

This position is funded by The Center of Advanced Technology (CAT) award terming on 6/30/2025. We will have the opportunity to recompete for another 10 years of the CAT award. If that is not awarded, the award funding will end on 6/30/2025.

Resume/CV and cover letter should be included with the online application.

Stony Brook University is committed to excellence in diversity and the creation of an inclusive learning and working environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status and all other protected classes under federal or state laws.

If you need a disability-related accommodation, please call the university Office of Equity and Access (OEA) at or visit OEA.

In accordance with the Title II Crime Awareness and Security Act a copy of our crime statistics can be viewed here.

Visit our WHY WORK HERE page to learn about the total rewards we offer.

SUNY Research Foundation: A Great Place to Work.

The starting salary range (or hiring range) to be offered for this position is noted below, it represents SBU's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Salary: 150,000 - 200,000

To apply, visit https://stonybrooku.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobdetail.ftl?job=2400922&tz=GMT%2B00%3A00&tzname=UTC