Director of External Relations

Position Purpose

The Director of External Relations is a senior leader at the Arthur L. Irving Institute for Energy and Society (IIES) at Dartmouth. Reporting to the Faculty Director, the Director leads efforts to build and sustain relationships with industry, government, foundations, and other external partners that advance the Institute’s research, educational mission, and broader societal impact. The role focuses on developing strategic partnerships that support faculty research, expanding experiential and career opportunities for students, strengthening pathways for entrepreneurship and research translation, and increasing Dartmouth’s visibility and engagement in the energy and society landscape.

As a member of the Irving leadership team, the Director both leads a team and works closely with Institute colleagues to ensure external partnerships align with the Institute’s priorities and Dartmouth’s broader academic mission. The Director helps shape and execute initiatives that connect external partners with faculty and students through research collaborations, convenings, and other forms of engagement that advance the Institute’s work and long-term strategic goals.

Required Qualifications - Education and Yrs Exp

Masters plus 6 or more years' experience or equivalent combination of education and experience

Required Qualifications - Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Significant professional experience in the energy sector or related policy, industry, or research environments.
• Demonstrated success securing and managing major external partnerships, including corporate-sponsored research collaborations.
• Proven ability to build trusted relationships across corporate, governmental, nonprofit, and academic communities.
• Strong leadership, administrative, and organizational capabilities.
• Experience translating strategic priorities into executable programs and measurable outcomes.
• Deep knowledge of current and emerging developments in energy and society.
• Experience collaborating effectively within senior leadership teams.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• High ethical standards and professional integrity.
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive and diverse environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• 15+ years of relevant industry experience with a robust network of executive-level relationships.

Key Accountabilities

Strategic External Partnerships – 40%

• Develops and executes a comprehensive external engagement strategy aligned with Institute priorities, securing major, multi-year research partnerships that support collaborative work involving faculty, postdoctoral scholars, and graduate students.
• Builds and sustains relationships with corporate, governmental, philanthropic, and venture partners to diversify and strengthen research funding and support pilot projects, startup formation, and innovation deployment.
• Cultivates employer and organizational partnerships that create sustained internship, fellowship, and career pathways for undergraduate and graduate students.
• Identifies and develops international academic partnerships that support collaborative research, faculty exchange, and student mobility programs.
• Coordinates with relevant Dartmouth offices and schools to ensure alignment between academic programming, student experiential opportunities, and external engagement.

Collaboration and Translation – 35%

• Partners with the Faculty Director and senior leadership to advance Dartmouth’s commitment to integrating outstanding liberal arts education with distinguished research.
• Collaborates with leadership across Arts & Sciences, the Guarini School, Geisel, Thayer, and Tuck to align faculty research priorities with strategic partnership opportunities.
• Works closely with the Institute Directors and Institute Head of Entrepreneurship as well as campus innovation leaders to strengthen the ecosystem connecting faculty research to commercialization, venture creation, and translational impact.

Institutional Profile, Convenings, and Advancement – 25%

• Serves as an ambassador for the Institute, strengthening its regional, national, and international profile through strategic engagement and partnerships.
• Elevates Dartmouth’s visibility by leading and supporting participation in high-profile convenings such as CERAWeek and New York Climate Week.
• Partners with communications and development teams to amplify the Institute’s thought leadership, advance fundraising priorities, and engage alumni, donors, and external stakeholders.