"Director of Global Initiatives - Kleinman Center"

Job Description Summary

The Kleinman Center for Energy Policy at the University of Pennsylvania's Stuart Weitzman School of Design was established in 2014 with a mission to create the policy conditions to ensure a just and efficient transition to sustainable energy. Over the last decade, the center has designed educational programs, expanded extracurricular opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students at Penn, supported faculty research, and built the necessary infrastructure to translate academic research into public policy outcomes. This direct policy influence has primarily focused on national and subnational policy at the domestic level. The center now seeks a director of global initiatives to help build a similar pipeline for the university's energy policy work, expanded with a focus on the international scale.

This position will report directly to the center's executive director and will have primary responsibility for providing strategic leadership in the development, implementation, and management of international initiatives that advance the center's mission. These initiatives include teaching in the center's energy management and policy curriculum, supporting (and in some cases directly contributing to) internationally focused research, building new international collaborations, and recruiting and engaging global visitors and fellows- all aimed at strengthening the center's international presence and impact.

In addition, this position is responsible for offering strategic guidance and energy sector expertise to support the quality, rigor, and relevance of all the center's programs. As such, this position represents a critical role in the leadership of the center. An ideal candidate will be well-versed in building and sustaining relationships within an academic context, with the skills to manage varied faculty expertise, establish new partnerships, and translate the center's work into new policy contexts.

By fostering meaningful collaborations and advancing the center's global partnerships, this role will play a key part in expanding the Kleinman Center's visibility and influence as a leading institution in energy and climate policy research and education.

Job Responsibilities

International Programs

Design, implement, and oversee international programs that expand the Kleinman Center's global presence, including short courses, and exchange programs. All programing is new and requires a high level of detail orientation and strategic direction to build new models, gain buy in, and launch. Design metrics for assessing success and determining which programs are viable and which should not be continued. Part of this expansion requires a deep understanding of the philanthropic and fundraising opportunities that will be pursued to support this expansion.

Instruction

Build and teach at least one new graduate-level course in international comparative energy policy. This course will attract multidisciplinary graduate students from across Penn's campus and will be a required course in the certificate in energy management and policy.

Research

Actively engage in the center's research agenda, leading projects and supervising/mentoring students on research topics related to the center's missions, especially related to international energy policy.

Lead Aspects of Center's Public-Facing Agenda

Provide strategic advice and energy expertise to center's research agenda. Advise on podcast topics and speakers, with a specific focus to include international speakers; advise on the selection of speakers and contribute to event preparations/hosting; act as one of the principals for the review of policy digests (finding reviewers, providing recommendations on problematic submissions); identify and share with affiliated faculty opportunities for global collaboration in research, policy, and education.

Integrate International Energy Policy into Campus Environment

Host, organize, and coordinate events and classes with international visitors invited by the center, by other Penn-affiliated centers, departments, institutes or relevant Philadelphia-based organizations.

Represent the Center

Participate in internal committees (e.g. ESAC) and in relevant seminars and events organized by other schools, departments or centers at Penn. Other Duties as Assigned.

Qualifications

Required

Bachelor's degree and 5 to 7 years experience: in the field of energy policy and regulation required; ideal candidates will have a mix of experience in academia, government (including regulatory agencies), and industry in the US and abroad. Strategic, analytical, and subject-matter expertise; ideal candidates will demonstrate a deep understanding of global energy systems, climate policy, and sustainable development, supported by strong analytical and strategic planning skills

Preferred

Advanced degree, with a strong foundation in policy analysis, economics, and international development. 10+ years experience: in the field of energy policy and regulation preferred. Demonstrated success in designing, implementing, and administering research related academic programs that advance organizational goals. Leadership and collaboration; ideal candidates are recognized for exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with extensive experience fostering partnerships and collaborations across disciplines in academia and in the public and private sector. Multilingual communication with the ability to communicate complex ideas effectively across linguistic and cultural boundaries.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

School of Design

Pay Range

$79,500.00 - $105,500.00 Annual Rate