"Impact and Translation Director"

Posted: 11-Jan-26

Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts

Type: Full-time

Categories: Administrative/Support, Staff/Administrative

Internal Number: 25391

IMPACT & TRANSLATION DIRECTOR, MIT's Climate Project, to help translate breakthrough energy and climate innovations from the laboratory to real-world deployment. This position leads strategic collaborations with MIT researchers from early-stage innovation through real-world implementation. The role involves identifying high-impact technologies, shaping projects with clear success metrics and techno-economic analysis, and building cross-sector partnerships spanning industry, government, NGOs, and affected communities. Key responsibilities include advising on scaling strategies and commercialization pathways, aligning technical innovation with market readiness and regulatory landscapes, coordinating execution teams, and fostering relationships with MIT faculty. The position also shapes fundraising strategies across diverse funding sources, communicates the Climate Project's vision to stakeholders and investors, and mentors early-career researchers on translational impact work.

Find the full Job Description HERE

REQUIRED: Bachelor's degree in engineering, physical sciences, or a related field; a minimum of ten years translating research into market-ready solutions across startup, corporate R&D, or public-private innovation environments, with deep expertise in climate-relevant domains such as energy, food, water systems, materials engineering, or industrial processes. The role requires proven success leading multi-stakeholder teams through complex innovation pipelines from research to commercialization, combined with strategic thinking and operational acumen to navigate ambiguity and execute under pressure. Strong analytical and communication skills are essential, with the ability to operate seamlessly across technical, policy, and business contexts. PREFERRED: PhD; and MBA or equivalent innovation leadership experience.

Two-year term, benefits-eligible position with the possibility of reappointment.