Director of External Relations

Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH, USA

Job Description

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.

Description

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.

Department Contact for Recruitment Inquiries

Kyle Hastbacka

Department Contact Phone Number

kyle.m.hastbacka@dartmouth.edu

Department Contact for Cover Letter and Title

Geoff Parker, Faculty Director

Department Contact's Phone Number

Equal Opportunity Employer

Dartmouth College is an equal opportunity employer under federal law. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status. Applications are welcome from all.

Background Check

Employment in this position is contingent upon consent to and successful completion of a pre-employment background check, which may include a criminal background check, reference checks, verification of work history, conduct review, and verification of any required academic credentials, licenses, and/or certifications, with results acceptable to Dartmouth College. A criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify an applicant from employment. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

Is driving a vehicle (e.g. Dartmouth vehicle or off road vehicle, rental car, personal car) an essential function of this job?

Preferred, but not required

Special Instructions to Applicants

Dartmouth College has a Tobacco-Free Policy. Smoking and the use of tobacco-based products (including smokeless tobacco) are prohibited in all facilities, grounds, vehicles or other areas owned, operated or occupied by Dartmouth College with no exceptions. For details, please see our policy. https://policies.dartmouth.edu/policy/tobacco-free-policy

Additional Instructions

Key Accountabilities

Description

Strategic External Partnerships –

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.

Percentage Of Time

Description

Collaboration and Translation –

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.

Percentage Of Time

Description

Institutional Profile, Convenings, and Advancement –

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.

Percentage Of Time

Demonstrates professionalism and collegiality through actions, interactions, and communications with others appropriate to an environment that is welcoming to all.

Performs other duties as assigned.

ID

b1db8d79ea455ef050ef1a72cff28170