Director of External Relations.

Position Details

• Position Number:
• Position Title: Director of External Relations
• Posting date: 05/05/2026
• Closing date: Open Until Filled
• Employment Category: Regular Full Time
• Scheduled Months per Year: 12
• Scheduled Hours per Week: 40
• Schedule: Hybrid
• Remote Work Eligibility: Hybrid
• Location: Hanover, NH
• Term position: No
• Grant funded position: No

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: Master’s degree plus 6 or more years’ experience or equivalent combination of education and experience
• 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 or more years of relevant industry experience with a robust network of executive‑level relationships

Key Accountabilities

Strategic External Partnerships (40%)

• Develop and execute 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
• Build and sustain relationships with corporate, governmental, philanthropic, and venture partners to diversify and strengthen research funding and support pilot projects, startup formation, and innovation deployment
• Cultivate employer and organizational partnerships that create sustained internship, fellowship, and career pathways for undergraduate and graduate students
• Identify and develop international academic partnerships that support collaborative research, faculty exchange, and student mobility programs
• Coordinate with relevant Dartmouth offices and schools to ensure alignment between academic programming, student experiential opportunities, and external engagement

Collaboration and Translation (35%)

• Partner with the Faculty Director and senior leadership to advance Dartmouth’s commitment to integrating outstanding liberal arts education with distinguished research
• Collaborate with leadership across Arts & Sciences, the Guarini School, Geisel, Thayer, and Tuck to align faculty research priorities with strategic partnership opportunities
• Work 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%)

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

• 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

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.

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 at

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