Chief Executive Officer - Grid Modernization Engine in the Carolinas

The University of North Carolina; Harrisburg (Dauphin County); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte seeks a visionary Chief Executive Officer to lead the NSF Regional Innovation Engine for grid modernization in the Carolinas. The role requires establishing strategy, building a high performing team, and forging partnerships across academia, utilities, government, and industry.

You will oversee NSF funding implementation, ensure compliance, and serve as the public face of the initiative.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Progressive executive leadership in alliances, coalitions, or innovation districts.
• Experience managing large budgets and scaling organizations.

Responsibilities

• Lead vision, strategy, and scalable grid modernization initiatives.
• Build operating structures, processes, and leadership team.
• Cultivate multi-sector coalitions and govern relations.
• Oversee external fundraising and regional partnerships.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Coalition building

Budget management

Stakeholder engagement

Team-building

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Job description

Chief Executive Officer - Grid Modernization Engine in the Carolinas

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte has retained Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to assist in this important recruitment. Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and resumes/CVs with cover letters should be sent via the Isaacson, Miller website. The finalist will be subject to a criminal background check and motor vehicle report.
Rebecca Kennedy, Managing Partner
Karson Freeman, Associate
Ryan Smillie, Managing Search Coordinator
Isaacson, Miller
https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/university-north-carolina-charlotte/chief-executive-officer-nsf-grid-modernization

Working Title Chief Executive Officer - Grid Modernization Engine in the Carolinas

Position Designation

Position Designation EHRA Non-Faculty

Employment Type

Employment Type Time Limited - Full-time

Months per Year 12

Work Schedule

Hours per week 40

FLSA Status

FLSA Status Exempt

Division

Division Research

Department

Department Div of Research (Adm)

Work Location

Work Location TBD

Salary Range

Primary Purpose of Department The Division of Research strives to advance knowledge and strengthen the quality, variety, and growth of research and creative accomplishments at UNC Charlotte by enhancing the environment for scholarly and artistic endeavors, encouraging the highest standards of quality, and fostering innovation to enable discoveries that enrich and improve lives. The Division administers and manages the University’s sponsored research activities, performs comprehensive research development, proposal preparation, and post-award functions, including identifying and publicizing funding opportunities, coordinating the proposal review and submission process, interacting with external funding agencies and sponsors on behalf of the university, processing grant and contract award documents, administrating sponsored projects from startup through close out, overseeing research compliance and protections, and preparing and disseminating reports of sponsored program activity.

Primary Purpose of Position A powerhouse coalition led by the University of North Carolina at Charlotte—joined by Clemson University, the South Carolina Research Authority, York Technical College, Joules Accelerator, and more than 100 public and private partners—has been selected as an NSF Regional Innovation Engine ( NSF Engines) to modernize the nation’s electrical grid and transform the regional economy across the Carolinas. Backed by up to $160 million in federal support over 10 years, the award is built to deliver transformational impact: an estimated 20,000 new jobs and $2 billion in economic activity across North and South Carolina. When fully realized, this intensely competitive award will be one of the largest grants in the history of the UNC System.
CEO will establish the organization’s strategy and operations, build and lead a high-performing executive team, cultivate partnerships across more than 100 organizations, oversee implementation of the NSF award, and serve as the public face of one of the nation’s most ambitious regional innovation initiatives.

Summary of Position Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Organizational Growth

• Drive the overall vision, strategy, and execution to build and scale a high-impact grid modernization and energy transition initiative.
• Establish management operating structures and internal processes to support rapid organizational scaling and long-term sustainability.
• Recruit, retain, and mentor a high-performing leadership team within a technically driven, innovation-focused environment.
• Direct federal compliance and financial oversight and reporting to satisfy complex federal funding and regulatory requirements.

Partnership Building & Stakeholder Management

• Cultivate and manage multi-sector coalitions across academia, electric utilities, government agencies, private industry, and non-profit organizations around a shared regional vision.
• Serve as the primary liaison to the Governance Board, advisory councils, and committees, aligning diverse stakeholder interests with organizational priorities.
• Build and maintain trusting relationships with regional funders, elected officials, and community leaders to strengthen institutional standing.

Technology Commercialization & Innovation Deployment

• Oversee the transition of early-stage grid technology research into scalable, market-ready products and commercial solutions.
• Align academic R&D initiatives with utility needs and market demands to accelerate technology adoption across the energy sector.
• Establish metrics and reporting structures to measure the impact of commercialization efforts on regional economic development, supply chain growth, and workforce readiness.

Resource Development & External Representation

• Act as the chief external spokesperson at regional and national forums, industry conferences, and high-level stakeholder convenings.
• Identify and pursue outside investment to continually expand the initiative’s programs and regional footprint.

Education
Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree or other advanced degree preferred
Experience

• Progressive executive leadership experience in building alliances, coalitions, tech hubs and/or innovation districts
• Demonstrated success leading complex, multi-organizational initiatives involving industry, academia and government
• Experience managing large budgets, building executive teams and scaling organizations

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading an NSF Engine, DOE hub, Manufacturing USA institute, or similar large-scale federal or state-funded initiative.
• Interest and ability to develop a national reputation within the energy innovation ecosystem.
• Experience with energy, advanced technology, research commercialization, innovation, economic development, or a closely related field.
• Awareness of the electric power sector, energy infrastructure, grid modernization or related technologies.

Preferred Knowledge and Expertise

• Experience translating research and innovation into commercial, workforce, or economic outcomes.
• Familiarity with federal funding programs and complex grant administration.
• Ability to work with electric utilities, state economic development organizations, or public-private partnerships.

Necessary Certifications/Licenses

Preferred Certifications/Licenses

If time-limited please indicate appointment end date 08/31/2028

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*)

Required Documents

• Resume / Curriculum Vitae

Optional Documents

9201 University City BlvdCharlotte, NC 28223