Executive Director, Energy Institute

University of Idaho; Moscow (ID); On-site; USD 177,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Idaho is establishing the Energy Institute to train the next generation of energy leaders, focusing on agile energy portfolio analysis and transitions. The Executive Director will provide vision and leadership in programming, research, and workforce development, working with industry partners to strengthen energy literacy and practical solutions.

Reporting to the College of Engineering leadership, the role emphasizes collaboration with faculty, an industry advisory board, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in engineering from an ABET accredited university.
• Master's Degree in engineering, business administration or energy studies from an accredited university.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license from Idaho or ability to obtain within the first year of hire.
• Completion of, or ability to complete, the University of Idaho Energy Executive Course or similar program within the first year of hire.

Responsibilities

• Provide institutional vision, strategy, and leadership in educational programming, research innovation, workforce development, outreach, special projects, and advocacy in energy.
• Lead strategic planning and actions to advance energy literacy and awareness, and develop practical energy solutions.
• Collaborate with an academic leadership committee, industry advisory board, faculty, and staff to develop and promote energy programming.
• Manage partnerships and funding opportunities to support the Energy Institute.

Skills

Leadership

Partnership building

Strategic planning

Budget management

Proposal development

Stakeholder engagement

Team leadership

Education

ABET-accredited engineering degree

Master's in engineering, business administration or energy studies

PhD or terminal degree in energy, engineering, business administration, or economics

Job description

Executive Director, Energy Institute

Posting Number: SP005413P

Division/College: College of Engineering

Department: College of Engineering Admin

Location: Moscow

Posting Context Statement:

Position Overview: As the state's land-grant university, the University of Idahodevelops solutions for complex problems facing our society. Theuniversity is establishing the Energy Institute to produce the nextgeneration of energy leaders focused on the importance of agileenergy portfolio analysis and transitions. In collaboration withindustry partners, the institute will strengthen the nation'senergy future and workforce talent pipeline by integrating robustengineering design coursework and research into regional energysolutions. With partnerships across the region, the EnergyInstitute performs multi-discipline research that supports clean,reliable, affordable energy while delivering energy literacyeducation for students and professionals.

The Executive Director of the Energy Institute will provideinstitutional vision, strategy, and leadership in educationalprogramming, research innovation, workforce development, outreach,special projects, and advocacy in the domain of energy. Reportingto the Dean of the College of Engineering in collaboration with theOffice of the President, the Executive Director will providestrategic leadership in developing and recommending key goals andactions to advance energy literacy and awareness, practicalsolutions to gain energy independence, and sustainable (safe,reliable, economical, renewable, clean) access to energy resources.The Executive Director will work closely with an academicleadership committee, an industry advisory board, faculty, andstaff to identify, develop, implement, and promote energyprogramming that advances the core values and strategic prioritiesof the university in keeping with the needs of the energyindustry.

Required Experience:

• 15 years of progressive leadership experience in the energyindustry, utilities, or closely related organizations
• Building partnerships and coalitions resulting in sharedactions and outcomes
• Experience influencing change in a complex, decentralizedorganization with sizeable budget, scope, and personnel
• Proposal development leading to external funding
• Leading teams to completion of project objectives on scope, onschedule, and on budget
• Experience with utility operating environment, includingregulatory, environmental, and workforce issues
• Experience in the energy sector and/or energy discipline andcommitment to championing energy-related causes
• Collaborating with multiple entities across different sectorsto deepen the public's understanding and appreciation of energyproduction, research, and security

Required Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in engineering from an ABET accrediteduniversity
• Master's Degree in engineering, business administration orenergy studies from an accredited university

Required Other:

• Professional Engineer (PE) license from Idaho or ability toobtain an Idaho PE license within the first year of hire
• Completion of, or ability to complete, the University of IdahoEnergy Executive Course or similar program within the first year ofhire

Additional Preferred:

Experience

• Demonstrated leadership of teams without direct supervisoryoversight
• Demonstrated skills in negotiation and conflict resolution
• Experience with surveys, data collection, data analysis, anddata visualization
• Technical knowledge and skills related to energy, utilities,engineering, energy economics, etc.
• Electric power industry experience
• Non-profit board leadership experience
• Experience should include industry, higher education, orgovernment leadership – or a combination thereof
• Recognized, high-level influence with a deep understanding ofkey issues in the energy sector
• Experience with the integration of nuclear power generationinto electric transmission and distribution systems

Education

• PhD or terminal degree in energy, engineering, businessadministration, or economics or master's degree with 25 years inthe energy industry
• Experience working or collaborating in higher education

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions:

• None

Degree Requirement: Listed degree qualification is required at time of hire

FLSA Status: Exempt

Employee Category: Exempt

Pay Range: $176,807 annually or more depending onexperience

Type of Appointment: Fiscal Year

FTE: 1.0

Full Time/Part Time: Full Time

Funding: This position is contingent upon the continuationof work and/or funding.

A visa sponsorship is available for the position listed in thisvacancy: Uncertain

Posting Date: 08/20/2026

Closing Date:

Open Until Filled: Yes

Special Instructions to Applicants: Applications received by September 3, 2026 will receive first consideration.

Applicant Resources: https://www.uidaho.edu/human-resources/careers/applicant-resources

Background Check Statement: Applicants who are selected asfinal possible candidates must be able to pass a criminalbackground check.