New York is leading the nation in the fight on global climate change and the transition to a clean energy-powered economy. The Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act) has created the most aggressive climate change goals in the nation and requires an ambitious agenda that blends proven catalysts with innovative approaches while operating across a broader energy arena that is rapidly evolving. New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA) is a driving force in realizing this agenda. NYSERDA works with stakeholders that span residents, business owners, developers, community leaders, local government officials, universities, utilities, investors, entrepreneurs, and more, to develop, invest, and foster conditions that:

　　Attract the private sector capital investment needed to expand New York’s clean energy economy.

　　Overcome barriers to using clean energy at a large-scale in New York.

　　Enable New York’s communities and residents to benefit equitably from energy efficiency and renewable energy.

　　Job Overview

　　NYSERDA’s Vice President, Innovation will be charged with leading NYSERDA’s Innovation business unit and embedding innovation across NYSERDA’s organization. Fundamentally, the Innovation unit is charged with the development and delivery of programs and initiatives to accelerate research, development, and commercialization of clean energy technologies that can deliver meaningful reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. While the Innovation unit originally started with a focus on technical innovation, it subsequently has expanded its focus to include other forms of innovation.

　　The Vice President will be responsible for a $70 million budget annually through 2025 and lead a team of approximately 23 full-time staff, plus contractors. The Innovation unit currently is comprised of three teams. The Research & Development (R&D) Team is focused on supporting applied research, product development, and pilots and demonstration projects to drive energy system affordability and reliability, as well as decarbonization. The Technology-to-Market Team (T2M) leads efforts related to later-stage commercialization. Finally, the Innovation Operations & Insights Team implements NYSERDA-required business and system processes and leads performance tracking and reporting across the unit.

　　The Vice President will work in close concert with leadership and staff in other NYSERDA business units and divisions, such as Clean and Resilient Buildings (C&RB), Large-Scale Renewables (LSR), and Distributed Energy Resources and Transportation (DER). While the latter units focus on deploying proven technologies to reach specific market goals, Innovation helps keep the funnel of new, better solutions moving from university labs through early incubation and into early market adoption. Innovation looks for ways to continually bring solutions with better value propositions forward, as well as provides a broad understanding of overall clean energy system design, integration, and technology and system architecture trade-offs.

　　In addition, the Vice President will need to establish partnerships with a broad range of stakeholders engaged in supporting New York State’s clean energy innovation ecosystem. These include other state agencies and entities (DPS, ESD, Ag & Markets, DFS, NYPA); peer-state innovation partners (MassCEC, CA CEC); federal innovation partners (DOE, ARPA-E); academic partners; market participants (entrepreneurs and firms); and catalyzers of the state’s innovation ecosystem (incubators, accelerators, and other organizations).

　　The Vice President will be an essential member of NYSERDA’s Executive Team and lead innovation efforts both within and beyond NYSERDA. They also will be a relentless champion for New York State’s clean energy innovation agenda.

　　Primary ResponsibilitiesStrategy & Leadership

　　Serve as the leader for the Innovation unit: Set the strategy (key activities and priorities) for the Innovation unit, align internal and external resources against the strategy, develop execution plans, and establish the team to deliver the strategy.

　　Serve as a key strategy and policy advisor within NYSERDA and New York State on innovation matters: Provide strategy, technical, and other expertise to NYSERDA leadership, Chamber, DPS, state agency partners, and other actors. Substantially contribute to key NYSERDA strategy and policy deliverables (e.g., the recently released Energy Storage Roadmap and similar work products). Act to connect innovation efforts with economic development and equity considerations, so that New York State is maximizing the economic development benefits of investments and advancing a just transition.

　　Be a relentless champion for innovation within NYSERDA: Lead efforts with staff and leadership across NYSERDA to catalyze innovation in the domains of buildings, transportation, and supply.[1] Ensure that the innovation perspective is embedded in strategy, resource allocation, and (policy design) program design across NYSERDA and help other business units apply an innovation perspective to their programs and initiatives.

　　Be a relentless champion for clean tech innovation within New York State: Establish and maintain partnerships with other state agencies and entities (DPS, ESD, Ag & Markets, DFS, NYPA); peer-state innovation partners (MassCEC, CA CEC); federal innovation partners (DOE, APRA-E); academic partners; market participants (entrepreneurs and firms); and catalyzers of NYS’s innovation ecosystem (incubators, accelerators, and other organizations). Communicate NYSERDA’s Innovation work; position NYSERDA to intervene in NYS’s clean tech innovation ecosystem most effectively; and serve as a connector between innovation customers and stakeholders and NYSERDA and New York State more broadly.

　　Resource Alignment

　　Lead efforts to optimize NYSERDA and New York State’s financial resources and funding sources to catalyze clean tech innovation: Structure and manage NYSERDA’s innovation budget. Be creative and entrepreneurial in identifying additional financial resources and funding sources to unlock essential innovation work across New York State. Maintain a clear investment thesis and prioritization framework for projects. Lead the production of operating plans, investment plans, and business cases to be presented to NYSERDA, DPS, and state leadership.

　　Lead efforts to optimize NYSERDA’s and New York State’s human capital resources to catalyze clean tech innovation: Manage NYSERDA’s innovation staff and contractor resources. Determine capabilities and human capital to be developed in-house, as opposed to be sourced from outside the organization, whether through contractor resources or partnerships. Act to ensure that NYSERDA and New York State more broadly have the innovation talent necessary for New York State to lead the way in clean tech innovation.

　　Program Design, Delivery, Evaluation, and Transformation

　　Design programs to drive clean tech innovation within New York State: Develop programs to accelerate research, development, and commercialization of clean energy technologies and further enhance the clean tech innovation ecosystem within New York State. Lead market analysis, technical review, and stakeholder engagement to ensure that programs reflect sound market, technical, and delivery fundamentals.

　　Lead the delivery of innovation programs and projects: Manage Innovation unit staff and contractor resources in program delivery.

　　Conduct ongoing program evaluation and evolve program offerings to achieve greatest impact and efficiency: Act to ensure that programs achieve greatest impact and remain responsive to market fundamentals, operationally efficient, and flexible given changing needs.

　　Staff and Organizational Development

　　Lead, manage, and motivate the teams within the Innovation unit, including Research and Development (R&D), Technology-to-Market (T2M), and Innovation Operations & Insights (Ops).

　　Develop staff and serve as a coach, mentor, and a role model within the Innovation unit and broader organization.

　　Substantially contribute to the development of a high-performing, highly collaborative culture within the Innovation unit and broader organization; foster an inclusive work environment; and bring a strong equity focus to all activities.

　　Support overall efforts across NYSERDA to deliver on ambitious climate goals.

　　Minimum Qualifications

　　10 years of relevant experience with a demonstrated record of success in setting strategy, managing a portfolio of programs and initiatives, and successfully delivering solutions within business or government operating environments

　　Deep understanding of clean energy technology research, development, and commercialization and the establishment of effective innovation ecosystems.

　　Demonstrated problem-solving ability, entrepreneurial edge, resourcefulness, adaptability, and pragmatism.

　　Ability to develop, lead, and coach a team to achieve their potential and transform their operations.

　　Track record and predisposition toward investing in the success of colleagues, with a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

　　Proven success in forging productive and influential relationships with a broad range of stakeholders.

　　Exceptional communication (verbal and written), presentation, and interpersonal skills that resonate with audiences of different backgrounds

　　Strong work ethic and resolute integrity

　　Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree preferred

　　[IND123]

　　[1] inclusive of electrification and grid optimization, distributed energy resources, energy storage, and clean fuels