Description

The Senior Manager, Innovation Partnerships is responsible for overseeing external-facing collaborations, communication, and events for the Innovation and Research (I&R) Business Unit. This role is central to I&R’s mission to influence and direct New York’s energy innovation ecosystem, working collaboratively across I&R programs and with NYSERDA communications, marketing, and government affairs teams to drive external engagement and enhance the effectiveness of I&R’s investment programs.

This position reports to the Associate Director, Innovation Partnerships. As a senior member of the Innovation Partnerships team, it is anticipated that this position will directly supervise team members as well as lead others in a matrixed environment. As a hands-on manager, this role places high importance on leadership by example, effective coaching and mentoring, and setting a high standard for the entire organization.

Primary Responsibilities

• Manage contracted studies focused on relationships and partnerships in the energy innovation ecosystem. Ensure budget, performance, and contractual obligations are met. Synthesize and interpret study results to provide insights to Innovation leadership.
• Oversee I&R’s processes and tools for customer relationship management (CRM). Lead CRM process documentation and training, manage, curate, and utilize contact lists for marketing campaigns, and oversee I&R responses to public inquiries.
• Develop and maintain Innovation and Research external-facing content, serving as primary interface between I&R staff and NYSERDA communications, marketing, social media, and events teams.
•  Provide a clear and consistent editorial voice for I&R’s external-facing communications based on input and direction from I&R leadership.
• Interface with I&R program staff, leadership, and NYSERDA Events and Marketing teams to organize I&R attendance at conferences and other public events. Participate in event sponsorship selection and oversee processes to document event results, contacts, and follow-up actions.
• Direct and oversee the day-to-day activities of the team, focused on efficiency, quality, and results. 
• Guide/coach direct reports to foster engagement, ensure professional development opportunities, and align team goals with NYSERDA priorities.
• Resolve performance issues.
• Effectively communicate status, collaborate, and problem-solve with relevant stakeholders, including effectively escalating any project concerns with appropriate leaders
• Continually assess existing practices and procedures, and make recommendations for improvements in efficiency and accuracy, in combination with cost-benefit analysis
• Review Statements of Work, provide oversight, feedback and review of all tasks and deliverables and approve invoices for assigned contracts.
• Understand and adhere to NYSERDA’s policies and procedures.
• Perform all managerial and supervisory responsibilities with respect, fairness, consistency, and inclusion across the workforce.
• Perform other responsibilities as necessary

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business or related studies and minimum 7 years of relevant experience with at least 2 years in a supervisory role.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Experience and skill in external messaging including written content creation. 
• Ability to build effective relationships with internal and external customers/vendors.
• Experience in customer relationship management practices and systems.
• Great resourcefulness and an instinct for surfacing value and pragmatic solutions.
• Experience and skill in conflict resolution, performance, and personnel management.
• Experience in vendor and operations management.
• Detail oriented with a high degree of accuracy in all duties.
• Consistently maintains composure and professionalism.
• Successful in driving improvements in team operations and delivering team objectives within complex government operating environments.
• Skill in managing multiple diverse activities simultaneously, delivering on commitments, and operating with speed, accuracy and strong judgment.
• Perform all managerial and supervisory responsibilities with respect, fairness, consistency, and inclusion across the workforce. 
  Proficient with Microsoft O365 Suite (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, MS Teams) and comfortable learning and leveraging software applications and databases.

Travel Requirements: Travel to NYSERDA supported conferences and events and between NYSERDA Offices may be required, less than 10%.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Business Management, or other related studies with at least 5 years of experience including at least 2 years in a supervisory role.
• Experience developing leads and tracking partnerships in the Salesforce CRM environment.