Job Listing

POSITION:  Executive Director, Wind Technology Testing Center – Boston, MA

Overview:

The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC) is the state’s economic development agency for the innovation economy and renewable energy.  The agency is working to enhance the state’s economic competitiveness, strengthen its high-tech industry clusters, and harness local, clean energy resources.  They operate as a catalyst at the intersection of industry, academia, and government to create new economic opportunity and a cleaner environment for Massachusetts.

The Massachusetts-NREL Wind Technology Testing Center (WTTC) is a new initiative of MTC dedicated to the testing and advancement of wind turbine technology, beginning with a structural blade testing facility.  The facility will accommodate testing of wind turbine blades up to 70M in length, with the possibility of expansion to handle even larger, 100M blade testing in the future.   At present, blades larger than 50M can not be tested in North America.  With the growth in prominence of wind power on larger and larger scales, the WTTC will fill a key void.

This facility has the potential to become one of the most important blade testing facilities in the world.  MTC seeks a key leader to manage, grow, and help build this cutting-edge facility.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), which operates the only existing blade testing facility in North America, is working closely with MTC to establish the Massachusetts facility as one of two new national testing centers.  NREL is providing MTC with support in the form of Department of Energy funding, equipment and technology, and technical staff on loan from their facility in Colorado.  Additional support comes from the University of Massachusetts Renewable Energy Research Laboratory (RERL), which will provide wind turbine engineering and research expertise, and the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport), which owns the land for the facility and is providing design and construction contracting and project management services.

With all of these building blocks available and support from multiple organizations, MTC requires a strong leader who can pull it all together.

The Role:

The establishment of the WTTC provides a unique opportunity for someone to take the lead on a growth initiative for renewable energy here in the US.  The Executive Director will oversee equipment selection, commissioning, construction, and accreditation of the facility.  Once the facility is up and running, this person will be responsible for ensuring it is operating at capacity with a backlog of tests in the queue.  Achieving that goal will require fostering strong relationships with key manufacturers, engendering credibility throughout the wind industry, and ensuring that the testing programs are above reproach.  The successful candidate for this role must be equally comfortable inside the test facility, in front of clients, and in the public eye.

Because this facility will be supported by multiple stakeholders (DOE, NREL, RERL, Massport, MTC), the Executive Director will interact extensively with outside agencies, customers, universities, the public, and the wind industry in general. 

The ideal candidate for this opportunity will be a results-oriented, consensus-building leader capable of managing a highly visible business with multiple stakeholders.  This individual will have a passion for being at the forefront of technology in renewable energy and will bring strong credibility to the post. 

Ultimately, the Executive Director will play a prominent role serving as the face of the organization in the wind industry and be the key driver in the growth and success of the WTTC.

Essential Functions:

• Meet business, operational and financial goals of facility as described by the MTC board.
• Work closely with NREL representative to oversee design and implementation of testing procedures.
• Ensure intellectual property protection and implementation of quality assurance programs.
• Develop test protocols, determine staffing and oversee test lab accreditation and compliance, and safety program.
• Manage overall control of schedule, business development, internal business organization, staff organization and management, and all reporting functions.
• Build long-term relationships with industry clients and the public through consistent excellence and continuous involvement in associations and organizations.
• Serve as liaison between MTC, NREL & DOE.

Experience / Education:

• Bachelors degree required; Prefer Master’s/PhD
• Engineering and/or Business background
• Proven success in business development leadership
• Technical knowledge/understanding in a leadership role
• Experience in public speaking
• Experience in project management
• Experience in running a testing facility

Reporting Relationship:

Reports to the Executive Director of MTC through the Director of the Renewable Energy Trust.

Contact: 

RSMR Global Resources is an executive search firm hired by MTC to screen and review candidates for this role.  If you would like to express your interest in this opportunity, please contact one of the RSMR executive search consultants below:

RSMR Global Resources, Inc.

219 West Chicago Avenue, Second Floor

Chicago, Illinois  60610

(312) 957-0337

   www.rsmr.com