Details
Posted: 09-Jul-22
Location: D.C.
Type: Full Time
Preferred Education: 4 Year Degree
Categories:
Other
ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND
UL Standards & Engagement is a nonprofit standards development and advocacy organization that translates data from safety science into practical, action-oriented safety standards and drives safety advocacy campaigns focused on improving public safety. We convene experts worldwide and serve as a vital resource for regulators and policymakers. As a part of our public outreach activities, we share knowledge, advance standards-related safety policy partnerships and advocate for standards and policies that result in positive safety changes. The organization has a long history in the development of safety standards dating back to its founding in 1894 and the first standard in 1903. Since then, it has developed over 1,600 standards that promote safety across a wide range of products and technologies. Along with UL Research Institutes and UL Solutions, the three organizations in the UL enterprise share the same mission of working for a safer world.
UL Standards & Engagement has recently appointed David Steel as its new Executive Director. Under Dr. Steel’s leadership and with renewed funding and resources, UL Standards & Engagement is rapidly expanding its scope of activities, adding capabilities in communications, partnerships, and insights and policy analysis to increase stakeholder engagement and awareness of the value of safety standards and their impact in the world.
THE OPPORTUNITY AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The Head of Partnerships will build a world-class partnerships function to advance UL’s mission by building awareness of the organization and driving positive change to make the world safer, more secure, and sustainable. Reporting directly to the Executive Director of UL Standards & Engagement, this role is a member of the leadership team in the organization. The Head of Partnerships has an excellent opportunity to design, build, and lead this new function, with an entrepreneurial mindset. They will hire 3-5 staff to build and oversee partnerships in different areas of safety, such fire safety, batteries, and energy storage.
The Head of Partnerships will have two primary areas of responsibility. First is to build an awareness and understanding of UL Standards & Engagement and the impact of the 1,600+ standards that are maintained by UL. Second is to drive specific partnerships to advance advocacy areas to shape actions by corporate leaders, trade association leaders, policy makers and consumers. Key areas of responsibility include the following:
- Strategy: Establish and maintain the strategy for the Partnerships team and present it to senior leadership for advice and guidance.
- Partnerships: Drive an agenda with a defined set of partners, including standards setting bodies, trade associations, and NGOs focused on consumer safety issues.
- Outreach: Identify and implement tools that will be used to manage these relationships and communications (e.g., CRM).
- Coordination: Coordinate and collaborate with various UL entities and external organizations globally.
- Events: Convene events that bring together safety scientists, industry professionals, members of the media, and policy makers. Sponsor events arranged by other related organizations.
- Team Management: Attract, retain, develop, and motivate the Partnerships team staff, budget, and agenda.
- Agency Management: Manage relationships with agencies and other firms to execute on the agenda for the function.
While most of the activities will be focused on the US, there will be opportunities from the beginning to take US insights and research to other UL Standards & Engagement offices worldwide. Over time, the goal is to establish this role as taking global leadership for insights and analysis.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal candidate will have strong partnerships experience, working with a range of diverse stakeholders to deliver against objectives of impact and relationship building. A minimum of ten years of experience in partnerships and member engagements is required. Among the key qualifications are the following:
- Successful record of developing and leading partnership relations, especially around campaigns.
- Experience working effectively with trade associations, public policy, and/or nonprofit organizations is desired.
- Demonstrated subject matter expertise (in any area) will be important, while familiarity with any of the focus areas of UL would be an advantage, especially areas of safety, sustainability, and security.
- Superior written and oral communications and presentation skills, covering a wide range of audiences, including employees at all levels, leadership, executive stakeholders, and public authorities.
- Management experience leading teams, developing strategy, and executing plans.
- Engaging and approachable leadership style to lead and develop a high performing partnerships function, setting high standards and accountability for process and results.
- Positive and collaborative interpersonal skills to work effectively with leaders and colleagues across the organization.
- High degree of curiosity to learn about the mission and impact of the organization and its areas of specialization.
- Responsiveness and a sense of urgency, with focus on outcomes, structure, and process improvement for the short- and long-term.
- Problem solving skills with the ability to identify root causes, develop practical solutions, and work in collaboration with colleagues across the organization to address strategic, operational, and any other roadblocks to success.Leadership and influence skills and an approachable and collaborative style to createalignment and deliver results in a matrix organization.
- Entrepreneurial style, with the organizational leadership and the ability to thrive in a fast paced environment, delivering results among competing priorities.
- Ability to operate at a strategic and operational level, including attention to detail and willingness to both lead the work and execute.
ULSE is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion to support the success of internal teamsand advance the mission of the organization.
ULSE has COVID-19 protocols and policies in place to ensure the safety of our employees,customers, and clients. Effective November 1, 2021, the company mandates that employees are vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment (except where prohibited bylaw), subject to reasonable accommodation as required by law.
