Director, Advanced Nuclear

As a leader in advancing New York's energy transition, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is a credible, objective and trusted partner in energy planning and in deploying new innovative technologies to build an affordable, abundant, reliable, and clean energy system. NYSERDA works with stakeholders statewide, including 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.
• Advance solutions for using clean energy at a large-scale in New York.
• Enable New York's communities and residents to benefit equitably in the clean energy transition.

Job Overview

NYSERDA is seeking a Director, Advanced Nuclear to develop and lead a new Advanced Nuclear team being formed at NYSERDA. This position will report to the Senior Vice President of Large-Scale Resources (LSR). The Director will be responsible for strategy development, program design and implementation, written and verbal status and progress reporting, stakeholder collaboration, and team management.

The Director will build-out and manage a team consisting of both direct reports and NYSERDA-wide staff that are part of the Advanced Nuclear work through matrix working relationships. The Director will supervise Senior Advisor(s), Project Manager(s), and other direct reports as NYSERDA's role evolves, and will work with related NYSERDA staff through a matrixed team arrangement including workforce and supply chain development, economic development, innovation, legal counsel, contracts, communications, and others.

In January 2025, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the start of a process to develop a Master Plan for Responsible Advanced Nuclear Development in New York. NYSERDA, together with the Department of Public Service (DPS) and working with other State Agencies, leads on the development of the Master Plan. The development of the Master Plan will provide a framework for in-depth examination into the key issues raised by the Blueprint to develop recommendations for implementation of advanced nuclear technologies in New York State. The Master Plan development process is expected to conclude with publication by the end of 2026.

This announcement was furthered in January 2026 when Governor Hochul announced the "Nuclear Reliability Backbone" initiative, aiming to establish 4 gigawatts (GW) of new, advanced nuclear capacity alongside 1 GW already in development by the New York Power Authority, creating an 8.4 GW total nuclear, zero-emission, baseload power portfolio.

Overall, the execution of these initiatives will support New York's 2040 clean energy goals, enhance grid stability, and meet surging demand from data centers and manufacturing. NYSERDA will continue to play a central role in the advancement of nuclear and other dispatchable zero-emissions technologies and this Director position will be a central role to realize these outcomes.

Primary Responsibilities

Strategy

• Help finalize and lead the completion of New York's ongoing Advanced Nuclear Master Plan and, upon conclusion of the Master Planning process, lead NYSERDA's efforts to both deliver on that Plan as well as further develop and execute New York's policy framework for advanced nuclear.
• Contribute to New York's emerging policies and strategies for other zero-emissions technologies, including as part of the ongoing New York Public Service Commission (PSC) Zero by 2040 proceeding.
• Impart a deep and broad base of technical and market knowledge development into State deliberations to shape State programs in a market-sensitive manner.

Program

• Develop, direct, and guide the Advanced Nuclear team to develop, implement and execute advanced nuclear deployment initiatives and programs in line with New York's Advanced Nuclear strategy.
• Collaborate with wider NYSERDA colleagues and teams (in a matrixed structure) to develop, implement and execute broader advanced nuclear ecosystem initiatives and programs, including on supply chain, workforce, innovation and regulatory matters.
• Manage Program budgets in accordance with applicable rules and in coordination with the CFO office.
• Negotiate contracts and manage contractors.
• Perform other programmatic responsibilities as needed.

Execution and People Leadership

• Drive projects and policies forward by gathering and effectively organizing required information, communicating effectively and professionally with internal and external stakeholders, developing and monitoring plans, and overseeing the responsibilities and commitments of team members.
• Represent NYSERDA in collaborative initiatives with other New York State agencies and public and private entities and in technical conferences, public meetings and other forums.
• Maintain and leverage a network of stakeholders, market participants, peer program administrators, policy experts and other sources of insight.
• Lead and manage the Advanced Nuclear team to develop and build a high-performing team and help team members meet their own professional goals
• Lead a broader cross-functional team that includes energy analysis, transmission, legal, and other related subject matter experts.
• Direct analysis on technology developments, advancements, cost trends, labor and workforce assets, or other relevant information
• Foster and contribute to a team culture and culture of excellence grounded in people development, learning, problem solving, and teamwork.
• Perform all managerial and supervisory responsibilities with respect, fairness, consistency, and inclusion across the workforce.

Minimum Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree preferably in Nuclear Science/ Nuclear Engineering/ Nuclear Technology or adjacent, relevant degree with at least 10 years of relevant experience in the nuclear and energy industry including 5 years of supervisory experience.

Specific areas:

• A track record of leadership roles including experience as a team leader and demonstrated experience leading high-profile nuclear energy projects in the private sector, preferably in the advanced nuclear area in North America.
• Deep subject-matter expertise, including at a technical and management level, on advanced nuclear technologies
• Deep understanding of and demonstrated experience with the relevant finance and economics context, such as in the areas of project finance or infrastructure finance, and related financial and cost analysis tools.
• Experience with development of strategy and policy in the energy space, in the private or public sector.
• Preferred: leadership experience and technical understanding on other zero-emission technologies under consideration in New York, including biofuels, hydrogen, deep geothermal, carbon capture and storage, long-duration energy storage, virtual power plants and demand response.

Crosscutting/ general areas:

• Demonstrated problem-solving ability and negotiating skills to reach pragmatic solutions for complex issues and often competing stakeholder views.
• Mentor, and developer of talent, with demonstrated ability to develop a team to achieve their potential and deliver outcomes.
• Strong interpersonal skills involving the ability to work cross-functionally to understand requirements, present alternatives and recommendations
• Highest level of presentational, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Project management and leadership skills including the ability to work as a team leader and team member, maintain project timelines, budgets, and deliver on commitments
• Knowledge of state and federal regulatory processes relating to energy project siting and operations, with a preference for knowledge relating to nuclear energy.
• Self-starter who acts independently, directs one's own work and can handle diverse tasks quickly and accurately within a high-performance environment.
• Relentless work ethic and resolute integrity
• Strong organizational and analytical skills; ability to quickly aggregate and analyze information. Genuine passion for matters relating to energy and the environment and an interest in developing and supporting a dynamic and talented team.
• Project management skills including maintaining project timelines and budgets, and delivering on commitments

Preferred Qualifications

• A Master's degree preferably in Nuclear Science/ Nuclear Engineering/ Nuclear Technology or adjacent, relevant degree with at least 8 years of relevant experience in the nuclear and energy industry with Zero emissions technology expertise including 5 years of supervisory experience.

Please submit two files, one for your cover letter and another for a resume.

Please note that during the application process, you may be prompted to opt-in to Artificial Intelligence ("AI") scoring. This is an automatic request in the ADP system but is not a feature that is used by NYSERDA in its recruiting and hiring process. Your response will have no impact on your application to NYSERDA.

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Salary

The salary range is $156,757 - $197,170 annually. Candidates will be considered based on qualifications and experience. An excellent benefits package is offered.