Director Search

NREL is seeking an inspiring and visionary leader to drive groundbreaking scientific advancements and shape the future of energy innovation and resilience.

Aerial of NREL's South Table Mountain campus

In November 2025, NREL Director Martin Keller will leave the laboratory for his new role as president of the Helmholtz Association in Berlin, Germany. To fill this vacancy, NREL is conducting a thorough search, with guidance from MRIGlobal, Battelle, and the Alliance for Sustainable Energy—which operates the laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

The search committee has set a target start date of Oct. 1, 2025, for the new director.

Apply

To apply, complete the NREL Lab Director application via Workday by April 18, 2025, and include:

A resume or curriculum vitae
A letter of interest addressing the role responsibilities and qualifications outlined on this page.

About the Role

As the face of NREL, the laboratory director inspires innovation, champions partnerships, and upholds NREL's commitment to safety and operational excellence while advancing DOE's mission and global energy goals.

The next NREL director will be a visionary, dynamic leader with expertise in energy technologies, a proven record of managing complex organizations, experience fostering global partnerships, and the ability to engage diverse stakeholders. In addition, the director will:

Lead the laboratory's workforce of more than 3,700 employees and 500 contractors across its campuses and offices
Oversee an annual operating budget of approximately $1 billion
Support NREL's efforts to maintain its growing list of more than 1,100 active partnerships with organizations across 49 states and 37 countries.

Learn more about NREL and its work to advance energy as well as its role as a federally funded research and development center.

An entryway sign reading NREL - National Renewable Energy Laboratory - U.S. Department of Energy, with a lit-up building behind it.

Key Responsibilities

This role is responsible for executing NREL's decades-long mission of advancing energy, acting as CEO and president of the Alliance, and reporting to its board of directors. Successful candidates also will fulfill the following responsibilities.

Inspire and engage.

Lead NREL as a world-class research institution, driving innovation and excellence.
Represent NREL as a thought leader in energy technologies nationally and internationally.
Foster alignment with DOE leadership, stakeholders, and laboratory staff.

Develop people and foster a safe environment.

Build and lead a high-performing executive team.
Promote a safe and innovative work culture.
Attract, develop, and retain top-tier talent in science, engineering, and operations.
Be a model of integrity and inspire action through authentic leadership.

Set vision and strategy.

Develop and implement a visionary strategy to achieve global energy impact.
Enhance research infrastructure and sustain NREL's status as a premier institution.
Ensure operational excellence, manage risks, and maintain high performance standards.

Build collaborations and partnerships.

Strengthen relationships with DOE, the Alliance Board, other national labs, industry, academia, and government entities.
Engage effectively with elected officials at local, state, and national level.
Expand connections with local, regional, and global communities.

Enhance institutional reputation.

Serve as a credible and respected leader, representing NREL with technical depth.
Build recognition for NREL's contributions to energy advancement, resiliency, and impact.
Uphold high standards for quality, objectivity, and credibility.

Qualifications

Qualified candidates must hold an advanced degree, with a Ph.D. in science or engineering preferred. The ideal candidate possesses the following:

Professional Competencies

Exceptional record as an executive leader in a complex technical or research organization
Background in energy technologies, markets, and infrastructure
Extensive familiarity with DOE missions
Experience building public-private partnerships
Demonstrated ability to foster and commercialize innovation
Demonstrated managerial courage, political awareness, and business acumen
Effective communication and strong relationship-building skills
Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE security clearance
Ability to travel nationally and internationally