Vice President and Chief Program Development Officer

For more than a century, UL organizations have conducted rigorous product testing, inspection and certification, independent research, and developed safety standards to improve living and working conditions throughout the world. As a nonprofit research organization, UL Research Institutes (ULRI) is a leading independent safety science organization that pursues and applies science-driven knowledge to meet an overall mission of working for a safer world. ULRI is guided by its commitment to addressing three of the world’s grand challenges: building resilience for a sustainable future; advancing individual and societal health in the 21st century; and promoting safety at the human-digital interface. ULRI researchers address public safety risks through rigorous investigation and by collaborating with an international network of esteemed experts. The aim is to define the safe application of materials and technologies, and to share findings broadly to ensure maximum impact.

ULRI seeks to hire a Vice President & Chief Program Development Officer (CPDO) to lead the organization’s strategic efforts to build and sustain revenue-generating partnerships with government agencies, commercial entities, and philanthropic institutions. Unlike traditional fundraising roles, this position focuses on securing grants, contracts, collaborative agreements, and technology commercialization opportunities that align with the organization’s mission to advance safety science research and innovation. The CPDO will increase ULRI’s visibility as the undisputed leader in its field and forge strong external partnerships while creating an internal culture of diverse revenue generation and entrepreneurship. The organization has grown significantly in the last three years, and the CPDO will collaborate with institute leaders to shape external funding opportunities that address the critical safety threats impacting the world today and in the future.

Reporting to the President and CEO of UL Research Institutes (ULRI), the CPDO works in collaboration with the Chief Research Officer, Research Institute leaders, and other senior leaders across the organization in support of its mission and growth. The CPDO will be a strategic, collaborative, and entrepreneurial leader with a passion for safety science. The CPDO will shape and articulate the revenue development strategy in partnership with senior leadership and implement it to achieve increased impact and outstanding results.

UL Research Institutes is working with Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, for this recruitment Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and CVs with cover letters should be sent via the link below. Electronic submission of materials is strongly encouraged. 

Andrew Lee is leading this search with Courtney Cabansag and Madeline Fitzpatrick.

UL Research Institutes is committed to hiring a qualified workforce without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. Competitive compensation includes base salary at or above US$ 250,000 (based on experience and qualification), short and long-term incentive compensation, and world-class benefits (additional information available at Careers - UL Research Institutes).