Energy Technical Partnership Manager

Salary : $66,400.00 - $92,900.00 Annually

Location : Richland County, SC

Job Type : FTE - Full-Time

Job Number : 184757

Agency : Department of Commerce

Opening Date : 02 / 02 / 2026

Closing Date : 2 / 17 / 2026 11 : 59 PM Eastern

Class Code : : AH45

Position Number : : 0000000

Normal Work Schedule : : Monday - Friday (8 : 30 - 5 : 00)

Pay Grade : GEN11

Hiring Range - Min. : $66,400.00

Hiring Range - Max. : $92,900.00

Opening Date : 02 / 02 / 2026

EEO Statement : Equal Opportunity Employer

Agency Specific Application Procedures : : Applications are incomplete if you fail to answer all questions, education, and work history. Incomplete applications are not referred to the hiring managers. You may be asked to provide a certified transcript if selected for a position requiring a degree. A background investigation will be conducted after a contingent offer of employment. Please provide an explanation of any gaps of employment. A resume should be attached with your application but not substituted for completing the work history section of the application.

Veteran Preference Statement : South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.

Job Responsibilities

Welcome to South Carolina. The new headquarters of American innovation.

The South Carolina Department of Commerce (S.C. Commerce) is committed to maintaining the state's long-term competitiveness while building a modern economy - one that is diverse, supporting businesses at every phase of their lifecycle, while allowing people to live and work where they love.

As one of 22 cabinet agencies, S.C. Commerce is the state's lead economic development agency. Its mission is to create economic opportunities to increase choices for all South Carolinians, which it does by supporting new and existing businesses and partnerships that fuel emerging industries such as life sciences, headquarters, and advanced energy. To drive the state's advanced energy potential and global impact, S.C. Commerce helped organize the SC Nexus for Advanced Resilient Energy (SC NEXUS), designated as one of 31 federal Technology and Innovation Hubs in 2023. A national leader in foreign direct investment, South Carolina extends its international reach with representation in Europe and Asia, ensuring the state remains a top, global business destination from launch to legacy.

Position Summary :

The Energy Technical Partnership Manager supports SC NEXUS initiatives within the South Carolina Department of Commerce by evaluating emerging energy technologies and advancing technically aligned partnerships that strengthen the state's advanced energy and grid-resilience ecosystem. The role provides technical and analytical support for SC NEXUS testbeds, research, demonstration, and deployment activities, while maintaining close engagement with electric utilities, grid operators, industrial energy users, and related partners. This position leads coordination of the SC NEXUS Technical & Intellectual Coordinating Committee and works across internal teams and external stakeholders to align utility and industry priorities with SC NEXUS programs, testbeds, and strategic objectives.

The incumbent must possess strong technical knowledge, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders, including utilities, universities, national laboratories, private-sector partners, and other state agencies.

Job Responsibilities :

• Support assessment of emerging energy technologies, evaluate partnership proposals and technical or programmatic opportunities for strategic alignment with SC NEXUS mission and goals.
• Provide technical support for SC NEXUS testbeds and grid-resilience initiatives as well as reporting for research, demonstration, and deployment projects.
• Maintain and strengthen relationships with electric utilities, cooperatives, grid operators, industrial energy users, and related partners.
• Drive alignment between utility and industry priorities and SC NEXUS programs and testbed activities to inform strategy and execution.
• Oversee the management of the SC NEXUS Technical & Intellectual Coordinating Committee, including developing agendas and supporting materials; and tracking action items to ensure timely follow-through and alignment across teams.
• Identify and support opportunities for collaborative research, demonstration projects, and technical information exchange.
• Support activities to expand external partnerships, attract industry participation, and advance SC NEXUS priorities.
• Assist in implementing sales strategies that promote SC NEXUS capabilities, testbeds, and programs to companies, research institutions, and prospective partners.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

Bachelor's degree in engineering, energy systems, business, energy systems, engineering, or a related field.

Demonstrated experience working with utilities, energy-sector partners, or applied research environments.

Strong analytical, organizational, and time-management skills.

Ability to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.

Proficiency in project coordination, documentation, and stakeholder engagement.

Preferred Qualifications

A minimum of three (3) to five (5) years of professional experience, including external and internal engagement and partnership-focused work, within the energy, utilities, and energy systems / policy. A master's degree in a relevant discipline may substitute for up to two (2) years of the required experience.

Experience supporting advisory committees, technical working groups, or coordinated governance bodies.

Experience supporting industry engagement, partnership coordination, or collaborative project development as well as technical or programmatic initiatives.

Additional Comments

The South Carolina Department of Commerce offers an exceptional benefit package for full-time and temporary grant positions that include :

Benefits for State Employees

The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work-life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies.

Insurance Benefits

Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits. Other available insurance benefits include dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses.

Retirement Benefits

State employees are also offered retirement plan options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options.

Workplace Benefits

State employees may also be eligible for other benefits, including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more.

Note : The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.