Director of Campus Sustainability

About the role

The Director of Campus Sustainability serves as the strategic leader for advancing the University’s commitment to sustainability, including economic, social, and environmental sustainability. They will organize and oversee the implementation and management of a comprehensive university program to promote a culture of sustainability and stewardship of university resources and serve as a campus spokesperson on sustainability issues with internal and external constituencies.

Responsibilities

• Interface with the Offices of Planning & Real Estate Development, Capital Program Design & Delivery, and Facilities Operations to ensure best practices with respect to renewable energy, de-carbonization efforts, “green” building technologies, energy conservation, landscape management, and solid waste management practices, among other sustainable aspects.
• Facilitate the integration of these guidelines in the project planning and design processes and communicating progress to the campus and external community.
• Advise campus leadership on how the university can monitor performance toward achieving its sustainability goals and develop programs and projects across its core functions of operations, teaching, research, and outreach.
• Maintain confidentiality of information discussed with leadership.
• Develop responsible financial plans for the University’s sustainability programs.
• Manage and execute funds allocated to the sustainability program including projects and personnel.
• Identify grant funding opportunities and prepare and submit proposal applications for external funding.
• Partner with the URI Foundation on philanthropic opportunities.
• Administer any awarded funds.
• Create, maintain and update content for the University Sustainability website.
• Update content in a timely manner. Incorporate calendar and resource listings, online newsletter, and other relevant information and links as needed.
• Research and maintain working knowledge of best practices at peer institutions and with key industry benchmark leaders & publications with regard to sustainability.
• Collect and report data and performance metrics on-campus sustainability initiatives and progress.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in a sustainability related field.
• Minimum of seven years of progressively responsible work experience related to sustainability.
• Demonstrated knowledge of all dimensions of sustainability (i.e., environment, economic, equity, issues, trends, and best practices).
• Demonstrated analytical and applied planning skills.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in environmental initiatives and resource management.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of green certification standards and energy efficiency practices.
• Demonstrated fiscal management skills.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse groups/populations.
• Demonstrated strong verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency in written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to develop basic promotional materials.
• Demonstrated website management experience.
• Demonstrated experience in Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities (i.e., creating and managing projects, initiatives, and program budgets) in a deadline-driven environment.

Qualifications

• Preferred Qualifications:
• Demonstrated familiarity with the higher education campus culture.
• Demonstrated experience in grant writing.
• LEED or other green building certified professional.