Director of Science and Climate Programs

About the Role

The Director of Science and Climate Programs is a professional with experience and knowledge of science and climate fields, managing multiple programs spread across a wide geographic area. This individual is an integral member of our team, working closely with the Executive Director; Directors of Letters and Communications, Arts and Fellows, and Development; other staff; as well as board leadership. The position is based at 1922 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53726 three days a week and is a 100% FTE exempt position.

Responsibilities

• Direct the Academy’s Climate & Energy Initiative (25%)
  • Provide leadership as the primary point person and spokesperson for the Climate and Energy Initiative.
  • Make strategic decisions about the types of programming the Academy will provide within this Initiative, including statewide and regional conferences and summits, research and report writing, online resources, and other collaborative efforts.
  • Supervise one employee (the External Relations Coordinator, who also receives projects from the Director of Letters and Communications and Director of Arts & Fellows) and occasional graduate fellows or interns.
  • Cultivate and maintain positive working relationships with contributing partners (~50-to-75 individuals) who serve on project working groups, committees, and teams.
  • Develop the annual program budget in coordination with the Executive Director and Director of Development and manage program funds, including tracking expenses with the operations manager.
  • Champion and represent the Academy in outside networks, such as the Wisconsin Climate Action Navigators (WICAN), Wisconsin Climate Table, and the Clean Economy Coalition of Wisconsin.
  • Develop and coordinate the statewide leadership network for the C&E Initiative through outreach, meetings, and periodic project updates.
  • Contribute and coordinate partner contributions of content for project reports and Wisconsin People & Ideas Magazine.
  • Develop conference presentations and workshops for Academy or partner-organization events.
• Direct the Science and Climate Programming in the Academy’s special series (25%)
  • Plan and execute statewide science programming, including online, in-person, and hybrid experiences for adult learners.
  • Develop and track measures of success for science programming.
  • Engage the VP of Sciences to receive insights on the Academy’s science programming.
  • Identify and recruit Wisconsin-based science experts to participate as speakers in the series.
  • Create marketing plans for science programming in collaboration with communications staff.
  • Maintain and develop new partnerships with other science organizations in Wisconsin.
• Contribute to Program Development and Fundraising (35%)
  • Lead development efforts for science and climate programs and initiatives, including funding research and grant proposal development.
  • Solicit donations and event sponsorships from private individuals, foundations, and corporations.
  • Develop grant reports, content for the Academy annual report, and public reports on project activities and outcomes.
  • Coordinate and execute data management with the director of development and operations manager.
  • Collaborate with and support Academy leadership on fundraising strategies and efforts.
• Contribute to Strategic Communications (5%)
  • Collaborate with the Director of Letters and Communications on new website development.
  • Assist with program-specific communications, including media relations, marketing materials, and securing video, photography, and testimonials.
• Supervision of External Relations Coordinator (10%)
• Provide a brief quarterly report for the Board of Directors on project outcomes and impact.
• Participate on internal cross-functional teams.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree.
• 3+ years working in program planning and execution.
• Experience developing programs or content that bridges divides, establishes common ground, or considers a spectrum of perspectives.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills, including report writing.
• Experience facilitating large and small meetings and discussions.
• Experience creating and maintaining partnerships with diverse organizations to accomplish joint goals.
• Strong skills in collaborative problem-solving, group facilitation, and coalitional approaches to strategy development.
• Competency across the Microsoft Office suite.
• Social media literacy (e.g., LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or other).
• Experience with event design and logistics, from small groups to major conferences.
• Experience creating inclusive spaces for people from marginalized communities.

Preferred Qualifications

• 5+ years experience managing complex projects involving diverse stakeholder groups.
• Established professional networks in Wisconsin related to advocacy, research, state government, and policy, as well as connections to the scientific or broader climate change communities.
• Web content management skills.
• Experience in nonprofit organizations.
• Experience delivering educational programming to a diverse range of audiences.
• Experience with project management software (e.g., Asana, Trello, others).

Skills

• Attention to detail.
• Planning, organization, and project management skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong people skills.
• Decision-making skills.

Schedule

For a person based out of the Madison office, in-person work is required Tuesday-Thursday, with remote work an option on Mondays & Fridays. For someone located outside of the Madison area, remote work is allowed, with in-person visits to the office at least four times a year. Travel up to 10% in Wisconsin and occasionally out of state. Some evening and weekend work.

Pay

Salary range: $64,480 - $70,500.