Director of Sustainability

About the role

The Director of Sustainability provides strategic leadership and operational oversight of the University’s sustainability efforts, advancing institutional goals in energy efficiency, environmental stewardship, and resilience.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership
  • Provides strategic leadership and direction for the University Sustainability team and institution-wide sustainability and energy efficiency initiatives;
  • Lets the implementation and continuous improvement of the university’s Energy Efficiency and Resiliency Action Plan aligned with the university’s overall strategic goals;
  • Establishes short and long term sustainability agendas in collaboration with university leadership;
  • Collaborates with Energy & Sustainability leadership to reduce energy consumption and increase renewable energy adoption;
  • Provides institutional leadership and subject-matter expertise to integrate energy efficiency and sustainability outcomes into capital and non-capital projects and campus initiatives;
  • Provides expert guidance on design and construction standards, processes, and project decisions to improve life-cycle energy performance and support institutional priorities;
  • and Provides energy and sustainability guidance and technical support to Facilities & Campus Operations and other key operational stakeholders.
• Program Management
  • Develops, monitors, and updates University Sustainability’s program budgets;
  • Supports waste reduction, recycling, composting, and circular economy initiatives, including Zero Waste Mason and Patriot Packout;
  • Oversees the Patriot Green Fund, including prioritizing investments that support sustainability research, infrastructure improvements, and reduced environmental impact;
  • Pursues actions that put George Mason on track to maintain its Gold rating and incremental improvements under AASHE STARS.
• Assess STARS, greenhouse gas emissions, and other comprehensive sustainability metrics and support other sustainability classifications;
• Advocates for and support space, equipment, and facility needs that advance sustainability goals, including oversight of the President's Park Greenhouse, garden spaces, and related assets;
• Advises capital and non-capital projects on green building practices, energy efficiency, water conservation, transportation demand management, and emissions reduction strategies;
• and Identifies and pursues energy and sustainability-related funding opportunities (e.g., grants, tax credits, incentives), coordinating proposals with facilities, administrative, and academic units.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in engineering, natural or applied sciences, sustainability, business, public policy, or a related field or the equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Experience leading sustainability, energy, or environmental programs within a complex organization (e.g., higher education, government, healthcare, or large institutional setting);
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing strategic plans related to sustainability, energy efficiency, climate action, or resiliency;
• Experience managing budgets, funding mechanisms, or grant-supported programs;
• Experience building consensus across diverse constituencies;
• Experience developing sustainability-related policies, standards, guidelines, or operational frameworks;
• Knowledge of sustainability best practices, energy management, greenhouse gas emission reduction strategies, and resilience planning;
• Working knowledge of green building standards (e.g., LEED), life-cycle cost analysis, energy modeling concepts, and infrastructure performance;
• Familiarity with sustainability assessment frameworks such as AASHE STARS and greenhouse gas accounting methodologies;
• Understanding of waste reduction, recycling, composting, circular economy practices, and zero-waste strategies;
• Strong systems-thinking skills to integrate sustainability and energy efficiency across operations, planning, capital projects, and partnerships;
• Data-informed decision-making skills, including assessment, reporting, and performance tracking;
• Skill in building consensus across diverse units and advising leadership on policy and operational improvements;
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills to work effectively with facilities, academic units, administrators, and external partners;
• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple projects, priorities, and stakeholders simultaneously;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Ability to help establish and execute a long-term strategic vision for sustainability, energy efficiency, and resiliency aligned with institutional priorities;
• Ability to develop, manage, and monitor program budgets and funding allocations;
• Ability to communicate complex concepts to diverse audiences, including senior leadership, faculty, staff, students, and the public;
• and Ability to represent the institution externally and enhance its reputation as a leader in sustainability.

Required Qualifications

• Advanced degree in engineering, natural or applied sciences, sustainability, business, public policy, or a related field or the equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Experience leading sustainability, energy, or environmental programs within a complex organization (e.g., higher education, government, healthcare, or large institutional setting);
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing strategic plans related to sustainability, energy efficiency, climate action, or resiliency;
• Experience managing budgets, funding mechanisms, or grant-supported programs;
• Experience building consensus across diverse constituencies;
• Experience developing sustainability-related policies, standards, guidelines, or operational frameworks;
• Knowledge of sustainability best practices, energy management, greenhouse gas emission reduction strategies, and resilience planning;
• Working knowledge of green building standards (e.g., LEED), life-cycle cost analysis, energy modeling concepts, and infrastructure performance;
• Familiarity with sustainability assessment frameworks such as AASHE STARS and greenhouse gas accounting methodologies;
• Understanding of waste reduction, recycling, composting, circular economy practices, and zero-waste strategies;
• Strong systems-thinking skills to integrate sustainability and energy efficiency across operations, planning, capital projects, and partnerships;
• Data-informed decision-making skills, including assessment, reporting, and performance tracking;
• Skill in building consensus across diverse units and advising leadership on policy and operational improvements;
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills to work effectively with facilities, academic units, administrators, and external partners;
• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple projects, priorities, and stakeholders simultaneously;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Ability to help establish and execute a long-term strategic vision for sustainability, energy efficiency, and resiliency aligned with institutional priorities;
• Ability to develop, manage, and monitor program budgets and funding allocations;
• Ability to communicate complex concepts to diverse audiences, including senior leadership, faculty, staff, students, and the public;
• and Ability to represent the institution externally and enhance its reputation as a leader in sustainability.