Visiting Managing Director, SDSN USA

About the Role

The Managing Director provides leadership for advancing the mission and growth of the United States chapter of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN USA), hosted by the University of Illinois System. Working closely with the Executive Director, Network Chair, Leadership Council, SDSN leadership, and the University of Illinois System leadership, the Managing Director is responsible for translating the strategic vision into an actionable workplan. This position leads day-to-day operations, network engagement, membership support and expansion, national and regional programming, communications strategy, budget planning, fundraising support, governance coordination, and advancing collaborative initiatives aligned with advancing progress on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Managing Director serves as a key representative of SDSN USA, playing a key role in cultivating relationships among member institutions, facilitating knowledge exchange, and enhancing the visibility of the network.

Responsibilities

• Lead implementation of SDSN USA's annual and multi-year strategic plan in coordination with the Executive Director, Network Chair, Leadership Council, and SDSN Global.
• Develop and manage a national network growth strategy, including member recruitment, partner engagement, working group development, and re-engagement of inactive members.
• Identify opportunities for SDSN USA to serve as a national platform for applied research, data tools, policy engagement, education, and implementation support.
• Translate SDSN USA priorities into measurable annual goals, work plans, deliverables, and performance metrics.
• Develop platforms to provide evidence-informed advice, counsel, and practical guidance to subnational leaders, including states, cities, regions, and local public agencies, as they adapt the SDGs to local priorities, measure progress, and move from planning to implementation.
• Mobilize SDSN USA member institutions by fostering collaboration, facilitating engagement opportunities, and supporting cross-institutional initiatives that advance progress on the SDGs.
• Identify and pursue opportunities to broaden the SDSN USA network through outreach, partnership development, and recruitment of new member institutions.
• Develop and implement strategies for onboarding new members and re-engaging passive or underactive members.
• Maintain an up-to-date database with contact information for all members and partners which also serves to map the expertise of your network.
• Plan, organize, and execute at least one annual national conference, convening key stakeholders from across the country and region to identify and promote solutions and initiatives aligned with the SDGs.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director, faculty, member institutions, and external partners to design and implement an annual program of activities across multiple modalities.
• Explore the development of an SDSN USA Fellows Program to extend the capacity of the hub, engage emerging and established leaders across sectors, and advance applied research, policy engagement, and collaborative action in support of the SDGs.
• In collaboration with the Executive Director, develop annual network goals, key performance indicators (KPIs), and success metrics aligned with SDSN USA priorities.
• Monitor progress and prepare comprehensive annual reports on network performance and outcomes.
• Prepare and submit quarterly activity reports to the SDSN Global Secretariat.
• Represent SDSN USA in SDSN Global Network meetings, working groups, and collaborative initiatives, as requested by leadership.
• Facilitate alignment between SDSN USA activities and global SDSN priorities.
• Supervise the Communications Specialist and oversee the development and execution of a strategic communications plan.
• Ensure communications efforts effectively engage current members, attract new members, and enhance the visibility and impact of SDSN USA.
• Write and support dissemination content in multiple formats, including reports, briefs, op-eds, case studies, web content, and scholarly or practitioner-oriented publications, to raise awareness of SDSN USA's work and advance understanding of effective approaches to the Sustainable Development Goals.
• Represent SDSN USA at relevant national meetings and engage with scientific, academic, civic, and community-based organizations to raise visibility, build relationships, and identify opportunities for strategic partnership and collaboration.
• Regularly post to SDSN SustainChain, the online community for SDSN Members, to promote the work of the Network and engage members in your work program.
• Record and share minutes from local meetings with the Global SDSN Secretariat with SDSN members and National/Regional SDSN Leadership Council.
• Develop and manage the annual network budget in coordination with the Executive Director.
• Monitor expenditures and ensure responsible stewardship of resources to support programming and strategic priorities.
• Develop revenue models that may include grants, sponsorships, convenings, memberships, fellowships, and project-based support.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant University of Illinois System policies and procedures.
• In collaboration with the Executive Director and appropriate advancement or fundraising partners, support the development and execution of a fundraising strategic plan to sustain operations, advance research priorities, and enable network growth.
• Identify potential foundation, corporate, philanthropic, public-sector, and sponsorship opportunities.
• Support proposal development, funder briefings, grant reporting, stewardship materials, and partnership cases for investment.
• Direct supervision of the Communications and Engagement Specialist and other support staff.
• Provide guidance to student employees, interns, or project-based staff.
• Provide guidance and collaborate closely with event management staff at the University of Illinois System and contract or external staff resources related to event management.
• Build internal systems for project management, member tracking, data reporting, communications, event planning, and partner engagement.
• Manage the annual operating calendar, deliverables, budget tracking, and cross-functional workflows.
• Ensure that SDSN USA has the operational infrastructure needed to scale from launch phase to sustained national platform.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a field relevant to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, such as natural sciences, engineering, environmental science, public policy, sustainability, international development, communications, higher education administration, public administration, environmental studies, global affairs, urban and regional planning, social innovation, community development, or a closely related area.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of relevant professional experience in program coordination, nonprofit management, higher education, or network engagement.
• Demonstrated experience in managing multi-stakeholder initiatives with national or regional scope.
• Demonstrated ability to build partnerships across universities, government, philanthropy, business, civic organizations, and community partners.
• Strong organizational skills and experience managing complex projects and events.
• Experience developing reports, proposals, policy briefs, convenings, and/or public-facing materials for senior audiences.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• An advanced degree in a related field.
• Experience working with academic institutions, research networks, or international organizations.
• Familiarity with and experience communicating about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Experience developing member-based organizations and/or networked-based projects.
• Demonstrated ability to support negotiation, consensus building, and collaborative decision-making among diverse stakeholders.
• Experience supporting fundraising, grant development, sponsorships, and/or philanthropic partnerships.
• Experience supervising staff and managing communications strategies.
• Experience in budget planning and management.
• Experience building or scaling a new initiative, center, network, or national platform.
• Experience supporting advisory boards, leadership councils, or governance bodies.

Knowledge and Experience

• Ability to build and sustain relationships across diverse stakeholders.
• Strategic thinking and ability to translate goals into actionable plans.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Proficiency with collaboration tools, data tracking, and reporting systems.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team in a dynamic environment.

Work Environment

Standard office environment with flexibility for remote or hybrid work, consistent with University of Illinois System policies. Occasional travel required for conferences, meetings, and network activities.

Pay

The budgeted salary range for the position is $120,000.00 - 140,000.00. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity.

Benefits

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits, including Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid Time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

Schedule

This is a Full Time academic professional position. The expected start date is 8/10/2026. Sponsorship for Work Authorization is not available for this position.