Associate Director, Sustainable Solutions Lab, Massachusetts

Associate Director (Sustainable Solutions Lab)

Apply now Job no: 511178
Position Type: Staff Full Time
Campus: UMass Boston
Department: Collab Inst for Oceans Climate
Pay Grade: 34
Date opened: Eastern Standard Time
Applications close: Eastern Standard Time

https://employmentopportunities.umb.edu/boston/en-us/job/511178/associate-director-sustainable-solutions-lab

General Summary: 

The Associate Director within the Sustainable Solutions Lab will work closely with the SSL Director on a wide range of initiatives and programs. S/he will play a lead role in key partnership development with external partners, engage faculty, staff and students in SSL’s work and initiate, develop and implement a research and programmatic agenda in the field of climate justice that leverages the expertise, skills and research interest of the institute. S/he will develop operational systems for the Institute and play an integral role in the development of funding proposals to federal, state and local agencies.  In addition to leading the development and maintenance the climate justice research and program portfolio of the Institute, s/he is expected to oversee all grant making and Institute funding initiatives.

Examples of Duties: 

  • Develop and direct new research projects focused on climate justice; work closely with the Director in the development and implementation of the research agenda of the institute;
  • Lead the development and implementation of key strategic collaborations with community partners, elected officials, public servants and private sector leaders.
  • Lead the development of new federal, state and local grant proposals in the area of scholarship of interest to community partners;
  • Review climate justice research presentations for funding agencies, reports for dissemination to public policy makers, climate justice practitioners and the general community;
  • Provide support to other Research Associates in the development of research proposals in areas of the Institute’s climate justice core priorities;
  • Present reports and studies developed by the Institute in scientific conferences and seminars;
  • Manage and develop support programs to invite undergraduate and graduate students into climate justice related fields; mentor them and support their academic and professional success.
  • Oversee the planning and implementation of all speaker series (including the Climate Adaptation Forum) and other research dissemination events;
  • Represent the Director of the Institute with other research units of the university and external constituencies, in matters related to climate justice, as needed;
  • Work with the Director in the recruitment and maintenance of the Institute’s Advisory Board and network of Research Associates and scholars;
  • Manage all parts of consultant and vendor relationships including developing and publicizing RFPs, developing and implementing proposal selection processes, monitoring deliverables and submitting invoices for payment;
  • Manage financial aspects of partnerships and research projects including honorarium and reimbursements for speakers, add-comp for faculty and hiring students;
  • Develop and implement operational systems for the Institute to streamline and professionalize work flows;
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: 

Master’s Degree and a minimum of seven-years of professional experience focused on climate justice, climate resilience or related topics required. Experience developing strategic partnerships and working with a diverse set of stakeholders required. Research experience in an area of climate justice that intersects with the Institute’s current strengths in policy and practice preferred.  Fluency in Spanish, Haitian Creole, Chinese or Portuguese preferred.

  • Ability and desire to mentor junior scholars and students;
  • Demonstrated commitment to racial equity and anti-oppression work, and ability to apply this orientation to the work, internally and externally;
  • Ability to work cooperatively with a wide range of individuals, including campus administration as well as external constituencies;
  • Strong oral and written communication skills;
  • Strong interpersonal skills;
  • Strong analytical and organizational skills;
  • Strong commitment to customer service;
  • Well-versed in Microsoft Office, comfortable with technology, and able to learn new systems;
  • Strong creative, strategic, interpersonal, and organizational skills;
  • Ability to work flexibly and collaboratively and have a solutions-oriented approach to challenges.

Application Instructions: 

Please apply online with your resume, cover letter and list of three professional references.

Review of candidates will begin following the application closing date.

Only Internal candidates in the Professional Staff Bargaining Unit will be considered during the first 10 business days of the posting.  All other candidates will be considered after that period. 

Salary Ranges for the appropriate Pay Grade can be found at the following link: 

Grade: 34

Salary Ranges

This is an exempt union position. This is a grant funded position with a current end date of December 31, 2024, subject to renewal contingent on funding and university needs.

All official salary offers must be approved by Human Resources.

UMass Boston requires all employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and to confirm proof of their vaccination status. Exemptions from the vaccine requirement will be permitted only for qualifying religious or medical reasons. Regardless of vaccination status, you must wear a face covering in public indoor spaces on campus.

Applications close: Eastern Standard Time

All official salary offers must be approved by Human Resources.

The University of Massachusetts Boston provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, genetic information, pregnancy or a pregnancy-related condition, or membership in any other legally protected class. The University of Massachusetts Boston complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the university operates. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment.

UMass Boston normally does not provide H-1B visa sponsorship for non-academic positions.

The University of Massachusetts Boston is committed to providing a safe and secure environment that is supported by qualified employees for all of its students, faculty and staff to carry out the University’s teaching, research and public service missions. As a condition of employment, the University will conduct appropriate background check reviews. For more information, please see the University of Massachusetts Boston campus policy and procedures for employee background reviews.

UMass Boston requires all employees to be vaccinated and to confirm proof of their vaccination status. Exemptions from the vaccine requirement will be permitted only for qualifying religious or medical reasons. Regardless of vaccination status, you must wear a face covering in public indoor spaces on campus.

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