Brandeis University is delighted to announce a career opportunity as the Associate Director, Sustainability Programs in the Facilities Administration. If you are looking for an opportunity to work a hybrid schedule, a beautiful suburban campus with lots of perks including free parking, look no further. At Brandeis, we offer a competitive benefits and compensation package which includes medical, dental and life insurance. We also offer a generous paid time off benefit. If you are looking to advance your career through educational opportunities, Brandeis offers free tuition for employees, dependents and spouses. Our 403b retirement savings plan includes a generous match.
This multi-faceted role is critical to the advancement of sustainability goals and commitments, with the following key responsibilities:
Working toward the reduction of the university’s carbon foot print as outlined in Brandeis’ Climate Action Plan and informed by the Decarbonization Study completed in 2023.
Co-leading the Brandeis Sustainability Committee and overseeing multiple student intern opportunities for connecting sustainability initiatives to campus operations, curriculum, and research.
Fostering collaborative efforts with administrative offices, service providers, students, and academic units to develop and implement sustainability programs that impact campus operations and student life.
Serving as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on sustainability matters.
Supporting the university’s quest for donor funding to support capital projects and sustainability initiatives.
Reporting to the Vice President for Campus Planning and Operations, the ideal candidate has experience in higher education and a track record of success in planning for and effecting campus decarbonization.
Brandeis is an R1 university located in Waltham, MA, next to the Brandeis/Roberts MBTA commuter rail station on a 200-acre residential campus with nearly 3 million gross square feet of space in 100 buildings.
For full consideration, applications should include BOTH a resume and a cover letter. The cover letter is an opportunity for applicants to outline their qualifications for this position and an understanding of Brandeis’ Framework for the Future, while serving as an example of communication skills.
Leadership (40%)
The associate director is one of the university’s key resources and stakeholders for matters related to sustainability. Develops sustainability programs while pursuing continuous improvement to existing programs. Prioritizes areas for the university’s sustainability efforts and the allocation of limited resources toward sustainability programs managed within Campus Planning & Operations and by other departments.
Engages administration, students, and faculty as needed to identify goals, resources, and metrics to track program success. Applies technical skill sets to both lead and support qualitative and quantitative analyses, e.g., decarbonization, carbon impact, and project return on investments
Advances Brandeis’ participation in the external community and the growing sustainability industry through professional development and relationship building with peer professionals and organizations such as AASHE and USGBC.
Serves as a key university spokesperson on sustainability. Leads and supports related marketing, communications, awareness and engagement of the internal and external community through institutional updates, web and print portals, events and presentations.
Operations (40%)
Works with colleagues on operational areas – such as energy, food, grounds maintenance, capital programs, procurement, and investment – to advance industry best practices related to the university’s sustainability goals. Examples of specific tasks include:
Working with Procurement to develop cost-effective environmentally responsible purchasing practices;
Advising capital project managers with goal setting for energy use targets, prioritization of carbon reduction features in building systems design, and measurement of cost savings and carbon footprint;
Supporting energy management on the implementation of recommendations in the 2023 Decarbonization study;
Tracking the carbon footprint of the university food service program and other auxiliary services.
Supervising student interns through the Eco-Rep program;
Supporting Environmental Studies classes on sustainability projects and applied learning experiences for students;
Other duties as required.
Reporting (20%)
Leads the development and maintenance of performance metrics to track program effectiveness, including institutional benchmarking and monitoring peer institution activities. Develops, reports, and manages related submissions such as Annual Green House Gas Inventory, ACUPCC, STARS, etc. Records relevant metrics on Brandeis’ Sustainability Data webpage.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree required, preferably in a field related to environmental studies. Advanced degree preferred.
Minimum of five years’ experience in sustainability-related positions, preferably in higher education
Technical skills: Proficiency in spreadsheet and word softward, Tableau, Qualitrics, website management.
Closing Statement
Brandeis University is committed to providing its students, faculty and staff with an environment conducive to learning and working and where all people are treated with respect and dignity. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, ethnicity, caste, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, including transgender identity, religion, disability, age, genetics, active military or veteran status and any other characteristics protected under applicable federal or Massachusetts law.