Managing director

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Job Title:Managing Director, Sustainability Institute

Department:ERIK | Sustainability Institute

Job Overview

The Managing Director for the Sustainability Institute (SI) provides vision, leadership and strategic planning for the overall development and advancement of sustainability research, education, and engagement at Ohio State, connected to its 15 colleges--and the related Discovery Themes Initiative, in close collaboration with the SI Director, ERIK leaders, SI Associate Director, and SI Faculty Research and Education Leads.

Key responsibilities include organizational leadership to ensure the growth and sustainability of the Institute through strategic planning, program development, partnerships, service delivery, and business development activities; staff management; project and resource management with large budget and sizable faculty and staff involvement; development and management of significant external and internal partnerships and engagement programs; enablement and support of faculty research and workforce development, including strategic pursuit of team science projects and oversight of SI’s cross-college coordination of interdisciplinary academic programs (both traditional and professional offerings); Serve as lead representative for SI to business community, corporate and civic leaders, professional organizations, and staff leaders at peer academic institutions. With the SI Director, s/he is accountable for translating the strategic vision into actionable plans and key performance indicators that align the structure, resources and goals of the Institute in support of the organizational mission; growing a vibrant sustainability community at Ohio State for faculty, students, external partners and sponsors, and others stakeholders; and connecting SI broadly with local, regional, national and international communities.

The Managing Director is responsible for the direct supervision of the Associate Director, and directly or indirectly supervises 7-8 professional staff. This position reports to the Director of SI, with a high level of accountability and collaboration expected with the Senior Vice President for the Enterprise for Research, Innovation, and Knowledge (ERIK), Vice Provost for Academic Affairs for the Office of Academic Affairs (OAA), SI advisory boards, and other senior college and university leaders.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Seven years of relevant work experience.
• Demonstrated success in a progressively responsible management capacity leading complex initiatives/programs, including direct experience in environment or sustainability-related program development, strategic planning, translation of strategic vision into actionable workplans and key performance indicators, and partnership development with accountability for setting and implementing strategies and managing teams.
• Track record of completing strategic planning and meeting expectations for major research and partnership development goals, including assessing opportunities for future growth and building inter- and transdisciplinary research programs.
• Demonstrated success with business or research administration that spans customer relations, financial management, facilities management and operations, marketing and communications, outreach and engagement, and staffing and resource management.
• Ability to lead through influence as well as positional authority.
• Evidence of managing teams and commitment to direct reports' professional and career development and to support of institutional/organizational priorities and programs.
• Familiar with technology commercialization and nurture innovation within organization through the establishment of creative mechanisms; familiarity with startup-like, entrepreneurship models and operations.
• Experience with establishing alliances among academic, public, and private sector sponsors and partners, as well as managing the alliances to ensure mutually beneficial outcomes.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, and interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
  
  

Desired Qualifications

• Master's degree in environment, sustainability, business, policy, or related field.
• 12 years of relevant work experience.
• Experience in organizations that included environmental or sustainability science as an essential component or was engaged in the deployment of environmental or sustainability policy, planning, or business strategies.
• Ability to deal with ambiguity and work toward goals in a complex environment with multiple, changing demands.
• Demonstrated skills in conducting strategic planning for sprawling, emerging, enterprises with yet-to-be defined channels, resources, and partners.
• Two years in higher education desired with evidence of ability to develop strong relationships and to work with senior-level administration, faculty, and staff to reach shared goals.
• Demonstrated ability to understand the faculty mindset and have participated in significant projects.
  
  

Submission of both a resume and cover letter are required.

Additional Information

The offered salary for this position will be based on multiple factors including internal equity, unit's available budget, and the selected candidate's qualifications.

ERIK Overview

Join the Enterprise for Research, Innovation and Knowledge (ERIK) at The Ohio State University and become a part of a dynamic, forward-thinking team dedicated to pushing the boundaries of discovery and innovation. ERIK positions Ohio State to expand curiosity-driven research and creative expression, further develop our research community of faculty, staff, and students, and grow the innovation ecosystem to address big challenges and improve communities locally and globally. We are seeking passionate individuals who are committed to making a meaningful impact through collaboration, innovation, and excellence. To learn more about our mission and work, please visit

Position Mapping

Function: Business Planning and Operations

Sub function: Strategic Planning

Career Band: People Leader - Managerial

Career Level: M3

Location:Smith Laboratory (0065)

Position Type:Regular

Scheduled Hours:40

Shift: First Shift

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. A drug screen or physical may be required during the post offer process.

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The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability.

As required by Ohio Revised Code section 3345.0216, Ohio State will: educate students by means of free, open and rigorous intellectual inquiry to seek the truth; equip students with the opportunity to develop intellectual skills to reach their own, informed conclusions; not require, favor, disfavor or prohibit speech or lawful assembly; create a community dedicated to an ethic of civil and free inquiry, which respects the autonomy of each member, supports individual capacities for growth and tolerates differences in opinion; treat all faculty, staff and students as individuals, hold them to equal standards and provide equality of opportunity with regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.