Director Climate Action Accelerator - Military veterans preferred

Director Climate Action Accelerator

ID: 001327SR
JOB FUNCTION: General Administration
LOCATION: Cambridge
WORK FORMAT: Hybrid
JOB TYPE: Full-time
BRAND: Harvard University Central Administration

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

About the Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability:

The Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability is part of Harvard's Central Administration. Launched in 2022, the Salata Institute was made possible by a $200 million naming gift to Harvard University by Melanie and Jean Salata. The Institute aims to develop pathbreaking approaches to the climate crisis by harnessing the intellectual power of Harvard, leveraging expertise across the University, catalyzing new areas of research, and generating real world-solutions in conjunction with policy makers and decision-makers around the world. Working across Harvard’s 12 schools, the Institute is designed to build upon the University’s impressive body of research in climate and climate-adjacent fields by supporting ambitious interdisciplinary research, creating platforms for engaged dialogue on climate solutions, and development of new pathways for student education and participation in the creation and advancement of climate and sustainability solutions.

The Climate Action Accelerator serves as a resource and partner to the full spectrum of stakeholders wrestling with the most difficult and divisive climate questions, building consensus for climate solutions grounded in Harvard’s research and expertise. The Director will have primary responsibility for facilitating the translation of the intellectual resources of the University into tangible solutions to address the climate crisis. The Director will identify ways in which Harvard’s research can make an impact in the effort to solve critical climate problems. The Director, working closely with faculty, helps to build consensus among stakeholders for solving these problems, homes in on promising solutions, and convenes decision-makers who have the authority and the resources to act. The Accelerator is nonpartisan, agile in dealing with emerging issues, and trusted by stakeholders to facilitate dialogue on high-stakes and sensitive climate topics.

The incumbent will have a deep understanding of climate change issues and a professional commitment to progress on climate change. They will have the ability to innovate, think strategically and conceptually, and collaborate across wide disciplines to influence and persuade others.

The Director will have the skills and experience to draw upon the University’s research strengths, global reach, and ability to convene stakeholders in the private, nonprofit, and government sectors to develop a platform for leadership like no other. The Climate Action Accelerator platform will identify critical climate problems, build consensus for solving them, home in on promising solutions, and convene decision-makers who have the authority and the resources to act. It will be nonpartisan, agile in dealing with emerging issues, and trusted by stakeholders to facilitate dialogue on high-stakes and sensitive climate topics.

The successful candidate will be knowledgeable about climate change issues, professionally committed to progress on climate change, well-connected in the climate change sphere, effective in conducting outreach to varied stakeholders to understand their needs, interests, and positions, strategic in building consensus for action, enterprising in seeking opportunities to turn Harvard’s research to action, and comfortable in the roles of facilitator and convener.

Reporting to the Salata Institute’s Executive Director and with a dotted line reporting relationship to the Institute’s Director on matters of vision and strategy, the Director of the Climate Action Accelerator leads a team of colleagues who forge working relationships with faculty, capitalize on opportunities to translate research findings, and deploy Harvard’s convening power for impact. The Director of the Climate Action Accelerator also works in regular consultation with the Chair and the members of the Climate Action Accelerator Steering Committee, who provide strategic guidance.

As part of the Institute’s leadership team, the Director will also be expected to contribute to the further development of the Institute by helping to develop efficient work processes, as well as to cultivate a mission-driven organizational culture of collaboration, creativity, and respect. It is essential that the person in this position have a strong work ethic, be collaborative and adaptive to change, and demonstrate professionalism and enthusiasm for the endeavor.

Job Specific Responsibilities:

• Ensure that the Climate Action Accelerator is a trusted source for evidence-based solutions to the climate change problem.
• Collaborate with Harvard faculty to identify opportunities to translate their research and scholarship into real-world action.
• Conduct outreach to stakeholders to understand their needs, interests, and positions around climate issues, and to build consensus for solving them.
• In collaboration with the Institute’s communications and events management colleagues, regularly convene stakeholders and facilitate dialogues among them that yield results.
• Lead the programming of the annual Harvard Climate Symposium, a high visibility event that attracts top-level decision-makers, faculty, students, and climate practitioners, including Harvard alumni, and which is gaining a reputation as a forum where visionary leaders and organizations make public commitments and unveil plans for climate action.
• Build and supervise a strong and diverse team.
• Develop a set of performance measures for the Climate Action Accelerator and use them to report on its impact.

Basic Qualifications:

• An advanced degree required.
• A minimum of ten years of experience working on climate change issues, in positions of increasing responsibility.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• A record of meaningful accomplishment in addressing the climate crisis.
• Experience in conducting outreach to varied stakeholders (NGOs, government, business, citizens’ groups, etc.) in ways that have yielded tangible results.
• A robust network of contacts in government, business, and civil society, and communities most vulnerable to climate change impacts.
• Collaborative.
• Organized with excellent follow-through ability.
• Sound judgment and discretion are essential.
• Adaptable, thorough, and able to work with substantial independence, including leading meetings with senior faculty and staff, and representing the Institute to external audiences.
• Exceptional writing, verbal, and interpersonal skills are essential.
• Demonstrated experience and success building relationships in a complex and highly collaborative work environment.
• The ability to innovate, think strategically and conceptually, listen carefully as well as to influence and persuade others.
• The position requires an extremely high level of professionalism, sound and mature judgment, and collegiality.

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Compensation Range/Rate (including Shift Differential if applicable):
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education
• Other Information:
  • Please provide a cover letter with your application.
  • The position is based on the Harvard University campus with the option of a hybrid work schedule.
  • Harvard University requires pre-employment reference and background screening. Harvard University is unable to provide work authorization and/or visa sponsorship.
  • This position has a 6-month orientation and review period.

Work Format Details

This is a position that is based at a Harvard campus location with some remote work options available. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed within one of the Harvard Registered Payroll States, which currently includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only). Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 060. Please visit? Harvard's Salary Ranges? to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard’s academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, sex, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university’s non-discrimination policy. Harvard’s equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.

Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

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