Executive Director, Atkinson Center For A Sustainable Future
The David R. Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future (ACSF) is seeking an Executive Director. The Executive Director (ExDir) is responsible for the portfolio of strategies used to accomplish the mission and goals of the ACSF, a highly interdisciplinary center focused on faculty research in sustainability and real-world impact through collaboration with external groups. This senior position is highly contingent and situational, depending on the composition, structure, and interests of the Center's leadership team, especially in complementing the responsibilities and interests of the Center Director.
The Executive Director ideally would have a deep appreciation of the Cornell research environment, how sustainability issues are addressed at Cornell and elsewhere, and the long-range implications of ACSF leadership decisions. The ExDir must be able to articulate, promote, and justify the Center's agenda to a wide variety of audiences. High-level and effective management skills are necessary in handling projects, resources, and people. The ExDir is responsible for developing consistent and transparent policies designed to organize and protect the Center, especially as new opportunities, activities and programs arise. It is crucial that the ExDir build relationships among the Center's leadership team, staff, and stakeholders from across and outside of the Cornell campuses. Finally, the ExDir must be able to anticipate strategic decision points and prepare for them effectively.
The ExDir reports to the Center Director with minimal direct supervision and considerable latitude for exercising judgment and self-direction. The ExDir, possibly in consultation with the Director, needs to make well-timed decisions in a complex environment. The ExDir exchanges timely and highly confidential information with the Director as needed to accomplish the proper functioning, positioning and future of the Center. Discretion is essential. The ExDir stays aware of progress across Center activities and advises the Director of areas of concern.
A key element of the Executive Director's position is the transparent and conscientious management of Center resources, including both funding and staff. Working with the leadership team, the ExDir shepherds the Center's limited resources to create maximum value for stakeholders within the domain of Center's vision, mission and goals. Consistent with the center's strategic plan, the ExDir establishes and oversees the distribution of funding, resources and services. Further, in collaboration with the Director, the ExDir assesses and prioritizes stakeholder, staff, organizational and university requests with respect to resource allocation. The ExDir must be knowledgeable of best practices for requesting, handling, evaluating, administering and assessing research projects.
The Executive Director acts as the Center's chief of operations in supervising day to day activities and in developing and implementing new, innovative or streamlined solutions, processes, or policies for Center operation. The ExDir also acts as the chief of administration, ensuring that business practices are compliant, efficient and effective, while shaping and supervising internal administrative procedures and policies. The ExDir establishes appropriate administrative boundaries and knows when to bring in expertise in legal, human resources, finances, development, public relations, and other areas.
The ExDir also acts as focal point for the Center's leadership team of eight, which comprises the (currently half-time) faculty Director, Executive Director, Director of Strategic Collaborations, Director of Communications, Director of Development and (3) (part-time) faculty Associate Directors for Energy, Environment and Economic Development. For example, the ExDir assembles the leadership team, sets agendas, stimulates and moderates interactions, advises on proposed programs and policies, prioritizes support for activities, and works collaboratively to achieve center goals.
During periods of strategic planning, the ExDir provides a driver for the process. With the Director's support, the ExDir guides, implements, and periodically revises the Center's strategic plan. As part of the strategic plan implementation, the ExDir develops specific responsibility sets for the leadership team and staff. From a human resources aspect, the ExDir is responsible for appropriate recognition and coaching to align personnel with goals. The Executive Director also helps to develop and drive performance measures (metrics) for the Center, consistent with the strategic plan.
The ExDir functions as a central source of information, manages the Center's intellectual capital, and institutes appropriate knowledge management and promulgation practices.
Qualifications:
-PhD in a Physical, Biological or Social Science, or Engineering
-Ten years of professional experience, including at least six years of substantive organizational leadership and management experience including human resources, finance, and operations.
-Demonstrated excellent judgment, integrity, and initiative.
-Demonstrated superb balance of self-direction and collaboration.
-Experience with research proposal and grant processes at Cornell and elsewhere.
-Familiarity with interdisciplinary research, Cornell's disciplinary structures (Colleges, Schools, Departments) and Cornell's interdisciplinary centers, institutes and programs.
-Proven ability to work successfully with individual faculty members and faculty teams
-Ability to communicate effectively (listening, speaking, writing) and build relationships among a wide variety of individuals and organizations
-Ability to provide constructive and timely direction to mixed groups of staff and faculty
-Experience in program/project management within the academic or non-profit sector
-Exceptionally strong organizational skills suitable for the academic sector
-Knowledge of effective management practices including, fiscal planning, budget management, personnel management, board and committee facilitation.
-Ability to travel two times per year to External Advisory Board meetings. (Other travel is possible, but not essential)
-Flexibility, creativity and cooperation in problem solving with mixed groups of faculty, staff, administrators, students, and external parties
-Ability to create an organizational culture that appreciates and respects differences.
-Ability to handle highly sensitive information with discretion and tact.
To Apply - Send Coverletter, CV and 3 letters of reference to Deb Shigley, Diretor, Research Division HR, Cornell University, 222 Day Hall, Ithaca, NY14853
Diversity and inclusion have been and continue to be a part of our heritage. Cornell University is a recognized EEO/AA employer.
Website: https://www.hr.cornell.edu/jobs/positions.html
The Executive Director ideally would have a deep appreciation of the Cornell research environment, how sustainability issues are addressed at Cornell and elsewhere, and the long-range implications of ACSF leadership decisions. The ExDir must be able to articulate, promote, and justify the Center's agenda to a wide variety of audiences. High-level and effective management skills are necessary in handling projects, resources, and people. The ExDir is responsible for developing consistent and transparent policies designed to organize and protect the Center, especially as new opportunities, activities and programs arise. It is crucial that the ExDir build relationships among the Center's leadership team, staff, and stakeholders from across and outside of the Cornell campuses. Finally, the ExDir must be able to anticipate strategic decision points and prepare for them effectively.
The ExDir reports to the Center Director with minimal direct supervision and considerable latitude for exercising judgment and self-direction. The ExDir, possibly in consultation with the Director, needs to make well-timed decisions in a complex environment. The ExDir exchanges timely and highly confidential information with the Director as needed to accomplish the proper functioning, positioning and future of the Center. Discretion is essential. The ExDir stays aware of progress across Center activities and advises the Director of areas of concern.
A key element of the Executive Director's position is the transparent and conscientious management of Center resources, including both funding and staff. Working with the leadership team, the ExDir shepherds the Center's limited resources to create maximum value for stakeholders within the domain of Center's vision, mission and goals. Consistent with the center's strategic plan, the ExDir establishes and oversees the distribution of funding, resources and services. Further, in collaboration with the Director, the ExDir assesses and prioritizes stakeholder, staff, organizational and university requests with respect to resource allocation. The ExDir must be knowledgeable of best practices for requesting, handling, evaluating, administering and assessing research projects.
The Executive Director acts as the Center's chief of operations in supervising day to day activities and in developing and implementing new, innovative or streamlined solutions, processes, or policies for Center operation. The ExDir also acts as the chief of administration, ensuring that business practices are compliant, efficient and effective, while shaping and supervising internal administrative procedures and policies. The ExDir establishes appropriate administrative boundaries and knows when to bring in expertise in legal, human resources, finances, development, public relations, and other areas.
The ExDir also acts as focal point for the Center's leadership team of eight, which comprises the (currently half-time) faculty Director, Executive Director, Director of Strategic Collaborations, Director of Communications, Director of Development and (3) (part-time) faculty Associate Directors for Energy, Environment and Economic Development. For example, the ExDir assembles the leadership team, sets agendas, stimulates and moderates interactions, advises on proposed programs and policies, prioritizes support for activities, and works collaboratively to achieve center goals.
During periods of strategic planning, the ExDir provides a driver for the process. With the Director's support, the ExDir guides, implements, and periodically revises the Center's strategic plan. As part of the strategic plan implementation, the ExDir develops specific responsibility sets for the leadership team and staff. From a human resources aspect, the ExDir is responsible for appropriate recognition and coaching to align personnel with goals. The Executive Director also helps to develop and drive performance measures (metrics) for the Center, consistent with the strategic plan.
The ExDir functions as a central source of information, manages the Center's intellectual capital, and institutes appropriate knowledge management and promulgation practices.
Qualifications:
-PhD in a Physical, Biological or Social Science, or Engineering
-Ten years of professional experience, including at least six years of substantive organizational leadership and management experience including human resources, finance, and operations.
-Demonstrated excellent judgment, integrity, and initiative.
-Demonstrated superb balance of self-direction and collaboration.
-Experience with research proposal and grant processes at Cornell and elsewhere.
-Familiarity with interdisciplinary research, Cornell's disciplinary structures (Colleges, Schools, Departments) and Cornell's interdisciplinary centers, institutes and programs.
-Proven ability to work successfully with individual faculty members and faculty teams
-Ability to communicate effectively (listening, speaking, writing) and build relationships among a wide variety of individuals and organizations
-Ability to provide constructive and timely direction to mixed groups of staff and faculty
-Experience in program/project management within the academic or non-profit sector
-Exceptionally strong organizational skills suitable for the academic sector
-Knowledge of effective management practices including, fiscal planning, budget management, personnel management, board and committee facilitation.
-Ability to travel two times per year to External Advisory Board meetings. (Other travel is possible, but not essential)
-Flexibility, creativity and cooperation in problem solving with mixed groups of faculty, staff, administrators, students, and external parties
-Ability to create an organizational culture that appreciates and respects differences.
-Ability to handle highly sensitive information with discretion and tact.
To Apply - Send Coverletter, CV and 3 letters of reference to Deb Shigley, Diretor, Research Division HR, Cornell University, 222 Day Hall, Ithaca, NY14853
Diversity and inclusion have been and continue to be a part of our heritage. Cornell University is a recognized EEO/AA employer.
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