Director of Campus Sustainability

University of Rhode Island

$120K — $130K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Master's degree in a sustainability related field
  • Minimum of seven years of progressively responsible work experience related to sustainability
  • Demonstrated knowledge of environmental, economic, and equity dimensions of sustainability
  • Experience in leadership roles focusing on environmental initiatives
  • Familiarity with green certification standards and energy efficiency practices
  • Skills in fiscal management and supervision
  • Capability to manage diverse stakeholder relationships effectively

Responsibilities

  • Lead the strategic development and implementation of the university's sustainability initiatives
  • Advise campus leadership on monitoring and achieving sustainability goals
  • Develop financial plans for sustainability projects and manage allocated funds
  • Identify and apply for grant funding opportunities to support sustainability initiatives
  • Supervise staff and oversee contractors involved in sustainability programs
  • Manage the University Sustainability website and update relevant content
  • Foster relationships with campus and community stakeholders to promote sustainable practices

Benefits

  • Hybrid work schedule available after six months
  • Support for professional development and continued education
  • Opportunities for collaboration with community and industry partners
  • Work in an environment committed to sustainability and resource stewardship
  • Engage in meaningful educational outreach and community involvement initiatives
Full Job Description
Posting Details

Position Information

Posting Number
SF02176

Job Title
Director of Campus Sustainability

Position Number
108903

FTE
1.00

FLSA
Exempt

Position Type
Professional Staff

Union
Non-Union Non-Classified Staff

Pay Grade Level
Grade Level: 15

Pay Grade Range
Anticipated Hiring Salary Range: $120,000 - $130,000

Status
Calendar Year, Full-time, Permanent

Department Information

Department
Office of Asst. Vice President of Facilities

Contact(s)

Contact Phone/Extension

Contact Email

Physical Demands

Campus Location
Kingston

Grant Funded

Extension Contingency Notes

Job Description Summary

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Director of Campus Sustainability serves as the strategic leader for advancing the University's commitment to sustainability, including economic, social, and environmental sustainability. They will organize and oversee the implementation and management of a comprehensive university program to promote a culture of sustainability and stewardship of university resources and serve as a campus spokesperson on sustainability issues with internal and external constituencies. They will work with the President's Executive Council to develop and implement campus sustainability strategies by collaborating cross-functionally to develop metrics, gather data, build dashboards, monitor progress, and report internally and externally on sustainability performance and objectives related to the university's strategic plan, comprehensive campus plan, climate action plan, and other similar environmental or sustainability planning documents and processes. They will work directly with the university community to assist in the implementation of sustainable practices in both curricular and co-curricular activities within the URI campuses and community and lead and/or serve on University Committees to promote sustainable practices on all campuses. They will leverage and work within the framework of URI's Energy Master Plan, assisting the Facilities Group and the University to achieve carbon neutrality goals.

Duties and Responsibilities

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
In the area of Administration, interface with the Offices of Planning & Real Estate Development, Capital Program Design & Delivery, and Facilities Operations to ensure best practices with respect to renewable energy, de-carbonization efforts, "green" building technologies, energy conservation, landscape management, and solid waste management practices, among other sustainable aspects. This includes working on design guidelines for "green" buildings and sustainable campus development. Facilitate the integration of these guidelines in the project planning and design processes and communicating progress to the campus and external community.

Advise campus leadership on how the university can monitor performance toward achieving its sustainability goals and develop programs and projects across its core functions of operations, teaching, research, and outreach. Maintain confidentiality of information discussed with leadership.

Develop responsible financial plans for the University's sustainability programs. Manage and execute funds allocated to the sustainability program including projects and personnel.

Identify grant funding opportunities and prepare and submit proposal applications for external funding. Partner with the URI Foundation on philanthropic opportunities. Administer any awarded funds.

Develop and implement succession plans for all aspects of sustainable efforts and practices at URI.

Supervise and mentor employees, both professional and student, and interns. Oversee contractors performing aspects of the sustainability programs in support of the university.

Create, maintain and update content for the University Sustainability website. Update content in a timely manner. Incorporate calendar and resource listings, online newsletter, and other relevant information and links as needed.

Research and maintain working knowledge of best practices at peer institutions and with key industry benchmark leaders & publications with regard to sustainability. Collect and report data and performance metrics on-campus sustainability initiatives and progress.

In the area of Education and Campus Outreach,promote sustainable practices across the University by collaborating and working directly with operational units, academic departments, student organizations, senior administrators, and community organizations to coordinate and/or enhance involvement in the University's sustainability initiatives.

Collaborate, build, and maintain professional relationships with on- and off-campus stakeholders and partners. Build collaborative relationships, benchmarking sustainability practices with other cohort universities.

Serve as a campus educational resource for sustainability principles, conservation, green building standards, product and equipment selection, and other sustainability issues.

Serve as advisor to various sustainability-themed student organizations and provide administrative and logistical support for these student groups.

Enhance public image relative to current URI sustainability practices and prepare press releases, newsletters and other informational materials for campus and external audiences in coordination with URI's Division of External Relations and Communications.

Make presentations to the campus community and external groups to promote stewardship and a commitment to sustainable goals.

Implement and maintain internal sustainability training and programming, such as the URI Green Thinkers program and Green Teams program for faculty and staff.

Adapt to a diversity of styles and perspectives to effectively communicate scientific and technical ideas clearly using simple, commonly accepted language.

Monitor emerging trends, programs, and issues and help to foster a culture of sustainability through ongoing organizational engagement.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Perform additional duties as requested.

Required Qualifications

QUALIFICATION

REQUIRED:


1. Master's degree in a sustainability related field.

2. Minimum of seven years of progressively responsible work experience related to sustainability;
3. Demonstrated knowledge of all dimensions of sustainability (i.e., environment, economic, equity, issues, trends, and best practices).

4. Demonstrated analytical and applied planning skills.

5.Demonstratedleadership experience in environmental initiatives and resource management.

6. Demonstrated working knowledge of green certification standards and energy efficiency practices.

7. Demonstrated fiscal management skills.

8. Demonstrated supervisory experience.

9. Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively.

10. Demonstrated ability to work with diverse groups/populations.

11. Demonstrated strong verbal and interpersonal communication skills.

12. Demonstrated proficiency in written communication skills.

13. Demonstrated ability to develop basic promotional materials.

14. Demonstrated website management experience.

15. Demonstrated experience in Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

16. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities (i.e., creating and managing projects, initiatives, and program budgets) in a deadline-driven environment.

Preferred Qualifications

PREFERRED:

1. Demonstrated familiarity with the higher education campus culture.

2. Demonstrated experience in grant writing.

3. LEED or other green building certified professional.

Environmental Conditions

This position is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

Posting Date
07/10/2026

Closing Date
07/20/2026

Special Instructions to Applicants

This position is available for a hybrid work schedule after six months of employment.

Quicklink for Posting
https://jobs.uri.edu/postings/16831

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