Director - Climate Impacts Group

TIMELINE: Review of application materials by the department will begin October 14th, 2024. Followed by the department reaching out individually to schedule initial interviews.>/b>  

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world. 

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

The University of Washington Climate Impacts Group (CIG) is seeking a new director.

CIG supports the development of climate resilience by advancing understanding of climate risks & enabling science-based action to manage those risks. Since 1995, the Climate Impacts Group has linked cutting edge scientific research with innovative approaches to community engagement to produce exceptional applied research products; develop strong relationships among resource managers, policy makers and communities in the region; and build regional capacity for addressing climatic variability and change.

The Climate Impacts Group is a member organization of EarthLab., a visionary institute that pushes boundaries to address our most pressing environmental challenges, with a focus on climate and its intersection with social justice. EarthLab does this by connecting faculty, students and researchers at the University of Washington to community collaborators in businesses, non-profits, public agencies, Tribal nations and others to co-produce actionable research that generates solutions and strategies for local and global impact. EarthLab’s vision, an equitable, just and sustainable world where people and planet thrive, supports one of the University’s biggest goals. As a Carnegie-classified Community Engagement University, the UW aspires to be the #1 university in the world as measured by impact. EarthLab is inspired by and committed to this challenge

The College of the Environment promotes diversity and inclusivity among our students, faculty, staff, and public. EarthLab acknowledges the systemic racism that exists in the environmental sector and within environmentalism. We believe every member on our team enriches our diversity by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and to discover, design and deliver solutions. We are seeking candidates who are committed to creating an equitable, diverse and inclusive work environment where all voices are considered and valued.

Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership (30%):

• Establish and coordinate a leadership team to drive implementation of the CIG 2024-2029 strategic plan. Build support inside and outside the UW for CIG’s efforts to connect science with climate-resilience action through partnership and collaboration. Broaden & deepen diversity, equity, inclusion and justice-focused efforts internally and with external partners and continue to expand impact. Foster a positive culture that prioritizes productive relationships among CIG staff, inclusion, collaboration, and cooperation. Oversee all aspects of the organization and identify, propose and lead new strategies/initiatives with wide reach and impact. Maintain key aspects of CIG’s reputation including high standards of excellence. Ensure effective alignment, and mutual benefit, between the Climate Impacts Group and EarthLab, College of the Environment and relevant UW centers and programs (e.g., Center for Health and the Global Environment, Program on Climate Change).

Fundraising and Financial Stewardship (30%):

• Work closely with EarthLab and the College of the Environment Advancement and Administrative teams to develop and steward diverse sources of grant and non-grant support from private, federal, state, foundation and other sources. This work will also entail working directly with the UW state and federal relations team.

Partnership Development and Strategic Networking (20%):

• Work in coalition with leaders from other organizations to build capacity for climate resilience efforts in the state, regionally and nationally and to build visibility for CIG’s work and reputation. Develop and maintain an engagement plan and network of partners through relationships with key public, private, non-profit and/or tribal organizations and their leadership. Develop and maintain relationships with state agency staff focused on climate resilience issues as well as state legislators and the governor’s office.

Management (20%):

• Lead in an empathetic way that prioritizes DEIJA, supports teamwork, enhances trust, builds collaboration and results in a motivated workforce. Hire, supervise, evaluate, develop and mentor CIG staff. Directly supervise an executive assistant and CIG’s most senior staff including a deputy director, the Washington State Climatologist, the University Director of the Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center, the lead-Principal Investigator for the Northwest Climate Resilience Collaborative, and potentially CIG’s communications lead. Oversee development and management of annual budget.

Minimum Requirements

Master's degree or terminal professional degree or the equivalent in knowledge and experience in a climate adaptation-relevant discipline + 9 years relevant experience.

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

Additional Requirements

• Nine (9) years’ experience in a complex organization providing research, services, and programs relevant to climate resilience, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.

• Experience advancing justice, inclusion and equity at an individual and organizational level.

• Demonstrated experience working with elected officials, appointed and career agency staff.

• Ability to manage a demanding workflow with competing deadlines, solve problems, resolve stress and conflict, initiate timely responses to changes in the political and institutional environment, and exercise sound judgment and decision-making authority using tact and diplomacy.

• Evidence of advanced oral, written and interpersonal communication skills in engaging with diverse audiences, collaborators and staff.

• Demonstrated effectiveness as a collaborator, mentor, team builder, supervisor, and program manager.

• Proven track record of securing and administering funding from a variety of sources.

• Demonstrated success building partnerships and working collaboratively with a wide range of internal and external constituencies (e.g., communities, academia, NGOs, industry, Tribes and all levels of governmental agencies and institutions).

Desired Qualifications

• Ph. D. + 7 years' experience

• Familiar with Washington state and the greater Pacific Northwest’s climate-resilience related resources, issues, and interested parties.

• General knowledge of Northwest treaty Tribes, Tribal issues (particularly as relates to climate impacts and adaptation) and practices for effective partnership with Tribal nations.

• Recognized as a leader in supporting applied, collaborative interdisciplinary research and stakeholder engagement connecting science and decision making in support of societal responses to climate change.

• Working knowledge of state and federal legislative processes.

Note on The Role

While the CIG Director position is not a tenured faculty position, we are open to the possibility of a non-tenured faculty appointment for the Director. We further encourage applications from people who do not have a traditional academic background, including experience in NGOs, consulting, and government.

Additional Application Instructions:

At EarthLab, we focus on equity and justice in all that we do. Please submit a 1-page cover letter with your resume, and include your experience, lived or professional, in the area of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion.

Application Process: 

The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process.  These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.

Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.

The University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law