Director, Climate, Mind, and Behavior Initiative – Garrison, NY
Organization: Garrison Institute
Position Title: Director
Location: Garrison, NY
Hours & Compensation: Full-time. Competitive and commensurate with experience.
Organization Overview:
The mission of the Garrison Institute is to apply the transformative power of contemplation to today’s pressing social and environmental concerns, helping to build a more compassionate, resilient future. The Climate, Mind and Behavior (CMB) Program works collaboratively with a diverse network of partner organizations to achieve climate-friendly practices, policies, lifestyles and behaviors through the application of insights from the social and cognitive sciences. To learn more about our work, visit our website www.garrisoninstitute.org.
Description:
The Institute is seeking an engaged and energetic leader to serve as our next Director of the Climate, Mind and Behavior Program. Our successful candidate will be an experienced professional who is well versed in the social sciences and environmental issues, especially as they pertain to the human impacts on climate change.
The Director’s main responsibilities are the oversight and day-to-day management of the Program, including directing the CMB’s three annual symposia. Supported by the Institute’s development team, this position will have an important role in fundraising for the CMB program. The Director also manages communications and outreach efforts including the CMB newsletters, website content and the expansion of our online communities as well as being part of the Institute’s overall strategic planning work.
The position reports to the Executive Director, is a member of the senior management team, and works in close collaboration with members of a leadership council and symposium steering committees, many of whom are highly respected leaders in various social science disciplines, environmental sustainability and climate change. The position is mainly based at the Garrison Institute offices and supervises a full-time Program Coordinator, Program Associate and a part-time CMB Director of Research and Field Studies.
Responsibilities:
Program Development and Management:
- Develop and lead three annual symposia convening leading thinkers and practitioners (both academic and non-academic) working on the human dimensions of climate change and other environmental issues. This work will include: identifying and inviting steering committee members and working closely with them to develop symposium content; overseeing the development of symposia agendas, schedules and event descriptions; communicating with high level presenters; managing post-event presentations and marketing efforts and overseeing and/or conducting symposia-related research.
- Develop materials that translate, document and communicate science-based insights and work with existing and new program partners to broadly share these insights with large, targeted audiences, such as the Urban Land Institute, the Urban Sustainability Director’s Network, , the US Green Building Council, Enterprise Community Partners, ICLEI, GPIC, etc.
- Identify funding opportunities and develop funding proposals, cultivate relationships with existing funders, and help realize new funding partnerships to support the CMB Symposia series and other program activities
- Oversee and manage the development of tools and resources as part of an overall strategic plan
- Organize and manage the work of the CMB Leadership Council and related Leadership Council meetings
- Works with the ED and Finance Director to develop and manage a budget for the CMB Program, including the Symposium series and program activities
- Supervise program support staff as well as other hired CMB consultants
- Lead regular team meetings to track program progress, identify challenges and new opportunities for CMB
- Report on the program’s status to the Executive Director, Program Leadership Council and other Committees or the Board of Trustees as required
Communications and External Relations
- Work closely with the Communications Dept. Director and support teams to implement a communications strategy for the CMB Program.
- Oversee and write the CMB Program’s collateral materials such as newsletters, e-blasts, annual report and the redevelopment and ongoing maintenance of the website and online communities
- Manage the restructuring of a CMB resource library
- Serve as a spokesperson for the CMB Program including presenting and speaking and conferences, symposia, meetings and other events
Qualifications:
- At least 7+ years relevant work experience including supervisory responsibilities;
- An advanced degree (Ph.D. preferred) in a related field such as sociology, psychology, anthropology, cognitive science, environmental humanities or human ecology;
- Evidence of thought leadership in their field as evidenced by publications, actions to advance theory or application, and/or professional distinction;
- Excellent symposium planning, organizational, and time-management skills;
- Strong communication, presentation and writing skills with knowledge of web- communications and social media platforms
- Proven experience developing grant proposals and the ability to connect with fundraising networks and foundations
- Outstanding interpersonal and teamwork skills and interest in working with colleagues across disciplines;
- A commitment to producing consistently high quality, detailed work;
- The ability to work in a fast paced environment and multi-task effectively;
- Has flexibility, good humor, and comfort with ambiguity;
- An interest in and knowledge of the transformational value contemplation holds for advancing environmental stewardship.
- Willingness to travel, mainly for local/regional meetings or conferences
- Occasional work on evenings and weekends associated with participation in or management of meetings, symposia, conferences, etc.
How to Apply: To apply send a letter of interest, a resume, two writing samples, and the names and contact information of three professional references to: HR Director, via email [email protected]. All submissions will be received in confidence. Please, no phone calls.
