Research Manager, Urban Green Council – New York

Organization: Urban Green Council

Position Title: Research Manager

Location: New York City, New York

Application Deadline: Position open until filled

Description: In order to expand the capacity of its experienced team, Urban Green is creating the position of Research Manager. The Research Manager reports to the Director of Research and may oversee other Urban Green staff as well as interns, consultants, and/or research fellows. As part of the Research team, the Research Manager will participate in setting the team’s strategic direction and in coordinating with the Advocacy and Public Programs teams.

The Manager will identify, initiate, and execute projects that drive the market for deep energy retrofits and next-generation buildings. The Manager will also manage projects identified and initiated by the Research Director. Working with experts from the world’s most sophisticated real estate firms and consultancies, the manager will coordinate receiving advice on content and the performance of critical research functions such as fieldwork and energy modeling. The Manager will have a central organizing role throughout the research, from project conception through careful framing, to maximize impact with the buildings industry, the general public and the press. This position will provide broad exposure to leading thinkers in urban sustainability and the opportunity to have a significant impact on the future of New York City.

Responsibilities:

• Direct research initiatives with guidance from the Research Director; assist the Research Director in executing other projects. Future research initiatives may include:
  • Pathways to deep carbon reductions for NYC’s building stock
  • Barriers and opportunities to specific retrofits
    • Annual reports on NYC benchmarking and audit/retrocommissioning data
    • Manage research process, including
      • Generating ideas for potential research projects, coordinating with the Advocacy Department, the Urban Green strategic plan, and industry and government stakeholders;
      • Selecting projects based upon likelihood to create change, amenability to clear messaging, impact on citywide environmental performance, and the current state of industry knowledge and practice;
      • Developing the project research plan, including key questions to be answered, the research process that will answer them, budget and other resources;
      • Identifying and obtaining resources necessary to complete the project: coordinate with the Development Department on grants and other funding; develop and administer RFPs for consultants; prepare contracts and agreements; invite and manage advisory committees; hire and supervise in-house resources such as Research Fellows;
      • Providing project management throughout process, meeting schedule and budget;
      • Coordinating with the Communications and Public Programs Departments on press, public events and other dissemination of the work;
      • Working with the Advocacy Department to develop policy recommendations based upon the research results.
    • Advise Research Director on annual departmental goal-setting.
    • Manage research budgets and project agreements.
      • Supervise interns, consultants, and volunteer committees.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, architecture, or a related physical science field; master’s degree a plus
• At least 6 years’ work experience, including 4-5 years in green building
• Strong understanding of building science as applied in both the residential and commercial sectors
• Familiarity with building codes, particularly the energy code
• Quantitative understanding of energy use metrics, embodied energy, carbon emissions, waste and water systems and indoor air quality
• Field experience in energy assessments, construction, retrofits, operations and maintenance, or real estate
• Considerable experience in project management including management of multiple projects, including those that involve consultants
• Some experience with statistical methods
• Strong report writing and presentation skills
• Demonstrated history of initiative, creativity, and independent project management
  • Outstanding interpersonal, organizational and computer skills

How to Apply: Please email resume and cover letter including salary requirements (single PDF titled RM_[NAME]) with “RM/Your Name – Idealist” in the subject line to [email protected]. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.