Sustainability Manager

About the Harvard Office for Sustainability

Harvard University has a long commitment to confronting the global challenges of climate change and sustainable development through its research, teaching, and institutional action. The University-wide Office for Sustainability (OFS), created in 2008, plays a pivotal role in bringing together students, faculty, and staff to use the campus as a living laboratory for piloting and proving solutions that address intergenerational well-being and lead to a sustainable future. Our efforts are driven by a University-wide Sustainability Plan and climate goals to be fossil fuel-free by 2050 and fossil fuel-neutral by 2026. 

Job Summary

This is an exciting opportunity to join an experienced and dedicated team working to advance solutions to global and local sustainability challenges using Harvard’s campus as a testbed to pilot and scale change.  OFS is a fast-paced, dynamic, and evolving organization that looks for talented, experienced individuals who thrive in this environment.  Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values. 

• Visit the Harvard Office for Sustainability website for more information.

Position Summary

The Sustainability Manager for the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health will be responsible for leading engagement programs, communications, and project managing sustainability initiatives in partnership with relevant departments along with networking and benchmarking to share and apply best practices with the goal of addressing climate, health and equity in alignment with the Harvard University Sustainability Action Plan.

The Manager will develop and execute comprehensive project plans, propose innovative ideas, and create relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders including senior leaders, staff and students, and leverages best practices in change management. The Manager will be responsible for envisioning and executing programs, tools, and resources aimed at building a culture of sustainability on campus along with collaborating on living lab opportunities. The Manager will also engage relevant stakeholders to develop a plan for tracking and reporting progress on key sustainability metrics and indicators, developing an annual report, and identifying ways to ensure those metrics impact decision-making, when appropriate.

Note: This position is part - time, 20 hrs/per week*

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Lead sustainability engagement programs.

• Lead the volunteer Green Team (EcoOpportunity), which includes planning and executing sustainability-themed campaigns, events, and communications.
• Leverage existing events (e.g., new student orientations) and programs to engage the community.
• Actively support and leverage the ideas and energy of students and staff, especially when the align with priorities in the Sustainability Action Plan.
• Lead the integration of best sustainability practices into large campus events.
• Create new tools, resources and campaigns, when necessary.
• Assess, analyze and evaluate various programs, campaigns and resources, including tracking participation/utilization to determine effectiveness.

Manage sustainability communications in partnership with the Harvard Office for Sustainability (OFS), School of Public Health Communications, Office for Student Affairs and other relevant departments.

• Write sustainability newsletters and articles.
• Design, create and post campaign and event posters to the monitors on campus.  
• Share sustainability stories through social media in conjunction with the OFS Communications team.
• Lead the effort to further integrate environmental justice and social equity across communication platforms.
• Manage sustainability content on key web pages.
• Present to senior leaders, key stakeholders, students, staff and externally, as needed.

Support interdepartmental sustainability partnerships in conjunction with Operations, and assist and manage other sustainability initiatives.

• Support existing department partnerships and initiatives with groups such as Custodial, Dining, Events, Facilities and Student Affairs.
• Patricipate in lab/research meetings and establish relationships with relevant stakeholders
• Advise on and coordinate initiatives that are overseen by Facilities (i.e. waste and sustainability signage, bike programming, pipette tip box recycling, the Reuse Room, etc.)
• Track and analyze data as needed, such as waste program data.
• Collaborate on long-term goal planning and strategy for the School of Public Health campus.
• Collaborate to identify living lab opportunities to test and pilot the application of sustainability-related research from Harvard students and faculty on campus. 
• Collaborate on the identification of new programs and projects that would advance sustainability goals. For example, this could include initiatives on environmental justice, social equity, food, transportation, purchasing and waste. Work with relevant departments and external vendors to develop project proposals and execute projects.

Manage a variety of strategic planning and administrative responsibilities, including:

• Oversee and maintain the School of Public Health sustainability program budget, allocated primarily for campaigns, events and meetings.
• Contribute to School-wide sustainability planning, in alignment with the priorities in the Harvard Sustainability Action Plan
• Outline long-term and annual goals, provide a summary of the academic year accomplishments and challenges and shape the program according to the community’s needs and in line with best practices in sustainability across peer institutions.
• Manage the School’s efforts to adhere to the current university-wide Sustainability Action Plan.
• Perform other duties and work on special projects as needed.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience is required.
• Minimum 5-7 years of experience in successful project plan development, management, implementation, and stakeholder engagement in an area related to sustainability and/or higher education.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Demonstrated ability to initiate new creative ideas and take projects from concept through implementation in a constantly changing environment, and ability to inspire and align colleagues around a shared vision.
• Excellent relationship-building, interpersonal, communication, writing, and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of sustainability industry trends.
• Experience working with facilities/operations staff, project managers, consultants, and other stakeholders is a plus. 
• Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity, equity and contributing to an inclusive work and learning environment.
• High degree of flexibility, adaptability and general ability to respond to emerging opportunities and barriers in a constantly changing environment.
• Requires occasional work outside of normal business hours (including but not limited to faculty and student meetings and events).

Technology Skills Required:

• Proficiency in MS Office suite.
• An ability to learn Harvard systems and web software quickly is a requirement. 

Working Conditions

Work format:

• Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote); At minimum 2 days in office required.

Schedule:

• Monday-Friday: 4 hours/day

Additional Information

Emergency Status Designation: 

• This role is considered non-essential and may be eligible for flex-work arrangements in accordance with departmental policies and manager approval.
• The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up-to-date on CDC-recommended vaccines.

Benefits

• We invite you to visit Harvard’s Total Rewards website to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:
• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.