Director of Sustainability

Situation Overview:
ZRG has been engaged to recruit a Director of Sustainability for William & Mary.

About William & Mary:
William & Mary, founded in 1693 in Williamsburg, Virginia, is the second-oldest institution of higher education in the United States. Named after King William III and Queen Mary II of England, the university has played a crucial role in American history, serving as a center for Enlightenment thinking and shaping the nation’s early leadership. Notable alumni include Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, and John Tyler, three U.S. presidents who contributed significantly to the country's founding and governance.

Williamsburg is an ideal location for those seeking a welcoming community with a strong sense of history and culture. The city's combination of small-town charm and modern conveniences makes it an attractive place to live and work. With its deep-rooted traditions, thriving local businesses, and strong civic engagement, Williamsburg continues to be a place where history meets opportunity.

Position:
As a member of the university’s Business Affairs leadership team, the primary role of the Director of Sustainability is to work collaboratively with the William & Mary community to conceive, develop, implement, maintain, and measure short and long-term strategies to achieve the university’s goals in Sustainability. This position will be responsible for working across academic and administrative operational units to systematically incorporate sustainability practices throughout the institution.

Reporting directly to the Assistant Vice President / University Architect, the Director of Sustainability will own responsibility for and drive financial and environmental measures across the entirety of William & Mary’s footprint, including the Batten School of Coastal Marine Science at VIMS, James Monroe’s Highland, and the Washington Center. The Director will be responsible for overall sustainability plan implementation and progress reporting on initiatives, actions, and research, including periodic presentations to the Board of Visitors on progress.

This position leads and/or performs the data gathering and analysis function to participate in the Association for Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education(AASHE) benchmarking. The position will also direct the Office of Sustainability (OS) and co-chair the Committee on Sustainability.

Required Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in sustainability, urban or environmental planning, environmental science, or a related field OR equivalent training and/or experience.
Abroad understanding of public sector or higher education facilities operations.
Ability to demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the principles of climate action, sustainability, and how they relate to organizations and university campuses.
Ability to understand/develop accompanying business plans that support the overall needs of the university within the areas of responsibility.
Experience researching and preparing executive-level documents, position papers, reports, proposals, and presentations on a variety of strategic topics.
Exceptional communication skills, interpersonal skills, diplomacy, and the ability to effectively interact and build trusted relationships with diverse internal and external constituencies.
Demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks and projects; excellent organizational, leadership, and delegation skills; and the ability to work collaboratively.
Must have strong problem-solving, analysis, and conflict-resolution skills to manage complex tasks and/or those that require balancing competing interests.
Demonstrated patience, reliability, composure, and stability under pressure as well as a strong personal ethics commitment.
Extensive leadership and teambuilding skills with a demonstrated ability to work independently and with minimal supervision.
Ability to travel to on and off-campus facilities sites, with occasional overnight travel.

Preferred Qualifications:
Experience in the public sector or higher education facilities operations.
Advanced degree in an applicable area.
Professional credentialing (LEEDAP, ISSPSEA / SEP, CEM, or similar credential).
Considerable experience in the development and implementation of climate action and sustainability initiatives in an institutional environment.
Experience working on climate action and sustainability, in a large, complex, and publicly oriented organization or a Higher Education environment.
Familiarity with the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) and the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System (STARS).
Experience seeking grant-funding opportunities as well as preparing and submitting grants.
Experience in/with communications, marketing, and public relations and in establishing partnerships and collaborating with numerous stakeholders, developing a climate action, sustainability, and energy literacy curriculum, and/or workshop and classroom facilitation.