Job Description Summary:
*COVER LETTER REQUIRED*Are you ready for job that can make a difference? We invite you to bring your expertise and passion to the nation’s most trusted voice on complex issues in science and technology. The work we do not only advances scientific research and understanding, but also informs actions taken by Congress, government agencies, industry, and other decision-makers to advance environmental policies; energy choices; land use and agricultural practices; public health policies; manufacturing decisions; and many other important matters.
We are seeking a proven, visionary leader with strong scientific and research credentials who also excels in management and administration and in building relationships with potential sponsors to help shape our work in meeting challenges facing leaders across the globe. You’ll work closely with a group of top scientific and other technical experts who volunteer their time to advise on the work of the Board. You will also lead and build a team of smart, talented, mission-driven staff who care deeply about the work they do.
The Director will lead the Board on Environmental Change and Society (BECS), housed within the Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education (DBASSE). BECS is the National Academies’ primary voice for advancing research on the interactions between human activities and the environment, providing a vital forum for linking the social and natural sciences in research, planning, and decision-making. Recent work, which includes convening experts, holding workshops, and delivering peer-reviewed studies, has advanced understanding and guided future actions on topics that include:
• Community-driven relocation
• Social-ecological consequences of wildfires
• Climate mitigation and adaptation
• Strategies to accelerate decarbonization
The Director will pursue new lines of interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research, such as:
• Social and behavioral science contributions to energy systems transitions
• Community climate resilience and adaptation
• Greater coordination and integration across climate solution areas
• Advancing social justice and equity across all aspects of the field of scientific endeavor and the board’s work
The successful candidate will have a strong understanding of the behavioral and social sciences and their applications to public policy specifically focused on the dynamics of human-environment interactions; strong leadership, administration, and management skills; proven experience in stewarding and growing relationships with federal, state, and private sponsors; experience supervising staff and fostering their growth; and established networks within the scientific community. The successful candidate will be dedicated to advancing a culture of respect, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging among the staff and in all activities conducted under the auspices of the board. The position reports to the Executive Director of DBASSE.
Job Description:
The BECS Director leads all aspects of the board, in collaboration with division and volunteer board leadership:
1. In consultation with division leadership, board staff, and volunteer board chair and members, develops and maintains an impactful, interdisciplinary portfolio of projects/programs. Establishes a vision and working strategy for studies and activities conducted within the program/board.
2. Plans, conducts, and directs work on projects/programs. Oversees the management of numerous complex projects, assembles or oversees the boards, volunteer committees, and/or study panels and their staff and provides oversight and guidance to the conduct of their work.
3. Provides leadership to and management of staff; mentors staff. Leveraging available institution and division resources, trains and develops employees to successfully perform current responsibilities and encourages development of staff for future roles. Forms effective teams and cultivates a work environment that fosters teamwork, collaboration, and excellence. Interprets and ensures consistent application of organizational policies. Initiates and participates in personnel actions, including performance and compensation reviews and disciplinary actions.
4. Maintains communication and productive working relationships with program volunteers. Sets agenda and oversees meeting arrangements. Oversees quality assurance efforts.
5. Oversees financial management of the unit. Participates in business planning, conducts status meetings, coordinates logistical issues, and implements planning, scheduling, and procedural changes.
6. Responsible for program/project development. Maintains current and develops new relationships with prospective sponsors and other external contacts.
7. Responds to requests for studies/projects, developing and negotiating scope of work, budgets, and project staffing. Leverages board expertise, landscapes relevant fields, and works with prospective sponsors to develop high-impact programs/projects. Performs fundraising activities, engaging in sponsor outreach; negotiates funding with sponsors and prepares prospectuses and proposals. Oversees management of contracts, in collaboration with contracts manager. Oversees and mentors project staff, setting expectations for performance and conduct of project activities.
8. Oversees the report process during writing, reports review, and release, if applicable.
9. Oversees outreach efforts, including project dissemination. Conducts speaking engagements on behalf of the boards and the institution to raise the profile of the boards’ past, current, and future work and the mission of the institution, represents program/board at internal and external meetings, and maintains networks of professional relationships with relevant members of the science and policy enterprise.
Requirements
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Experience working in complex environments with a high degree of organizational effectiveness. Ability to solve intellectual problems that reflect substantial variety and complexity. Ability to serve as a resource to others in the resolution of complex problems and issues. Ability to operate with substantial latitude for independent judgment and action, while also working effectively with division and board leadership. Ability to develop projects, conduct outreach to prospective sponsors, and negotiate funding. Ability to train and develop staff. Ability to work successfully in a team environment, to form and maintain productive project teams, and to collaborate across units. Ability to develop effective relationships with leadership, co-workers, and employees in other National Academies’ departments. Excellent communication skills with a proven ability to respectfully interact with all levels of employees. Understanding of the National Academies’ mission and culture. Experience with environmental justice or equity, and/or evidence-based community-engaged work a plus.
Minimum Education/Training Requirements: Ph.D. in topic area, a related field, or equivalent knowledge.
Preferred Education/Training: Advanced degree in social and/or behavioral science (with a strong environmental focus, e.g., environment and society; climate and society; human-environment interaction), environmental studies, climate/environmental justice, or similar interdisciplinary expertise
Minimum Experience: Ten years of related professional experience, five of which were in a supervisory capacity. Demonstrated impact on the advancement of science or policy through the successful completion of National Academies’ activities or equivalent outside activities and through effective dissemination of these activities.
Physical Capabilities: Ability to work at a computer for extended periods of time. Ability to travel. Required Licenses, Certification or Registration: None.
Supervisory Responsibilities/Controls: Reports to Executive Director or Executive Officer. Independently establishes goals and objectives. Supervises board/program staff; leads board of volunteer experts by influence.
Compensation Range: The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine support equity, fairness, and transparency in our compensation programs. An estimated compensation range for this position is $126,880 - $198,250. Compensation offered to the selected candidate will be based on the candidate’s relevant knowledge, skills, and work experience, commensurate with compensation of current employees in comparable positions with similar knowledge, skills, and work experience, and subject to budget parameters. Note it is not typical for a candidate to be hired at the higher end of the range. This position is a benefits-eligible position. Our Benefits Plan offers competitive and comprehensive benefit options, including medical, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, disability coverage, retirement and savings benefits, leave benefits such as paid holidays and paid personal leave, transportation subsidies, and education assistance. For more information, please click here.
Work Environment: Hybrid Office/Telecommute environment, expected onsite percentage currently 40%, with occasional travel between National Academies’ facilities and to off-site meeting/sponsor locations.
The National Academies’ Statement on Diversity and Inclusion:
We, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (the National Academies), value diversity among our staff, members, volunteers, partners, vendors, and audiences. We recognize that talent is broadly distributed in society and that many perspectives enhance the quality of our work and drive innovation and impact.
We pledge to cultivate a workplace culture and climate that promotes inclusion, belonging, accessibility, and anti-racism; upholds equity; and values the participation of all who are engaged in advancing our mission. By embracing the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion in our programs, institutional policies and practices, and products, we will be able to better advise the nation on the most complex issues facing society and the world.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
It is the policy of the National Academies to recruit, hire, transfer, compensate, and promote people in all job categories and to administer all other personnel actions, terms and conditions of employment in a manner that is consistent with equal employment, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, disability, medical condition for which a person has been rehabilitated or cured, marital status, family responsibilities, genetic information, political affiliation, personal appearance, matriculation, unemployment status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. It is also the institution's policy to recruit, hire, promote, and provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and covered veterans who are otherwise qualified.
Any qualification to be considered equivalent, in lieu of stated minimum, requires the prior approval of the Office of Human Resources.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Some functions in this description may be specific to a particular unit of the National Academies and not applicable to other units.
Job Family:
PROG