This position is based on Stanford’s main campus, with consideration given to the option for a hybrid work schedule (partially onsite and offsite), subject to operational needs. Interested candidates must include a resume and cover letter to be considered for this position. This is a three-year fixed-term position.
Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment VISA.
About Us
The Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability (SDSS) strives to create a future where humans and nature thrive in concert and in perpetuity. The school is made up of a three-part structure to drive global impact: Our academic departments and programs educate students and create new knowledge across areas of research that are crucial for advancing the long-term prosperity of the planet; our institutes bridge scholarship at Stanford and beyond, bringing multiple viewpoints to bear on urgent challenges; and the Sustainability Accelerator drives new policy and technology solutions that can move beyond the University and scale to address global sustainability challenges, in collaboration with a worldwide network of partners. The school is dedicated to creating and supporting a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment, and to creating solutions that benefit all people, particularly those most affected by environmental damage and climate change.
For more information on the school, click here.
The SDSS Sustainability Accelerator seeks a full-time Managing Director - Policy to lead policy programs across all of the organization’s focus areas — our Flagship Destinations and Cross-Cutting Platforms. Flagship Destinations are ambitious and aspirational goals that guide the Accelerator’s investment in and technology and policy solutions that can have impact on a global scale. The Cross-Cutting Platforms support the Flagship Destinations. Under the direction of Accelerator Faculty Director Yi Cui and Executive Director Charlotte Pera, the Managing Director of Policy will lead the strategy, development, and implementation of a new Policy Impact Fellows program, which engages postdoctoral scholars and/or policy fellows to pursue high-impact policy work in the Accelerator’s focus areas. In addition, we are open to important policy ideas that don’t fit squarely into one of our focus areas.
This role requires working closely with Stanford faculty, the Accelerator team, and other internal stakeholders while also engaging external stakeholders such as policymakers, regulators, and NGOs to develop policy solutions with the potential to create impact at scale. Responsibilities will include helping to track evolving policy issues, opportunities, whitespaces, and barriers across the flagship destinations, managing the Accelerator Policy Impact Fellows cohort, overseeing policy aspects of the grantmaking process, and selectively supporting Accelerator-funded research teams.
The Managing Director - Policy will collaborate with flagship Managing Directors to develop Stanford’s connections with the global flagship ecosystem. This will include organizing workshops and convenings, outreach, and partnership development. The Managing Director must have existing relationships and experience working with a wide range of policy stakeholders from academia, industry, government, and NGOs. We seek someone highly motivated, excited about leading change in difficult-to-solve climate challenges, and comfortable with a dynamic, start-up-like environment in a University setting.
Job Purpose
Deliver policy impact at scale across Accelerator flagship destinations and cross-cutting platforms through direct programs or functions of university-wide coordination in consultation with senior leadership.
Core Duties
- Lead strategic planning and analysis for Sustainability Accelerator policy efforts with significant business, regulatory and/or technical challenges requiring subject matter expertise.
- Manage and direct the development, implementation, administration and evaluation of programs or functions. Monitor trends and recommend program or function direction.
- Act as the subject matter expert for School/unit and/or the university regarding the interpretation, implementation and compliance with policies and regulations.
- Recommend actions and/or resolve complex issues that span organizational boundaries.
- Represent the program or function at the university level and/or to external/internal stakeholders and constituencies.
- Direct and manage outreach and required formal partnership strategy that may include relationship development, communications, and compliance.
- Oversee, train, mentor, and supervise staff in the development and implementation of programs or functions.
- May develop and/or oversee budgets; manage finances, including monitoring, analyzing, forecasting, and reporting.
To be successful in this position, you will need:
- Bachelor’s degree and ten years of relevant experience, or combination of education and relevant experience.
- Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to influence and motivate constituencies, which could span multiple organizational boundaries.
- Demonstrated excellent planning, organizational, and analytical skills.
- Demonstrated ability to make sound business decisions using good business judgment and innovative and creative problem-solving.
- Excellent interpersonal and communications skills with the ability to cultivate professional and business partnerships.
- Strong project planning and management skills.
- Relevant subject matter expertise, such as, understanding of legislative and regulatory processes and legal frameworks underpinning policy and strong understanding of the relationship and interaction between technological innovation and policy change.
- Ability to act independently and as part of a team.
- Demonstrated ability to manage financial, organizational and staff resources.
- Strong project planning and management skills.
- Experience in or knowledge of business process improvement methodology.
In addition, our preferred qualifications include:
- Advanced degree in law, public policy, science, sustainability, or related discipline and ten years of experience in public policy, advocacy, or government relations.
- Proven track record of developing and leading successful policy initiatives.
- Demonstrated network and relationships with policymakers, regulators, NGOs, and other key stakeholders.
*- Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact Stanford University Human Resources by submitting a contact form.
How to Apply
We invite you to apply for this position by clicking on the “Apply for Job” button.
Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
