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 need. Interested candidates must include a resume and cover letter to be considered for this 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 strives to create a future when 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; Institutes bridge scholarship at Stanford and beyond, bringing multiple viewpoints to bear on urgent challenges; The Sustainability Accelerator drives new policy and technology solutions through a worldwide network of partners who work with our teams to develop solutions at a global scale. 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, please click here.
The Stanford Center for Human and Planetary Health (HPH) is a new Center based at the Woods Institute for the Environment and the Doerr School of Sustainability, in partnership with the Center for Innovation in Global Health and the School of Medicine. It bridges the fields of human health and environmental sustainability to tackle complex global challenges. By fostering interdisciplinary research, education, and impact across four focus areas – climate and health, pollution and health, disease ecology in a changing world, and food systems, health and the environment – the Center seeks to train the next generation of leaders and create solutions that improve health and the planet. Learn more about HPH here.
About the position
The Stanford Center for Human and Planetary Health seeks a full-time Program Manager to manage and advance its programmatic and educational activities. This position offers an exciting and dynamic opportunity to contribute significantly to the impact of a new Center through expanding and building Stanford’s interdisciplinary educational portfolio in human and planetary health and advancing science communications efforts to maximize impact. The Program Manager directs large-scale human and planetary health initiatives under broad direction from leadership.
This includes:
- Leading HPH education efforts and supporting Stanford instructors to prepare the next generation of leaders, including an emerging “HPH Action Lab” series that supports students in addressing real-world planetary health challenges.
- Building an interdisciplinary community of like-minded changemakers across the University.
- Co-running an evidence-to-action science communications program for students to help stimulate policy change or public action in global human and planetary health – called SWAP (Science Writing Advancing Planetary Health).
- Independently managing the Stanford/LSHTM (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine) Planetary Health Fellowship.
- Supporting HPH leadership in senior-level tasks including research, presentations, strategic planning, annual programming, and more.
Reporting to the HPH Managing Director, this is a fantastic opportunity for a candidate with content expertise in human and planetary health, passion for higher education and working with students, program management experience, an interest in working in interdisciplinary environments, skills in science communications, and a collaborative, adaptable approach to teamwork and partnership.
Specific responsibilities will include:
- Propose and execute a strategic plan and vision for HPH education at Stanford, which could include new courses for students, opportunities for experiential education, a degree offering, and more. Work closely with faculty, students, and course instructors to collaborate on the vision, planning, and implementation process.
- Manage and support HPH’s popular gateway course: SUSTAIN 103 – Introduction to Human and Planetary Health, which typically enrolls 100 students. Hire and supervise Teaching Assistants, secure guest lecturers and help them prepare for their lectures, and lead other course management duties.
- Implement a new impact-education HPH Action Lab program, which involves gaining Stanford faculty and external client commitment, managing course implementation, and ensuring a focus on student learning outcomes. Clients could include non-profits, government agencies, or private sector organizations.
- Co-lead the Science Writing Advancing Planetary Health (SWAP) program along with the Communications Manager at the Stanford Center for Innovation in Global Health. Partner with HPH researchers at Stanford to identify promising policy change targets which their research findings can inform. Recruit and select approximately 5 students/year and support their educational experience with HPH science communications.
- Partner with HPH Leadership at Stanford and LSHTM to manage the Stanford/LSHTM Postdoctoral Fellowship in Human and Planetary Health. Manage annual recruitment and candidate selection process and work with faculty to secure postdoc supervision. Provide ongoing support to the 1-3 fellows throughout their research. Help to build and expand the program.
- Work across Stanford to create an inclusive environment for students, researchers, and faculty working in human and planetary health. Launch and manage a HPH affiliate program for Faculty and Staff Researchers. Support the student Climate and Health group and Stanford Climate Learning Initiative in Medical Education, where appropriate.
- Support the HPH Managing Director and faculty Director, and CIGH leadership with other senior-level tasks related to HPH, e.g., fundraising and grant writing, conducting background research, presentations, panel and paper development, prep for external engagement e.g., academic conferences or events, etc.
- Perform other miscellaneous duties as related to building the Center for Human and Planetary Health and supporting faculty and students involved in HPH.
* The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.
To be successful in this position, you will need:
Education & Experience:
Bachelor’s degree and three years of relevant experience or combination of education, training, and relevant experience.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Ability to develop program partnerships and funding sources.
- Excellent oral, written, and analytical skills, exhibiting fluency in area of specialization.
- Ability to oversee and direct staff.
- Basic knowledge of managing budgets and developing financial plans.
In addition, our preferred qualifications include:
- Master’s degree in public health, sustainability, environmental science, or another related interdisciplinary field.
- Research or work experience with interdisciplinary teams in the field of planetary health.
- Fluency in higher education and/or human and planetary health.
- Demonstrated ability to establish priorities, manage shifting priorities, and handle numerous time-sensitive projects with multiple deadlines.
- Demonstrated excellent organizational and program management skills.
- Demonstrated ability to take initiative and ownership of projects.
- Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
- Ability to routinely and independently exercise sound judgment in making decisions.
- Strong analytical abilities.
- Demonstrated experience working independently and as part of a team.
- Experience working with students.
- Knowledge of planetary health field including major players, funders, and issues.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and effectively with individuals across different levels of the organization, including faculty, administrators, and students.
- Experience in leading science communications projects and/or evidence-based advocacy and dissemination efforts.
- Understanding of the policy-making process, and how academic research can best influence and inform change.
- Ability to develop and maintain international program partnerships.
- Ability to accomplish goals working through formal and informal channels, with diplomacy and tactfulness.
* 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.
