About the Department
The Climate Impact Lab at UChicago brings together some of the world’s top climate scientists, economists, data engineers, and risk analysts to quantify the impacts of climate change sector-by-sector, community-by-community, around the world. Across 25,000 geographic units globally—areas roughly the size of a U.S. county—the Lab’s team of more than 25 experts has produced detailed, evidence-based data connecting climate impacts to socio-economic factors: heat-induced mortality, agricultural productivity, the costs to workers of extreme temperatures, energy demand, coastal flooding risk, and more. The Lab’s team of professional staff is working to translate tis research into impact through policy and media engagement on a global scale.
Job Summary
The Director, Climate Impact Lab will be responsible for determining, managing, and successfully executing the next stage of the Lab’s development at a critical moment of opportunity. Competitive candidates will have a proven record in research management and administration, partnership development, policy engagement, fundraising, outreach, and staff management.
This is a senior level position that works closely with Professor Michael Greenstone and other Lab leadership to develop all aspects of the Lab’s strategic planning, including research support, programming, and outreach and communications. As a key public face of the Lab, the Director-Climate Impact Lab is expected to play an active role in global discussions to raise awareness about the impacts of climate change, and the climate mitigation and adaptation policies that can confront the challenge.
The person in this roll manages a team of managers and professional staff responsible for scientific research projects and research facilities. Ensures compliance of research activities with institutional, state, and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives, and mandates. Manages the production of articles, reports, and manuscripts, and presents research findings at meetings and/ or conferences.
Responsibilities
- Develops and executes strategic planning to continue building the Lab’s brand and impact in climate research and policy, in line with Lab leadership’s goals and vision.
- Produces a steady stream of original, creative, and timely content (white papers, policy briefs, etc.) through research and data analysis, and oversees a team of researchers who will aid in this content development.
- Collaborates in robust, long-term research efforts driven by Lab faculty, and ensures this research is properly integrated into the Lab’s policy and outreach strategy.
- Forms strategic relationships with key partners in governments, non-profits, foundations, multilateral aid agencies, and the private sector to amplify communications impact and policy dialogue in new markets as well as globally.
- Engages with policymakers at every level of government and a variety of industries to ensure that the Lab’s research is used to create meaningful policy and procedural changes.
- Presents the Lab and its research to audiences, including policymakers, at conferences and other events, television and other media interviews, podcasts, etc.
- Working with a team of development professionals, engages in a fundraising strategy, meets with potential funders, and writes proposals to secure new sources of funds to enable rapid growth in multiple countries and industries.
- Working with a team of communications professionals, leads a policy and outreach strategy that includes a robust digital marketing campaign (email marketing, social media) and the development of a new website/data platform.
- Manages the overall Lab budget, as well as the activities of staff working on the Lab scale-up, including data analysts and outreach staff.
- Manages all financial activities, including financial analysis and reporting, budgeting, accounting, accounts receivable/payable, and procurement. Oversees facilities management, including renovations, moves, maintenance and ongoing facilities operations. Manages development of all contracts, including those with vendors and other institutions.
- May oversee the management of informational technology planning, ensuring necessary operating and information systems and resources are in place to accomplish strategic goals. Conceives and directs special projects related to the business of the organizational unit.
- Manages grant/funding applications. Establishes, monitors, and controls project budgets.
- Manages, investigates, modifies and applies new procedures, techniques or applications of technology. Oversees the establishment of goals and operating procedures, practices, and guidelines. Develops research in area of expertise. Writes articles, reports and manuscripts. Presents research findings at meetings and/or conference
- Performs other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience:
- 5-7 years of relevant experience working in the climate space, preferably in a similar policy and/or research environment in a university, government, and/or not-for-profit organization.
- Highly knowledgeable in climate research and familiar with climate policies in the U.S. and globally with a background in global economic development and/or climate/environment research.
- Demonstrated program management experience implementing environmental data-driven projects, such as leading reports, writing white papers, and/or building compelling data visualizations.
- Demonstrated public speaking experience on related topics with a public track record of giving presentations and/or on-the-record interviews.
- Hiring well-qualified, diverse, motivated staff in research, policy and capacity building roles, supervising their work and helping in their career development.
Preferred Competencies
- Building and maintaining strategic partnerships as well as having a willingness to fundraise. Partnerships could include engaging with governments, philanthropies and/or the private sector.
- Comfort in managing team members with differing sets of technical expertise, e.g. those with software, atmospheric science, and/or economic backgrounds.
- Evidence of strategic planning; align tactical work efforts with strategic vision.
- Develop and maintain strong partnerships with external collaborators, funders, journalists, policymakers, researchers and other important constituencies.
- Excellent oral and written communication and public speaking skills including the ability to translate technical ideas into non-technical content.
- Creating and maintaining a collegial work culture that emphasizes teamwork, results and good work-life balance.
- Superior interpersonal skills and work effectively with a wide range of individuals and constituencies in a diverse professional environment.
- A quick, self-learner with the ability to initiate, organize, prioritize and complete multiple, high-level projects; meet tight deadlines; and work effectively with minimal supervision in a fast-paced environment.
- Demonstrated sound judgement, solve problems and make effective decisions.
- Excellent organizational and analytical skills with high-level of accuracy and sharp attention to detail.
- High degree of enthusiasm, energy, and creativity.
- A high level of confidentiality and discretion.