Assistant Dean for Strategic Planning

Vassar College

Assistant Dean for Strategic Planning & Director of the Office of Sustainability

Department: Dean of Strategic Planning and Academic Resources
Duration of Position: Full year / Full time
Work Schedule:
Employee Type: Administrator
Posting Date: 02/01/2023
Union Representation: Not Applicable
Posting Number: AS333P
Pay Rate:

About Vassar College
Located in the scenic Mid-Hudson Valley, Vassar College is a highly selective, residential, coeducational liberal arts college. Vassar stands upon the homelands of the Munsee Lenape.Vassar College is deeply committed to increasing the diversity of the campus community and to promoting an environment of equality, inclusion, and respect for difference. The College is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer, and especially welcomes applications from veterans, women, individuals with disabilities, and members of racial, ethnic, and other historically underrepresented groups.Vassar College is a smoke-free, tobacco-free campus.Note: Vassar College has a universal vaccination policy requiring a COVID-19 vaccination, including a booster, for all employees except for those exempt for medical or religious reasons.

Position Summary and Responsibilities
Reporting to the Dean of Strategic Planning and Academic Resources, the Assistant Dean for Strategic Planning & Director of the Office of Sustainability is responsible for supporting the development and execution of campus-level planning efforts and leading operational and strategic initiatives that further the College's environmental and social responsibility performance.

The Assistant Dean will engage campus stakeholders and partner with relevant administrative offices and faculty to innovate, implement, and steward strategic initiatives for the College. Emphasis on sustainability efforts as a balance of environmental, social, and financial responsibilities is paramount. The Assistant Dean will provide support and guidance for long-term planning initiatives as well as leadership and vision for environmental and related social responsibility concerns.
Direct reports to the Assistant Dean include 6-10 work-study student interns in the Sustainability Office, 3-5 work-study bike mechanics in the Vassar Bike Shop, and occasional summer or temporary positions such as Environmental Defense Fund and Administrative Fellows.
Responsibilities:

• Oversee budgets and operations for the Office of Sustainability, the Vassar Bike Shop, the annual SWAPR (Stop Waste & Promote Reuse) move out program, the Green Reinvestment Fund, and other relevant gift and grant accounts.
• Supervise and mentor volunteers, work-study students, and summer/temporary staff.
• Support the development and implementation of strategic planning documents and frameworks such as the Accessibility Plan, Climate Action Plan, and others as they emerge.
• Support the Dean of Strategic Planning in facilitating the Climate Action and Sustainability Committee, the Campus Master Planning Committee, the Accessibility Committee, the Arboretum Committee, and other relevant committees and working groups.
• Manage relationship with and promotion of the College's community partnerships for sustainability and climate resilience.
• Lead annual and semi-annual reporting requirements for AASHE STARS, the Princeton Review, the Sierra Club, Tree Campus USA, the Second Nature Climate Leadership Commitment, and others as needed.
• Serve as a resource and knowledge expert on resource conservation, energy management, campus sustainability, and green building initiatives. Advise Facilities Operations, consulting architects, and others on opportunities for resource conservation and energy management in campus construction and capital projects. Support faculty seeking to include sustainability topics in their courses through curricular development, guest lectures, guided field explorations, and other means.
• Pursue and implement external funding opportunities for sustainability and other departments under the Dean of Strategic Planning & Academic Resources, in collaboration with the Office of Advancement, the Grants Office, and other relevant departments.
• Communicate ongoing initiatives and successes in the areas of Strategic Planning and Sustainability in collaboration with the Communications Office and Office of Advancement.
• Provide thought leadership for sustainability in higher education through articles, conference presentations, and collaboration with other colleges and NGOs.
• Stay current on emerging trends, technologies, and strategies for campus planning, accessibility, climate action, social responsibility, resource conservation, and energy management.
• Other relevant duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 7 to 10 years of progressively responsible work experience required. Master’s degree in related field preferred.
• Self-starter willing to take initiative, work independently, and manage through uncertainty.
• Strong understanding of project management, and ability to balance multiple competing priorities effectively.
• Familiarity with and experience in campus planning, sustainability, environmental management, and energy efficiency.
• A team player with demonstrated ability to work with a wide variety of constituencies including faculty, students, staff and administrators.
• Strong listening, facilitation, and communication skills.

Special Instructions to Applicants
To complete your on-line application, you will be required to attach your resume, cover letter, and contact information for 3 professional references. All attachments must be in PDF format. Review of applications will begin immediately. If you have any questions, please contact Human Resources, 845-437-5820.

For full consideration applicants should apply by:

All applicants must apply online at: https://employment.vassar.edu/postings/3056.



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