Director, Sea-Level Investigation and Management

Title: Director, Sea-Level Investigation and Management (SLIM)

Location:Cambridge, MA

Employees work in a hybrid mode

Full-time

Work Format: Hybrid

Harvard Job Function: General Administration

Union: 00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Salary Grade: 060

Department: University Initiatives & Institutes

FLSA Status: Exempt

Job Description:

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join Harvard University Central Administration?

Harvard University's Central Administration (CADM) is a 5,000+ employee organization that supports the university's overall excellence by understanding and serving the needs of its schools, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities. Through dynamic and collaborative partnerships, CADM provides high-quality and efficient services to the schools to help them achieve their goals.

Job Description

Harvard’s program on Sea-Level Investigation and Management explores storage of water on and under land at volumes that matter for global sea level, and what such storage is worth. Candidate measures include stabilizing over-pumped aquifers, injecting water into deep geologic formations, and diverting seawater into below-sea-level depressions. Any of these may prove technically impossible, economically infeasible, or too costly to society. Existing knowledge does not permit dismissing them, however, and the program’s work is to establish which can be responsibly pursued.

We seek a Director to co-lead the program with the Faculty Director. Reporting to the Executive Director, with a dotted line to the Faculty Director of the Salata Institute, the Director will bring a deep understanding of water management and hydrology to the program's strategy and direction: building, convening, and engaging a consortium of investigators at Harvard and other universities; building the program's working relationships with industry — the operators of large-scale water treatment, conveyance, and injection systems whose facilities and expertise the research depends on; convening scientists, engineers, government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and affected communities in the United States and internationally; developing and executing a fundraising strategy that grows the program beyond its founding gift; and directing the program's operations, communications, and finances.

This is a senior position with broad authority over program strategy and execution. This is a benefits-eligible, one-year term position with the possibility of extension. 

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

• Build the consortium. Recruit principal investigators across universities; structure and manage subawards; set milestones with the Faculty Director and track delivery against them.
• Convene. Design and run workshops and other convenings that connect academic investigators with the organizations that operate large-scale water treatment, conveyance, and injection systems, and with the government agencies that would host or regulate storage; cultivate and manage relationships with all pertinent stakeholders.
• Fundraise. Develop prospects among foundations, philanthropists, and international partners; draft proposals and briefing materials; steward existing donors.
• Communicate. Direct the program’s website and publications, including briefing notes, program reports, and op-eds; represent SLIM within the University and to external audiences.
• Operate. Oversee budgeting, financial reporting, events, and risk management, drawing on HUCE administrative support; monitor accounts and inform strategic decisions about spending.
• Contribute to the research. Participate in the program’s research discussions and co-author briefing notes, reports, and papers within the candidate’s area of expertise.

Working Conditions:  

• The position is based on the Harvard University campus, with the option to work remotely one day per week.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications are the minimum requirements a candidate must meet to be considered for this role.

• Advanced degree in earth science, engineering, economics, public policy, or a related field.
• Ten or more years of relevant professional experience.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Ph.D. preferred.
• A record of building and leading — a research program, a technical organization, a venture, or an equivalent record of intellectual leadership within a larger institution.
• A demonstrated ability to raise funds.
• Technical fluency sufficient to engage credibly with hydrogeologists, reservoir engineers, economists, and infrastructure operators.
• Experience developing international partnerships; experience in the Middle East or North Africa is valuable.
• Strong writing skills.
• A collaborative style suited to working with faculty, advisors, and administrators across a decentralized university

Additional Information

• Appointment End Date: This is a benefits-eligible, one-year term position with the possibility for extension
• Visa Sponsorship: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Harvard University requires pre-employment reference and background screenings: Identity and Education
• Other Information:
  •  Depending on qualifications, the position may be paired with an unpaid research affiliation at the Harvard University Center for the Environment.
  • Applications require a cover letter and resume
  • This position will have a 3-month orientation and review period. 

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 060.

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to: 

• Generous paid time off including parental leave 
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one 
• Retirement plans with university contributions 
• Wellbeing and mental health resources 
• Support for families and caregivers 
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement 
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks