Assistant Director of Sustainability

POSITION OBJECTIVE

The Assistant Director of Sustainability provides strategic leadership, direction, and implementation oversight for campus sustainability initiatives at Case Western Reserve University. This role is responsible for advancing the university's strategic sustainability vision through the development, execution, and continuous improvement of policies, programs, and practices that enhance environmental performance, support institutional priorities, and strengthen the university's reputation as a sustainability leader.

• Strategic Initiatives and Institutional Projects:
  Leads and manages high-impact, cross-functional strategic sustainability initiatives that support the university's Climate Action Plan and long-term sustainability goals. Conducts strategic research, feasibility assessments, and cost‑benefit analyses to inform institutional decision‑making and set standard operating procedures. Develops business cases, recommendations, and implementation plans for initiatives such as infrastructure improvements, resource conservation projects, and sustainability-focused capital investments. Identifies and pursues external funding opportunities, including grants and partnerships, and oversees proposal development, implementation, and reporting.
  
  Serves as a key contributor to institutional sustainability planning efforts, aligning initiatives with broader campus strategies and priorities. (20%)
• Lead University Materials Management Program - Lead the strategic development, implementation, and continuous improvement of a university-wide materials management and waste reduction program. Establishes long-term goals, performance metrics, and operational standards aligned with institutional sustainability objectives. Provides strategic oversight and coordination with Facilities Services, Custodial Services, Dining Services, Housing, and other partners to implement best practices and drive program performance, cost savings and improved environmental metrics.
  
  Manages vendor relationships, including performance evaluation, contract alignment, and identification of innovation opportunities. Analyzes waste and diversion data to inform strategic decision‑making, cost optimization, and regulatory and reporting to state and local government. Leads and advances initiatives such as waste audits, training programs for staff and faculty, composting programs, zero‑waste efforts, national benchmarking participation, and student move‑out donation programs. Serves as a campus‑wide strategic resource, advising departments on sustainable materials management practices and supporting zero‑waste events and initiatives.
  
  Oversees infrastructure assessments and recommends strategic improvements to systems, signage, and user experience. (20%)
• Student Engagement and Leadership Development Strategy Lead:
  Leads the strategic design, implementation, and evaluation of student engagement initiatives, including the Sustainability Ambassador Internship Program. Develops a high-impact experiential learning framework that aligns student work with institutional sustainability priorities. Recruits, trains, and supervises approximately 12 student employees annually, providing strategic direction, mentorship, and professional development. Cultivates student leadership and facilitates cross‑functional collaboration between students and university departments on applied sustainability projects.
  
  Expands and enhances opportunities for student involvement in sustainability initiatives, events, and campaigns to increase institutional impact and student learning outcomes. (20%)
• Benchmarking and Reporting:
  Directs institutional benchmarking and reporting efforts, including sustainability rating systems and the university's greenhouse gas inventory. Translates data into actionable insights to inform strategic planning, operational improvements, and leadership decision‑making. Identifies and implements data systems, tools, and process improvements to enhance reporting capabilities and operational efficiency. Manages the sustainability budget and related programs, events, and strategic initiatives as well as requesting…