Associate Director

Posting Details

Posting Number: PG194717EP
Internal Recruitment: No
Working Title: Associate Director
Anticipated Hiring Range: $97,000 - $102,000
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm; at least 3 days per week in the office. Occasional work travel will be required, including on the weekends.
Job Location: Raleigh, NC (NC State University Centennial Campus)
Department: State Climate Office

North Carolina has a complex climate due to its three distinct regions: the mountains, the piedmont, and the coastal plain. Climate affects many aspects of our daily lives – agriculture, environment, transportation, tourism, and natural disasters. The State Climate Office of North Carolina was established in 1976, originally at UNC-Chapel Hill, and moved to NC State University in 1980. The mission of the State Climate Office (SCO) is to provide climate related services to the state, local and federal agencies, businesses and the citizens of North Carolina.

The Office runs the NC ECONet, a network of 43 research‑grade stations located statewide. The Office specializes in research, monitoring, and education for climate‑sensitive sectors across the state.

• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Flexible Spending Account
• Retirement Programs
• Disability Plans
• Life Insurance
• Accident Plan
• Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs
• 12 Holidays Each Year
• Tuition and Academic Assistance

We’re looking for a leader who is:

• A collaborative relationship‑builder with strong communication skills
• Experienced in climate science or a related discipline
• Skilled in team leadership, project management, and strategic thinking
• Comfortable balancing administrative leadership with technical expertise
• Passionate about public service and community impact

The North Carolina State Climate Office (NC SCO) is a public service center at NC State University dedicated to serving the needs of North Carolinians by translating climate research and data into useful knowledge. This position is an exciting opportunity to help steer the NC SCO and enhance its ability and capacity to serve the people of North Carolina. The Associate Director reports to the Director and serves as both a senior administrator and subject matter expert in climate science.

• Serve as acting Director in the Director’s absence
• Help guide the NC SCO’s strategic growth and future direction
• Foster strong partnerships across state agencies, universities, and external stakeholders
• Contribute to advancing the office’s public service mission

• Build and sustain research collaborations with faculty, agencies, and partners statewide
• Support North Carolina agencies with climate expertise and applied data insights
• Deliver presentations at conferences and meetings on climate science, trends, and events
• Contribute to extension, research, and educational initiatives

• Oversee administration and successful execution of SCO projects
• Supervise a team of environmental climatologists/scientists (3 direct reports)
• Support staff development, mentorship, and annual evaluations
• Ensure compliance with NC State policies and foster a culture of accountability
• Assist in task delegation and workload prioritization across the team

• Support fundraising efforts, including grant writing and proposal development
• Cultivate partnerships to secure state and federal funding opportunities
• Develop familiarity with contract regulations governing SCO funding

• Assist with budget oversight and labor distribution management
• Coordinate with MEAS, College of Sciences, and university administration
• Engage stakeholders on project scope, funding, and deliverables

• Other tasks and responsibilities may be assigned based on the needs of the organization and evolving priorities.

• Require post‑baccalaureate credentials or a bachelor’s degree plus alternative or equivalent professional training and experience.

• Candidates should be able to function independently, have…