The posting
Position Title:
Director of Sustainability
Work Type:
Full time
Location:
Swarthmore College
Approved Location Type:
On Campus
Department:
Work Shift:
Day Shift (United States of America)
The Opportunity:
The Director of Sustainability serves as the primary strategic and operational leader for Swarthmore College’s sustainability vision and programs. This position is responsible for integrating sustainability into all facets of the College’s mission—including teaching and learning, operations, and campus culture.
Essential Responsibilities:
Leadership & Program Administration
- Define and execute a strategic vision that establishes Swarthmore as a recognized leader in institutional sustainability and environmental stewardship.
- Develop short- and long-term sustainability goals, objectives, and actionable implementation plans in collaboration with campus stakeholders.
- Serve as the primary spokesperson and central resource for Swarthmore’s sustainability initiatives to both internal audiences and external communities.
- Chair sustainability-related committees and working groups to facilitate cross-campus collaboration in support of sustainability goals.
- Engage leaders across campus departments to cultivate alignment and support for sustainability efforts.
- Manage the day-to-day operations, budget, and overall administration of the Office of Sustainability.
- Recruit, supervise, evaluate, and mentor professional staff, fellows, and student workers.
Operations, Infrastructure & Decarbonization
- Partner with Facilities Management in close collaboration with the Associate Vice President for Sustainable Facilities Operations and Capital Planning to infuse sustainability principles into capital projects, land use, and new construction or major renovations.
- Support facilities partners and leadership in implementing Swarthmore’s To Zero By Thirty-Five (20X35) energy master plan to eliminate fossil fuel combustion and achieve carbon neutrality by 2035.
- Partner across departments to advance sustainability in energy management, grounds stewardship (including Crum Woods), waste management, dining, procurement, and other areas.
- Oversee the continued implementation, evaluation, and evolution of Swarthmore’s internal Carbon Charge Program and Scope 3 emissions reduction plans as part of the College’s approach to climate action.
Academic, Student & Community Engagement
- Consult and collaborate with the Provost and faculty to support the integration of sustainability into the academic curriculum and research.
- Direct the President’s Sustainability Research Fellowship (PSRF) program and provide strategic oversight for Green Advisors, Sustainability Advocates, internships, and other co-curricular student sustainability initiatives.
- Collaborate with the Vice President for Advancement and Advancement staff to support fundraising efforts for sustainability initiatives.
- Support civic and regional partnerships with local municipalities, neighboring institutions, and community organizations around environmental justice, local resilience, and shared sustainability goals.
- Maintain relationships with national higher education sustainability networks, such as AASHE and Second Nature, and manage reporting frameworks like AASHE STARS.
Supervisory Responsibilities
- Associate Director of Sustainability
- Sustainability Coordinator
- Sustainability Fellow
Who you are:
Core Competencies
- Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills with an ability to translate technical concepts to diverse academic and administrative audiences.
- Proven capacity to build consensus, foster trust, and work collaboratively across campus constituencies, including students, faculty, staff, alumni, and board members.
- Ability to set goals, bring about positive institutional change, and manage environmental initiatives in a higher education setting.
- Strong managerial skillset with a track record of developing and supporting diverse, high-performing professional staff and student leaders.
- Demonstrated understanding of the intersectionality between climate change, social justice, and environmental equity, and a commitment to embedding equity into sustainability work.
What you bring:
Required Qualifications
- Master’s degree or other advanced graduate degree in Sustainability, Environmental Studies/Science, Environmental Engineering, Urban Planning, Public Policy, or a closely related field. Ph.D. preferred but not required.
- At least five years of progressively responsible experience in sustainability leadership, environmental management, or climate action implementation, preferably within higher education, non-profit management, or complex institutional settings.
- Demonstrated track record of coordinating and managing complex projects with competing objectives and multiple stakeholders.
- Deep understanding of economic, environmental, and social sustainability frameworks, as well as decarbonization strategies, building standards, and waste reduction systems.
- Mature judgment, discretion, adaptability, and the capacity to manage multiple priority projects independently under changing operational demands.
The market range for this position is $175,000-$195,000 per year, which represents the College’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range at the time of posting. The salary offered is determined based on factors including, but not limited to, experience and education of the final selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information.
PA Criminal Clearance Required
Swarthmore College requires a PA Criminal background check for all staff positions prior to the start of employment.
Education Verification Required by Position
An education verification is required for this position because a college degree is a required qualification for this position.
Applications received are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. An optional cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position is preferred. If you have experience that meets any of the preferred qualifications, please include a detailed explanation of any such experience in your cover letter and how it meets the preferred qualification(s).
We offer benefit plans starting at zero cost! Upon benefit eligibility, the College contributes 10% of an employee’s salary to their retirement account. Employees are 100% vested in their accounts on the date participation begins.
Swarthmore Benefits and Programs
Retirement Plans
Tuition Grant Program
Tuition Reimbursement Program
Paid Time Off (Staff)
Holiday Schedule
Swarthmore College is committed to creating a culture of respect and inclusion so that every member of our community feels a sense of belonging. We actively seek and welcome candidates with diverse perspectives and experiences, exceptional qualifications, and a demonstrable commitment to a more inclusive society and world. Swarthmore College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on any identity or characteristic protected by law or College Policy.
