Program Director - The National Sustainability Learning Network

The Institute for Sustainable Communities is seeking a Program Director to join our US Programs, Climate and Environment Team. This new position will have primary responsibility for the implementation and management of a National Sustainability Learning Network. The network is designed to ensure that US Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Sustainable Communities grantees achieve significant and lasting results, and that those results advance economic prosperity, social equity and environmental sustainability. The Program Director will have primary responsibility for the management of the project including the people, partnerships and budget. The Program Director will report directly to ISC’s Vice President for US Programs.

The successful candidate for this position will ideally bring to the position previous experience with sustainable development at the local/urban level including work for a local or regional government entity; technical expertise in one or more elements of sustainable community development (e.g. smart growth, low carbon transportation, affordable housing, transit-oriented development); and proven project management experience, preferably with experience managing a large, complex U. S. government funded project.

Organization Description

ISC is an independent non-profit organization that combines expertise in leadership, institutional development, and community capacity building with environmental and resource efficiency experience, taking a result-oriented, business-minded approach to improving people’s lives and the earth’s ecosystem. Our current areas of programmatic growth include helping communities become more resource efficient and transition to low-carbon economy; strengthening democratic institutions and citizen participation; and supporting sustainable community development – particularly in areas recovering from natural disasters or vulnerable to climate disruption. With our headquarters in Montpelier, Vermont, and offices in China, Macedonia, Serbia, Kosovo, and Washington, DC, ISC has an international staff of approximately 75 people and an annual budget of approximately $14M. Since our founding in 1991 by former Vermont Governor Madeleine M. Kunin, ISC has led transformative community-driven projects in 23 countries across the globe.

Responsibilities

• Management of the National Sustainability Learning Network project including its people, partnerships and budget
• Primary point of contact with project partners and sponsors including HUD and EPA
• Leadership of a program team, providing direction and day to day supervision to team members
• Development of key components of Sustainable Communities Leadership Academies (in-person workshops and peer-to-peer learning) including program curriculum
• Oversight of The Smart Growth America (SGA) program elements, assuring that deliverables and milestones are met
• Work collaboratively with program partners, HUD, and HUD grantees in the development and delivery of appropriate, tailored trainings
• Provide technical support to ISC’s programs domestically and internationally, as required
• Develop and manage program budget
• Develop and manage project work plan
• Manage program for results, assuming overall accountability and measuring outcomes through systemic monitoring and evaluation
• Manage program sub-contractors
• Ensure program deliverables and deadlines are met

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Broad knowledge of and experience with sustainable development at the local/urban scale, preferably including experience working for a local or regional government entity
• Experience with community-based programs designed to increase energy efficiency, and promote climate adaptation or mitigation
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills
• Strong research and analytical skills
• Good budgeting skills
• Strong work ethic, personal integrity
• Ability to work productively with diverse individuals from disparate backgrounds
• Ability to work positively and effectively both as a leader and as a member of cross-functional work teams
• Ability to work as a highly productive independent contributor when necessary
• Ability to provide leadership and project management for team projects, prioritizing work assignments and managing to appropriate deadlines
• Flexibility and willingness to adapt to changing priorities and ability to meet deadlines
• Proficient in use of Microsoft Office suite, data processing, email, Internet browsers, and other software

Working Conditions

Position requires working in an office setting and some travel

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a related field
• Five years of relevant professional experience, preferably as a sustainability director or manager for a local government or other large institution
• Project design and implementation experience
• Willingness and ability to travel
• Commitment to the ISC mission and goals

To Apply

Submit resume, cover letter and salary history to jobs@iscvt.org with last name, first initial and position title in the subject line. Resumes will be reviewed on a rolling basis and only applicants selected for an interview will be notified.

ISC is an equal opportunity employer.