A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should outline your interest and relevant experience. For questions about the search process, contact University of Michigan Talent Acquisition at talent.acquisition@umich.edu. Nominations are welcome and will be held in strict confidence.

The Office of Campus Sustainability and Innovation (OCSI) leads the University of Michigan's carbon neutrality strategy, collaborating across the institution to translate priorities-like long-term energy systems resilience and building efficiency-into funded projects and measurable results. The Assistant Vice President for Carbon Strategy facilitates leadership decision-making regarding project prioritization, sequencing, and funding strategies. In doing so, the AVP effectively connects strategic projects and capital planning with financial strategies, governance processes, stakeholder engagement, and energy resilience goals. 

Reporting to Shana S. Weber, Ph.D., Associate Vice President for Campus Sustainability and Innovation, the AVP is a senior leader within U-M's Business & Finance (B&F) organization and OCSI. The role provides strategic and technical leadership across multiple concurrent initiatives. You will lead the OCSI engineering and data analytics teams while coordinating closely with the OCSI lead team, the Utilities group within Facilities & Operations, the B&F Finance team, the Office of Planning and Strategic Initiatives, and other executive and operational stakeholders. Working across these partners, the AVP builds investment cases for major initiatives and establishes the performance framework used to manage delivery and verify outcomes.

The successful candidate will bring a proven track record of leading energy transition initiatives from strategy through planning and delivery-including electrification, thermal system conversions, district energy modernization, major maintenance integration, or equivalent infrastructure decarbonization programs. Because this expertise forms the foundation of the role, the ideal candidate will arrive ready to leverage their established industry knowledge immediately. Success requires strong enterprise change management leadership, sound judgment, and the ability to establish trust and communicate with credibility across technical, operational, and governance audiences.

• Location / Work Model: Primarily Ann Arbor, Michigan, with system-wide coordination including Flint and Dearborn campuses. Meaningful on-site presence is expected. Flexible hybrid arrangements are available based on role needs.
• Reporting Line: Reports to the Associate Vice President for Campus Sustainability and Innovation (reporting to the CFO).
• Team: Leads 12.5 FTE; two direct reports. 
• Travel: Periodic local travel for partner and stakeholder meetings, and professional network and other engagements as appropriate.
• Compensation: $200,000 - $230,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience.
• Websites: https://planetblue.umich.edu and https://ocsi.umich.edu/

View the full job description here.

• Lead U-M's portfolio roadmap to eliminate campus carbon emissions, including electrification, building efficiency modernization, and the steam-to-heating-hot-water transition, in close partnership with campus Utilities.
• Convert energy and carbon pathways into decision-grade recommendations and capital-ready business cases for executive leadership, integrating lifecycle cost, emissions impact, sequencing, and risk.
• Lead a 12.5 FTE implementation team and energy management portfolio, with direct accountability for program performance and outcomes.
• Manage external partnerships with utilities, municipalities (including the City of Ann Arbor), state partners, and peer institutions, and coordinate alignment across the Ann Arbor, Dearborn, and Flint campuses.
• Lead enterprise strategic initiatives that connect sustainability priorities with large-scale financial and capital planning.
• Oversee portfolio performance tracking and Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions accounting, and advise the AVPCSI and CFO leadership team on carbon neutrality implementation.

• Proven track record of directly leading large-scale energy transition or decarbonization programs.
• Hands-on experience driving the modernization of complex energy infrastructure systems, including but not limited to: 
  •  District Energy System Modernization (e.g., steam to hot water)
  • Campus or Portfolio Electrification (large-scale or organization-wide programs)
  • Thermal Infrastructure Modernization (geoexchange, thermal storage, heat recovery)
  • Building Portfolio Energy Efficiency Improvements (at an institutional or municipal scale)
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (such as engineering, sustainable systems, urban planning, etc.), or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional capital and operational initiatives involving technical, financial, and operational stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience building investment cases for capital projects integrating lifecycle cost, emissions outcomes, and short- and long-term risk tradeoffs.
• Demonstrated experience leading staff and managing budgets, including direct supervision and accountability for program performance and outcomes.

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, the University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include: 

• Generous time off 
• A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting 
• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance 
• Life insurance 
• Long-term disability coverage 
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.