Graham Sustainability Institute
The Graham Sustainability Institute drives real-world impact in partnership with university and external stakeholders by enhancing collaborative research, developing sustainability leaders, and informing policy and practice.
The Graham Sustainability Institute now seeks a director (.5 FTE) for the U-M Water Center. The Water Center (WC) is widely viewed as a center of excellence for engaged research benefitting non-academic partners and communities through a flexible and open-minded approach. WC's collaborative work engages faculty across U-M's schools and colleges and involves partnerships with government agencies, Tribes, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and communities that lead to policy or management actions.
The Center specializes in user-driven, inter- and trans-disciplinary work, addressing complex issues, such as climate change impacts on the Great Lakes, water affordability, and infrastructure challenges. The products of WC-led research, such as the statewide water service affordability report, are practical and designed to meet policy or management needs. Collaborators value the Center for bridging gaps between academic research and real-world policy and management, making it an essential partner for communities, governments, and NGOs.
The Water Center acts as a vital, neutral convener and connector for the campus water community and local, state and regional partners. Through the Water@Michigan initiative and other activities, the WC facilitates interactions between and among academics, governments, and communities from beyond campus. The Center is also viewed as a resource that values and invites community input and participation, and engages positively with traditionally underserved communities.
The director of the Water Center will:
- Bring an extended network in the water/sustainability community across the Great Lakes region, including but not limited to governments at all levels, non-governmental organizations, foundations, and partners at other academic institutions.
- Leverage other resources at U-M in order to extend the Water Center's reach and service to partners.
- Represent the Water Center in working with state, federal and private funding agencies, to develop projects, programs and financial resources.
- Lead the Water@Michigan steering committee in collaboration with representatives from across campus and local agency partners to benefit the campus water community and community partners from southeast Michigan and beyond.
- Work with campus partners, including faculty and staff from institutes and centers with complementary missions, to develop impactful initiatives and projects.
- Identify and pursue opportunities to engage undergraduate and graduate students in the work of the Center
The director will have experience:
- Developing program strategies and goals, directing long-term planning and developing relevant policies and procedures;
- Developing and managing large, collaborative, user-engaged research and engagement projects and programs, managing their budgets, and delivering effective products and services;
- Teaching and mentoring students in applied water sustainability project work
- Fund-raising to meet programmatic needs;
- Supervising full-time program employees, including recruiting and mentoring high caliber team member
Education and Experience: Ph.D. and 15+ years experience in a relevant field of study. Requires demonstrated ability to develop and implement innovative programs or research agenda. Significant experience in fundraising and academic administration.