Associate Vice Chancellor for Sustainability
Requisition Number:
64541
Location:
Boulder, Colorado
City
Boulder
State
Colorado
Employment Type:
University Staff
Schedule:
Full-Time
Posting Close Date:
26-May-2025
Date Posted:
16-May-2025
Job Summary
The academic, research, and physical ecosystem at CU Boulder is the ideal environment for a sustainability leader to leverage CU Boulder’s incredible assets. With top-tier research infrastructure, exceptional faculty and students, a unique location on the Front Range, and a community deeply committed to sustainability, CU Boulder is well-positioned to be a preeminent global leader in sustainability. CU Boulder seeks an Associate Vice Chancellor for Sustainability (AVCS) with a strong track record and reputation in advancing solutions to the global challenges of climate change and sustainability. The AVCS will be the deputy leader of sustainability at CU Boulder, serving as second in command and leader of an integral support system for the Vice Chancellor of Sustainability (VCS) and efforts toward an interdisciplinary, inclusive, and broad approach by advancing solutions on campus and across Colorado, the U.S., and the globe.
Reporting directly to the VCS, the AVCS is charged with providing key high-quality support in enhancing CU Boulder’s global reputation and impact as a transformative leader in sustainability. The AVCS will assist in leading all sustainability efforts in collaboration with the VCS, the university’s executive leadership, faculty, students, staff, and external constituents and will collaborate with colleagues to build and cultivate national, tribal, and global partnerships with public and private entities. The AVCS will support advancing the university’s strategy for collaborative sustainability and resilience research both on campus and with other institutions. Additionally, the AVCS will play a key role in developing the university’s comprehensive planning, implementation, tracking, and fundraising for sustainability goals and will help drive the creation of a culture of sustainability and environmentally conscious decision making within the university.
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Who We Are
The University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) is a leading comprehensive graduate public research university and one of only 38 public research institutions in the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group of institutions recognized as America’s leading research universities. CU Boulder ranks as the #20 top university granting U.S. patents, the top 50 university for NSF research funding, and the first university to achieve a STARS Gold rating for sustainability. 136 CU Boulder based startups have raised $3.8B. CU Boulder is the #1 public university for NASA awards and has been a home to, or affiliated with, 3 U.S. Supreme Court Justices, 5 Nobel Prize winners, 5 National Medal of Science winners, 9 MacArthur genius grant fellows, 51 members of the National Academy, 18 Boulder-affiliated astronauts, and since 2006, 51 Fulbright fellows.
Sustainability at CU Boulder
For more than half a century, CU Boulder has been a leader in climate and energy research, interdisciplinary environmental studies, and a wide range of related fields! Building on that legacy, CU Boulder advances sustainability on campus and beyond through its research and academic mission, sustainable operational practices, and its campus and community engagement efforts.
CU Boulder is located at the base of the Rocky Mountains and home to the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute (RASEI), Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES), and Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR).
This nexus of university expertise is at the heart of one of the nation’s top environmentally focused ecosystems. This ecosystem is sustained by strong collaboration and a shared devotion to environmental sustainability among the university, the city of Boulder, its residents, and local federal research labs and entities, including the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the Colorado-Wyoming Climate Resilience Engine, and the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON). The city of Boulder also has a strong entrepreneurial culture that successfully fosters creative solutions in the private sector, including for renewable energy technologies, information technologies, organic food, and outdoor recreation.
The university exemplifies leadership in sustainability through both its academic offerings and research efforts. Sustainability themes are increasingly woven into courses across subject areas, underscoring a deep institutional commitment to environmental education. The university offers multiple relevant degrees and certificates, including environmental justice and a Master’s of the Environment professional degree. At the same time, faculty drive innovation through sustainability-focused research, reinforcing CU Boulder’s position at the forefront of the field. This reputation is further bolstered by the university’s earth and atmospheric sciences programs, ranked first and second globally (2023 ShanghaiRanking). Building on these core strengths, CU Boulder excels across disciplines—spanning communication, design, environmental studies, Indigenous studies, law, geography, psychology, social sciences, and the arts and humanities—establishing itself as a global leader in sustainability through a truly interdisciplinary approach.
Additionally, CU Boulder is in the process of hiring an Executive Director for the newly established Sustainability Research Initiative (SRI), a strategic effort to advance research in sustainability and resilience. The SRI will drive interdisciplinary research and innovation by uniting the university’s expertise in earth sciences, engineering, energy, environmental policy and ethics, business, and more. These endeavors highlight CU Boulder’s unwavering commitment to advancing just and equitable climate solutions for a sustainable future.
CU Boulder leadership is committed to achieving carbon neutrality and implementing its Climate Action Plan, which was adopted in the spring of 2024. The university is reducing greenhouse gas emissions by implementing energy efficiency improvements and promoting renewable energy sources, while actively engaging its constituencies to identify and pursue diverse strategies for achieving its goals. CU Boulder encourages community involvement and student participation in sustainability through forums, showcases, and summits, fostering a culture of environmental stewardship and innovation.
Notable Firsts:
CU Boulder was the first university to create a student-led Environmental Center, launch a student-led campus recycling program, purchase renewable energy credits, fuel campus vehicles completely with biodiesel, provide students with a comprehensive bus pass, build an NCAA Division 1 zero-waste athletics program, achieve a STARS gold rating, be named Sierra Club’s #1 greenest school (AAU), and claim a carbon neutral student government and athletics program.
The first institution of higher education to earn a STARS Gold rating, CU Boulder has continued to do so since then in recognition of its sustainability achievements from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). The university has the goal of achieving STARS Platinum within two reporting cycles. STARS, the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System, measures and encourages sustainability in all aspects of higher education.
What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
Strategic Leadership:
- Support the enhancement of CU Boulder’s influence and impact as a global leader in sustainability, facilitating its role in shaping local, state, national, and international dialogues, actions, and policies in sustainability and climate resilience.
- Assist in managing a coherent, campus-wide sustainability portfolio by coordinating strategic alliances and research partnerships, championing academic collaborations and student sustainability activities, advising on campus operations and the implementation of the CU Boulder Climate Action Plan, integrating best research practices and Indigenous knowledge into campus planning and design, and playing a lead role in sustainability-related communications, events, and fundraising priorities.
- Assist in developing and implementing structures to enhance collaboration and coordination on all sustainability-related work across the CU Boulder campus.
- Partner with university leadership and CU Boulder communications teams to develop and implement communications, marketing, and events aimed at building CU Boulder’s brand as a sustainability leader and raising internal and external awareness of, and support for, campus sustainability programs and activities.
- Support the VCS in leading the development of partnerships with peer academic institutions, local, state, regional, and national entities, federal agencies, the United Nations, national laboratories, foundations, non-governmental organizations, and corporate partners to identify key sustainability initiatives that will accelerate implementation of sustainable practices through collaborative efforts involving innovation, research, and policy that will establish CU Boulder as a global hub for sustainability.
- Pursue funding opportunities for sustainable initiatives from various state, federal, and non-governmental organizations and agencies. Support Advancement staff in prioritizing, cultivating, and growing fundraising and philanthropic outcomes.
- Actively model the competence and confidence required to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion within sustainability efforts. In collaboration with DEI colleagues, enable the integration of multi-cultural sustainability values and practices, as sustainability integrates ecological knowledge with equity and economics on topics such as a just transition and climate justice.
- Provide public insight to CU Boulder’s performance with regard to the Climate Action Plan and sustainability goals by tracking and reporting against key timelines and objectives, as well as by connecting this mission with university values and interdisciplinary research.
Engagement & Promotion of University Education & Research Priorities:
- Collaborate with faculty leaders to enhance the integration and scaling of sustainability and climate-related academic courses, programs, and degrees in support of the CU Boulder “Sustainable Futures” common curriculum. In this work, maintain a focus on high-impact learning opportunities and career paths for current and future students that support emerging sustainability-related fields, solutions, and industries, meeting society’s state and global long- term climate resilience needs.
- Assist faculty leaders in promoting broad perspectives of sustainability in teaching from across the campus and academic fields, including the humanities, arts, sciences, business, engineering, and other fields of knowledge.
- Collaborate with university leaders to identify and prioritize areas for campus sustainability efforts, including working with deans, institute and center directors, shared governance leaders, the CU Boulder Environmental Center, and Native American engagement leaders to coordinate academic initiatives, plan and develop short- and long-range programs, and foster sustainability broadly across campus units, including initiatives related to climate justice, a just transition, and environmental justice.
- Lead and support committees and groups that advance sustainability on and off campus.
- Collaborate with the leaders from across campus to promote sustainability research partnerships.
Operations:
- Assist in leading the university in sustainability efforts on campus, including the development and implementation of innovative ways to increase operational efficiency and reduce consumption in facilities, energy, and water usage, while enhancing the impacts of sustainable practices and renewable energy technologies in university transportation services, supply chain management, recycling, composting, and waste reduction.
- In collaboration with Native American affairs colleagues, enable the integration of Indigenous knowledge with sustainability values and practices into the institution’s planning processes, including the management of its resources and operations, facilities planning and design, research activities, curriculum, and the life of the university beyond its research and academic work.
- Assist in the development, refinement, and implementation of repeatable environmental and sustainability assessment and/or rating systems in alignment with national and global standard methodologies (e.g., STARS, United Nations SDGs, etc.).
- Partner with key campus leaders to ensure the success of the Climate Action Plan and CU Boulder’s transition to net zero emissions.
What You Should Know
- This position works in a hybrid format, with some in person and some remote work.
What We Can Offer
- The annual salary range is $203,200 - $254,000.
Benefits
The University of Colorado offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO Pass. The University of Colorado Boulder is one of the largest employers in Boulder County and offers an inspiring higher education environment. Learn more about the University of Colorado Boulder.
Be Statements
Be challenged. Be unique. Be Boulder.
What We Require
CU Boulder encourages accomplished leaders with the following qualifications to apply to become the university’s AVCS:
- Sustainability Expertise: In-depth knowledge of sustainability challenges and the landscape of state, federal, and global sustainability implementation and minimum 6 years' experience working with diverse local, regional, national, and global environmental, sustainability, and energy experts and constituents. Advanced degree (or equivalent additional, related experience may substitute) in a sustainability- related field, such as environmental studies, natural science, engineering or policy, environmental law, or environmental communication in sustainability-related fields, preferred. Proven track record, education and/or expertise in a deep technical sustainability field (e.g. transportation, buildings, energy) with demonstrated experience and accomplishments, coupled with ability to apply solutions across sustainability fields and realize comprehensive solutions that integrate multiple technical pillars. Experience with ecosystem catalysts (eg incubators, accelerators) in moving ideas from lab to market.
- Strategic Leadership: Demonstrated leadership and managerial experience and leadership qualities, including the ability to help set and pursue a strategic vision for sustainability at CU Boulder. Proven capacity to oversee successful execution of large-scale collaborative initiatives and experience in planning, assessment, and execution within a large, complex organization. Track record of independently building, funding and leading teams to deliver complex solutions.
- Collaborator Management & Influencing: Experience working in a large multi-dimensional organization, with numerous internal constituents, including but not limited to staff, faculty, students, committees, councils, and more. Ability to lead and foster collaboration and coordination amongst different groups. Extensive facilitation experience and ability to co-create solutions across collaborators with diverse perspectives.
- External Engagement & Communication: Proven record of accomplishment in partnership development, fundraising, and external engagement and a demonstrated history of engagement with both public and private constituents, including with tribal and government agencies, industry, nonprofits, non-governmental organizations, and private foundations, both nationally and internationally, to develop and fund sustainability initiatives. Exceptional ability to communicate effectively across diverse audiences and constituents, with experience shaping policy and translating research into action, preferred. Deep understanding of Colorado sustainability partners and collaboration experience with key research institutions.
What You Will Need
- Authenticity & Integrity: Demonstrated professional commitment to transformative leadership values (e.g., integrity, humility, accountability, care, and vulnerability) and forging authentic relationships.
- Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion: Ability to foster an inclusive and collaborative environment that balances influence and authority to achieve goals through shared equity leadership. Proven record of leading and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within large organizations and a commitment to climate justice and a just transition.
- Global Lens: A deep understanding of the local, national, and international sustainability landscapes, with the strong potential to advance CU Boulder’s national and international visibility in the sustainability space.
What We Would Like You to Have
- 15+ years' experience working with diverse local, regional, national, and global environmental, sustainability, and energy experts and constituents.
Special Instructions
To apply, please submit the following materials:
- A current resume.
- A cover letter that specifically tells us how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications, and responsibilities of the position.
We may request references at a later time.
Please apply by May 26, 2025 for consideration.
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs.
In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.
Posting Contact Information
Posting Contact Name: Boulder Campus Human Resources
Posting Contact Email: Recruiting@colorado.edu