Jobs UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO 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 disciplines. 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 disciplines, 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.

CU Boulder encourages accomplished, high-profile, visionary leaders with the following qualifications to apply to become the university’s inaugural VCS:

Sustainability Expertise: In-depth knowledge of sustainability challenges and the landscape of state, federal, and global sustainability research and implementation and experience working with diverse local, regional, national, and global environmental, sustainability, and energy experts and constituents. Advanced degree in a sustainability-related field, such as environmental studies, natural science, engineering or policy, environmental law, or environmental communication, with demonstrated understanding of how to conduct, lead, and/or coordinate research in sustainability-related fields, preferred.

Strategic Leadership: Demonstrated leadership and managerial experience and outstanding leadership qualities, including the ability to 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 strategic planning, assessment, and execution within a large, complex organization.

Stakeholder Management & Influencing: Experience working in a university setting or other 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.

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.

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.