Careers at the University of Massachusetts Lowell

General Summary of Position:

Under the guidance of the Senior Executive Director of the Rist Institute for Sustainability and Energy, the Director of Sustainability will play a critical role in advancing UMass Lowell’s leadership in sustainability. This position is responsible for fostering external partnerships and securing grant funding to drive impactful sustainability initiatives both on campus and within the broader community.

The Director will lead efforts to engage external partners—including state agencies, industry collaborators, and nonprofit organizations—in sustainability projects that align with the University’s strategic priorities. Key external partners include MassCEC, MassEEA, MassEOED, and MassDOT, among others. Success in building and maintaining these partnerships, as well as identifying and securing grants to support sustainability programs, is essential to this role.

Primary Responsibilities:

• External Partnerships & Collaboration: Serve as a key contact for external partners interested in collaborating with UMass Lowell on sustainability initiatives. Cultivate and manage relationships with government agencies, industry partners, and community organizations to expand the university’s sustainability impact.
• Grant Writing & Fund Development: Lead efforts to secure external funding through grants and contracts. Develop proposals and collaborate with faculty, staff, and partners to identify funding opportunities that support sustainability programs and research.
• Community & Campus Engagement: Coordinate sustainability-related engagement initiatives that connect students, faculty, and external partners. Plan and execute community outreach efforts that create new opportunities for faculty research, experiential learning, and student work placements in sustainability fields.
• Rist Institute Support: Support the ongoing efforts of the Rist Institute for Sustainability and Energy by advancing the goals of key university initiatives, including the Climate Change Initiative and the Center for Energy Innovation.
• Sustainability Reporting & Compliance: Oversee core sustainability reporting requirements such as AASHE STARS, UMass System Annual Reporting, and compliance with state regulations, including those from MassDEP and MassDOER. Familiarity with asset management and surplus operations is a plus.

Minimum Qualifications (Required):

• Degree in planning, business, environmental sciences, sustainability, or a related field (Associate, Bachelor, or Master’s).
• Minimum seven years (Associate’s), five years (Bachelor’s), or 2-3 years (Master’s) of experience in related field, with a strong emphasis on building external partnerships and securing grant funding.
• Proven experience in writing and submitting grant proposals to competitive external funding programs.
• Strong understanding of sustainability principles and associated data and metrics, with experience in sustainability reporting (e.g., LEED, STARS, carbon reporting).
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate and manage partnerships with government agencies, industry collaborators, and external organizations.
• Excellent communication skills, with an ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders, including university faculty, students, and external partners.
• Ability to work independently and in a collaborative, service-oriented manner to further the university’s sustainability goals.
• Commitment to professional growth in the sustainability and external partnership sectors.

Additional Considerations:

Technology Skills:

• Proficient in technology use, including grant management platforms, data collection, reporting systems, and Microsoft Office (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint) for completing work-related tasks.
• Experience in developing data collection templates using Excel, PDF files, and web-based platforms.
• Experience with contract administration and monitoring contractors, vendors, and workers to ensure thorough and effective execution of sustainability programs.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Only Internal Professional (SEIU 888 Professional Union) Bargaining candidates will be considered during the first 10 business days of the posting. All other candidates will be considered after that period. 

This is an SEIU 888 Professional Union position, Grade P20.

Initial review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. However, the position may close when an adequate number of qualified applications is received.      

Please include a resume, cover letter and grant writing sample with your application. Names and contact information of three references will be required at the time of application.