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New York University
ADMINISTRATIVE/PROFESSIONAL POSITION DESCRIPTION
Department Number/Name
Division of Operations, New York University
Unit
02 - EXECUTIVE VICE
PRESIDENT
Division
Object Code
100
Current Position Grade
Current Position Title
Manager – Sustainability
Initiatives
Date Position Last Evaluated
3-2007
NYU ID
FLSA Status
Reports to Name (1)
Reports to Name (2)
Approved By
Reports to Title (1)
Assistant Vice President – Strategic Initiatives and
Communications
Reports to Title (2)
1. Position Summary
What is the main purpose of this position? Why does it exist? (e.g., to administer client database; to create marketing strategies; to
provide administrative support to department of 6 people, etc.)
The Manager of Sustainability Initiatives, under the direction of the Assistant Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Communications,
will develop strategic goals over a multi-year horizon that reflect the University’s priorities and agenda set by the Senior Vice Presidents
for University Relations & Public Affairs and the Division of Operations. The Manager will oversee the content and direction of
sustainability projects administered by the University community outside of Operations in partnership with the appropriate functional
owners (Sustainability, Energy & Technical Services, Office of Construction Management, etc.) to ensure their consistency with University
and Operations policies and priorities. The Manager will lead projects and prepare reports and recommendations related to the
Sustainability Task Force and Green Grants program, as well as the University’s overall sustainability effort. The Manager will represent
NYU by taking an active role in regional and national sustainability groups. The Manager will work in collaborative partnership with other
key Operations groups, including Sustainability, Energy & Technical Services, Facilities Management, Office of Construction
management, Dining Services, and others, to ensure recommended strategies and initiatives are implemented consistent with operations
objectives, priorities and resource constraints.
2. Principal Accountabilities
What are the major responsibilities of this position? List the what, how and why of each responsibility and provide examples, as
necessary. Use specific verbs of action, such as "manages", "operates", "analyzes", "files", etc. Indicate % of time spent on each. Please
arrange accountabilities in descending order of importance.
Work with Senior Vice Presidents to advance strategic course for the Task Force and
overall sustainability effort. Propose and follow up on ongoing collaborations with
NYU schools and departments, government offices, peer institutions, and external
sustainability groups. Provide research and advice to Senior Vice Presidents on
sustainability efforts in relation to NYU 2031, NYU-Poly, NYU Abu Dhabi, and other
major university initiatives.
Manage overall direction and progress of the Sustainability Task Force and its
subcommittees. Work with Task Force chairs and Working Group chairs to set
agendas, develop recommendations, and coordinate work products. Represent the
Task Force in planning and committee meetings and to internal and external
constituents for a variety of projects and initiatives, such as the Mayoral Climate
Challenge, ACUPCC, etc.
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25
Develop and manage ongoing and ad hoc projects, including the Environmental
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Assessment, Green Grants and Sustainability Advocates. Work with other University
administrative units to coordinate smooth progression of RFP process for, and
implementation of, Green Grants projects. Handle high-level consultations with
prospective applicants and grantees to optimize productive collaborations.
Manage public outreach efforts related to sustainability topics. Work with the Office
of Public Affairs on ongoing press strategy to publicize the work of the Task Force
and Operations. Serve as public face of NYU Sustainability as requested in
responding to media requests and representing the University at conferences and
meetings.
Draft and edit reports, including the annual Task Force reports, Environmental
Assessment, and other written submissions required for internal and external
reporting. Complete and submit surveys requested by external groups. Ensure
reports, papers and surveys meet expected quality and accuracy standards and
required deadlines.
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10
3. Breadth of Responsibility
The degree to which this position impacts the organization and its employees. For what is this position responsible?
This position will play an instrumental role in the University’s sustainability agenda and visibility thereof. This position will be responsible
for ensuring that NYU is a recognized leader in the sustainability arena.
4. Autonomy/Problem Solving & Decision Making
The degree to which this position is subject to the policies and procedures of management; types of decisions made by this position, and
those referred to the next level.
This position will need to be able to evaluate strategies that will result in meaningful improvements in the University’s operations related to
sustainability objectives working within inevitable resource constraints. The ability to prioritize to maximize benefits relative to risks and
costs will be key to setting the sustainability agenda. This position will need to understand the University’s organizational structure,
processes and policies to guide Green Grant project managers in the successful implementation of their projects. This position will need
to identify hurdles and obstacles to achieving goals and appropriately escalate them for resolution.
5. Requirements
Required Education Bachelor’s Degree
Required Experience The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in environmental studies, energy management or other
related field.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Excellent written and communication skills; demonstrated history of problem solving and
initiative; strong interpersonal skills, including active listening and persuasion skills; multi-task oriented with strong analytical and
organizational skills
6. Critical Challenges/ Unique Knowledge & Skills
What are the critical challenges of this position? What unique knowledge and competencies are needed to successfully perform the
requirements of this position (e.g., demonstrated leadership, specific educational requirement or technical training, etc)?
The public nature of this position requires a person that possesses poise and that understands and can consistently communicate official
University positions.
7. Organization Chart
(Separate document attached to Position in system)
8. Scope Data
(for this position only)
Does this position have a supervisory role (functional or administrative)? Administrative and Functional
Administrative Supervision Exercised over selected Object Codes Work-study students
Administrative Supervision Exercised over how many employees? 4-6
Functional Supervision Exercised over selected Object Codes This position administers the Sustainability Advocates
program, which consists primarily of Code 100 and Code 106 employees throughout the schools and units. This position
also oversees project managers for Green Grant projects, typically Code 100 employees.
Functional Supervision Exercised over how many employees? More than 100
Total Budget Employee will be responsible for This position will administer the Sustainability Fund of $250,000 annually