Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO)

About Binghamton University

Binghamton University is a premier public R1 research institution in the State University of New York (SUNY) system that unites more than 130 broadly interdisciplinary educational programs with some of the most vibrant research in the nation. Our unique character—shaped by our mission, outstanding academics, facilities, and community life—promotes extraordinary student success, research, and service. Binghamton University is where our students, faculty, and staff thrive.

Job Description

Budget Title: Director (SL-6)

Salary: $125,000 - $150,000 (commensurate with experience)

Position Title: Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO)

The University seeks a highly strategic, visionary, and collaborative Chief Sustainability Officer to serve as the institution’s senior leader advancing sustainability, climate action, and environmental stewardship across all facets of the University.

Reporting To: Associate Vice President for Facilities Management.

Responsibilities

Executive Leadership & Strategy

• Serve as the University’s senior advisor on sustainability, climate resilience, decarbonization, environmental justice, and resource stewardship.
• Lead development, implementation, and continuous advancement of the University’s Climate Action Plan and alignment with SUNY and New York State climate goals, including EO22.
• Establish institutional sustainability goals, metrics, and accountability frameworks; ensure transparent reporting of progress.
• Embed sustainability into strategic planning, policy development, and executive decision‑making.
• Advance institutional and broader public‑sector leadership by collaborating with SUNY Central, peer campuses, and New York State agencies to remove barriers, align strategies, and accelerate progress toward statewide climate goals.

Institutional Integration & Capital Planning

• Partner with Facilities Planning, Design, and Construction to integrate sustainability, decarbonization, and resilience into capital planning, infrastructure investments, and long‑range campus development.
• Align sustainability priorities with institutional budgeting, capital planning, and lifecycle cost strategies.
• Collaborate across divisions to embed sustainability into operations, procurement, transportation, housing, dining, and auxiliary services.
• Lead and support the development, implementation, and alignment of major institutional planning frameworks—including the Facilities Master Plan (FMP), Climate and Energy Master Plan (CEMP), and the University Strategic Plan—ensuring sustainability is a core driver of institutional decision‑making.

Program Development & Implementation

• Develop and ensure implementation of comprehensive sustainability initiatives across energy efficiency and decarbonization, waste reduction, recycling, composting, circular economy/zero‑waste strategies, water conservation and utility optimization, sustainable procurement aligned with GreenNY requirements, sustainable transportation systems, biodiversity and natural resource management, and campus‑based initiatives such as community gardens and green infrastructure.
• Integrate sustainability into academic programs and curriculum in partnership with faculty and academic leadership.
• Advance innovation through pilot programs and scalable institutional solutions.

Outreach, Engagement & External Partnerships

• Develop and expand signature sustainability initiatives, including fairs, summits, speaker series, reuse programs, community clean‑ups, and planting efforts.
• Build and sustain partnerships with community organizations, government agencies, peer institutions, and industry leaders.
• Serve as a University ambassador, representing Binghamton in SUNY engagements, professional organizations, conferences, and community forums.
• Foster broad participation across students, faculty, staff, and community stakeholders.

Regulatory Compliance & System Collaboration

• Ensure compliance with Executive Order 22 (EO22), SUNY policies, GreenNY requirements, and all applicable state and federal mandates.
• Collaborate with SUNY Central, peer campuses, and New York State agencies to remove barriers, align implementation strategies, and strengthen the University’s ability to meet and exceed EO22 requirements.
• Actively engage with the GreenNY Council and its working groups, in collaboration with the NYS Office of General Services (OGS), to support EO22 compliance, contribute to statewide policy development, and advance sustainable procurement and operational practices.
• Represent Binghamton in cross‑campus and statewide working groups, advancing policy alignment and shared accountability.
• Translate evolving regulatory requirements into actionable institutional strategies.

Grant & Funding Acquisition

• Identify, pursue, and secure grants, rebates, and external funding to support sustainability initiatives and capital investments.
• Develop funding strategies that leverage public, private, and philanthropic resources aligned with institutional priorities.

Organizational Leadership & Operational Oversight

• Provide strategic oversight of the Office of Sustainability, including structure, staffing, and resource planning.
• Supervise the Deputy Chief Sustainability Officer and Sustainability Coordinator staff.
• Establish clear performance expectations and accountability structures; lead governance bodies such as the University Sustainability Committee.
• Partner with Diversity, Equity and Inclusion leadership, academic departments, and student government to ensure inclusive and equitable sustainability outcomes.

Performance Management, Reporting & Metrics

• Ensure completion and coordination of sustainability reporting, including greenhouse gas inventories, waste audits, and benchmarking via AASHE STARS and SUNY frameworks.
• Develop systems to track, benchmark, and improve performance across energy, waste, water, and emissions.
• Utilize data‑driven insights to inform strategy and investment decisions.

Academic & Research Integration

• Partner with academic leadership to advance sustainability in curriculum, research, and experiential learning.
• Support interdisciplinary initiatives that position Binghamton as a leader in climate and environmental research.
• Expand student engagement through applied, campus‑based sustainability work.

Culture, Engagement & Institutional Impact

• Champion a university‑wide culture of sustainability across operations, academics, and student life.
• Lead communications and engagement strategies that elevate sustainability as a shared institutional value.
• Position sustainability as a defining element of Binghamton’s identity and long‑term impact.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in sustainability, environmental science, engineering, public policy, planning, or a related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in sustainability, climate action, environmental management, or a related field, including leadership experience.
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior leadership and lead complex, cross‑functional initiatives.
• Knowledge of sustainability frameworks, climate policy, regulatory environments, EO22, and GreenNY requirements.
• Experience implementing large‑scale sustainability initiatives across energy, waste, water, or related systems.
• Effective communication, facilitation, and leadership skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and environmental justice.

Preferred

• Master’s degree (or higher) in a related field.
• Seven (7) or more years of progressively responsible experience in sustainability or related leadership roles.
• Experience in higher education, government, or similarly complex organizations.
• Familiarity with AASHE STARS, greenhouse gas accounting, and sustainability reporting frameworks.
• Experience integrating sustainability into capital planning and infrastructure systems.
• Professional certifications such as LEED, WELL, TRUE, BREEAM, Certified Educational Facilities Professional (CEFP), or related credentials.
• Experience working in a unionized environment.
• Demonstrated success securing external funding or grants.
• Record of advancing sustainability through research, teaching, or public engagement.

Visa Sponsorship

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. If you currently need sponsorship or will need it in the future to maintain employment authorization, you do not meet eligibility requirements.

Equal Opportunity

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. The State University of New York is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. It is the policy of Binghamton University to provide for and promote equal opportunity employment, compensation, and other terms and conditions of employment without discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, disability, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, veteran or military service member status, marital status, domestic violence victim status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, or arrest and/or criminal conviction record unless based upon a bona‑fide occupational qualification or other exception. As required by Title IX and its implementing regulations Binghamton University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the educational programs and activities which it operates. This requirement extends to employment and admission. Inquiries about sex discrimination may be directed to the University Title IX Coordinator or directly to the Office of Civil Rights (OCR). Contact information for the Title IX Coordinator and OCR, as well as the University’s complete Non‑Discrimination Notice, may be found in the university resources.

Accessibility

Binghamton University is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, contact the ADA Coordinator by completing the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form.