Managing Director, Stanford Center for Sustainability in Southeast Asia

This position has been deemed critical by the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability Dean’s Office and is exempt from the hiring pause.This position is based on Stanford’s main campus with consideration given to the option for a hybrid work schedule (partially onsite 3 or more days a week), subject to operational need.Interested candidates must include a resume and cover letter to be considered for this position.Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa.About Us The Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability strives to create a future when humans and nature thrive in concert and in perpetuity. The school is made up of a three-part structure to drive global impact: Our academic departments and programs educate students and create new knowledge across areas of research that are crucial for advancing the long-term prosperity of the planet and people; Institutes bridge scholarship at Stanford and beyond, bringing multiple viewpoints to bear on urgent challenges; The Sustainability Accelerator drives new policy and technology solutions through a worldwide network of partners who work with our teams to develop solutions at a global scale. The school is dedicated to creating and supporting a community with the richness of experience and background needed to create solutions that benefit all people, particularly those most affected by environmental damage and climate change.For more information on the school, click here.Precourt Institute for EnergyAs part of the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, the Precourt Institute for Energy concentrates the talents of the University on energy research and education, from basic science and technology to policy and business. We disseminate research results and help the University develop energy-literate leaders as part of its educational mission. We work across campus in all seven of Stanford’s schools. We also build collaborations globally with industry, other research institutions, government, and civic organizations in pursuit of sustainable, affordable, secure energy for all people.Seeking Managing Director, Stanford Center for Sustainability in Southeast Asia:Seeking exceptional candidates to serve as the Managing Director of the Stanford Center for Sustainability in Southeast Asia, a high-impact new research center within the Precourt Institute aimed at developing and implementing long term, holistic solutions for the sustainability of Southeast Asian communities and the environments on which they depend.Working in conjunction with the Stanford Center for Sustainability in Southeast Asia faculty Director and reporting directly to the Precourt Institute Director, the Managing Director will lead the development, management, and execution of the Center for Sustainability in Southeast Asia (CSSA). The Managing Director will create, direct, and lead the implementation of innovative programs, partnerships, and projects across Southeast Asia that leverage the broad and deep expertise of Stanford faculty and students and partner them with local organizations in academia, government, business, and civil society to create long-term value and transformative impact for achieving sustainability of Southeast Asian communities at risk due to the effects of climate change, extreme weather, environmental degradation, ocean warming, unregulated development, and other factors. The Managing Director will also have a leading role in business development for the Center, encompassing building and maintaining a national, regional, and global network of individual, governmental, and corporate donors. These activities will require the ability to represent the Center at high-level business development meetings, interfacing with leaders in Southeast Asia and beyond. The position requires leadership, self-direction, and initiative to further build and strengthen CSSA within Stanford and externally with existing and new partner institutions and collaborators in Southeast Asia and globally. The Stanford Center for Sustainability in Southeast Asia:The Stanford Center for Sustainability in Southeast Asia (CSSA) is a new holistic and integrated center that brings together faculty and researchers from all across the Stanford community to work hand-in-hand with key partners and stakeholders from across Southeast Asia and globally. The mission of the Stanford CSSA is to conduct research and analysis, develop strategic partnerships, and implement innovative solutions in three main research pillars: (1) Energy transition and the digital transformation of society; (2) Sustainability of coastal and terrestrial communities at risk, including food and water security, climate adaptation, disaster resilience, and degradation of ocean ecosystems. (3) Governance at the global, regional, national, and local levels.CSSA builds upon many years of engagement across Southeast Asia by Stanford faculty, researchers, and partner centers. Located in the Doerr School it draws upon the school’s expertise in environmental, energy, and innovation leadership. CSSA’s mission is also to react beyond the Doerr School to mobilize faculty across the Stanford campus, connect them with counterpart institutions and researchers in Southeast Asia in order to implement significant integrated innovation across its core areas. The ideal candidate will have multiple, but not necessarily all, of the following attributes:Significant and Diverse Experience and Expertise in environmental sustainability in more than one Southeast Asian country and globally. Significant experience, knowledge, and network in multiple dimensions of sustainability, at the global, national, and local levels. ideally including marine environments, coastal community resilience, deforestation, food security, carbon politics, environmental impacts, regulatory and legal frameworks, economics, and policy implications. Strong candidates will have experience with and understanding of scientific innovation, emerging solutions in sustainability fo Southeast Asian communities and societies, and the capacity to analyze the viability of such solutions in the changing global and regional economic, social, and political contexts. Strong candidates will be expected to have > 10 years of experience in these areas.Significant research record in relevant scientific fields. Experience in translating innovative research into policy frameworks and scalable initiatives is also strongly desired. Strong candidates will be expected to have > 10 years of experience in these relevant areas.Strong Organizational and Management Experience and Skills: Significant experience and track record of success in leading and managing complex, multi-disciplinary organizations and teams is desired, along with excellent communication skills.Your Responsibilities will include:Based on engagements with the Southeast Asian sustainability ecosystem and its connections to global sustainability frameworks, as well as a deep understanding of mid-to-long term challenges and opportunities, lead an effort to create a well-defined research, educational and convening programs at Stanford, and build a network of partnerships in Southeast Asia to help address them.Lead the effort to help translate Stanford innovation and activities into real-world impact for the Southeast Asian communities and societies.Lead strategic planning and analysis for complex university functions or programs with significant business, regulatory and/or technical challenges requiring subject matter expertise. Manage and direct the development, implementation, administration and evaluation of functions or programs. Monitor trends and recommend program direction.Act as the subject matter expert for School/unit and/or the university regarding the interpretation, implementation and compliance with policies and regulations. Recommend actions and/or resolve complex issues that span organizational boundaries.Represent the program or function at the university level and to external constituencies in Southeast Asia and globally.Direct and manage outreach strategy that may include relationship development, communications, and compliance.Oversee and manage financial budgets and supervise staff in the development and implementation of functions or programs.In addition to the minimum qualifications listed below, our preferred qualifications include: Advanced degree and ten years of relevant experience, or combination of education and relevant experience. A PhD or equivalent is strongly preferred.The expected pay range for this position is $213,649 to $261,764 per annum.Core Duties:Lead strategic planning and analysis for complex university programs or functions with significant business, regulatory and/or technical challenges requiring subject matter expertise. Manage and direct the development, implementation, administration and evaluation of programs or functions. Monitor trends and recommend program or functions direction.Act as the subject matter expert for School/unit and/or the university regarding the interpretation, implementation and compliance with policies and regulations. Recommend actions and/or resolve complex issues that span organizational boundaries.Represent the program or function at the university level and/or to external/internal stakeholders and constituencies.Direct and manage outreach strategy that may include relationship development, communications, and compliance.Oversee or supervise staff in the development and implementation of programs or functions.May develop and/or oversee budgets; manage finances including monitoring, analyzing, forecasting, and reporting.Minimum Educationand ExperienceBachelor’s degree and ten years of relevant experience, or combination of education and relevant experience.Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to influence and motivate constituencies which could span multiple organizational boundaries.Demonstrated excellent planning, organizational and analytical skills.Demonstrated ability to make sound business decisions using good business judgment and innovative and creative problem-solving.Demonstrated ability to manage financial, organizational and staff resources.Excellent interpersonal and communications skills with the ability to cultivate professional and business partnerships.Relevant subject matter expertise.Strong project planning and management skills.Experience in or knowledge of business process improvement methodology.Ability to act independently and as part of a team.Full timePosting Date: 2026-08-05