Director of Sustainability

Director of Sustainability

George Mason University is recruiting for a Director to lead its Office of Sustainability. You'll be a State employee of Virginia, working out of the Fairfax campus and becoming part of the George Mason University patriot team.

We want someone reliable who takes pride in their work and will make a noticeable contribution to facilities and campus operations at George Mason.

George Mason's Facilities & Campus Operations department is committed to providing a safe, functional, and clean community experience at the university. So, what's in it for you?

Great benefits for you…

• Lots of leave, including paid annual leave, paid holidays, paid sick leave, paid two-week winter break (please note – the break employees often receive during the holiday season is not regularly guaranteed and is subject to annual approval);
• Free tuition, up to 12 credit hours during the academic year, and professional development. Yes, you can earn a college education while earning a salary.
• Commuter Choice Transit Benefit;
• Virginia Retirement System Hybrid Plan; and
• Patriot Perks discounts to restaurants, events, and more!

For you and your family…

• Health/dental/vision benefits; and
• Tuition dependent benefit (restrictions apply).

The Director of Sustainability provides strategic leadership and operational oversight of the University's sustainability efforts, advancing institutional goals in energy efficiency, environmental stewardship, and resilience. The role directs the University Sustainability team; develops and manages sustainability programs, funding, and assessments; and integrates sustainability into university planning, operations, academics, and partnerships. The Director serves as a primary advisor to Facilities and University leadership, academic units, and external partners, promoting data-informed decision-making and innovation by using the university as a living laboratory to improve environmental performance, enrich learning experiences, and enhance the institution's reputation as a regional leader in sustainability.

Responsibilities:

• Provides strategic leadership and direction for the University Sustainability team and institution-wide sustainability and energy efficiency initiatives;
• Leads the implementation and continuous improvement of the university's Energy Efficiency and Resiliency Action Plan aligned with the university's overall strategic goals;
• Establishes short and long term sustainability agendas in collaboration with university leadership;
• Collaborates with Energy & Sustainability leadership to reduce energy consumption and increase renewable energy adoption;
• Provides institutional leadership and subject-matter expertise to integrate energy efficiency and sustainability outcomes into capital and non-capital projects and campus initiatives;
• Provides expert guidance on design and construction standards, processes, and project decisions to improve life-cycle energy performance and support institutional priorities; and
• Provides energy and sustainability guidance and technical support to Facilities & Campus Operations and other key operational stakeholders.

Program Management

• Develops, monitors, and updates University Sustainability's program budgets;
• Supports waste reduction, recycling, composting, and circular economy initiatives, including Zero Waste Mason and Patriot Packout;
• Oversees the Patriot Green Fund, including prioritizing investments that support sustainability research, infrastructure improvements, and reduced environmental impact;
• Pursues actions that put George Mason on track to maintain its Gold rating and incremental improvements under AASHE STARS. Assess STARS, greenhouse gas emissions, and other comprehensive sustainability metrics and support other sustainability classifications;
• Advocates for and support space, equipment, and facility needs that advance sustainability goals, including oversight of the President's Park Greenhouse, garden spaces, and related assets;
• Advises capital and non-capital projects on green building practices, energy efficiency, water conservation, transportation demand management, and emissions reduction strategies; and
• Identifies and pursues energy and sustainability-related funding opportunities (e.g., grants, tax credits, incentives), coordinating proposals with facilities, administrative, and academic units.

Policy & Standards Development

• Leads and supports the development of campus-wide sustainability standards, guidelines, and policies in areas such as energy, waste, purchasing, and environmental management;
• Recommends organizational structures, program enhancements, and policy changes to support a durable campus-wide culture of sustainability, energy efficiency, and resiliency; and
• Builds consensus across units and advise leadership on operational, curricular, and co-curricular improvements based on sustainability assessments and best practices.

Supervision & Collaboration

• Supervises and provides leadership to the Office of Sustainability;
• Assigns work, set priorities, evaluates performance, and supports staff development;
• Fosters effective working relationships with campus stakeholders;
• Builds and maintains partnerships with external collaborators, contractors, and service providers;
• Maintains knowledge of sustainability best practices and peer institution initiatives; and
• Builds and sustains a network of peer sustainability professionals and external partners.

Communications & Engagement

• Partners with Facilities & Campus Operations Communications to promote the university's sustainability achievements and enhance its regional reputation as a sustainability leader;
• Plans, coordinates, and communicates Earth Month and campus sustainability initiatives; and
• Promotes participation in sustainability surveys, trainings, and orientation programs.

Academic & Research Integration

• Co-leads the Mason as a Living Lab initiative in partnership with the Institute for a Sustainable Earth;
• Supports experiential learning that applies sustainability theory to campus operations, using the university as a living laboratory;
• Collaborates with faculty and the Provost's Office to support sustainability-related academic programs, metrics, and interdisciplinary collaborations; and
• Supports developing or integrating sustainability into academic curricula and support the Provost's office in maintaining accurate sustainability-aligned course listings.

Other Related Duties as Assigned

• Related tasks assigned by the supervisor and department head.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in engineering, natural or applied sciences, sustainability, business, public policy, or a related field or the equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Experience leading sustainability, energy, or environmental programs within a complex organization (e.g., higher education, government, healthcare, or large institutional setting);
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing strategic plans related to sustainability, energy efficiency, climate action, or resiliency;
• Experience managing budgets, funding mechanisms, or grant-supported programs;
• Experience building consensus across diverse constituencies;
• Experience developing sustainability-related policies, standards, guidelines, or operational frameworks;
• Knowledge of sustainability best practices, energy management, greenhouse gas emission reduction strategies, and resilience planning;
• Working knowledge of green building standards (e.g., LEED), life-cycle cost analysis, energy modeling concepts, and infrastructure performance;
• Familiarity with sustainability assessment frameworks such as AASHE STARS and greenhouse gas accounting methodologies;
• Understanding of waste reduction, recycling, composting, circular economy practices, and zero-waste strategies;
• Strong systems-thinking skills to integrate sustainability and energy efficiency across operations, planning, capital projects, and partnerships;
• Data-informed decision-making skills, including assessment, reporting, and performance tracking;
• Skill in building consensus across diverse units and advising leadership on policy and operational improvements;
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills to work effectively with facilities, academic units, administrators, and external partners;
• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple projects, priorities, and stakeholders simultaneously;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Ability to help establish and execute a long-term strategic vision for sustainability, energy efficiency, and resiliency aligned with institutional priorities;
• Demonstrated ability to translate high-level goals into actionable plans, metrics, and outcomes;
• Ability to develop, manage, and monitor program budgets and funding allocations;
• Proven ability to assign work, set priorities, and evaluate performance;
• Ability to communicate complex concepts to diverse audiences, including senior leadership, faculty, staff, students, and the public; and
• Ability to represent the institution externally and enhance its reputation as a leader in sustainability.

Must currently possess an appropriate, active, valid motor vehicle operator's license that meets all of GMU's requirements for operating state vehicles and equipment under Mason's Vehicle Use Policy 1411