Program Coordinator, Sustainability Operations

Job-ID: 10009034Category: University OperationsLocation: Nashville, TN, United StatesWorkplace: HybridSchedule: Full timePosted: 2026-10-20The Sustainability Operations Program Coordinator is part of the Environmental Health, Safety, and Sustainability (EHSS) organization at Vanderbilt University. The Program Coordinator works within the sustainability team in EHSS and is responsible for providing operational support to sustainability and resiliency programs at Vanderbilt University. Reporting directly to the Sustainability Director, the Program Coordinator will work closely with Vanderbilt’s Real Estate, Facilities, and Development departments such as environmental health and safety, maintenance and operations, planning design, and construction, and real estate development on sustainable infrastructure, operations, research and innovation, energy efficiency, water efficiency, resource conservation, recycling, composting, landscaping, etc. They will provide support to network campuses and collaborate closely with the environmental compliance team. The Program Coordinator will support the success of a high-performing organization by helping to champion and drive efficiency and effectiveness using AI, informatics, metrics, databases, software and technology.About the Work Unit:Environmental Health, Safety, and Sustainability is part of the Real Estate, Facilities and Development (REFD) division and consists of occupational and research-centric safety services and university sustainability leadership. EHSS is a 20+-member team that supports a top-20 world-class research university with a community of 27,000 faculty, staff and students on 12 million square feet of academic, administrative, residential, and recreational space on 330 acres in downtown Nashville, TN as well as a number of network campuses across the U.S. Key Job Responsibilities:Design, implement and manage evidence-based sustainable and resilient operational improvements in collaboration with REFD operational units, Division of Operations and Campus Networks, Athletics, Dining, network campus management, Finance, academic schools, and Dean of Students office to drive a measurable reduction in resource use and waste generationImplement and continuously improve High-Performance and Resilient Infrastructure Design Guidelines and engage in design development for renovation and new construction projects on Nashville and network campusesExpand the Sustainable Labs program encouraging proactive safety and sustainability and resiliency efforts in VU’s research and innovation communityDesign, implement and continuously improve network campus environmental compliance, sustainability, and resiliency programs to meet locality requirements related to energy and waste efficiency, greenhouse gas emissions, and resiliencyTrack university sustainability and resiliency data for trend and performance analysis, dashboard reporting, and regulatory reportingMay include occasional travel to network campuses and facilities across the U.S.Adhere to service standards to meet customer and administrative expectations. Continuously improve base knowledge and remain abreast of latest advances in their field of expertise.Additional job responsibilities as needed.Supervisory Relationships:This position will not have initial supervisory responsibilities. Experience and Education:A bachelor’s degree in engineering, sustainability, resiliency or related technical field and/or other related specialty is required.Minimum 1 year of experience in their area of expertise or a university setting is preferred. An equivalent combination of education and experience is accepted.Ability to obtain professional certification is required. Certifications that may be relevant include Professional Engineer (PE), LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), PMP (Project Management Professional), REM (Registered Environmental Manager), Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM), or other application certifications. Working knowledge of environmental engineering and management, sustainability, or resiliency theory, concepts, standards of performance, best practices, and regulations.Strong written, verbal, and presentation communication skills including the ability to develop engaging and understandable online and in-person presentations, programmatic documents, procedures, and reports. Strong ability to deliver, education and program-specific presentations in an efficient, effective, engaging, and innovative manner. Advanced skills in Microsoft and Adobe products such as TEAMS, PowerPoint, Excel, and Word is necessary. Articulate, Oracle, Tableau, web programming, social media, or database skills a plus.Advanced data management, AI, analytical, quantitative, technical, and problem-solving skills required.Ability to quickly learn and adapt required. Ability to successfully plan and execute multi-task and multi-project requirements and deliverables to meet objectives and deadlines strongly preferred.Must have strong interpersonal communication and customer service skills.Ability to build and maintain effective respectful and working relationships in a service-oriented environment with a diverse range of people and understand their needs and goals. Exhibit sensitivity, tact, inclusion, and respect for diversity. Ability to work effectively with others as a team as opposed to working separately or competitively is necessary. Ability to understand and appreciate different and opposing perspectives on an issue is required.About the companyAt Vanderbilt University, our work - regardless of title or role - is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of “America’s Best Large Employers” as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice.We understand you have a choice when choosing where to work and pursue a career. We understand you are unique and have a story. We want to hear it. We encourage you to apply today so that you might become a part of our story. Vanderbilt University is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.