Executive Director

The Earth Institute at Columbia University invites applications and nominations for the role of Executive Director.

ABOUT THE EARTH INSTITUTE

The mission of the Earth Institute is to blend research in the physical and social sciences, education, and practical solutions to help guide the world onto a path toward sustainability. Since its founding in 1995, the Earth Institute (EI) has emerged as a powerful platform for leading scientists, policymakers, and private sector leaders to engage in meaningful research, dialogue, and action on today’s most pressing challenges of the planet. Nested within Columbia, the Earth Institute is made up of scholars spread out across dozens of research centers and programs across the institution’s 20 schools and colleges. These researchers are refining understandings of how the planet works and how humans are affecting natural systems. The Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, which has been seeking fundamental knowledge about the natural world since 1949, is the scientific heart of the Earth Institute. A world leader in the basic and applied knowledge required to achieve sustainability, the Earth Institute comprises approximately 850 scientists, students, postdoctoral fellows, and staff from across the University. The operating budget for the Earth Institute is approximately $120 million.

ROLE SUMMARY

Reporting to the Director of the Earth Institute, the Executive Director (ED) is responsible for planning and management of the Institute as assigned by the Director. The ED will serve as the senior professional executive as well as the implementation partner for the Director. The ED will be a key member of the Earth Institute leadership and will be responsible for the central operational management of priorities, goals, and activities (e.g., operations, planning, and performance). This individual will have oversight of the day-to-day operational management for the Earth Institute. 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate for the Executive Director position will bring deep experience in managing a rapidly growing organization and balancing a diverse portfolio of strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, staff development, budgeting, and project and operational management. Minimum professional qualifications include:

• At least 10 years of management and organizational leadership and change management experience, including a strong commitment to supervising and developing staff combined with the ability to plan and manage multiple diverse projects, influence performance at the most senior levels of an organization, work collaboratively across functions, levels, and departments toward shared objectives, and integrate resources on a timely and organized basis. Experience—could be in an academic, nonprofit, NGO, or private-sector environment—working within a complex and matrix enterprise is a must;
• Demonstrated operational and financial management experience, including formulating and executing a strategic plan in support of growing and scaling an organization in terms of staff, budget, activity, and impact;
• A minimum of three years of exceptional management experience with a strong attention to detail with complex projects and the ability to manage quick-turnaround deliverables, long-term strategy implementation, reporting, and metrics tracking; and
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work well on a team in a fast-paced environment.

The Earth Institute has retained the services of Diversified Search to assist in this search.  Please submit a cover note and resume or nominations, in confidence, to EarthInstitute@divsearch.com

Columbia University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action – Race/Gender/Disability/Veterans employer. Women and Minorities are encouraged to apply