William & Mary has retained Helbling, a ZRG company to conduct an executive search to secure a Director of Sustainability.

Position Summary

As a member of the university’s Business Affairs leadership team, the primary role of the Director of Sustainability is to work collaboratively with the William & Mary community to conceive, develop, implement, maintain, and measure short and long-term strategies to achieve the university’s goals in Sustainability. This position will be responsible for working across academic and administrative operational units to systematically incorporate sustainability practices throughout the institution.

Reporting directly to the Assistant Vice President / University Architect, the Director of Sustainability will own responsibility for and drive financial and environmental measures across the entirety of William & Mary’s footprint, including the Batten School of Coastal Marine Science at VIMS, James Monroe’s Highland, and the Washington Center. The Director will be responsible for overall sustainability plan implementation and progress reporting on initiatives, actions, and research, including periodic presentations to the Board of Visitors on progress.

This position leads and/or performs the data gathering and analysis function to participate in the Association for Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education(AASHE) benchmarking. The position will also direct the Office of Sustainability (OS) and co-chair the Committee on Sustainability. 

For more details about this opportunity, please view the position profile by clicking on the cover image below. 

Sustainability & Stewardship

William & Mary Sustainability fosters collaboration across the university in environmental, social, and economic flourishing. The office is a resource for the W&M community and engages students in the process of creating change in a manner intended to help them become leaders who will influence the world.

Sustainability at William & Mary is the dynamic interactions between society and the environment, operating in ways that improve the well-being of all. This recognizes the multiple dimensions of society, such as individual well-being, culture, livelihoods, economics, and governance.

A sustainable world is flourishing societies, individuals, economies, and environments. Sustainability as a mindset recognizes the connectivity and intersectionality of the whole picture. It is a lens that can be applied to any topic.
 

About William & Mary

William & Mary, founded in 1693 in Williamsburg, Virginia, is the second-oldest institution of higher education in the United States. Named after King William III and Queen Mary II of England, the university has played a crucial role in American history, serving as a center for Enlightenment thinking and shaping the nation’s early leadership. Notable alumni include Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, and John Tyler, three U.S. presidents who contributed significantly to the country's founding and governance.

William & Mary is known for its rigorous academics, strong research programs, and commitment to sustainability. The university offers a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate programs across disciplines such as law, business, and public policy. It also prides itself on its honor code, fostering a culture of trust and integrity among students, and is home to the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa honor society. The university has pledged to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 and incorporates sustainability into its campus operations, academics, and infrastructure. The Office of the University Architect within Business Affairs plays a crucial role in maintaining its 1,200-acre campus, ensuring that new and renovated buildings adhere to green design principles. Notable projects include LEED-certified buildings like the Integrated Science Center and the revitalization of historic structures to enhance functionality and energy efficiency. 

Beyond academics, William & Mary fosters leadership, service, and civic engagement, encouraging students to contribute meaningfully to their communities. The university’s approach to planning and design balances its rich historical roots with a commitment to innovation and sustainability. Its master plan emphasizes walkability, green spaces, and adaptive reuse of historic buildings, ensuring that campus developments align with long-term environmental goals. This combination of tradition and forward-thinking initiatives allows William & Mary to maintain its reputation as a distinguished institution that not only honors its past but also actively shapes a sustainable future.

Location

Williamsburg, Virginia

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in sustainability, urban or environmental planning, environmental science, or a related field OR equivalent training and/or experience.
• A broad understanding of public sector or higher education facilities operations.
• Ability to demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the principles of climate action, sustainability, and how they relate to organizations and university campuses.
• Ability to understand/develop accompanying business plans that support the overall needs of the university within the areas of responsibility.
• Experience researching and preparing executive-level documents, position papers, reports, proposals, and presentations on a variety of strategic topics.
• Exceptional communication skills, interpersonal skills, diplomacy, and the ability to effectively interact and build trusted relationships with diverse internal and external constituencies.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks and projects; excellent organizational, leadership, and delegation skills; and the ability to work collaboratively.
• Must have strong problem-solving, analysis, and conflict-resolution skills to manage complex tasks and/or those that require balancing competing interests.
• Demonstrated patience, reliability, composure, and stability under pressure as well as a strong personal ethics commitment.
• Extensive leadership and teambuilding skills with a demonstrated ability to work independently and with minimal supervision.
• Ability to travel to on and off-campus facilities sites, with occasional overnight travel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the public sector or higher education facilities operations.
• Advanced degree in an applicable area.
• Professional credentialing (LEEDAP, ISSPSEA / SEP, CEM, or similar credential).
• Considerable experience in the development and implementation of climate action and sustainability initiatives in an institutional environment.
• Experience working on climate action and sustainability, in a large, complex, and publicly oriented organization or a Higher Education environment.
• Familiarity with the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) and the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System (STARS).
• Experience seeking grant-funding opportunities as well as preparing and submitting grants.
• Experience in/with communications, marketing, and public relations and in establishing partnerships and collaborating with numerous stakeholders, developing a climate action, sustainability, and energy literacy curriculum, and/or workshop and classroom facilitation.

 

EEO Statement

William & Mary values diversity and invites applications from underrepresented groups who will enrich the research, teaching, and service missions of the university. The university is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer and encourages applications from women, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities.