Executive Director, Clemson FRESH Sustainability Center

Clemson University is seeking an Executive Director for the Clemson FRESH Sustainability Center in Clemson, SC. This full-time leadership role involves establishing and guiding the strategic direction of FRESH, fostering relationships with key stakeholders, and overseeing initiatives in sustainability education and research. The center focuses on sustainable packaging and engages students, industry partners, and faculty through activities such as research, a Sustainability Leadership Program, and an annual Food, Packaging & Sustainability Summit.
Executive Director, Clemson FRESH Sustainability Center

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Description

Opportunity

Clemson University invites applications for the position of Executive Director, Clemson FRESH Sustainability Center (FRESH). The FRESH Executive Director is a full-time, twelve-month, leadership position reporting to the Dean of the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences (CAFLS).

The Executive Director's overarching responsibilities include establishing, leading, and guiding the strategic direction of FRESH, supported by continuous identification of, and relationship building with, internal and external stakeholders who are essential to successfully achieving FRESH's goals.

University and Departmental Profile

Clemson University is a highly ranked public, land-grant university designated as a Carnegie Very High Research Activity (R1) institution with strong community engagement. The main campus of Clemson University is in the Upstate of South Carolina, adjacent to the Blue Ridge Mountains. The FRESH Innovation Studio and administrative offices are located on the main campus within the Harris A. Smith Building, in tandem with the Sonoco Institute of Packaging Design and Graphics.

FRESH is part of the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences, and works closely with the Department of Food, Nutrition and Packaging Sciences, along with academic departments that are actively engaged in sustainability education and research.

Clemson FRESH Overview

FRESH was established in 2019 with a generous 5-year commitment from the Sonoco Foundation. With a corresponding 5-year limited time naming opportunity, the institute launched as Sonoco FRESH in 2019. At the successful conclusion of the first 5-years, FRESH transitioned to a Clemson brand, and continues to expand its engagement opportunities and impact as Clemson FRESH Sustainability Center.

FRESH takes a holistic approach to sustainability across the food value chain. Much of FRESH's work focuses on the intersection of sustainable packaging across the value chain, which drives stakeholder engagement across four pillars:

1. Student Activities, such as:
a. Courses on trending topics in sustainability.
b. Participation in research poster presentations.
c. Sustainability Leadership Program for juniors, seniors and master's students.

2. Research & Development
a. Research portfolio managed by FRESH Research Director, working with industry partners and multi-disciplinary faculty teams that seek to advance sustainability.
b. Research and service opportunity expansion through FRESH's Compostable Packaging R&D Center, located at Clemson University's Cherry Crossing organics research center.

3. Industry Engagement
a. FRESH's Industry Advisory Board (IAB), and
b. Other industry relationships that have synergies with FRESH research, talent development/students, and Summit.

4. Annual Food, Packaging & Sustainability Summit (Summit) - Each year's activities culminate with a nationally prominent Food, Packaging & Sustainability Summit which brings together more than 300 attendees from industry and academia, and features sustainability experts, highlights faculty research and student activities, and promotes Clemson's capabilities, resources and facilities.

Executive Director Highlights

Strong industry relationships and an understanding of engagement opportunities between industry and academia are essential for success in this position.

The successful candidate will have subject matter expertise in sustainability, preferably related to food and/or packaging, and an understanding of the key challenges and opportunities for advancing sustainability.

The successful candidate will be expected to develop externally funded, interdisciplinary engagement programs that advance sustainability across the food value chain. Revenue streams include a combination of Industry Advisory Board membership dues, Food, Packaging & Sustainability Summit sponsorships and registrations, synergistic student programs, and sponsored research and industry services (managed by FRESH Director of Research).

Activities that support FRESH's strategic initiatives will include developing and implementing a broad portfolio of activities such as:
• Faculty engagement with industry stakeholders
• Collaborate with and identify potential synergies with industry stakeholders and faculty experts to advance sustainability.
• Industry Advisory Board (IAB)
• Cultivate, recruit and steward IAB relationships with industry members.
• Manage quarterly meetings in collaboration with IAB Chair and FRESH staff.
• Annual Food, Packaging & Sustainability Summit
• Strategize with Summit Planning Committee, IAB members, industry partners, FRESH staff, faculty, and students to plan the annual on-campus Summit.
• Work with FRESH Marketing & Promotions Manager and Clemson University Marketing and Communications colleagues to promote event.
• Annual Sustainability Leadership Program for students
• Collaborate with industry partners to develop relevant curriculum and secure speakers for five dinner programs throughout the fall semester.
• Coordinate with CAFLS leadership and FRESH Program Coordinator to recruit cohort, arrange logistics and communicate with students.
• Other
• Collaborate with Advancement/Development to establish a strategy to secure funding for FRESH activities and initiatives, with support from the Dean of CAFLS.

Qualifications

Clemson University seeks an accomplished and visionary professional to serve as the Executive Director, Clemson FRESH sustainability center. Candidates should hold a master's degree or higher, or equivalent work experience in a field related to sustainability and the food value chain. Preference will be given to candidates who also have demonstrated experience collaborating with industry. Example fields may include Sustainability, Development, Food Processing, Materials and Manufacturing, Consumer Package Goods, and Agriculture. The successful candidate will demonstrate:
• Applied knowledge of sustainability in a sector related to the food value chain.
• An advanced degree, or equivalent work experience in a field related to sustainability and the food value chain.
• Experience managing a multi-faceted academic institute or relevant industry experience.
• A strong network of industry relationships in related sectors.
• Successful leadership of interdisciplinary or multi-stakeholder projects.
• An ability to address complex questions that have implications for sustainability at regional, national, and global scales.
• A minimum of 10 years of professional experience
Application Instructions

To ensure full consideration, applications should be submitted through Interfolio, https://apply.interfolio.com/159735, before January 31, 2025. Applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled. Applications should include:
• a detailed resume or curriculum vitae
• a letter of interest that addresses the responsibilities and requirements described above, as well as the applicant's motivation to apply, including a statement regarding relevant leadership of academic or industry initiatives.
• a one-page statement outlining the candidate's experiences in, and commitment to, sustainability
• contact information for three references (these will not be contacted until later in the search process)
Inquiries and nominations can be submitted confidentially to Brennan Ledford, Clemson Executive Search at bnhaski@clemson.edu.

Qualifications

Application Instructions

For more information and to apply, visit https://apply.interfolio.com/159735

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