Senior Program Manager, Sustainability

Harvard University is seeking a Senior Program Manager for Sustainability to lead the implementation of its climate strategy, aiming for Fossil Fuel-Neutral status by 2026. The role involves collaborating with the university community and external partners, managing sustainability initiatives, and developing metrics for success. Candidates should thrive in a dynamic environment and contribute to a diverse and inclusive workplace culture.
About the Harvard Office for Sustainability:

Harvard University has a long commitment to confronting the global challenges of climate change and sustainable development through its research, teaching, and institutional action. The University-wide Office for Sustainability (OFS), created in 2008, plays a pivotal role in bringing together students, faculty, and staff to use the campus as a living laboratory for piloting and proving solutions that address intergenerational well-being and lead to a sustainable future. Our efforts are driven by a University-wide Sustainability Plan and climate goals to be fossil fuel-free by 2050 and fossil fuel-neutral by 2026.

This is an exciting opportunity to join an experienced and dedicated team working to advance solutions to global and local sustainability challenges using Harvard’s campus as a testbed to pilot and scale change. OFS is a fast-paced, dynamic, and evolving organization that looks for talented, experienced individuals who thrive in this environment. Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

Position Summary:

The Senior Program Manager will be part of the team executing the University’s sustainability strategy to address climate, health and equity by partnering with members of the University community to co-create, and drive implementation of major University-wide sustainability initiatives and programs. They will lead the implementation planning to meet Harvard’s near-term, public, voluntary Fossil Fuel-Neutral by 2026 goal (e.g., renewable energy procurement and exploring offsetting options) and related long-term climate regulatory goals, analysis and reporting of avoided GHG emissions and health and equity impacts, and management of annual cost recovery program to the Schools and units. This position requires taking high-level goals and developing clear, concrete implementation plans involving many complex stakeholders. The position involves external partnership development, working with faculty and other thought leaders on program development and management, identifying innovation opportunities, developing metrics, and managing program implementation efforts.

Position Description

Responsibilities:

Include, but are not limited to:
• Drive, develop and manage the continued implementation planning to meet Harvard’s public voluntary climate goal to be Fossil Fuel-Neutral by 2026 and related long-term climate regulatory requirements based on the recommendations of the Fossil Fuel-Neutral by 2026 Recommendations Report.
• Facilitate expertise and input from Harvard faculty, students and staffs and external experts and peers to inform decisions and solutions, including leading a Presidential Committee on Sustainability (PCS) subcommittee.
• Draft a solutions pathway to meet the Report recommendations.
• Stay up-to-date and educated on industry trends and best practices in renewable energy procurement, carbon offsetting, carbon capture and sequestration, and other neutrality goal implementation approaches.
• Identify innovation opportunities aligned with the Report and Harvard’s priorities.
• Develop and execute a clear plan and approach for evaluating, selecting, and procuring a portfolio of projects to achieve the fossil fuel-neutral goal, with input from OFS Senior team and other stakeholders.
• Oversee all aspects of the Fossil Fuel-Neutral by 2026 program, including evaluation, selection and procurement of projects (working with internal partners) for Harvard to meet the 2026 goal (renewable energy, carbon offsets, other projects/mechanisms).
• Evaluate the changing landscape of Harvard’s emissions sources and recommend future needs to continue meeting voluntary and regulatory goals over time.
• Develop a robust post-hoc evaluation program, with faculty input, to track and study the avoided GHG emissions (e.g., hourly emissions analysis) and health and equity impacts (working with T.H. Chan researchers associated with projects), based on the latest science and thinking.
• Design and manage the large, internal annual cost recovery program to chargeback the Schools and Business units, closely working with many other University partners.
• Work with internal partners (Finance, EHS) to track project performance and update the annual chargeback (including monitoring large-scale renewable energy project performance).
• Work with faculty and students to identify research or living lab opportunities to advance research and innovation related to climate goal implementation.
• Partner with the communications team to create a plan to articulate the impacts of the projects developed to achieve the climate goals.
• Manage student interns, part-time employees/consultants, as needed; and possibly staff.
• Perform other duties and work on special projects as needed.

Basic Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience is required.
• 8+ years of experience in successful project plan development, management and implementation and stakeholder engagement in an area related to sustainability.

Additional Qualifications and Skills
• Demonstrated ability to initiate new creative ideas and take projects from concept through implementation in a constantly changing environment, and the ability to inspire and align colleagues around a shared vision.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of renewable energy, carbon offset markets or related areas.
• Demonstrated ability to work with multiple stakeholders to develop clear recommended next steps, project plans and deliver results.
• Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity, equity and contributing to an inclusive work and learning environment.
• High degree of flexibility, adaptability and general ability to respond to emerging opportunities and barriers in a constantly changing environment.
• Requires occasional work outside of normal business hours (including but not limited to faculty and student meetings and events).

Technology Skills Required:

Computer proficiency, including MS Office suite. Ability to learn Harvard systems quickly.

Additional Information

Emergency Status Designation: This role is considered non-essential and may be eligible for flex-work arrangements in accordance with departmental policies and manager approval.

Harvard University continues to place the highest priority on the health, safety and wellbeing of its faculty, staff, and students, as well as the wider community. Please note that all new employees will be required to provide confirmation of primary series COVID-19 vaccination upon hire, as detailed on our COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement Webpage. Harvard University Health Services employees and other health care individuals are also required to be up to date on vaccination as described by the CDC. Individuals may claim exemption from the vaccine requirement for medical or religious reasons. Additional information regarding this requirement, exemptions, verification of vaccination status, and other related policies and resources may be found on the University’s COVID-19 Information Website.