Associate Dean for Communications, Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability

Associate Dean for Communications, Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability[Office of Development, Stanford, California, United States](https://careersearch.stanford.edu/jobs/17002/other-jobs-matching/location-only)DevelopmentApr 27, 2022 Post Date93360 Requisition #Stanford University is one of the world's premier academic and research institutions, devoting tremendous intellectual and physical resources toward the betterment of humanity. As a major Silicon Valley employer, Stanford seeks people committed to excellence and to improving our world. In turn, the university is committed to supporting its employees as they develop their careers and enrich their lives. We believe Stanford's future success will be shaped by the diverse perspectives, unique experiences, and inclusive culture of its community. Stanford is taking the historic step of creating a new school that will be focused on climate and sustainability, the first new school at the university in more than 70 years. The new Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability will be focused on a unifying goal of creating a future in which humans and nature thrive together in concert and in perpetuity. Faculty, students, and staff will pursue this goal through three primary pathways to impact:
* Advancing knowledge* *critical to sustaining life on Earth
* Preparing students as future sustainability leaders through rigorous, engaged education
and research
* Catalyzing informed action globally to generate and accelerate local, national, and global solutions to the defining challenge for humanity
The research, teaching, and engagement activity in the new school will be grounded in eight scholarship areas:
Climate ChangeEarth and Planetary SciencesEnergy Technology Sustainable Urban DevelopmentThe Natural EnvironmentFood and Water SecurityHuman Society and BehaviorHuman Health and the Environment The new Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability will be composed of academic departments; institutes, including the Woods Institute for the Environment and the Precourt Institute for Energy, which will house initiatives to support faculty and student collaboration within and beyond the new school; and a Sustainability Accelerator, which will be focused on externalizing policy and technology solutions at scale. It will offer disciplinary and interdisciplinary undergraduate and graduate degrees, courses and student experiences designed to enable all Stanford students to engage with sustainability scholarship, as well as professional education programs. The new school will be based in a new academic common that will become an intellectual hub and a visible and welcoming environment for the entire Stanford community and beyond. The *Associate Dean for Communications* is a new position that will report to the Senior Associate Dean for External Relations with a dotted line to the Vice President for University Communications. This position will oversee and/or coordinate all communications activities for the school, dean (current transition deans), senior associate dean of external relations, all external relations initiatives, academic departments, institutes/initiatives and start-up accelerator. The Associate Dean will work closely with the Senior Associate Dean of External Relations, Transition Deans and Inaugural Dean, as well as colleagues in Stanford's Office of University Communications to create and implement the school's inaugural strategic communications plan. The successful candidate will also be responsible for reviewing the communications structures and staffing models of the organizations that will comprise the school and for recommending a staffing design that optimizes and leverages existing strengths to create a world-class communications team. Direct reports include communications and marketing leaders with editorial, digital media, design and content management expertise. The initial area of focus for the Associate Dean will be to develop and initiate a strategic communication and organization plan that supports the successful launch of the new school in Fall of 2022. *Primary Responsibilities:* *Create and implement the school's first strategic communications plan*
Work closely with the Senior Associate Dean, the new school's leadership, the Vice President for University Communications, and the position's direct reports to create an inaugural strategic communications plan. This plan will include strategies for media and external engagement, a strong digital presence, and a robust internal communications approach.Create a communications plan for the school's launch in the fall of 2022, working closely with existing communications and events staff and other key colleagues across the university to ensure a flawless series of events. *Design and implement a new communications organizational structure*
Recommend a new structure that leverages existing talent while identifying gaps.Implement approved structure, providing coaching, development and feedback for existing staff while hiring top talent to meet identified needs. *Manage all communications needs for the new school*
Working closely with University Communications colleagues, ensure that all messaging for the new school is consistent with overall university messaging.Provide strategic communications advice to the school's leadership, faculty and staff.Develop key messages and strategies that make effective use of a wide variety of communications platforms and channels.Work closely with University Communications on media strategies and tactics to achieve favorable coverage.Develop and mentor staff.Grow and nurture a positive and inclusive culture that demonstrates a commitment to diversity. *Required Qualifications:*
Bachelor's degree and minimum 10 years of experience in communications, public relations, or related field.Demonstrated experience in creating and implementing strategic internal and external communications plans.Demonstrated experience in organizational development and change management. Proven ability to manage large teams in a complex environment.Excellent verbal and written communications skills.Excellent presentation skills.Strong ability to influence in a de-centralized, consensus-driven organizational model.Proven ability to develop teams and mentor and manage individuals towards objectives and outcomes.High tolerance for ambiguity. *Preferred Qualifications:*
Previous communications leadership experience in a research university strongly preferred.Minimum of 5 years of experience managing the growth and productivity of a highly complex team consisting of different content areas and staff across all marketing and communication functions. Technical and/or scientific writing. *PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS*:*
* Constantly perform desk-based computer tasks.
* Frequently sitting.
* Occasionally stand/walk, reach/work above shoulders, use a telephone, writing by hand, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds.
* Rarely twist/bend/stoop/squat, sort/file paperwork or parts, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh 11-20 pounds.
*WORKING CONDITIONS:*
* Occasionally work evenings and weekends.
*WORK STANDARDS:*
* Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
* Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
* Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu.
*Why Stanford is for You**:* Imagine a world without search engines or social platforms. Consider lives saved through first-ever organ transplants and research to cure illnesses. Stanford University has revolutionized the way we live and enrich the world. Supporting this mission is our diverse and dedicated 17,000 staff. We seek talent driven to impact the future of our legacy. Our culture and [unique perks](https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards/sweeteners) empower you with:
*Freedom to grow.* We offer career development programs, tuition reimbursement, or audit a course. Join a TedTalk, film screening, or listen to a renowned author or global leader speak.*A caring culture.* We provide superb retirement plans, generous time-off, and family care resources.*A healthier you.* Climb our rock wall or choose from hundreds of health or fitness classes at our world-class exercise facilities. We also provide excellent health care benefits.*Discovery and fun.* Stroll through historic sculptures, trails, and museums.* **Enviable resources.* Enjoy free commuter programs, ridesharing incentives, discounts and more! We believe Stanford's future success will be shaped by the diverse perspectives, unique experiences, and inclusive culture of its community. *The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned. *Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job. *Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Additional Information
* Schedule: Full-time
* Job Code: 4229
* Employee Status: Regular
* Grade: N
* Requisition ID: 93360