Associate Director, Earth Systems Institute

Overview

The Associate Director will shape and focus the Earth Systems Institute's organizational direction, serving as its operational backbone. This pivotal role provides comprehensive leadership and oversight, particularly during the Institute's critical launch and initial growth phases. Ensure the seamless execution of high-level research, educational, and external partnership initiatives while serving as the primary liaison to central administration and NYU's schools. Manage day-to-day operations, support faculty leadership, secure funding pipelines, build industry partnerships, and plan programming and events. Collaborate with leadership to conceptualize and implement new funded initiatives and fellowship opportunities, assisting with grantmaking, budgeting, and resource identification.

Required Education

Master's Degree or equivalent

Required Experience

5+ years of progressively responsible administrative or operational leadership experience, including demonstrated experience managing budgets, staff, and cross-functional initiatives or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Experience

7+ years of progressively responsible experience, preferably in higher education or a complex research organization.

Required Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

Proven financial and operational management expertise, with a strong ability to translate long-term strategic vision into daily, actionable execution. Exceptional interpersonal and political acumen, including the ability to influence, build consensus, and work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders across a complex academic environment. Advanced organizational skills, with a demonstrated ability to autonomously launch, prioritize, and manage multiple high-level projects concurrently under tight deadlines. Comfort navigating corporate, foundation, or institutional agreements through complex legal and administrative approval channels. Superior written and oral communication skills, with the ability to synthesize complex concepts for both academic audiences (e.g., science proposal writing) and external partners. Demonstrated resilience and problem-solving capacity within an ambiguous, fast-paced 'start-up' or launch phase organization.

Preferred Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

Background in STEM disciplines, a degree in a STEM discipline preferred. Experience launching and/or administratively managing a research center, institute or interdisciplinary initiative. Familiarity with academic governance and research environments.

Qualifications

In compliance with NYC's Pay Transparency Act, the annual base salary range for this position is USD $110,000.00 to USD $130,000.00. New York University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as, market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. This pay range represents base pay only and excludes any additional items such as incentives, bonuses, clinical compensation, or other items.