Associate Director, Earth Systems Institute

New York University • New York, NY

1d • $110,000 - $130,000

About The Position

The Associate Director will shape and focus the Earth Systems Institute’s organizational direction and serve as its operational backbone. The role provides comprehensive leadership and oversight, particularly during the Institute’s launch and initial growth phases. The Associate Director ensures the execution of research, educational, and external partnership initiatives and serves as the primary liaison to central administration and NYU’s schools. The position manages day-to-day operations, supports faculty leadership, secures funding pipelines, builds industry partnerships, and plans programming and events. In collaboration with leadership, the Associate Director conceptualizes and implements funded initiatives and fellowship opportunities, assisting with grantmaking, budgeting, and resource identification.

Requirements

• Master’s degree or equivalent.
• At least 5 years of progressively responsible administrative or operational leadership experience, including demonstrated experience managing budgets, staff, and cross-functional initiatives, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proven financial and operational management expertise, with the ability to translate long-term strategic vision into daily, actionable execution.
• Exceptional interpersonal and political acumen, including the ability to influence, build consensus, and collaborate with diverse stakeholders across a complex academic environment.
• Advanced organizational skills and 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, including the ability to synthesize complex concepts for academic audiences and external partners.
• Demonstrated resilience and problem-solving capacity in an ambiguous, fast-paced startup or launch-phase organization.

Nice To Haves

• At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience, preferably in higher education or a complex research organization.
• Background in STEM disciplines; a degree in a STEM discipline is preferred.
• Experience launching or administratively managing a research center, institute, or interdisciplinary initiative.
• Familiarity with academic governance and research environments.

Responsibilities

• Shape and focus the Earth Systems Institute’s organizational direction and provide operational leadership and oversight.
• Ensure the execution of research, educational, and external partnership initiatives.
• Serve as the primary liaison to central administration and NYU’s schools.
• Manage day-to-day operations and support faculty leadership.
• Secure funding pipelines and build industry partnerships.
• Plan programming and events.
• Collaborate with leadership to conceptualize and implement funded initiatives and fellowship opportunities.
• Assist with grantmaking, budgeting, and resource identification.
• Manage budgets, staff, and cross-functional initiatives.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior