Executive Director, David Evans Shaw Institute for Public and Planetary Health

University of New England Career•Portland, ME

About The Position

The Executive Director will develop and implement a strategic vision for the David Evans Shaw Institute for Public and Planetary Health that advances UNE’s mission, academic strengths, research priorities, and commitment to healthier people, communities, and environments. The role provides oversight of the Center for Public Health Practice, Center for Health Aging, and Center for North Atlantic Studies, and builds partnerships across community, academic, government, health, environmental, industry, policy, and philanthropic organizations. The Executive Director advances applied research, scholarship, policy translation, and public engagement; supports academic and workforce programming and student opportunities; and represents the Institute to internal and external audiences. The position also leads planning, budgeting, staffing, assessment, reporting, and operations in alignment with University policies and priorities, while fostering collaboration, inclusion, scientific rigor, innovation, and accountability.

Requirements

An earned terminal degree in public health, environmental health, medicine, health sciences, Earth system science, policy, sustainability, social science, business, or a related field, or a record of equivalent distinguished professional achievement appropriate to the role.
Significant executive or senior leadership experience in higher education, research administration, public health, environmental health, nonprofit leadership, government, industry, philanthropy, or a related setting.
Demonstrated success leading growth and change, implementing new initiatives, and delivering measurable institutional and community impact.
A strong record of interdisciplinary collaboration and ability to work effectively across academic, scientific, community, governmental, and external stakeholder groups.
Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and people leadership skills.
Experience setting strategy, managing budgets, developing high-performing teams, and translating complex scientific, environmental, public health, and policy issues for diverse audiences.
Strong emotional intelligence skills.
Experience securing and stewarding external resources through grants, contracts, philanthropy, strategic partnerships, or other revenue-generating opportunities.
Evidence of commitment to student success, workforce development, community engagement, and fostering an inclusive, collaborative culture.

Nice To Haves

A national or emerging national reputation in public health, planetary health, environmental health, climate and health, sustainability, implementation science, community-engaged research, policy, or a related field.
Familiarity with Maine, Northern New England, and the health, environmental, economic, and community priorities of rural and coastal regions.
Strategic and entrepreneurial approach, with the ability to build a new institute with clarity, focus, and momentum.
Leadership style that empowers others toward a shared strategic vision while maintaining a commitment to execution and implementation.
Ability to earn trust across disciplines and constituencies.
Comfort serving as a visible ambassador for UNE and the Institute.
Mission-driven commitment to improving health outcomes, environmental stewardship, and community well-being.
Skill in convening diverse stakeholders around shared goals and translating ideas into action.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement a strategic vision for the Institute that advances UNE’s mission, academic strengths, research priorities, and commitment to healthier people, communities, and environments.
Provide effective oversight of the Center for Public Health Practice, Center for Health Aging, and Center for North Atlantic Studies.
Form and cultivate an advisory council to provide strategic guidance, review annual priorities, advise on partnerships, and connect the Institute with internal and external stakeholders.
Strengthen existing and build new partnerships with community organizations, public agencies, health systems, environmental organizations, industry, policymakers, aligned academic institutions, and philanthropic partners.
Identify, pursue, and support external funding opportunities, including grants, contracts, philanthropic gifts, sponsored projects, and strategic partnerships.
Promote applied research, scholarship, policy translation, and public-facing engagement addressing public and planetary health challenges.
Support development of academic and workforce programs, certificates, experiential learning opportunities, fellowships, internships, and continuing education initiatives aligned with Institute priorities.
Work with faculty and academic leaders to support student engagement, interdisciplinary learning, mentorship, and career pathways in public and planetary health.
Represent the Institute to internal and external audiences through public speaking, convenings, media engagement, professional networks, and national partnerships.
Lead Institute planning, budgeting, staffing, assessment, reporting, and operational processes in alignment with University policies and priorities.
Advance a culture of collaboration, inclusion, scientific rigor, innovation, and accountability.