| Chautauqua Institution Director, Climate Change Initiative Position Specifications Position Director, Climate Change Initiative Organization Chautauqua Institution Location Chautauqua, NY & Washington, DC Reporting Relationship Vice President / Emily & Richard Smucker Chair for Education Website https://chq.org/ Chautauqua Institution “Chautauqua Institution is dedicated to the exploration of the best in human values and the enrichment of life through a program that explores the important religious, social and political issues of our times; stimulates provocative, thoughtful involvement of individuals and families in creative response to such issues; and promotes excellence and creativity in the appreciation, performance and teaching of the arts.” Chautauqua Institution is a not-for-profit global convener of dialogue on the most significant issues of the day through engagement across four pillars of arts, education, religion, and recreation. During its summer assembly season, Chautauqua comes alive on the shores of Chautauqua Lake in southwestern New York State with a unique mix of lectures, fine/performing arts, interfaith worship/programs, recreational activities, and public dialogue opportunities. A recently launched digital platform, CHQ Assembly, provides access to Chautauqua’s Summer Assembly programming as well as sustained, year-round programmatic engagement on key areas of focus aligned with the organization’s mission. Chautauqua Institution's strategic plan calls for innovation, reimagination and expansion of the organization's impact in the world. Among other things, this plan positions Chautauqua Institution to achieve deeper mission impact and revenue growth by engaging in the world more significantly outside of the summer assembly season and investing more deeply in selected issues of the day and continuing the conversation toward citizen engagement and positive action. The Chautauqua vision aspires to create an informed, engaged, and renewed public that fosters and actively contributes to a more civil society, nationally and within the various communities represented by its individual constituents and partners. Position Summary Reporting to the Vice President/Emily & Richard Smucker Chair for Education, the Director of the Chautauqua Institution Climate Change Initiative will design and implement a collaborative strategic initiative to establish Chautauqua Institution as a leader in advancing education advocacy, public policy, and positive change on the existential issue of climate change. Throughout its history and at its core, the Chautauqua Institution has centered on lifelong learning and education. The Institution creates space to convene diverse perspectives and voices in order to discover and advance the most important, relevant conversations and experiences of the time, and it is clear that climate change warrants a prominent place in contemporary conversation. As the Chautauqua Institution approaches its 150th anniversary, the Institution seeks to leverage its unparalleled ability to convene and its vibrant, multigenerational community to raise the profile of this vital issue and preserve the world for future generations. This Director provides the administration and leadership for the newly established Chautauqua Institution Climate Initiative, a long-term effort to: - Create and share knowledge on climate change, its impacts, and actions that can contribute to reversing negative trends;
- Leverage existing and new partnerships to create programs and experiences to engage citizens in ways that both advance their understanding of relevant issues and information and inspire and give them tools to take action in their home communities;
- Serve as a resource for schools, communities, businesses, and organizations that seek information and experiences to advance their plans to reduce their carbon footprint or enhance knowledge and understanding among their constituents;
- Curate conversations leading to deeper understanding of the issues associated with climate change; build civil dialogue skills, abilities, and dispositions among citizens; and showcase opportunities to take action that will mitigate the impact of climate change or lead to solutions.
- Leverage its commitment to a science-based solution to Chautauqua Lake conservation as a living and grounds-based laboratory for citizen action and engagement; and
- Emerge as a leading organization making a positive contribution to the reversal of climate change trends.
Key Responsibilities There is great institutional and philanthropic support behind this new initiative and commitment in the strategic plan about climate change. The focus of and intent behind this position is to shift the cultural disposition to creating science-based solutions. The Director will provide strategic vision and working leadership for Chautauqua’s Climate Change Initiative, including program design and implementation, program evaluation, program and media partnership cultivation, philanthropic cultivation, operational support, fiscal management, and community engagement. This is not an advocacy role; rather, it’s about education, coalition building, and positive action. In the initiative’s first year, the Director will be responsible for building upon Chautauqua’s previous Summer Assembly work focused on climate change by designing and delivering online programs for the online CHQ Assembly platform and, as permissible by state regulations, face-to-face convening, workshops, conference events and travel programs; pursuing and establishing program and media partnerships; cultivate philanthropic support; finalize a detailed financial pro forma approved by the administration; establish a program advisory group; finalize design of a college and university fellowship plan; and provide regular communication about the activities pursued through the Initiative and ongoing education about the issue of climate change. Working in support of Chautauqua’s strategic plan, the Director will develop a multi-phase plan to gain national recognition for Chautauqua Institution Climate Change Initiative by 2024 through media and programmatic partnerships, government relations, programmatic reach, and philanthropic support, ultimately leading to a naming opportunity to establish the Center on Climate at Chautauqua, which plays a significant role in major national convening and events related to climate change. Other primary duty responsibilities of the Director include: - Produce programs that support the mission, vision, shared values and strategic direction of Chautauqua Institution and Department of Education.
- Plan, develop and deliver compelling, creative, and innovative programs for a sophisticated, well-educated audience by working effectively with other internal managers, program coordinators and informal network contacts. Work collaboratively with Institution colleagues on developing program and growing audiences in support of Chautauqua Institution’s commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility.
- Develop year-round contact and engagement with the Chautauqua community on the work of Climate Change Initiative and ongoing education about the issue of climate change.
- Cultivate partnerships with thought leaders, elected officials, media organizations, academic institutions, and other entities in support of and aligned with Climate Change Initiative’s programmatic goals and Chautauqua Institution’s strategic plan.
- Oversee year-round and seasonal staffing and budgeting for Climate Change Initiative programs and work with staff of Chautauqua Institution’s Advancement Office on philanthropic support for programs through grants and donor cultivation.
- Evaluate programs and content to measure impact, mission alignment, financial sustainability and as part of institution’s program optimization goals.
Successful Traits and Characteristics The Director must have a strong understanding of climate change issues and policy, the ability to synthesize complex and technical information relevant to related issues, wide/deep intellectual interests, and a broad professional network. The position will be most closely aligned with Programming and will work and partner across all functions. Other desired qualifications and leadership characteristics include: - Exceptional program administration and management skills, including, but not limited to: staff supervision; program evaluation; partnership cultivation; budget development/management; donor cultivation; data gathering/analysis; communicating with stakeholders and population served
- Experience creating space for and facilitating public dialogue programs, with emphasis on synthesizing learning; exploring differences with respect; prioritizing listening to understand; assuming good faith on all participants; encouraging the practice of empathy; facilitating equity of voice; and appreciating vulnerability
- Possesses an entrepreneurial spirit and enjoys working in a participative work environment that respects varied opinions and diverse audiences
- Creative, imaginative, a quick learner with excellent communication skills to present often complex information, frequently with public speaking engagements or at meetings of boards or elected officials
- Advanced competencies in critical questioning, trust-building, networking, managing change/uncertainty, continuous improvement and mobilizing stakeholders as advocates of innovation within a traditional environment
- Capacity to envision new operational landscapes and ability to quickly adapt new skills in a constantly evolving, rapid-pace culture of visionary thinkers
- Intermediate knowledge and application of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint, and digital learning methods/resources
Duties and Responsibilities This is an ideal position for the person who thrives on the opportunities and challenges of building out a new initiative and a globally impactful venture. This position will work cross-functionally with people and teams to share a vision and collaboratively drive that vision in ways that help to build new paths for opportunity and impact for the Chautauqua Institution, climate issues, and the wider world. Chief among the immediate duties and responsibilities: - Provide strategic vision and working leadership for Chautauqua’s Climate Change Initiative, including program design and implementation, program evaluation, program and media partnership cultivation, philanthropic cultivation, operational support, fiscal management, and community engagement.
- Produce programs that support the mission, vision, shared values and strategic direction of Chautauqua Institution and Department of Education.
- Plan, develop and deliver compelling, creative, and innovative programs for a sophisticated, well-educated audience by working effectively with other internal managers, program coordinators and informal network contacts. Work collaboratively with Institution colleagues on developing program and growing audiences in support of Chautauqua Institution’s commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility.
- Develop year-round contact and engagement with Chautauqua community on work of Climate Change Initiative and ongoing education about the issue of climate change.
- Cultivate partnerships with thought leaders, elected officials, media organizations, academic institutions, and other entities in support of and aligned with Climate Change Initiative’s programmatic goals and Chautauqua Institution’s strategic plan.
- Oversee year-round and seasonal staffing and budgeting for Climate Change Initiative programs and work with staff of Chautauqua Institution’s Advancement Office on philanthropic support for programs through grants and donor cultivation.
- Evaluate programs and content to measure impact, mission alignment, financial sustainability and as part of institution’s program optimization goals.
- Working in support of Chautauqua’s strategic plan, develop a multi-phase plan to gain national recognition for Chautauqua Institution Climate Change Initiative by 2024 through media and programmatic partnerships, government relations, programmatic reach, and philanthropic support, ultimately leading to a naming opportunity to establish the Center on Climate at Chautauqua, which plays a significant role in major national convening and events related to climate change.
Key Relationships Reports to: Vice President / Emily & Richard Smucker Chair for Education Other key relationships: Chautauqua Institution Patrons and Property Owners Summer Assembly and CHQ (online) Assembly program leaders Marketing & Communications colleagues Advancement Colleagues Regional and national leaders in the environmental and conservation spaces Education and Experience Master’s Degree in environmental science, environmental policy, or related field; or advanced degree in journalism and/or communications with emphasis on climate related topics; doctoral degree or pursuit preferred 10+ years’ experience in climate change research, communications, education, or programming with proven success in program development and leadership in advancing effective public engagement on issues is strongly preferred Compensation Competitive compensation ranges and detailed benefits packages will be provided to candidates. Application Process Interested and qualified candidates are welcome to submit a resume and cover letter to: [email protected] |
