Director, Electrification for Health (Palo Alto)

Thank you for your interest in Stanford University.While we have instituted a hiring pause for non-critical staff positions, we are actively recruiting for most of the positions currently listed on our careers page.We will update the page when the broader hiring pause is lifted.

Job Summary

• DATE POSTED 3 days ago
• Schedule Full-time
• Job Code 4123
• Employee Status Fixed-Term
• Grade K
• Requisition ID 107111

This position has been deemed critical by the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability Deans Office and is exempt from the hiring pause.

This position is based on Stanfords main campus with consideration given to the option for a hybrid work schedule (partially onsite and offsite), subject to operational need. Interested candidates must include a resume and cover letter to be considered for this position.

This is a two-year fixed term position with the possibility of renewal dependent on programmatic need and budgetary availability.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa.

About Us
The Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability strives to create a future when humans and nature thrive in concert and in perpetuity. The school is made up of a three-part structure to drive global impact: Our academic departments and programs educate students and create new knowledge across areas of research that are crucial for advancing the long-term prosperity of the planet and people; Institutes bridge scholarship at Stanford and beyond, bringing multiple viewpoints to bear on urgent challenges; The Sustainability Accelerator drives new policy and technology solutions through a worldwide network of partners who work with our teams to develop solutions at a global scale. The school is dedicated to creating and supporting a community with the richness of experience and background needed to create solutions that benefit all people, particularly those most affected by environmental damage and climate change.

For more information on the school, click here .

The Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment works to advance global sustainability through new knowledge and practical, fair solutions to pressing environmental challenges. As part of the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, the Woods Institute provides an interdisciplinary research hub for scholars from all seven schools at Stanford. Offering targeted research incentives as well as convening, education, and leadership programs, the Woods Institute supports faculty, researchers, and students as they investigate and advance solutions to critical climate, environment, and sustainability challenges. Working on campus and around the globe, the Woods Institute and its hosted centers and programs combine cutting edge scholarship, diverse partnerships, and deep engagement across sectors and disciplines to advance just, practical solutions for people and the planet.

The Center for Human and Planetary Health , launched in October 2024, is the newest Center hosted at the Woods Institute, in close collaboration with the Center for Innovation in Global Health at the Stanford School of Medicine. The Center advances research, solutions, and education to improve health and sustainabilityand Pollution and Health is one of the Centers main areas of focus.

Air pollution is the leading cause of early death and a critical link between climate and health. Burning fossil fuels is its primary driver. To create sustainable societies, we must address this root cause. This new interdisciplinary program within the Center for Human and Planetary Health will unite scholars and external partners to co-develop and implement strategies to reduce air pollution through electrification. Stanford is uniquely positioned to translate research into impact at scale.

Job Description
The Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment and the Center for Human and Planetary Health are seeking a Director for the Electrification for Health program to provide leadership and management for all aspects of the program. The role will act as a subject matter expert between the faculty and their research ideas. The Director will shape and implement strategy, obtain program funds, develop and manage activities and staff, and provide vision and leadership.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Lead efforts to establish an official campus presence for the Electrification for Health Program, focusing on indoor air quality and electrification. Collaborate with partners to develop and implement indoor air quality standards and appliance performance standards, while also organizing and contributing to scientific publications and creating a research-to-action strategy for electrification.
• In partnership with the Faculty Director, Stanford Professor Rob Jackson, define the overarching goals and deliverables of the Electrification for Health program. Independently translate these goals into a comprehensive operating plan that includes strategies, timelines, deliverables, staff hiring, proposal development, partnership cultivation, and programmatic events.
• Liaise with Stanford Medical School and other medical institutions, as well as climate and energy organizations, to document and communicate the health benefits of electrification.
• Organize follow-up activities in response to the recent Uncommon Dialogue on Indoor Air Quality and facilitate workshops both on and off campus.
• Drive the development of new, low-cost pollutant sensors for the program, including a potential campus challenge.
• Complement the Principal Investigator's knowledge and relationships to translate research objectives into actionable plans and timelines for individual projects. Each research operational plan should outline major activities, logistics for fieldwork and equipment, collaboration with partner organizations, staffing, and reporting oversight.
• Provide leadership for research projects under the general direction of the Faculty Director, ensuring that project objectives are met.
• Secure new grants from foundations or state and federal agencies to fund program initiatives.
• Manage annual program-wide progress reviews, evaluating program effectiveness, research plans, and outcomes.
• Collaborate with the Center for Human and Planetary Health to maximize impact by aligning activities and ensuring programmatic efficiency where appropriate.
• Collaborate with the Faculty Director to develop and manage an effective internal and external communication and outreach strategy across multiple media platforms, positioning the program as a vital hub for knowledge, research, and collaboration, while raising public awareness of the benefits of electrification through partnerships and media outreach.
• Lead or co-lead the preparation of research publications and reports as necessary.
• Provide coaching and mentoring to program staff, assist in mentoring students engaged in program projects, and ensure that all work across the initiative is cohesive and supportive of overarching goals. Develop staffing plans and manage hiring, training, professional development, and retention efforts.

- 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.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education & Experience:

• Bachelors degree and eight years of relevant experience, or combination of education and relevant experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to influence and motivate constituencies which could span multiple organizational boundaries.
• Demonstrated excellent planning, organizational and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated ability to make sound business decisions using good business judgment and innovative and creative problem-solving.
• Demonstrated ability to manage financial, organizational and staff resources.
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills with the ability to cultivate professional and business partnerships.

Desired Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in a relevant climate-, health-, or business-related field.
• A demonstrated interest in interdisciplinary, systems-level approaches.
• Proven track record in starting and building organizations.
• Documented experience in obtaining grants and fundraising.
• Experience creating and managing communication campaigns.
• General computer skills and experience coordinating webpage design.
• Strong analytical skills and excellent judgment.
• Ability to work under deadlines with general guidance.
• Excellent organizational skills and demonstrated ability to complete work accurately.
• A thorough understanding of climate and electrification policies and standards.
• The ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary team and with diverse community members.
• Track record in outreach activities beyond academia.

* - 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 the job.

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