President/CEO

~ Second Nature's mission is to accelerate movement toward a sustainable future by serving and supporting senior college and university leaders in making healthy, just, and sustainable living the foundation of all learning and practice in higher education. ~

We believe that in order for society to move in a sustainable direction, higher education must develop a new framework in which the sector and individual institutions operate as a fully integrated communities that teach, research, and model social and ecological sustainability. 

Position Overview

Second Nature, a not-for-profit organization instrumental in launching the Education for Sustainability movement in higher education, seeks a strategic leader to serve as its next President. The successful candidate will lead an effective and agile organization that has a twenty-year record of pioneering work in developing and promoting healthy, vibrant, and sustainable communities, economies, and ecosystems.

Second Nature is best known for its role in initiating and managing the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) in partnership with the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) and EcoAmerica.

Nearly 700 colleges and universities representing one-third of the nation's college enrollments are part of the ACUPCC, institutions that have committed to taking significant, concrete actions to make their campuses, practices, and educational programs part of education for sustainability. No less significant are Second Nature's roles in coordinating the Higher Education Association's Sustainability Consortium, developing the Advancing Green Building in Higher Education project, increasing corporate awareness, and serving as the leading think tank and catalyst for the education for sustainability movement.

Responsibilities 

• The President is the chief executive officer of Second Nature, directing a highly talented and dedicated staff of approximately 18 and reporting to the board of directors.
• Click here to see full list of responsibilities. 

Qualifications  

• Candidates should bring proven leadership and management experience, ideally in higher education or other relevant settings. Knowledge of and passion for healthy, sustainable societies and education for sustainability are essential.
• A collaborative nature and excellent communication skills are required.
• The successful candidate will be self-motivated, results-oriented, innovative, and practical, with well-developed diplomatic and interpersonal skills.
• The ideal candidate will have an established reputation in education for sustainability or related area and will be ready to be positioned as a thought leader in the field.
• A record of transformational organizational leadership, collaboration with public and private sectors, and knowledge of the dynamics and culture of higher education is desirable.
• Experience with or strong potential for success in fundraising is expected.
• An advanced degree in an appropriate field is preferred.

Note: Women and minority candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. 

~ Second Nature is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on any of the following: race, religious creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or gender characteristics, national origin, religion, marital status, medical condition, physical or mental disability, military service or veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, or any other classification protected by federal, state, and local laws and ordinances. ~