Chief Science Officer

Key Skills

Java Programming, Python Programming, C++, C Programming, SQL, Cloud computing, Scala Programming, Machine learning techniques, Data science techniques, MATLAB Programming, PyTorch, TensorFlow, R Programming

Job Description

The Science Office’s mission is to ensure that NRDC’s work to safeguard the earth is grounded in scientific principles and understanding. The office drives, shapes, and supports our ability to advance bold climate action and social justice, protect public health, preserve wild spaces, and build a strong environmental movement. Our goal is to bridge the gap between science, and the people, communities and ecosystems it serves.

Position Summary

NRDC is looking for a Chief Science Officer (CSO) to join our team of passionate environmental advocates. This is a unique opportunity for an experienced leader to help shape organizational strategy, systems and structures to address the climate challenge as part of a still-forming leadership team. The role provides significant organizational leadership in strategy and policy development; promotes public understanding and engagement with science; positions NRDC as a scientific hub and a strategic contributor to the global climate agenda; and advances NRDC’s commitment to community advocacy, diversity, inclusion, equity, and justice.

Reporting to our new Chief Capacities Officer, the CSO will lead the vision for science at NRDC and have strategic and operational responsibility for further developing and expanding NRDC’s Science Office as the scientific and evidence-based nucleus that forms and informs all strategy and advocacy. They will mentor and guide scientific talent within the organization and ensure there is a supportive community of practice that elevates and integrates our work across NRDC and among the external scientific community.

The Chief Science Officer will approach situations with a collaborative spirit and embrace solving complex and nuanced problems with a scientific, evidence- and equity-based approach. They will be a strategic thinker and relationship builder with excellent influencing and communications skills. The CSO will be an established and credible scientist with deep ties in the global scientific community. The CSO is excited about being the chief storyteller and champion of science; serving as an external spokesperson to represent our science-based strategic vision and elevate our scientific reputation and profile.

Responsibilities

Strategy Development, Institutional Leadership, and External Relations (60%):

• Develops and drives a strategic plan to increase organizational investment and capacity in scientific research and analysis. 
• Develops, shapes, and roots in scrupulous science the planning and execution of the institution's advocacy and policy positions. 
• Serves as a key thought partner and advisor for the President, Board, and other senior leadership; is a member of key decision-making structures (e.g., Advocacy Leadership Team).
• Serves as chief external spokesperson and champion of science; builds and maintains a high-profile presence through media engagements and participation in high-impact forums to serve as scientific expert and NRDC representative.
• Cultivates and builds strategic relationships and partnerships across the world within the scientific community, academic institutions, and government agencies in support of NRDC’s scientific agenda and programs. 
• Embeds equity and justice in NRDC’s scientific work; champions science-based community advocacy and helps build scientific expertise and capacity among underserved communities. 

 Internal Management (40%):

• Leads and further develops NRDC's Science Office, including budget development, strategic planning, and people management. 
• Facilitates innovative research programs relevant to NRDC’s mission. 
• Leads the Science Office team in order to develop systems, policies and procedures, including in data management, to expand NRDC’s analytical capabilities. 

Qualifications

• PhD (or equivalent) in a scientific field, and 10+ years of experience in mission-driven advocacy preferred. 
• Excellent and proven ability to build, expand, and represent a scientific function both internally and outside an organization. 
• Astute understanding of and experience working at the intersection of science, equity and justice; passion for building community partnerships and scientific capacity.
• Compelling, persuasive public speaker, with the skill to communicate technical and non-technical topics with a wide variety of audiences. 
• Excellent ability to build strategic relationships, cultivate and advance existing collaborations and pursue new partnership opportunities to increase impact.
• Proven leader with an inclusive and determined approach to leadership, encouraging ideas, initiative and innovation in others whilst establishing a high-performing culture. 
• Adept at managing people, projects, and relationships in a dynamic and complex, matrix organizational structure.
• Strong interpersonal and active listening skills with a collaborative working style. 
• Extensive experience in change management, process development, working with growing organizations, and/or partnering with newly established leadership.
• A good understanding of data science, including relevant systems, structures, best practices and procedures. 
• Experience working in/with the international scientific community is desirable. 
• Experience working in climate or climate-related science, or deep understanding of the field is preferred. 
• Commitment to NRDC’s values and mission.