Visiting Managing Director, SDSN USA

Lead implementation of SDSN USA's annual and multi-year strategic plan in coordination with the Executive Director, Network Chair, Leadership Council, and SDSN Global. Develop and manage a national network growth strategy, including member recruitment, partner engagement, working group development, and re-engagement of inactive members. Identify opportunities for SDSN USA to serve as a national platform for applied research, data tools, policy engagement, education, and implementation support. Translate SDSN USA priorities into measurable annual goals, work plans, deliverables, and performance metrics. Develop platforms to provide evidence-informed advice, counsel, and practical guidance to subnational leaders, including states, cities, regions, and local public agencies, as they adapt the SDGs to local priorities, measure progress, and move from planning to implementation. Network Engagement Membership Development Mobilize SDSN USA member institutions by fostering collaboration, facilitating engagement opportunities, and supporting cross-institutional initiatives that advance progress on the SDGs. Identify and pursue opportunities to broaden the SDSN USA network through outreach, partnership development, and recruitment of new member institutions. Develop and implement strategies for onboarding new members and re-engaging passive or underactive members. Maintain an up-to-date database with contact information for all your members and partners which also serves to map the expertise of your network Programming Events Plan, organize, and execute at least one annual national conference, convening key stakeholders from across the country and region to identify and promote solutions and initiatives aligned with the SDGs. Collaborate with the Executive Director, faculty, member institutions, and external partners to design and implement an annual program of activities across multiple modalities. Explore the development of an SDSN USA Fellows Program to extend the capacity of the hub, engage emerging and established leaders across sectors, and advance applied research, policy engagement, and collaborative action in support of the SDGs. Strategy, Planning Reporting In collaboration with the Executive Director, develop annual network goals, key performance indicators (KPIs), and success metrics aligned with SDSN USA priorities. Monitor progress and prepare comprehensive annual reports on network performance and outcomes. Prepare and submit quarterly activity reports to the SDSN Global Secretariat. Global Network Participation Represent SDSN USA in SDSN Global Network meetings, working groups, and collaborative initiatives, as requested by leadership. Facilitate alignment between SDSN USA activities and global SDSN priorities. Communications Visibility Supervise the Communications Specialist and oversee the development and execution of a strategic communications plan. Ensure communications efforts effectively engage current members, attract new members, and enhance the visibility and impact of SDSN USA. Write and support dissemination content in multiple formats, including reports, briefs, op-eds, case studies, web content, and scholarly or practitioner-oriented publications, to raise awareness of SDSN USA's work and advance understanding of effective approaches to the Sustainable Development Goals. Represent SDSN USA at relevant national meetings and engage with scientific, academic, civic, and community-based organizations to raise visibility, build relationships, and identify opportunities for strategic partnership and collaboration. Regularly post to SDSN SustainChain, the online community for SDSN Members, to promote the work of the Network and engage members in your work program. Record and share minutes from local meetings with the Global SDSN Secretariat with SDSN members and National/Regional SDSN Leadership Council. Budget, Fundraising Resource Management Develop and manage the annual network budget in coordination with the Executive Director. Monitor expenditures and ensure responsible stewardship of resources to support programming and strategic priorities. Develop revenue models that may include grants, sponsorships, convenings, memberships, fellowships, and project-based support. Ensure compliance with all relevant University of Illinois System policies and procedures. In collaboration with the Executive Director and appropriate advancement or fundraising partners, support the development and execution of a fundraising strategic plan to sustain operations, advance research priorities, and enable network growth. Identify potential foundation, corporate, philanthropic, public-sector, and sponsorship opportunities. Support proposal development, funder briefings, grant reporting, stewardship materials, and partnership cases for investment. Team Leadership and Operational Management Direct supervision of the Communications and Engagement Specialist and other support staff. Provide guidance to student employees, interns, or project-based staff. Provide guidance and collaborate closely with event management staff at the University of Illinois System and contract or external staff resources related to event management. Build internal systems for project management, member tracking, data reporting, communications, event planning, and partner engagement. Manage the annual operating calendar, deliverables, budget tracking, and cross-functional workflows. Ensure that SDSN USA has the operational infrastructure needed to scale from launch phase to sustained national platform. Standard office environment with flexibility for remote or hybrid work, consistent with University of Illinois System policies. Occasional travel required for conferences, meetings, and network activities.