The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) invites applications for the Lynde B. Uihlein Endowed Chair and Director of the Center for Water Policy.
The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is one of only two doctoral-granting institutions in the University of Wisconsin System. UWM is Wisconsin’s premier urban research institution and serves a more diverse student body than any other UW-System school. As Wisconsin’s only public urban research university, UWM has established an international reputation for excellence in research, community engagement, teaching and entrepreneurism.
The School of Freshwater Sciences at UWM is the first graduate school in the nation dedicated solely to the study of freshwater issues. Its interdisciplinary research and education programs link science with action and are integrated across four major areas: freshwater system dynamics; human and ecosystem health; freshwater technology; and freshwater economics, policy, and management. The School of Freshwater Sciences is advancing fundamental and strategic science and training the next generation of freshwater scientists and professionals to inform policy, improve management and promote the health and sustainability of the Great Lakes region and freshwater systems worldwide.
It is the School of Freshwater Sciences’ goal to be a source of expert knowledge on water issues and a catalyst for ideas that change how people think about and manage water resources.
Job Summary
The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the School of Freshwater Sciences seek a highly motivated individual with a strong record of professional accomplishments in natural resource policy to serve as the Lynde B. Uihlein Endowed Chair and Director of the Center for Water Policy located within the School of Freshwater Sciences.
The Center’s mission is to facilitate interdisciplinary solutions to resolve regional, national and international problems related to the protection, restoration and conservation of freshwater resources. The Director will provide leadership in positioning the Center for Water Policy, the School of Freshwater Sciences and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee as a national and international center of excellence in addressing water policy issues, research and innovation.
The Director will be responsible for building the capacity of the Center by forming collaborative initiatives to promote science based, sustainable water policies within the Great Lakes Region and beyond. The Director will be expected to attract extramural support and sponsorships and recruit additional researchers from UW-Milwaukee, UW System and other academic, governmental and non-academic institutions and to contribute to the intellectual life of the School of Freshwater Sciences.
General Responsibilities:
• Provide leadership, policy direction and management oversight for the Center for Water Policy (CWP);
• Support the overall strategic goals of the CWP through strategic decision-making in conjunction with the Faculty Steering Committee and an Advisory Board;
• Represent the Center for Water Policy and the School of Freshwater Sciences’ missions, guiding values and strategic directions;
• Seek opportunities and facilitate and assemble research team expertise to elevate the CWP and School of Freshwater Sciences in discussions on water policy;
• Become knowledgeable about School of Freshwater Sciences research and research in other relevant disciplines and connect this research with efforts to address water problems;
• Collaborate with faculty and staff in the School of Freshwater Sciences and other disciplines in UWM and other public and private institutions locally, nationally and internationally;
• Identify and recruit Fellows for the School of Freshwater Sciences;
• Work with the Dean to identify and recruit individuals with key professional expertise to serve on an Advisory Board for the Center and the School of Freshwater Sciences;
• Manage the Center budget, strategically allocating resources in a fashion that is aligned with the mission and goals of the Center and, in the case of grant or philanthropic support, complies with the grantor or donor intent;
• Collaborate with the School of Freshwater Sciences and UWM Office of Development to raise philanthropic support to advance the CWP’s mission;
• Oversee the development of policies, procedures and processes for the distribution of awards for the CWP Scholars Program and work with the Dean in the selection of Scholars;
• Provide leadership, supervision and oversight to staff for the Center; provide reports and assessments of all Center related activities to the Chancellor, Provost and Dean of the School of Freshwater Sciences; prepare summaries of key CWP related activities suitable for campus/public viewing; provide required reports to government and private funders;
• Other duties as assigned by the Chancellor, Provost or Dean.
Minimum Qualifications
• Minimum of 5 years of experience working toward resolving issues in natural resource policy.
• Bachelor’s degree (any field).
• Demonstrated progressively successful leadership skills throughout career path; i.e. creating vision, change, and inspiration in current or previous roles.
Preferred Qualifications
• Advanced degree (Masters, PhD, JD).
• Professional experience in water policy with a strong record of working on interdisciplinary approaches to resolving complex water issues.
• Evidence of intellectual writings/presentations on water policy and appreciation of the role of natural sciences in informing water policy.
• Knowledge of university functions.
• Expertise or working knowledge of freshwater issues, research challenges and funding sources at the community, state and national levels.
• Ability to serve in an outward facing role as spokesperson for an organization.
• Demonstrated ability to network and collaborate with diverse groups of stakeholders and communities including multiple partners, across disciplines or sectors, both academic and non-academic.
• Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work successfully with advisory boards and/or governance bodies.
• Five or more years of supervisory/management experience including: employee recruitment and management, budget preparation and management, project/program management.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully lead a project or program and see it through to completion.
• Proven track record of obtaining extramural funding.
