Design Climate Program Manager

The Design Climate Program Manager position is a full-time position that supports the Design Climate Executive Director in the development of the new Design Climate program at Duke University. The appointment is for 3-years and is currently scheduled to end on May 31, 2026 with the potential for contract renewal if the program continues. Design Climate disrupts traditional, unsustainable product development practices by developing future leaders that can design for sustainability and develop new ventures that produce breakthrough climate solutions. To produce these innovative new ventures, Design Climate serves as a bridge between industry and academia and translates student ingenuity and faculty research into novel solutions that result in a dramatic reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and help societal stakeholders adapt to the effects of climate change.  

The Design Climate Program Manager will support Design Climate through the following:

• -        Assisting with curriculum development and course management.
• -        Lecturing and facilitating in-class discussions
• -        Recruiting and organizing course projects
• -        Advising and mentoring students
• -        Marketing Design Climate to students and external stakeholders
• -        Supporting Design Climate Executive Director

Key Expertise and Strengths

• -        Deep passion to drive innovation focused on accelerating breakthrough solutions for climate change
• -        Desire to develop courses, and teach and mentor students at the undergraduate and graduate level
• -        Experience formally establishing collaborations and communicating with industry and/or community partners
• -        Knowledge of Duke sustainability and innovation ecosystems especially within the Pratt School of Engineering and the Nicholas School of the Environment

The ideal candidate(s) will have knowledge in some, but not all of the following areas:

• -        Scientific, technological, economic and social roots of climate and sustainability challenges
• -        Green tech innovation, including sustainable product and process engineering and development
• -        Public policy, finance, and regulatory compliance around green tech innovation
• -        Customer needs assessments, considering ethnographic and other factors
• -        Engagement with customers, clients and Duke faculty and researchers
• -        Existing industry relationships in the clean technology space are highly desirable
• -        Knowledge of modern pedagogical techniques for higher education and project based learning

Desired Educational Preparation

The ideal candidate would have a master's (or PhD) degree or commensurate industry experience and expertise in design, engineering, climate and sustainability science, or a related discipline.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.