Environmental & Social Sustainability Director

Overview

University of Utah Health is growing, and we're seeking an Environmental & Social Sustainability Director in our next chapter!

The Director of Environmental & Social Sustainability and Climate Resilience is responsible for the development and execution of a comprehensive sustainability program that aligns with overarching goals of the organization, including achieving the organization’s commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050 and enhanced climate resiliency.

This multi-faceted role leads the development and management of corporate sustainability encompassing people, planet, and profit, while emphasizing the interconnectedness of human health to a healthy planet.

This role will also be responsible for evaluating and implementing initiatives to improve climate resiliency of hospitals and clinics. The incumbent leads the deployment of activities within the organization that promote long-term sustainability and the reduction of ecological damage.

This position is responsible for the development, implementation, promotion, and monitoring of environmental strategies and goals across the organization. They will serve as the leader and expert on current strategies, trends and effective communication and education on the topic.

This position reports to the Senior Director of Facilities and Engineering and will be responsible for building and leading a team of sustainability experts and support staff. This position is not responsible for providing direct patient care.

Qualified candidates must have completed:

• Bachelor’s degree in Sustainability, Public Health, or a related field.
• Five years of leadership experience – preferably in sustainability or health care operations

Our ideal candidates will also have the following preferred qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Sustainability, Business Administration, Health Care Administration, Public Health, or a related field.
• Experience in sustainability reporting to organizations such as Practice Green Health and the Global Reporting Initiative
• Familiarity with the Healthcare Anchor Network
• Knowledge of applicable climate and healthcare resilience tactics
• Familiarity with material topics such as food, waste, supply chains, chemicals of concern, especially as they related to health care systems and delivery
• Deep understanding of UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), health care contributions to climate change, and climate change impacts on human health
• Experience in and a passion for community and employee engagement through large programs and projects

Corporate Overview: University of Utah Healthcare is an integrated academic healthcare system with four hospitals including a level 1 trauma center, twelve community health centers, over 1,600 providers, and a health plan serving over 200,000 members.

University Healthcare is nationally ranked and recognized for our academic research, quality standards and overall patient experience.

In addition to our clinical delivery system, we have a School of Medicine, School of Dentistry, College of Nursing, College of Pharmacy, and College of Health providing education and training for over 1,250 providers annually. We have over 2 million patient visits annually and research grants exceeding $350 million.

It's been a winning 11 years.

For the seventh year running in 2021, University of Utah Hospital is ranked the No. 1 hospital in Utah, and in the Salt Lake City metro area, by U.S. News & World Report.

University of Utah Health credits its employees for its national ranking as a Top 10 Academic Medical Center for quality and safety for 11 consecutive years!

In addition to its placement on the top 10 list, U of U Health also ranked 2nd in Vizient’s Ambulatory Care Quality and Accountability Awards in 2020. This is the sixth year in a row the U has ranked in the top five in this category.

And according to Becker's Hospital Review, analysis on ranking and award agencies for excellence in clinical care, patient outcomes, and staff and physician satisfaction, University of Utah Hospital has been ranked among the top 100 great hospitals in America four years in a row.

In our 2020 employee engagement survey results:

• 99% of our employees were proud to tell people they work here!

• 99% of our employees would recommend us to family and friends who need care!

• 98% of our employees would recommend this as a good place to work!

These are fantastic statistics on their own, and are more than 30 percentage points higher than the national average. And OUR PEOPLE are the reason for these remarkable figures.

University of Utah Health was also recently anked as one of America’s Best Large Employers by Forbes in 2018 and again in 2019 , and is the only health care provider from the state of Utah to receive the designation.

Not surprisingly, health care organizations with higher levels of staff engagement also have higher patient satisfaction scores, better staff retention, and a stronger culture of safety. It’s a great place to work and live, and the nation is taking note!

As a patient-focused organization, University of Utah Health exists to enhance the health and well-being of people through patient care, research and education. Success in this mission requires a culture of collaboration, excellence, leadership, and respect. University of Utah Health seeks staff that are committed to the values of compassion, collaboration, innovation, responsibility, diversity, integrity, quality and trust that are integral to our mission. EO/AA

Responsibilities

• Analyzes and assess current operating procedures, materials, and methods; anticipates and implements changes or modifications based on sustainability goals; and performs life cycle assessments and cost analyses of proposed modifications
• Establishes a vision, develops strategies and sets SMART goals to integrate sustainability cross-functionally across the health care system
• Develops and directs all facets of the sustainability program for the organization
• Develops and leads an internal executive sustainability steering committee at the corporate level that will oversee and monitor progress
• Collaborates with the marketing and/or communications department to create a comprehensive communications strategy
• Develops website content, educational materials, and associated reports related to sustainability initiatives, education, and marketing in collaboration with internal departments, including information systems, marketing, and public relations
• Collaborates with Human Resources and the Organization Development department to provide education about sustainability efforts during new employee orientation and annual departmental training
• Collaborates with the internal groups (e.g. plant operations, engineering, environmental health and safety, marketing, and health professional representation) for the development and implementation of initiatives in support of the sustainability strategy
• Creates and strengthens partnerships with external groups and the vendor community to develop and implement new strategies for effective and efficient means of providing equipment, services, and supplies that minimize greenhouse gases and reduce the environmental footprint of the supply chain
• Leads and promotes sustainability engagement activities through tools, education, and training to increase awareness among staff members, patients, and the community (e.g. Earth Week)
• Facilitates connections between operations, patient care, research, education and community engagement initiatives related to sustainability across the University of Utah Health system
• Manages external reporting requirements (e.g. Practice Green Health’s Environmental Excellence)
• Reports sustainability progress regularly to the executive team and the Board of Directors
• Serves as a representative on broader sustainability groups and committees within the organization and surrounding community

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent presentation, verbal, and written skills
• Advanced skills in public speaking, training, and education
• Knowledge in developing and presenting sustainable business concepts, training, and emerging technologies
• Knowledge of local, regional, and national emerging sustainable business strategies, life cycle assessments (LCA), ROI analysis, and other key sustainability tools and techniques
• Understanding of environmental health and safety guidelines, the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Environmental Design, the green guidelines for health care, and basic environmental compliance for health care
• Ability to analyze data, evaluate outcomes, and recommend actions
• Skills in time management, self-motivation, project management, and priority setting
• Understanding of cost-benefit analysis in selection of sustainable business strategies
• Knowledge of financial planning, including budget development
• Ability to construct and direct a network of sustainable business resources
• Knowledge of waste and inefficiencies common to the health care setting, primarily in the supply chain
• Strong computer skills (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)

Qualifications

Qualifications Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Sustainability, Public Health, or a related field.
• Five years of leadership experience – preferably in sustainability or health care operations

Qualifications (Preferred)

Preferred

• Master’s degree in Sustainability, Business Administration, Health Care Administration, Public Health, or a related field.
• Experience in sustainability reporting to organizations such as Practice Green Health and the Global Reporting Initiative
• Familiarity with the Healthcare Anchor Network
• Knowledge of applicable climate and healthcare resilience tactics
• Familiarity with material topics such as food, waste, supply chains, chemicals of concern, especially as they related to health care systems and delivery
• Deep understanding of UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), health care contributions to climate change, and climate change impacts on human health
• Experience in and a passion for community and employee engagement through large programs and projects

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

Employee must be able to meet the following requirements with or without an accommodation.

• This is a sedentary position in an office setting that may exert up to 10 pounds and may lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. This position involves sitting most of the time but can be exposed to adverse environmental conditions while walking with construction and maintenance leaders on the numerous projects.

Physical Requirements

Carrying, Climbing, Color Determination, Crawling, Lifting, Listening, Manual Dexterity, Pulling and/or Pushing, Reaching, Sitting, Speaking, Standing, Stooping and Crouching, Walking

EEO Statement

The University of Utah Health Care is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities. The University of Utah Health Care is committed to diversity in its workforce. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

Requisition Number 46973

Reg/Temp Regular

Employment Type Full-Time

Shift Day

Work Schedule Mon.-Fri., 8:00am-4:30pm

Location Name University of Utah Hospital

Patient Care? No

City SALT LAKE CITY

State UT

Department UUH CST 16F F&E DIRECTORS OFF

Category Support Services (Facilities / Trades)

The University of Utah Health Care is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities. The University of Utah Health Care is committed to diversity in its workforce. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.