Deputy Director

Profile

Silent Spring Institute is a mission-driven scientific research organization dedicated to studying the environmental causes of breast cancer. Our goal is to generate knowledge for prevention by studying the health risks of cancer-causing chemicals where we live, work, and play. We work with advocacy groups, lawyers, and policymakers to shape high-impact research questions and translate science into action. Since the Institute’s founding 25 years ago, our research has played a pivotal role in strengthening numerous policies at the state and federal level to protect consumers from dangerous chemicals, while our scientific leadership has made breast cancer prevention a national research priority. Our work is funded by the National Institutes of Health, California Breast Cancer Research Program, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, foundations, and charitable gifts. Our high-energy, collaborative staff of 25, board of directors, and volunteer leaders are committed to independent science in the public interest. Silent Spring partners with environmental justice groups, documenting racial disparities in exposures to pollutants, and supporting impacted communities. 

We are growing and seek to strengthen our management capacity to sustain our excellent, productive, and collaborative culture as we grow.

Position Overview

The Deputy Director position is a new role created to facilitate continued success of the Institute and implementation of our Strategic Plan. This individual will be a key driver of our leadership team, with responsibilities to

coordinate priorities across our organization and create and lead the organizational systems to support growth.

We seek an experienced, creative, and wise individual to develop this role and take Silent Spring Institute to the next level. The Deputy Director may also play a substantive role in research or policy translation suited to their expertise.

Responsibilities  

The Deputy Director will work with and support the Executive Director to implement the Strategic Plan and the vision of the Board of Directors.

The Deputy Director will work to ensure that systems are in place to support the research, administration and finance, communications, and development programs of the Institute and to enable the Institute to plan for a vital future.

Specific activities will include the following:

Maintain the spirited, innovative, and collegial culture of the Institute’s staff and our high quality of work

Contribute to overall planning and policymaking for the Institute, including coordinating meeting agendas for the leadership team composed of the executive director, deputy director, and directors of research, development, finance and administration, and communications

Work with directors to develop and implement annual plans for research, communications, finance and administration, and development

Troubleshoot Institute-level problems as they arise

Develop and coordinate participatory processes for input from staff members at all levels of the organization to contribute to priority setting. Develop and implement new processes for deciding priorities for new proposal development, targeted spending of charitable gifts, and assigning responsibilities for grant reporting.

Work to advance justice and equity and recruit more people of color for Silent Spring’s board of directors and staff

Facilitate the process for developing a new strategic plan for 2023-2028

Keep in touch with project leaders across the Institute to keep schedules and budgets on track

Help to support committees of the Board of directors

Coach staff to support the success of projects and encourage professional development

Reports to

Executive Director

Qualifications

Excellent interpersonal, leadership, and communications skills

3 years experience in nonprofit leadership, science leadership

Capacity to lead, manage, and motivate experienced professionals

Demonstrated management and leadership experience in a similar non-profit or academic environment. T

rack record of project management, people management, and organizational skills.

Experience in managing budgets and tracking success metrics

Deep interest in environmental health science. Commitment to the mission of Silent Spring Institute and to support impartial scientific research in partnership with the public.

Research, service to the community, and life experiences that contribute meaningfully to our commitment to equity and justice.

Compensation:

This is a full time position.  We offer competitive salaries, 4 weeks vacation to start plus holidays, health insurance, and other benefits.

Work location: 

Silent Spring’s office is in Newton, Massachusetts.   As a public health organization, we are committed to safe work practices. Up to date covid vaccination is required unless a legally required exception is approved. Based on current conditions, the Deputy Director will be expected to be in the office at least several days per week.

To apply

Send a cover letter, resume, and an example of your writing to

careers@silentspring.org

with “Deputy Director” in the subject line.

Company info

Silent Spring Institute
Phone : 617.332.4288
Fax : 617.332.4284