Director of Climate Project Portfolio (0566C), Innovative Genomics Institute - #83997

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Departmental Overview

The Innovative Genomics Institute (IGI) is a partnership between the University of California, Berkeley and the University of California, San Francisco. The IGI envisions a world in which genome-engineering innovations benefit humanity and are accessible to all. The Institute's mission is to accelerate genome discovery and translation of resulting technologies in order to ethically and equitably improve human health and sustainable agriculture. Combining the fundamental research expertise and the biomedical talent, the IGI focuses on unraveling the mechanisms underlying CRISPR-based genome editing and applying this technology to cure disease, combat climate change ensure food sustainability, and provide additional benefits for current and future generations.

The IGI consists of four central programs: Human Health, Sustainable Agriculture, Advancing Genome Engineering, and Public Impact. Unlike the first three, the Public Impact program does not involve laboratory research but instead focuses on accomplishing the goal of IGI founder, Jennifer Doudna, to ensure that genome engineering makes the world a better place. To complement the laboratory work, the Public Impact Program places special emphasis on connecting the science of genome engineering to the world. The role of the Public Impact program is to engage in societal research, public and stakeholder engagement, outreach, and policy to align genome editing applications with societal needs and values, ensuring that benefits are ethical, accessible, and desirable.

Position Summary

The Director of Climate Project Portfolio provides strategic leadership for climate initiatives across UC Berkeley, UCSF, and UC Davis, in partnership with domestic and international collaborators. The incumbent is a recognized expert who independently applies advanced knowledge of climate policy and program management to evaluate new opportunities, manage a comprehensive portfolio of projects, and ensure alignment with institutional priorities and global sustainability goals. This position carries substantial consequences for organizational reputation and impact, requiring vision, political acumen, and proven leadership in multi-institutional and international contexts. The role helps translate high-level vision into actionable outcomes.

This role reports to the IGI's Chief of Staff and works closely with the Executive Director and the IGI's Health Program Manager.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: 02/11/2026.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee a coordinated portfolio of climate-related projects across the IGI's partner campuses (UC Berkeley, UCSF, and UC Davis), ensuring strategic alignment, collaboration, and measurable impact. Serve as the IGI's subject-matter expert on climate science and policy.
• Provides guidance and interpretation of complex cross-country and multidisciplinary research collaborations, serving as a resource for stakeholders at all levels in the organization. Maintains significant subject-matter expertise by monitoring emerging science, policies, and best practices.
• Offers strategic insight to leadership on the implications of scientific and policy developments for long-term planning.
• Evaluate and prioritize new research and partnership opportunities to ensure alignment with IGI's mission and long-term goals.
• Provide analysis and recommendations to senior leadership, contributing to high-level strategic planning and decision-making.
• Develops and delivers presentations using institutional knowledge and subject matter expertise.
• Serves as a liaison to other campus units, donors, and organizations to communicate IGI's priorities and to ensure alignment among all stakeholders.
• Cultivates positive relationships and partnerships with professors, researchers, staff, and with external and internal collaborators through consistent engagement and effective representation of organizational projects and goals.
• Develops regular reports to funders on program progress aligned with original and/or agreed-upon goals.
• Direct high-impact projects with domestic and international partners that advance climate policy, research, and applied solutions.
• Oversee project execution, stakeholder engagement, and outcome evaluation to ensure meaningful results.
• Represent the IGI to external constituents. Contributes expert analysis to executive decision-making processes, ensuring that all progress communications are up to date to inform and guide strategic directions.
• Facilitates discussions across units and research groups to align various research projects with the overall project goals, and to align policy initiatives with scientific mission and institutional priorities.
• Helps translate high-level strategy into actionable, measurable objectives and outcomes.
• Develop and implement governance structures, operational policies, and resource frameworks that promote effective management, transparency, and accountability.
• Establish systems to track progress and assess program outcomes.
• Monitors regulatory developments to assess their potential impact on institute operations.
• Stays up to date and follows through with national policy and guidelines for exchanging research materials, ensures policy compliance by securing necessary permits, material transfer agreements, and engages with appropriate parties and resources when needed.
• Develops mitigation strategies that help research groups remain compliant with scientific, operational, and legal requirements.
• Provide expert guidance to senior leadership on emerging climate risks, opportunities, and policy trends.
• Advise on strategic directions that strengthen the IGI's role in advancing sustainable and equitable climate solutions.
• Convenes group leaders and subject matter-experts to develop novel project proposals, including cross-country collaborations.
• Ensures that research proposals are feasible, from financial, staffing, and timeline standpoints, are aligned with campus policy, and support both the short-term and long-term goals of the institute.
• Prepares comprehensive reports, presentation materials, and summaries of research findings and stakeholder input. Identifies strategic opportunities and potential risks, offering solutions for senior leadership consideration.
• Cultivate and sustain partnerships with government agencies, philanthropic funders, NGOs, academic institutions, and industry collaborators.
• Facilitate joint initiatives and resource development to expand the IGI's reach and impact. Collaborates closely with other UC campuses, universities and organizations to ensure coherence and consistency across research and implementation groups.
• Identifies opportunities for shared solutions, clear standards, data sharing, and collaborative problem-solving.
• Advocates for institutional needs while supporting broader program priorities.
• Assist Executive Director and PIs with high-level fundraising and partnership efforts, including negotiating multi-million-dollar funding agreements with international agencies and soliciting major gifts, contracts, and grants to advance the organization's mission.

Required Qualifications

• Scientific Expertise - Deep understanding of genomic technologies and their applications to climate, agricultural, and environmental challenges.
• Program & Portfolio Management - Demonstrated ability to oversee large, complex, multi-institutional research portfolios with measurable outcomes.
• Strategic Leadership - Experience setting vision, aligning resources, and leading projects that span universities and international partners.
• Stakeholder Engagement - Skilled at building collaborations with academic researchers, funders, government agencies, NGOs, and industry.
• Communication - Ability to translate complex scientific and technical information for a variety of audiences, including senior leadership and external stakeholders.
• Resource & Financial Management - Proven track record managing budgets, grants, and funding agreements for major research initiatives.
• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree (Master's or PhD) in a relevant field such as Genomics, Biology, Environmental Science, Plant and Microbiology, Sustainability, Public Health, or a related discipline.

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted annual salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $101,600.00 - $155,000.00. The full salary range for this classification is $101,600.00 - $189,800.00.

• This is a full-time (40 hours/week), career position that is eligible for UC Benefits.
• This is an exempt monthly-paid position.

How to Apply

• To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Other Information

• This position will be governed by the terms and conditions in the agreement for the Research and Public Service Professionals, represented by the UAW.
• This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.
• This position is eligible for up to 100% remote work. Exact arrangements are determined in partnership with your supervisor to meet role responsibilities and department needs, and are subject to change.

Misconduct

SB 791 and AB 810 Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti-Discrimination Policy

Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.