Director of Regional Policy
- Employer
- The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
- Location
- Sycamore
View more
- Administrative Jobs
- Institutional & Business Affairs, Institutional Research & Planning
- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Institution Type
- Four-Year Institution
Job Details
007595
Vacancy Open to:All Candidates
Working Title:Director of Regional Policy
Position Designation:EHRA Non-Faculty
Employment Type:Permanent - Full-time
Months per Year:12
Work Schedule:8a-5p, M-F
Hours per week:40
FLSA Status:Exempt
Division:Academic Affairs
Department:Metro Studies (Adm)
Work Location:Sycamore
Primary Purpose of Department:The UNC Charlotte Urban Institute is the primary applied research and public
service arm of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Its mission is to
meet the community research and technical support needs of the state’s
urban and developing areas. A primary geographic focus of the Institute’s
activities is the Charlotte Region, the 14 county area surrounding the City of
Charlotte, the largest city in the Carolinas.
The Director of Regional Policy is responsible for developing, maintaining and coordinating a program of regional policy research and analysis for the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute, with a particular focus on the intersection of transportation policy and other regional planning issues, such as land use, economic development, environmental management, and housing. This position brings together the work of several of the institute’s past programs (including its former Center for Transportation Policy Studies, the Land Use and Environmental Planning Division, and its Economic Research unit) to a create a new unit addressing the interconnectivity of regional planning issues for the greater Charlotte region.
The position combines research, analysis, and outreach to establish the institute as a primary strategic partner and go-to resource for stakeholders seeking to understand how best to integrate local and regional policy decisions for a more sustainable and resilient future for the Charlotte region, including how regional planning issues related to the social and economic well-being of its residents. The person in this position will work closely with the institute’s research leadership team to pursue research opportunities that inform regional policy and coordinate a robust outreach strategy for engaging the public.
Policy Research & Analysis (Expected 50% of Position Effort)
The Director of Regional Policy is expected to guide and engage in regional policy research and analysis in collaboration with the Institute’s research leadership team, including pursuit of funding opportunities that engage the institute’s research staff and university faculty in research that informs regional policy issues.
• The Director of Regional Policy is expected to bring a distinguished record of research in at least one of several regional planning-related fields, including but not limited to transportation policy, land use, economic development, environmental management, and housing. The person will be expected to leverage this research expertise into an ongoing program of research focused on regional systems of sustainability, with a priority placed on research that is interdisciplinary in nature, and which fosters collaborative partnerships with faculty in related policy fields.
• The Director of Regional Policy will work closely with the institute’s Director and the research leadership team to identify research projects to address regional planning issues that also take advantage of the varied skills and expertise of the institute’s core research team, including technical skills (such as data analysis, mapping & visualization, survey research, etc.) and topical expertise (such as demographics, housing analysis, and economic data).
• The Director of Regional Policy provides senior leadership to the Regional Indicators data resource, including its relaunch, the ongoing incorporation of new and relevant data, ensuring its relevance and use in the region, and coordinating updates and maintenance with the Director of Research Analytics.
• The person in this position is engaged in project conceptualization, proposal writing, compliance with research protocols, project and staff management, conducting research, and report writing.
• The person in this position will develop and oversee a team of policy research analysts around regional planning issues. Initially, the position will oversee only one analyst (in school transportation planning), but over time will work with the institute’s director to identify funding to establish additional analyst positions in other policy fields, including transportation, the economy, the environment, land use, and housing.
• The person in this position plays a prominent role in the dissemination of research findings and with the Director of Community & Research Engagement, will help coordinate the dissemination of policy research findings to practitioners, the media and the general public, and will seek collaborative partnerships to advance regional strategies for sustainability-related challenges, such as the coordination of transportation and land use decisions, the development of economic renewal strategies, and environmental stewardship.
• The Director of Regional Policy will stay informed of the literature and best practices related to sustainability and regional planning at the local, state and national levels, and will prioritize research that has universal applications to advance scholarship in a broad range of academic disciplines related to sustainability and regional planning.
Regional Policy Relationships (Expected 20% of Position Effort)
The Director of Regional Policy will serve as a primary liaison between the institute and regional policy stakeholders, in coordination with the Director and the Director of Community & Research Engagement.
• The person in this position will develop and maintain close relationships with practitioners in fields associated with regional planning, including but not limited to transportation policy, land use, economic development, environmental management, and housing. This includes close relationships with other regional partners, including regional planning organizations, the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, and the various councils of government that serve the Charlotte region. Through these relationships, the person will stay current on regional trends and emerging issues related to planning policy, and identify opportunities for collaborative work around regional sustainability.
• The person in this position will be available as a resource for regional policy stakeholders, including policy makers, the media and others looking to understand sustainability issues within a regional context.
• The Director of Regional Policy will work closely with the Director of Community & Research Engagement to identify topics and content for inclusion in the institutes live and online engagement activities, including the annual Schul Forum Series. She/he will be expected to be a regular contributor of articles to the institute’s online communications, and help identify “guest writers” on sustainability topics of interest to the Charlotte region.
• The person in this position will establish and maintain close relationships with other university entities focusing on sustainability issues, including: the PhD in Public Policy program; the transportation programs affiliated with the Lee College of Engineering; the Childress Klein Center for Real Estate at the Belk College of Business; the interdisciplinary INSS sustainability collaborative; the Center for Applied GIS; and various urban and regional planning programs
affiliated with the university’s colleges and departments (Arts + Architecture, Geography & Earth Sciences, etc.).
UNC Charlotte Urban Institute Administration/Operations (Expected 15% of Position Effort)
The Director of Regional Policy is a member of the institute’s senior leadership team. This team facilitates the institute’s long-term goals and program emphasis through the development of periodic, 5-year strategic plans, along with the team’s oversight of the annual planning and budgeting process that assure the alignment of the institute’s day-to-day activities with those long-term goals.
• The person in this position is expected to attend regular meetings of the senior leadership team, and to contribute to annual budgeting and performance reports. The person will also represent the institute as needed on key university committees and task forces on an ad hoc basis (however, the position is not currently assigned to any standing university committees and/or boards as an
expectation of duties).
• As a supervisor, the individual is required to fulfill all obligations regarding personnel management, including hiring, terminating, training and disciplining (see section below). This includes ensuring that all annual performance reviews are completed in a thorough and timely manner, and that there is consistent and clear communication concerning institute and university policies.
Other Constituent Relations (Expected 15% of Position Effort)
In addition to developing and maintaining strong regional partnerships related to policy issues, the Director of Regional Policy is also expected to assist with other constituent relations activities. The position will be called upon occasionally as an ambassador for the institute’s work in meetings with the University’s administration, the institute’s advisory board, major donors, and key stakeholders. This role may include the giving of presentations, the preparation of materials, and participation in
social/networking events.
• A graduate degree in a public policy-related field, such as transportation policy, public administration, city & regional planning, housing and real estate, environmental management, etc., and at least seven years of experience in developing and implementing research and service projects is required.
• Experience must include a track record of successful public policy research projects, particularly quantitative research, as well as project management experience, interdisciplinary collaboration, and leadership ability.
• The employee must have the ability to develop project plans; organize and carry out projects within budget and time constraints; supervise and coordinate project staff; prepare reports; speak effectively in public and express ideas clearly in writing; maintain good interpersonal relationships with diverse groups of people; and exercise judgment and discretion in applying and interpreting policies and procedures.
• The person in the position must demonstrate a commitment to teamwork and consensus-building.
• This job involves a considerable amount of contact with other institute professional staff, UNC Charlotte faculty and administrative staff, students, public and private sector agency staff, and the general public. The person in this job must have superb interpersonal skills (including oral and written communication) and be able to communicate with both technical and non-technical personnel. This job is highly visible to the University and the general public.
• A terminal degree in a public policy-related field, such as transportation policy, public administration, city & regional planning, housing and real estate, environmental management, etc., is preferred.
• Other preferred education, knowledge, skills and experience include: Previous experience in a university environment; familiarity with local and/or state nonprofit organizations and government agencies; proposal writing, and post-award management; demonstrated abilities in organizational planning and strategy development; a demonstrated ability to partner and lead through influence,
across organizational lines.
Applicants should provide a research writing sample, preferably with data visualization (can be separate from writing sample; for example, applicants can submit a peer review article or technical report and a separate data visualization).The finalist will be subject to a criminal background check.
Posting Open Date:11/22/2021
Posting Close Date:01/31/2022
Open Until Filled:No
Proposed Hire Date:02/01/2022
Organization
About Us
UNC Charlotte is North Carolina's urban research university. It leverages its location in the state's largest city to offer internationally competitive programs of research and creative activity, exemplary undergraduate, graduate and professional programs, and a focused set of community engagement initiatives. UNC Charlotte maintains a particular commitment to addressing the cultural, economic, educational, environmental, health, and social needs of the greater Charlotte region.
Located in the state’s largest metropolitan area, UNC Charlotte is among the fastest growing universities in the UNC System. A large public university with a small college feel, UNC Charlotte’s 1,000-acre campus is the home away from home for more than 29,000 students. The University offers internationally competitive research and creative activity opportunities and exemplary undergraduate, graduate and professional programs coupled with a focused set of community engagement initiatives that enrich the region’s quality of life.
In fulfilling our mission, we envision a University that promises:
- An accessible and affordable quality education that equips students with intellectual and professional skills, ethical principles, and an international perspective.
- A strong foundation in liberal arts and opportunities for experiential education to enhance students’ personal and professional growth.
- A robust intellectual environment that values social and cultural diversity, free expression, collegiality, integrity, and mutual respect.
- A safe, diverse, team-oriented, ethically responsible, and respectful workplace environment that develops the professional capacities of our faculty and staff.
To achieve a leadership position in higher education, we will:
- Rigorously assess our progress toward our institutional, academic, and administrative plans using benchmarks appropriate to the goals articulated by our programs and in our plans.
- Serve as faithful stewards of the public and private resources entrusted to us and provide effective and efficient administrative services that exceed the expectations of our diverse constituencies.
- Create meaningful collaborations among university, business, and community leaders to address issues and opportunities of the region.
- Develop an infrastructure that makes learning accessible to those on campus and in our community and supports the scholarly activities of the faculty.
- Pursue opportunities to enhance personal wellness through artistic, athletic, or recreational activities.
- Operate an attractive, environmentally responsible and sustainable campus integrated with the retail and residential neighborhoods that surround us.
Dual Career
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is committed to the recruitment and retention of highly qualified and productive faculty, administrators, and other professional staff members. We recognize that career decisions are influenced by family considerations. For up to one year from the date of an employee’s relocation to Charlotte, the University will assist the employee’s spouse or domestic partner with efforts to find employment within the University and/or within the surrounding area.
Diversity at UNC Charlotte
UNC Charlotte is committed to cultivating diversity and inclusion throughout the campus. Our campus community is comprised of people who represent the wide breadth of gender identities, sexualities, races and ethnicities, faith traditions, nationalities, and other social groups and backgrounds. All of these identities and experiences enrich the University as a whole. UNC Charlotte strives to celebrate and leverage the benefits of this diversity, and to sustain an inclusive and welcoming environment for all students, faculty, and staff.
To learn more about plans, programs, resources and news and events relating to diversity and inclusion at UNC Charlotte please use the following link: https://diversity.uncc.edu/
To access the full text of the UNC Charlotte Plan for Campus Diversity, Access and Inclusion please use the following link: https://diversity.uncc.edu/sites/diversity.uncc.edu/files/media/Campus%20Plan%20for%20Diversity%2C%20Access%2C%20and%20Inclusion%202016.pdf
Optional text if space allows….
Overview of the UNC Charlotte Plan for Campus Diversity, Access and Inclusion.
The goal of quality education for all at UNC Charlotte is the foundation for our Diversity Plan. At its fullest potential, higher education allows students to interact with people from different backgrounds and to engage a range of ideas and perspectives. This educational experience cultivates the skills that graduates will need to function adeptly in a global society.
As North Carolina and the Charlotte region undergo rapid population growth and demographic change, UNC Charlotte must respond to the needs of a more diverse student population. It is imperative that the University prepare its students to become leaders and thriving citizens in a pluralistic and multicultural society. In adopting our Diversity Plan, we affirm that:
-
- We believe that a diverse faculty, staff and student body are critical in advancing teaching, scholarship, and community engagement at UNC Charlotte.
- We are committed to enhancing opportunities for living, working and learning in a diverse environment
- We are committed to educating our students to interact effectively and respectfully in the global community.
The Plan identifies components of a diverse campus community and outlines steps toward building an inclusive environment that promotes the success of all students, faculty, and staff. It is a living document that affirms our institutional values and is designed to offer guidance to University departments and units for achieving the University goals for diversity. The seven broad objectives of the Diversity Plan are:
1: Promote a broad understanding of goals for diversity, access, and inclusion for the University through active outreach to the campus community.
2: Recruit and graduate a diverse student body that reflects community diversity and addresses the state’s need to increase access to higher education for historically underrepresented and economically disadvantaged students.
3: Increase the recruitment of underrepresented faculty and advance their progression through the faculty ranks.
4: Increase the representation of staff from underrepresented groups.
5: Ensure the presence of institutional environments and course development that enhance learning and appreciation for the full range of diversity.
6: Develop external relationships with the community to enhance diversity on and off campus.
7: Ensure the Success of the Plan through Assessment, Accountability, and Recognition.
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