The Center for Water Policy has launched a search for its next Assistant Director. This is a full-time, academic staff position at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Freshwater Sciences. The application deadline is August 22, 2026.

The Assistant Director supports the Director of the Center for Water Policy to carry out the Center’s mission. This role contributes to collaborative research initiatives that promote science-based, sustainable water policies within the Great Lakes region and beyond. The Center brings together teams of faculty, postdocs, graduate and law students, and undergraduates to produce academic articles, reports, policy briefs and communications. The Assistant Director helps position the Center for Water Policy, the School of Freshwater Sciences, and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee as a national and international center of excellence in addressing water policy challenges through applied research. The Assistant Director is a leader who engages in water policy research; obtains and manages extramural support and sponsorships; supervises communications and outreach; and manages internal operations of the Center.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 1 year of management, budget, or development experience 
• Advanced degree relevant to position: JD, MS, MBA, or PhD

Preferred Qualifications: 

• +5 years of management, budget, or development experience
• Water policy research skills
• Understanding of range of public communications strategies
• Excellent attention to detail
• Experience that demonstrates ability to support work environment that embraces people from all backgrounds, collaboration, ethical behavior, and team building
• Record of progressively responsible leadership and administrative experience, including personnel recruitment, employee management and budget preparation and management
• Experience writing grants and reporting to donors
• Ability to navigate complex institutional processes and databases to accomplish organizational priorities
• Demonstrated record of successful collaboration with multiple partners both academic and non-academic
• Demonstrated success in program management including carrying out coordinated organization, direction and implementation of projects and activities to achieve defined deliverables and outcomes
• Demonstrated ability to work successfully with advisory boards and/or governance bodies
• Experience in water protection such as professional work, volunteering, or coursework

Target Salary Range: $65,000 – $97,000 (Final salary offer contingent upon skills, knowledge, and abilities as they relate to the position)