Massachusetts Institute of Technology
IN-26: Innovation C

MIT created a brand new type of position, designed to integrate sustainability into campus processes that straddle multiple departments, in a new and innovative way. This position is focused on sustainable design and construction processes within MIT, but serves as a model both to other campuses that might be interested in replicating a similar approach and other topic areas within MIT that might benefit from an integrated method of hiring and training in the future. Posted and hired in 2016, the position is called the “Project manager for sustainable design and construction.” The uniqueness of the position is that the project manager spends her first two years deeply embedded in two related departments – Office of Sustainability and Campus Planning – before reaching her final destination as a core member of the Campus Construction team. This process, which has already generated notable outcomes, is meant to ensure success in fulfilling MIT's commitment to the robust integration of sustainable design, campus planning, and construction standards. With a dynamic reporting structure, the new position reports (in three phases) to the Office of Sustainability, Office of Campus Planning, and then to Campus Construction full-time. The project manager completed her term in the Office of Sustainability and then moved to the Office of Campus Planning. Examples of the integration which has already taken place include: working closely with sustainability staff to translate climate resiliency research into the design of a new dorm on campus; working closely with partners to launch a green labs program; and integrating research and work being done on materials management within the Office of Sustainability into the design of new and renovation projects at Facilities. The project manager is currently in Phase 2 of her position at Campus Planning, where she is working on a range of short and long term planning efforts. Next, she will land in Campus Construction, where she will lead infrastructure projects that integrate her interconnected knowledge and expertise.