The Center for Planetary and Human Health: For the Health of Humanity

Wake Forest University School of Medicine (WFSOM) is pioneering the nation’s first net zero medical school, designed to integrate cutting-edge education with environmental stewardship. This bold initiative reflects a commitment to decarbonizing healthcare and embedding sustainability into every facet of medical training, research, and clinical practice. At the heart of this vision is the Center for Planetary & Human Health, a transformative hub addressing the intersection of human health and global environmental change. Built on pillars of education, research, clinical innovation, and community engagement, the Center seeks to advance solutions for climate resilience, pollution mitigation, and health equity—ensuring that future clinicians are equipped to care for both people and the planet. 

The Director will lead a multidisciplinary team of researchers, educators, and operational experts working For the Health of Humanity.

Provide strategic leadership and oversight for The Center for Planetary and Human Health. This role ensures alignment of training, education, research, innovation, and service priorities with Wake Forest University School of Medicine and Advocate Health’s enterprise objectives, driving innovation in planetary health, sustainability, and health equity. The Director will lead multidisciplinary teams, secure funding, and foster partnerships to advance implementation of innovative solutions at the intersection of global health security and environmental resilience.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership:

• Work collaboratively with other WFUSM Center leaders and Advocate Health teams to develop strategies that strengthen, enhance, and grow the planetary health enterprise within WFUSM/Advocate.
• Establish and direct short- and long-range Center goals, objectives, strategic plans, policies, and operating procedures to enhance research activities and funding.
• Provide leadership and direction for the implementation of new programs and initiatives to maintain and grow planetary health research operations, capabilities and activities.
• Coordinate with the training and education team to ensure alignment and scaling of undergraduate, graduate, and continuing medical education.
• Empower increased participation by cross-disciplinary investigators, research teams, clinicians and trainees in high quality research by ensuring that these groups are provided with appropriate support systems (including education and mentoring) and access to intuitional resources for supporting research.

Program Development & Oversight:

• Ensure compliance with regulatory standards and Advocate Health policies.
• Oversee training, education, research, and innovation leadership teams to ensure alignment and cross-sectional engagement.

Collaboration & Partnerships:

• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with academic institutions, industry partners, and global health organizations.
• Serve as a liaison for external research collaborations, funding agencies, foundations and donors.

Funding & Resource Management:

• Identify and secure grants, philanthropic contributions, and industry sponsorships.
• Provide support to the research director’s oversight of research budgets and resource allocation to maximize impact.

Team Leadership & Development:

• Recruit, mentor, and manage staff and faculty affiliates.
• Promote a culture of innovation, diversity, and ethical research practices. 

Minimum Job Requirements

Education:

Advanced degree in a relevant field (medicine, nursing, public health, environmental health, planetary health, epidemiology, health administration, business administration).

Work Experience:

• Minimum 8 years of leadership experience in academic or health system settings who can manage MD, PhD and Researchers.
• Proven track record of securing external funding and managing complex budgets.
• Expertise in climate-health, sustainability, and health equity research preferred.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities:

• Strategic thinking and ability to align research and education with enterprise climate goals.
• Strong leadership and team-building skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement capabilities.
• Deep knowledge of the impact of climate, environment, and biodiversity loss on human health

Preferred Job Requirements:

Education:

• Education: MD and/or PhD (or another terminal doctorate) strongly preferred. Academic accomplishments meriting appointment as an Associate Professor or Professor (if applicable) are ideal.

Work Experience:

• Prior experience leading a major research center, institute, or multi-faceted program within an academic medical center or health system.
• National recognition in the field of climate/planetary health or related domains (e.g., environmental health sciences, global health, public health) with an extensive record of peer-reviewed publications and extramural funding is highly desirable.
• Experience building programs or collaborative initiatives across institutions or health systems is a plus. 

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities:

• Demonstrated success in mentoring faculty or senior researchers, and building partnerships across academia, healthcare, industry, and community organizations.
• Strong commitment to advancing health equity and sustainability through innovation.