ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION:

Urban Land Institute (ULI) is the leading non-profit urban research and education organization focused on responsible use of land, with more than 48,000 members worldwide. Members, both individual and corporate, represent all disciplines active in real estate and urban development from public and private sectors, including architects, developers, investors, and urban planners. ULI’s mission is to shape the future of the built environment for transformative impact in communities worldwide, delivered through a wide variety of events, awards, and thought leadership.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM:

The ULI Impact Lab is ULI’s systems-change platform, aligning its flagship Centers, Advisory Services, and Technical Assistance programs to drive market transformation across decarbonization, resilience, health, and housing affordability. Through convenings, place-based work, and partnerships, the Impact Lab translates research and member expertise into scalable real estate solutions.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Program Lead, Resilience plays a key leadership role within ULI’s Urban Resilience Program (URP) and reports directly to the Vice President, Resilience. This role:

• Leads the strategy and execution of global convenings, cross-sector roundtables, and pilots that advance market transformation
• Bridges high-level climate adaptation strategy and practical real estate application, driving member engagement and program growth
• Collaborates closely with ULI departments (including Marketing, Corporate Partnerships, Meetings, the ULI Foundation, District and National Councils, and Impact Lab colleagues), as well as members, external partners, and community stakeholders
• Operates as an individual contributor, leading through influence, coordination, and subject-matter expertise rather than formal people management

WHY IS THIS ROLE RIGHT FOR YOU:

This is a rare opportunity to shape how climate resilience is embedded into real estate decision-making at the intersection of market transformation and the built environment. In this role, you will:

• Lead ULI’s flagship Resilience Summit and year-round convenings that influence how commercial real estate integrates physical climate risk into decision-making
• Build and steward partnerships across owners, developers, investors, insurers, policymakers, and peer organizations to drive meaningful industry change
• Work on a high-visibility platform with global reach, collaborating with colleagues and partners across the Americas, Europe, and Asia Pacific
• Blend strategy with execution, translating big-picture resilience insights into convenings, pilots, and initiatives that create real-world impact
• Operate with meaningful autonomy in a mission-driven organization that values flexibility, collaboration, and thoughtful leadership

Compensation: This position offers a competitive salary range of $89,097 – $97,000, commensurate with experience, along with a comprehensive nonprofit benefits package.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Leadership:

• Develop near-and long-term strategies to optimize the success and impact of URP’s convenings, cross-sector roundtables, and pilots across the globe.
• Coordinate with regional colleagues in the Americas, Europe, and Asia Pacific to maximize ULI member value and engagement while driving market transformation.
• Establish, track, and report program impact in alignment with ULI Impact Lab’s impact measurement practices. Develop and document processes to streamline and optimize program activities.

Program Management:

• Lead strategy and ensure successful implementation of URP’s convenings and cross-sector roundtables, including ULI’s annual Resilience Summit.
• Set program objectives and manage toward key milestones across a variety of stakeholders such as DC, NC and ULI HQ staff, member leaders, and public partners.
• Ensure the ongoing success of URP’s convenings and cross-sector roundtables with memorable and impactful attendee experiences that surface opportunities for new pilots and initiatives with scalable impact and clear follow-through pathways.

Market Transformation Pilots:

• Design and oversee initiatives that test feasibility and market transformation potential. This may include catalyzing local-level or sector-specific resilience activities, coordinating closely with ULI district council staff to co-develop place-based strategies, or executing technical assistance projects that translate convening insights into actionable pilots and scalable solutions.

Communications Oversight:

• Direct the narrative strategy for URP convenings, cross-sector roundtables, and new pilots and initiatives to support the program’s growth and impact goals.
• Leverage related program content and impact stories through channels like UrbanLand Magazine, ULI’s website, and social media in collaboration with ULI’s Marketing and Communications team, District and National Councils, and partners.
• Ensure that all written program materials are up-to-date, technically accurate, and aligned with ULI brand standards and program positioning.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Act as a primary liaison for external partners, representing ULI to fellow nonprofit organizations and industry partners and strengthening relationships with aligned resilience, infrastructure, and climate adaptation networks.
• Cultivate and maintain engagements with real estate members to ensure connectivity and relevance of work products to member needs.

Business Development & Fundraising:

• Partner with ULI’s Corporate Partnerships and Foundation teams to support sponsorship, philanthropic funding, and grant-funded initiatives for the Resilience Summit and related programs.
• Contribute to funder relationships, support grant reporting, and manage program budgets in coordination with the Vice President, Resilience and development partners.

Team Collaboration & Guidance:

• Provide programmatic direction and coordination to junior staff, shared resources, and cross-departmental teams to ensure projects meet timelines, budgets, and quality expectations.

Other:

• Support other strategic priorities of the ULI Impact Lab as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience: 7+ years of progressive experience in climate resilience, adaptation, or hazard mitigation within the private, nonprofit, or public sectors.
• Subject Matter Expertise: Demonstrated expertise in physical climate risk and adaptation as applied to real assets / communities (able to credibly engage executive CRE audiences)
• Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Program Leadership: Proven track record of managing complex, multi-stakeholder programs and overseeing departmental or project-based budgets. Demonstrated ability to foster relationships and partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure buy-in and follow-through program successes and program outcomes
• Communication Skills: Exceptional public speaking, facilitation, and professional writing skills, with the ability to translate complex climate adaptation and resilience concepts for executive real estate audiences.
• Operational Proficiency: Demonstrated ability to manage multiple high priority projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Values Alignment: Demonstrated commitment to resilience, sustainability, and the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Hybrid work environment.
• This role includes periodic on-site event support, which may require extended periods of standing or walking, occasional lifting or moving of event materials (up to approximately 30 lbs.), and flexibility to work extended hours during peak event periods.
• Travel varies by program cycle; expect 4–8 trips per year (some optional), including major events such as the Spring/Fall Meetings and Resilience Summit.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

To apply, please follow the link and submit a résumé and a letter of interest/cover letter.

ULI is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion/creed, sex, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran or active military status, non-citizenship or citizenship status, arrest or conviction record, credit history, salary history, caregiver status, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or partnership status, familial status, unemployment status, status as a victim of domestic violence or sexual violence, or any other status protected by applicable law.

EOE/m/f/d/v. No relocation reimbursement is offered at this time.