Local recruitment: Maryland Executive Director

Chesapeake Bay Foundation

Annapolis, MD, USA 🇺🇸

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation seeks a Maryland Executive Director in the EPR Department to be based at the Philip Merrill Environmental Center located in Annapolis, MD.

About the Chesapeake Bay Foundation

Established in 1966, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) is the largest regional nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to saving the Chesapeake Bay, its rivers and streams, and the wildlife that call it home through education, advocacy, litigation, and restoration. Since 2010, CBF has engaged in a focused effort to defend and implement the Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint, a binding federal and state collaborative agreement aimed at reducing pollution to the science-based, legally-affirmed levels established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Blueprint is expected to be fully implemented by 2025. If the states and the federal government achieve Blueprint goals, the Bay will finally—after decades of failed efforts—be removed from the Clean Water Act’s impaired waters list. Successfully implementing the Blueprint depends on a well-informed, engaged, active, and diverse constituency of members, advocates, and volunteers who speak up and take action to save the Bay.

CBF has a staff of approximately 210 employees working in offices in Annapolis, Maryland; Richmond and Virginia Beach, Virginia; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and Washington, D.C. as well as 15 field education program locations. Our staff and volunteer corps work throughout the region educating students and adults, advocating for clean water policies, restoring waterways, and litigating when necessary.

CBF’s headquarters office in Annapolis, Maryland is the Philip Merrill Environmental Center, the world’s first U.S. Green Build Council’s LEED platinum building. In 2014, CBF opened the Brock Environmental Center—one of the world’s most energy efficient, environmentally smart buildings—in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

CBF has an annual budget of approximately $30 million and is supported by over 300,000 members and e-subscribers. For more information on CBF, please visit our About CBF page.

About the Hiring Department

Environmental Protection and Restoration (EPR)

CBF’s Environmental Protection and Restoration department defends and restores the Chesapeake Bay by protecting the Bay’s natural resources from pollution and other harmful activities by fighting for strong and effective laws and regulations; restoring the Bay’s essential habitats and filtering mechanisms; and involving citizens in CBF’s environmental efforts by recruiting, training, and incorporating them as effective partners and leaders.

Context of the Position

The Maryland Executive Director serves as the primary executive manager and leader for CBF in Maryland. Key responsibilities include: policy development, overall management of MD Office operations, budget & financial management, staffing, media/spokesperson, grant & contract management, and proactive coordination with other CBF departments, including fundraising and communication efforts. Additionally, the Maryland Executive Director oversees all lobbying, outreach and advocacy efforts, partnership management as well as all restoration efforts for CBF in Maryland.

Essential Functions

1. Provide dynamic leadership and operational management for the MD Office including management of all strategic planning efforts, stewarding team building, and an inclusive culture based on the MD Team’s vision, mission, and outcome statement.

2. Develop new systems, approaches and improve processes that accelerate healthy environments both internally and externally. 

3. Develop and manage the MD office budget including the evaluation of public and private grant opportunities, development of grant budgets and proposals, oversee the execution of private and public grants, and contract administration. Provide review and signature authority for department activities including invoices, grants, contracts, timesheets, and employee expenditures. 

4. Sustain, influence, value, and cultivate collaborative relationships with local, state, federal entities, conservation partners, and other key stakeholders.

5. Lead CBF’s environmental policy, restoration, and advocacy agenda in MD. Educate and engage with individuals, build advocates, and invest in communities to support their values and needs.

6. Lobby and negotiate with high-ranking government official, legislators, and community leaders. 

7. Serve as a representative of CBF on various boards, commissions and to the public and media.

8. Supervise, develop and mentor multi-disciplinary professional, technical, and administrative staff in MD office including delegation of work duties, establishing work plans, and providing opportunities for career growth and development. 

9. Expand and diversify organizational influence and impact through the cultivation of “grasstops” influencers. Lobby high-ranking government official, legislators, community leaders, and prospective MD-based CBF Board members and donors. Working with CBF’s Development Team, establish and maintain relationships with MD-based Board of Trustee members. 

10. Provide cross departmental coordination with all CBF’s departments as well as other state and regional offices. 

11. Represent the MD office in EPR departmental strategic planning and budgeting processes and ensure they are consistent and coordinated with CBF-wide annual strategic plan and budget goals.

Professional Experience and Qualifications

At least five to seven years of experience in management, operations, budgeting, leadership, public policy, fundraising, grant management, public speaking, and advocacy skills. Must be familiar with Maryland environmental laws and regulations. Familiarity with Maryland General Assembly and state and local government preferred. Graduate-level degree in environmental or climate policy, science, law or business operations preferred. 

Ability to communicate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Ability to receive and give supportive feedback to foster equity and inclusion in working relationships. Ability to recognize, nurture, and learn from strengths in co-workers. Having flexibility to accomplish job responsibilities in several work environments, whether it be from home, on the road, or in an office.

Salary Range: $129,000

How to Apply

Using the link below, please submit a cover letter and resume no later than February 10, 2023.

APPLY NOW 

CBF offers a comprehensive benefits package to include: 20 vacation days, 10 sick days, health, vision, dental, life insurance, and a tax deferred retirement plan.

We Are Committed to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice

Just as biodiversity is the key to a thriving ecosystem, human diversity is the key to saving the Bay. Success depends on people from widely diverse backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities, identities, and races taking collective action. Clean water, clean air, and a safe environment are rights we all share.

To increase diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation will:

  • Recruit and retain a staff, board, and membership that reflect the diversity of people living within the Chesapeake Bay region;
  • Strengthen and broaden the diversity of our partnerships;
  • Celebrate and value the diversity of staff; and
  • Fight to ensure that everyone has equal access to clean water, clean air, and a safe environment.

We encourage BIPOC, women, people from the LGBTQ+ community, and people with disabilities to apply.

CBF does not discriminate based on any identities. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.


POSITION TYPE

ORGANIZATION TYPE

EXPERIENCE-LEVEL

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