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

THE CHESAPEAKE BAY FOUNDATION

Established in 1967, 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 190 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 $26 million and is supported by 300,000 members and e-subscribers. For more information on CBF, please visit cbf.org.

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.

Salary: Base starts at $115,000 but is negotiable

Essential functions include:

1. Provide dynamic leadership and operational management for the MD office.
a. Manage all strategic planning efforts for the MD Office, including goal & task setting, determining office priorities, and developing policy agenda.
b. Develop and manage the MD office budget formulation and execution, evaluate and execute public and private grant opportunities, and oversee contract administration.
c. 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.
d. Coordinate activities of PA office with other state offices and regional and headquarters teams within EPR.
e. Coordinate activities of the MD office with other departments within CBF, including Administration, Communications, Development, Education, Finance, Litigation and Human Resources.

2. Lead CBF’s environmental advocacy agenda in MD.
a. Lobby and negotiate with high-ranking officials, legislators, business and community leaders.
b. Represent CBF on MD boards and commissions.
c. Represent CBF to the media and general public.
d. Write or present testimony, speeches, editorials; oversee drafting of regulatory or legislative language.
e. Initiate/negotiate partnerships with other organizations.
f. Participate in CBF campaigns and ensure coordination of MD operations and related campaign work.
g. Assist with fundraising and donor visits.

3. Supervise, develop and mentor multi-disciplinary professional, technical, and operation staff throughout the MD office.
a. Assign and delegate work responsibilities.
b. Establish annual individual work plans for direct reports and provide performance feedback on progress throughout the year.
c. Manage and lead organization change.
d. Establish intra-office supervisory relationships and team coordination.
e. Review, evaluate, and provide needed feedback work completed by direct reports.
f. Evaluate performance of staff, including recommendations for internal growth and overall career development.
g. Recruit, interview, and hire staff.

• Work to ensure that systems, organizational culture, and practices are aligned with CBF’s mission, values and commitments related to DEIJ.
• Develop and refine programs and activities to ensure equitable practices and support the development of a diverse and effective team.
• Ensure an inclusive working environments that supports diverse populations.

PREFERRED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

At least five 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 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.

 

To apply, please send resume and cover letter through job posting later than September 30, 2020.

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.

CBF is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants 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.