The Director of Maryland Sea Grant (MDSG) provides leadership, vision, and administrative oversight for the MDSG program. As outlined in the Maryland Strategic Plan (2024 – 2027) the Director must ensure the program’s continued growth and innovation, while aligning with the University System of Maryland and the NOAA National Sea Grant College program.  This Director position carries a 100% administrative appointment within the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) focused on MDSG administration and leadership. The Director also oversees a subaward to the University of Maryland Sea Grant Extension program within the University of Maryland, College Park where Extension faculty and staff reside. The Director is expected to set program strategy and collaborate among Maryland’s universities, and with state and federal agencies, policymakers, private sector partners, municipalities, and non-governmental organizations. The Director takes a multifaceted approach to advance MDSG’s mission while overseeing programmatic, fiscal, and operational functions. The Director is responsible for creating a safe and supportive work environment which retains talent and allows MDSG staff and colleagues to thrive.

The Director of MDSG will have a full-time (12-month) staff appointment within UMCES located at the MDSG office in College Park, MD.

Responsibilities:

Leadership & Strategy

  • Develop and implement MDSG’s strategic vision and long-term goals.
  • Secure and manage external funding to ensure fiscal sustainability and growth.
  • Advance actionable research to meet strategic goals and support higher education’s educational mission.
  • Maintain strong strategic partnerships with MDSG’s key university partners, UMCES and University of Maryland, College Park, while engaging across Maryland’s university landscape.
  • Successfully manage MDSG budget and staffing plan across multiple funding sources (e.g. state, federal, private) to meet program goals and objectives.
  • Strengthen partnerships with government agencies, private industry, local governments, local education agencies (LEAs), and NGOs to enhance program impact.
  • Maintain strong collaborations with the Sea Grant Association, the National Sea Grant College Program Network, and the NOAA National Sea Grant Office.
  • Provide organizational vision informed by the cutting-edge and historical issues of the state.

Program & Staff Management

  • Provide executive oversight for MDSG staff, fostering a supportive and high-performance working environment.
  • Provide accountability for recruitment, hiring, performance management, and professional development efforts for staff.
  • Develop and maintain a positive team environment that encourages collaboration, innovation, and employee growth.
  • Achieve success directing MDSG’s expansive research, education, fellowship, extension, and outreach programs across secondary, undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate students and professionals.
  • Ensure compliance with Sea Grant network requirements and reporting obligations.

External Relations & Partnerships:

  • Serve as the primary representative of MDSG to academic, local, state, and federal partners and constituents.
  • Engage with policymakers, advisory boards, and funding agencies to advocate for MDSG’s mission.
  • Maintain, and where consistent with MDSG priorities, expand collaborations with Maryland’s higher education institutions, private sector partners, and non –governmental organizations.
  • Guide MDSG’s engagement with Sea Grant programs throughout the United States and coordinate among MDSG staff, faculty, and Sea Grant networks.

Governance & Advisory Services:

  • Lead MDSG’s External Advisory Board and Institutional Council.
  • Collaborate with UMCES leadership to ensure program alignment with institutional strategic priorities.
  • Lead MDSG engagement with Maryland’s Congressional delegation.
  • Maintain close collaboration with Maryland Sea Grant Extension Program and University of Maryland College Park leadership particularly within the School of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
  • Embrace UMCES culture of inclusion and equity and demonstrate a strong commitment to service work for the institution.
  • Support local, state, regional and national activities by participating on committees, review panels, working groups, etc. as necessary for advancing healthy coastal ecosystems and strong governance.
  • Contribute to workforce development and training initiatives within Maryland’s coastal and marine science and related sectors.