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SECOORA Seeks Executive Director
The Southeast Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association (SECOORA), a regional non-profit organization based in Charleston, South Carolina, seeks a dynamic leader to serve as Executive Director. SECOORA’s mission is to create an organizational framework, governance structure, and regional organization to oversee and manage a sustained, operational regional ocean observing network in the southeastern United States that (1) is user- and stakeholder-driven (2) addresses National, as well as regional, goals, (3) is inclusive and representative of all interested parties, (4) has the flexibility to accommodate future needs and additional participants, and (5) is effective and inclusive in program prioritization and decision-making.
Position Location: North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, or Florida. Charleston, South Carolina, preferred, especially in the first year.
Job Description: The Executive Director leads the organization, under the guidance of the SECOORA Board of Directors. The Executive Director manages a regionally-distributed professional staff to conduct and implement strategic and business plans. The individual will provide organizational leadership to realize a target level of operational capability. Functions include serving as principal spokesperson for SECOORA, overseeing fundraising activities, providing leadership and guidance in the development and implementation of programs (scientific, operational, and business), and serving as primary liaison to the Board of Directors. Frequent travel will be required.
Required Expertise and Skills
The successful candidate must:
Be able to expand ongoing partnerships and develop SECOORA as a relevant center of ocean observing expertise and a competitive Regional Association.
Be experienced in managing staff.
Have fundraising skills including foundation and government grants as well as corporate and private donations.
Be able to work effectively with the Board of Directors as well as with members, government and private funding organizations, other organizations as appropriate, elected officials, agency staff, and scientists.
Be able to maintain and augment an active dialogue with representatives of Ocean US, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), other Federal agencies, and other Regional Associations through the National Federation of Regional Associations (NFRA) to ensure that SECOORA protocols for governance, information management and delivery, and administration are consistent with those being established at the National and regional levels.
Be able to forge consensus among disparate points of view.
Be able to serve as an articulate spokesperson for consensus-based positions.
Possess excellent speaking, writing, computer, and presentation skills.
Have successful experience in a relevant scientific or management discipline (e.g., as a principal scientist or program manager) and sufficient understanding of ocean observing technologies, infrastructure, and systems to manage and expand SECOORA.
Be flexible to travel and represent SECOORA at state, regional, and National meetings and venues.
Qualifications
The successful candidate must have:
At least a Masters degree and/or equivalent experience with 10 years in increasingly responsible positions. An advanced degree in Marine Sciences or Business or related disciplines is preferable.
Experience with and understanding of Integrated Ocean Observing Systems (IOOS) and the governance, technical, and operational roles and goals of Regional Associations.
Some familiarity with the IOOS/ocean observing/ocean and scientific community with emphasis on a “big picture” perspective.
Familiarity with Federal/state ocean policy issues.
Experience in organizational and staff management.
Fund-raising experience, preferably with “non-traditional” sources (e.g. foundations, business and industry, etc.).
Salary range: up to $84,872 plus benefits, commensurate with experience.
Position funding: Funding is available for 24 months with the anticipation of additional funding which will extend the position to 2011. Continued employment in the position will be contingent on individual performance, successful transition of SECOORA into an operational organization following the development period, approval of continuing Federal support for Regional Integrated Ocean Observation Systems, and successful funding applications to state programs and private foundations.
Application Date: By August 1, 2008 or until vacancy is filled.
To apply: Please submit cover letter addressing skills and qualifications, curriculum vitae, and a list of 3 professional references (name, title, address, and phone number) to:
Elaine Knight SC Sea Grant Consortium 287 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29401 Attn: SECOORA.
NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.
South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Visit our web sites at www.scseagrant.org or www.secoora.org.
