Director, Massachusetts Environmental Collaborative

The Environmental League of Massachusetts seeks an experienced, committed, creative, and entrepreneurial leader to be Director of the Massachusetts Environmental Collaborative.

The Collaborative is the association of organizational members of the Environmental League of Massachusetts (ELM), a non-profit, non-partisan organization that advocates for strong state environmental policies and effective environmental programs and educates the public about these issues. The Collaborative's mission is to improve the combined research, advocacy, and communications capabilities of the state's environmental groups and to increase the cohesiveness of the environmental community in advancing a strong common agenda. There are currently over fifty diverse member organizations, including land trusts, watershed and other resource protection associations, environmental health and justice groups, historic preservation societies, recreational advocates, and regional environmental groups.

In its eight years of existence, the Collaborative has successfully advocated for tens of millions of additional dollars for state environmental programs, strong brownfields legislation, expanded water quality testing, a new open space bond, and the Community Preservation Act. The Collaborative hosted a statewide, televised debate on environmental issues among gubernatorial candidates in 2002.

Currently, members are working together to promote several initiatives, including increased state land purchases, enhanced protection of parks, parkways, and conservation lands, improved public policies on water quality and flow, and stronger enforcement of anti-pollution laws. Many of these priorities depend upon adequate funding and staffing for state environmental agencies; the Environmental League and Collaborative prepare an annual Green Budget that identifies those programs most in need of increased funding.

Job Responsibilities:

The next Director will have the challenge and opportunity to take the Collaborative to the next level of effectiveness. The Collaborative Director:

• Works with other Environmental League and Collaborative member staff to establish and work for a shared issue agenda, including coordinating advocacy campaigns;
• Is responsible for strengthening the Collaborative as an institution, including leading a campaign of outreach and recruitment of new member organizations, especially in regions of the state where the Collaborative is currently underrepresented;
• Manages the day-to-day business of the Collaborative, including membership, governance, and scheduling and conduct of events, meetings, and conference calls;
• Travels throughout Massachusetts to confer with Collaborative member organizations' staff and board members;
• Consults with member organizations to develop new services and programs;
• Develops and implements new initiatives to use technology and communication tools to increase the Environmental League's and the Collaborative's impact on public policy;
• Raises funds from foundations and individuals to support the Collaborative's activities;
• Manages the Collaborative's communications services, including one or more listservs, oversees development and updating of its website, encourages peer-to-peer communications;
• Prepares multiple, varied written products including brochures, newsletter articles, reports, foundation proposals, and correspondence with Collaborative member groups.

Job Qualifications:

The successful candidatewill have the following qualifications and attributes:

• Five or more years of significant, relevant professional responsibility, preferably in non-profit, political, or governmental settings, with demonstrated ability to work effectively with many people and groups both as leader/organizer and as team player. Experience working with coalitions and collaborations strongly preferred;
• Very strong communication skills: speaking (including to large and small groups), listening, clear writing in a variety of forms;
• Strong orientation toward understanding the needs of Collaborative members and working to meet those needs;
• The ability to think strategically about the big picture while also organizing and attending to the details;
• Familiarity with public policy and institutions, including knowledge of environmental issues;
• Ability and willingness to raise funds to help sustain the Collaborative; successful fundraising experience is a plus;
• The highest degrees of political sensitivity, integrity, and commitment to the environment;
• Facility and a high comfort level with computers, software, networks, and the internet;
• Tact, grace under pressure, and a good sense of humor;
• A valid driver's license;
• Bachelor's degree; advanced degree preferred.

The Environmental League is eager to fill this position as soon as possible and expects the new Collaborative Director will begin work in the late winter or early spring of 2006.

The Environmental League is strongly committed to diversity and encourages all qualified candidates to apply regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, physical challenge, or any other such characteristic.

Compensation:

$45,000 - $55,000, with excellent health, dental, and vacation benefits.

Closing Date:

Review of applications will begin immediately; deadline for applications is January 10, 2006.

To Apply:

Please send a resume and a persuasive cover letter via postal mail, email, or fax to:

Collaborative Search Committee
ELM
14 Beacon St Ste 714
Boston MA 02108-3736

Telephone calls are very strongly discouraged.

For further information about the Environmental League of Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Environmental Collaborative, please consult our website.