National Marine Life Center

Executive Director

Title: Executive Director

Reports to: Board of Trustees

Status: Full time, on-site

FLSA Status: Exempt

Updated: November 2024

Summary:

The National Marine Life Center seeks a mission-driven and experienced nonprofit business leader skilled in successfully executing strategic plans and empowering a high performing team. Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the Executive Director will be based at its facility in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts, and have overall management responsibility for growing an impactful organization.

Position Overview:
This full-time position reports to the Board of Trustees. This impactful leadership position is responsible for overseeing the administration, animal care, programs, fundraising, and strategic plan of the organization. This position requires a dynamic, mission-driven leader who is passionate about leading hands-on operations, fostering growth, as well as developing and managing programs.

Responsibilities:

Provide thoughtful and visionary executive leadership that is inclusive, transparent, and empowering in a manner that supports and guides the organization’s mission as defined by the Board of Trustees.
Oversee and implement fundraising and development activities including grant writing, direct mail appeals, donor cultivation, events, and other fundraising campaigns to secure financial resources.
Oversee the day-to-day operations and ensure its overall successful long-term operations.
Manage and motivate staff, overseeing processes such as hiring, separation, ongoing staff development, performance management and compensation, including benefits.
In conjunction with the Board of Trustees, develop and implement a business development/fundraising plan to seek funds through major gifts, corporate, foundation, local, state, federal and individual sources; demonstrate creativity, initiative and leadership in driving the plan forward.
Prepare and administer the annual operating and capital budgets for the approval of the Board of Trustees, ensuring that appropriate systems, procedures, and financial controls are in effect. Ensure breakeven or better operations are achieved.
Serve as an ex officio member of all Board Committees. Work with all Board Committee Chairs in their areas of responsibility to identify short- and longer-term needs, opportunities, sources of new revenues, and expansion possibilities.
Foster community and media relations. The Executive Director is the organization’s face to its communities, including but not limited to the Town of Bourne; Cape Cod regional/regulatory organizations; rescue/other wildlife care providers; scientific organizations and media. This requires a high degree of comfort engaging with these constituencies and collaborating with Trustee/Advisory Board members to support the mission.
In conjunction with the Board of Trustees and staff, develop long term plans that support the mission and drive profitable growth.
In conjunction with a member of the Board of Trustees or Board of Advisors who is identified as a Human Resources (HR) Advisor (an active or retired HR professional) or with the guidance of an HR third-party provider, develop, update and implement personnel policies and programs, and manage staff in accordance therewith.
Oversee Rehabilitation Program in conjunction with staff. Ensure compliance with federal/state permits, licenses, and Environmental, Health and Safety protocols.
Oversee Science Program in collaboration with staff to ensure continued funding of the Marine Mammal Parasitology Laboratory and expand scientific partnerships.
Oversee Education Program with staff and expand educational partnerships along with programs.
Develop and inspire our volunteers, who provide essential operational support.
Ensure repairs, maintenance, and good housekeeping of facilities.
Prepare monthly reports for the Board of Trustees to be presented at regularly scheduled and special meetings; identify issues and recommend solutions.
Timely execution of other responsibilities as may be requested by the Board of Trustees from time to time.

Qualifications:

7-10 years in leadership roles at moderately sized not-for-profit organization required.
Experience in development/fundraising for not-for-profits required.
B.A./B.Sc., Masters/MBA a plus.
Demonstrated success in fiscal management and achieving results.
Outstanding communications skills and ability to work well with media, staff, board and community.
Marine wildlife rehabilitation experience is desirable.
Proven track record of growing organizational capacity and programmatic impact.
A strong passion for the mission and programs.

Physical Requirements:

Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Some crouching, stooping, reaching, and carrying.
Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

Organizational Profile:

The National Marine Life Center (NMLC) is an independent, non-profit 501(c)(3) marine animal hospital and science and education center. We rehabilitate and release stranded marine mammals and sea turtles in order to advance science and education in marine wildlife health and conservation.

NMLC is committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion. It is the policy of NMLC not to discriminate on the basis of mental or physical disability, handicap, race, color, religion, gender, gender identity and expression, ancestry, national origin, age, genetic information, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status or other categories protected by law.

To Apply:

Send cover letter, resume, and the names of three professional references to NMLC Board of Trustees Chair, Jay Munsey at jay.p.munsey@gmail.com.

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Lisa Becker, M.Sc.

Director, Marine Wildlife Rehabilitation
National Marine Life Center
P.O. Box 269, 120 Main Street
Buzzards Bay, MA 02532-0269
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office (508) 743-9888
cell (628) 999-3743
lbecker@nmlc.org

www.nmlc.org

Please note that I may not be able to check emails daily, as I may be in the hospital caring for critical patients in rehabilitation. If you have an urgent matter must reach me immediately, please call my cell phone at 628-999-3743.