Penobscot East Resource Center Seeks Executive Director

Penobscot East Resource Center (PERC) was founded on the principle that the only way the resources of the oceans can be protected and sustained is through joint stakeholder stewardship: collective action of fishermen and their communities, supported by science and working in combination with regulatory authorities at all levels. PERC’s fundamental mission is to support, develop and carry out such strategies, with the overriding goal of securing a sustainable future for fisheries and fishing communities of coastal Maine. By doing so PERC also intends to create models that may be adapted for use by others across the nation and the globe.

PERC now seeks a talented and dedicated individual to assume the position of Executive Director in 2017. The new Executive Director will succeed Robin Alden who co-founded PERC in 2003 along with a small group of community leaders dedicated to the principle of joint stakeholder stewardship of Maine’s coastal fisheries. The organization has grown rapidly in its first 13 years and expects to expand its activities further. PERC now has an annual budget nearing $2 million, employs 12 dedicated professionals and contractors, and has a talented and highly engaged Board of Directors. It is widely seen as a leader in the field of Maine fisheries policy and works both on its own and as a partner with other organizations dedicated to related programs or policy objectives.

Coastal Maine’s fishing communities and their adjacent waters face unprecedented challenges. However, those challenges present exceptional opportunities for fisheries innovation, both in our immediate region of Downeast Maine and elsewhere. PERC’s continuing response to those challenges and opportunities will require a visionary and inspiring leader. Understanding of and respect for fishermen and rural communities is essential. Sophisticated executive capacities are vital to deepen engagement with fishermen, community members, educators, scientists, and regulatory agencies, as well as individual donors and foundation and government funders. Advocacy for PERC’s mission, vision and goals will be tireless, from the local café to the statehouse to the White House.

The Executive Director will be expected to:

• Provide bold, imaginative and wise leadership, articulating PERC’s evolving programmatic and policy goals and inspiring and engaging key stakeholders in PERC’s mission and strategies.
• Lead PERC’s Advancement/Development effort, actively retaining and seeking new and expanded foundation sources, individual donors and government support as program activities continue, grow and innovate.
• Continue PERC’s development of strong relationships with fishermen and communities throughout Eastern Maine by exhibiting understanding of the crucial issues that they face and addressing those issues with compassion and commitment to environmental and social justice.
• Ensure that PERC is well-managed, with a highly collaborative internal culture, staffed for the appropriate mix of skills and talents necessary for its complex and dynamic mission.
• Sustain strengths and lead opportunistic, creative and adaptive program growth as the stewardship capacity of the community grows and new influences, such as climate change, impinge.
• Work closely in a partnership with the Board of Directors to set strategies and policies that result in even more opportunities for Board engagement and ambassadorial activities around the principles of stakeholder stewardship and organizational financial sustainability.
• Support the organization as it moves on to a new level of professional development of its systems and procedures ranging from human resources, technology, program effectiveness, scientific collaboration, communications, fundraising, and management of facilities in the Stonington harbor.

PERC’s new Executive Director could come from any of a wide range of nonprofit, private, academic or governmental backgrounds. PERC seeks a person who earns the respect of fishermen, who brings a deep and sustained commitment to and passion for the institution’s mission and values and the drive to make a difference in Eastern Maine, statewide and beyond. And perhaps as important as any of the foregoing qualities: integrity, humility, imagination, optimism, patience, and good humor.

PERC’s comprehensive “Statement of Search” is available upon request. To apply for the position, provide a resume, cover letter and three references. Applications are requested by March 1, 2017. Electronic submission of material is preferred. Inquiries, nominations and applications should be directed in confidence to:

Bobbi Billings, Administrative Director
Penobscot East Resource Center
PO Box 27
13 Atlantic Avenue
Stonington, ME 04681
Phone: (207) 367-2708
Fax: (207) 367-2680
[email protected]

Penobscot East Resource Center is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes a diverse pool of candidates in its search.