The Responsible Offshore Science Alliance (ROSA) seeks a strong leader with deep knowledge of marine resource science and management and excellent administrative and organizational skills to serve as its first Executive Director. ROSA is a new collaborative effort involving the fishing and offshore wind energy industries, federal and state government partners, and the ocean science community. Its goal is “To provide for and advance regional research and monitoring of fisheries and offshore wind interactions in federal waters through collaboration and cooperation in order to: (1) Increase salient and credible data on fisheries and wind development; and (2) Increase the understanding of the effects of wind energy development on fisheries and the ocean ecosystems on which they depend.”
The application and interview process will be conducted in October and November 2019 with a target decision date of November 22, 2019 and a target start date of the successful candidate in December 1, 2019. The position’s location is flexible but must be within the Northeast or Mid-Atlantic regions of the U.S.A. ROSA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation.
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director (ED) will have overall strategic, financial and operational responsibility for ROSA’s implementation, growth, staff, programs, and execution of its mission. She or he will initially organize the Executive Council and other committees and in concern with them, refine ROSA’s institutional governance and operations structure.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Management:
- Develop and execute organizational strategy for ROSA to become the leader in research focused on offshore wind energy and fisheries and their communities.
- Organize and convene open, transparent, productive and efficient meetings of ROSA’s board, Council, Research Advisory Board, and committees.
- Actively engage and energize ROSA board members, Council and other committee delegates, partnering organizations, and funders.
- Support Board and Council members; seek and build strategic direction for organization’s buildout.
- Assist board in development of overall organizational capacity; recommend timelines and resources needed to achieve strategic goals.
- Ensure research and activities are in line with mission statement.
- Lead, coach, and manage ROSA team of staff as organization grows.
Fundraising & Communications:
- Work with federal and state agencies, offshore wind developers, academic institutions and others to expand pool of funds to support research activities and organizational expenses.
- Develop and maintain system of communications with affiliated parties and the general public with the goal of creating awareness of ROSA and its mission.
- Continue work of building partnerships, establishing relationships with new and existing funders, government, fishing industry, offshore wind energy industry, and scientific leaders.
- Represent ROSA externally by distributing and communicating activities, milestones, and results.
- Represent ROSA at key fisheries conferences, workshops, meetings related to offshore wind
Qualifications
The Executive Director will be thoroughly committed to ROSA’s mission and its stated vision of “an improved understanding of ocean ecosystems that allows for informed compatibility of renewable energy and sustainable fisheries.” All candidates should have proven experience with ocean-related research (with a preferred emphasis on fisheries research), relationship management, and collaborative approaches to addressing complex marine resource problems.
Minimum Requirements
- Master’s degree in fishery science, marine resource management, marine ecology, marine biology, or closely related disciplines required, with at least 8-10 years of professional experience.
- Track record of effectively designing, leading, and managing multi-disciplinary teams to address
complex problems in natural resource science and management.
- Demonstrated commitment to evidence-based decision making and the unbiased pursuit of
scientific knowledge.
- Familiarity with major fisheries datasets, and their collection and use.
- Excellence in organizational management with the ability to manage and develop high-
performance teams, and set and achieve strategic objectives.
- Past success working with diverse audiences with the ability to cultivate strong relationships and
engage in conflict resolution. The ability to work with diverse agencies, fisheries, and researchers
in a non-partisan, fair, independent, and trusted manner is essential.
- Ability to effectively communicate technical data and information to non-technical audiences, and
efficiently provide information to various audiences both verbally and in writing.
- Proven ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
- Action-oriented, passionate, entrepreneurial, and adaptable approach to professional
responsibilities.
- Travel expected to be 30 –40%
Preferred Qualifications
- Ph.D. in fishery science, marine resource management, marine ecology, or closely related disciplines.
- Extensive knowledge of New England and Mid-Atlantic fisheries science institutions, regulations, and practices.
- History of strong relations with fishing industry participants, offshore wind energy developers, and other relevant parties.
- Experience with technical, engineering, and construction related matters or ability to learn those quickly.
- Familiarity with principles of meeting organization and facilitation for effective group decision making (such as Robert’s Rule of Order).
- Demonstrated ability in analyses, technical writing, and oral presentations specifically relating to marine resource science and management.
Closing date October 25, 2019. To apply, submit a resume or curriculum vitae and written statement of interest by email to: careers@rosascience.org Please use “ROSA Executive Director Application” in the email subject line.
Should you wish to have your candidacy for this position held in confidence, place the word “confidential” in the subject line of the email and on your resume. It is the intent of the board to maintain confidentiality of any applicant’s name throughout the process, and all best efforts will be made to do so.
Please direct any questions about this position or recruitment announcement to Jason Peller at jpeller@rosascience.org.
For a PDF of the solicitation, click here.