About the Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Established over 50 years ago, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) is the nation’s leading conservation organization dedicated solely to restoring and protecting the Chesapeake Bay, our nation’s largest estuary. With over 240,000 members, an annual operating budget of $26 million, and a $55 million endowment, CBF’s 190 full time staff work in offices in Annapolis and Easton, MD; Richmond and Virginia Beach, VA; Harrisburg, PA; Washington, DC; and in 15 field education program locations across the Bay watershed.
CBF’s headquarters – the Philip Merrill Environmental Center – in Annapolis is the world’s first USGBC LEED platinum building. In 2014, CBF opened the Brock Environmental Center in Virginia Beach; the Brock Center is the tenth certified Living Building and one of the most energy efficient, environmentally smart buildings in the world.
Context of the Position
The primary objective of the Environmental Protection and Restoration Program is to drive significant improvements in the health of the Chesapeake Bay as measured by CBF’s Bay Health Index. Consistent with the CBF strategic plan, this involves developing and recommending priorities for the organization’s policy work, engaging our members and implementing restoration elements of the plan. The Program utilizes a combination of strategies to help achieve a reduction in Bay pollution, restoration of critical habitat, and better-managed fisheries. Currently, the organization’s focus is defending and implementing the Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint, the water quality restoration plan established by the EPA Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) and the state-specific associated Watershed Implementation Plans (WIPs).
To achieve the pollution reductions necessary to restore the Bay, the Program develops and employs strategies and tactics designed to define the necessary governmental policies and programs, create the needed “political will” to ensure implementation of these policies and programs, and organizes CBF members to interact with decision-makers.
The Vice President for EPR is responsible for overseeing the activities of a staff of approximately 50 including lawyers, water quality and restoration scientists, outreach experts, citizen organizers, lobbyists, and policy specialists with expertise in fisheries, pollution reduction, land use, and agriculture. Their focus is local, state, and federal government policies; private sector practices; and citizen engagement.
The Vice President reports to CBF’s President and is a member of the Executive Management Team.
Professional Experience and Qualifications
The position demands a demonstrated breadth of experience in managing all aspects of public policy and advocacy activities to include: legislative/regulatory skills; demonstrated abilities in building coalitions and organizing members; negotiation skills; the ability to design to the “big picture” while implementing the details; and the strategic use of various outreach tools in partnership with the Litigation, Communications, Education, and Development Departments.
Superb organization and interpersonal skills are required combined with the ability to diplomatically prioritize sometimes conflicting demands. Candidates must possess: a proven ability to forecast and manage a complex budget and to lead, inspire and manage a professional staff; superior written and oral communication skills, a capacity to write and speak persuasively to diverse audiences, and a solid professional presence; the ability to think strategically and creatively with the capabilities to direct multiple programs and projects of varying priorities and complexities; comprehension of the many facets of fundraising in a not-for-profit membership organization with a willingness to engage in fundraising activities, including donor visits and solicitations.
Candidates must be willing to exercise strong leadership through: bottom-up idea and strategy generation and planning; collaborative and collegial decision-making; and a commitment to healthy working relationships and sharing of responsibilities with other departments.
Candidates should possess at least 10 years’ experience in a similar VP or Director level position with a like or not-for-profit organization.
How to Apply
For consideration, please send a letter of interest, resume, and salary history, in confidence by February 1, 2018 to:
Kristen Diggs
Director of Human Resources
kdiggs@cbf.org
Job Code:
FY18-028-VPEPR
CBF offers a comprehensive benefits package to include: 20 vacation days, 10 sick days, health, vision, dental, life insurance, and a tax deferred retirement plan. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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