Gulf of Maine Research Institute

Vice President for Economic Development

Portland, ME 04123
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regular

Job Type

full-time

Job Status

salary

Pay Type

Senior Level (10+ years experience)

Career Level

Overview:

The Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) develops and delivers collaborative solutions to global ocean challenges. We are dedicated to the resilience of the Gulf of Maine ecosystem and the communities that depend on it. To learn more, visit gmri.org.

The Gulf of Maine’s coastal and maritime economy contributes growth and development to a region that has relied on its cold, productive waters and strategic trading location for centuries. A vibrant blue economy is emerging that infuses traditional maritime industries with entrepreneurial ideas and energy. But climate change, economic pressures, competition, and a range of other challenges threaten this vital element of the region’s heritage and future.

The Gulf of Maine Research Institute has a strong track record in supporting economic development across the region, including traditional fishing and seafood industries as well as entrepreneurial ventures in aquaculture, technology, and more. In 2025—our twentieth anniversary on the Portland waterfront—GMRI will launch a new strategic plan to achieve greater impact for the region’s ecosystems, communities, and economy.

To guide the economic elements of our strategic plan, we are creating a new position of Vice President for Economic Development. This new leadership role will integrate and oversee existing GMRI programs that support economic development and build new capabilities for the organization.

How the Role Contributes to GMRI’s Mission, Vision, and Goals

  • Leads work to deliver economic impact throughout the Gulf of Maine
    • Strategy, program, and budget development
    • Team management (including professional development) and project oversight
    • Strategic partnerships (corporate, NGO, academic)
  • Raises philanthropic, public (state and federal), and investment funds for GMRI’s work in delivering economic impact
  • Contributes as member of GMRI’s Senior Leadership Team to address matters of organizational importance and coordinate cross-organizational impact
  • Networks & collaborates with peers in other states, across the nation, and around the world to share GMRI solutions and learn from others

How the Role is Situated in the Organization

  • Member of Senior Leadership Team
  • Supervises existing programs:
    • Aquaculture
    • Business Climate Action
    • Energy Solutions
    • Sustainable Seafood
    • Ventures
    • Climate Finance
  • Builds new capabilities:
    • Corporate sustainability
    • Public policy
    • Impact investing
    • Workforce development
  • Collaborates with peers in other departments to develop and achieve the objectives of GMRI’s cross-organizational strategic initiatives

Requirements

Qualifications:

  • At least 10 years professional experience in one or (preferably) more of the following:
    • Small business development
    • Community economic development
    • Rural development
    • Regional economic planning and development
    • Public policy
    • Entrepreneurship
  • Professional experience in for-profit, non-profit, and government settings
  • Professional experience supporting entrepreneurial ventures
  • Proven capabilities in institutional leadership and team management
  • Strong professional network throughout the state, the region, nationally, and internationally, including potential investors and funders for GMRI
  • Charismatic relationship builder & communicator Professional experience in seafood supply chains, blue economy businesses, and/or other coastal enterprises desirable
  • Professional experience in Maine and New England desirable

Benefits

Salary and Benefits:

Gulf of Maine Research Institute offers a competitive salary and benefits package.

Starting Salary Range:** **$148,000-$154,000.

Diversity and Inclusion:

Gulf of Maine Research Institute has a long-standing policy and commitment to providing equal access and equal employment opportunities in all terms, conditions, processes, and benefits of employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status. GMRI's employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status.

Applicants and employees are encouraged to voluntarily self-identify their race/ethnicity, gender, disability status and veteran status to assist GMRI in fulfilling various data reporting requirements of the federal government. This self-identification is completely voluntary, will be kept confidential and separate from your application data, and used only to meet federal reporting requirements. Providing or declining to provide this information will not result in adverse action of any kind.

Application Instructions:

All applications must be accompanied by a cover letter and résumé. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the successful candidate has been selected. The deadline to submit applications is January 3, 2025.

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