Deadline: Open until filled. Review of applications will begin, November 15th.


Pay Grade: 34E


CONTEXT OF THE JOB:

Under the limited direction and discretion of the Dean, the Executive Director provides overall leadership and programmatic oversight for the Delaware Sea Grant (DESG) College Program. This includes administration of an approximately $2.1 million state, university, federal funds budget and strategic planning for the development, evaluation and administration of the Sea Grant research, marine advisory service, education, and communications program activities. The statewide program housed at the University of Delaware is part of a national network of 33 Sea Grant College Programs, operating in all coastal and Great Lakes' states, and organized under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This network is a partnership among government, academia, industry, NGOs, and private citizens. The Executive Director makes strategic investments, develops new programs and expedites solutions. DESG also has an active advisory council comprised of 29 individuals, and the Executive Director works closely with that group, as well as the CEOE dean's administrative team, in prioritizing efforts and planning.

The Executive Director will work closely with the Dean to collaborate on the vision and goals of DESG program in conjunction with the scientific expertise of the College to maximize the benefit for research, education, and outreach of the Delaware Coastal Environment.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Oversee all aspects of the Delaware Sea Grant Program including research, outreach, education, communications, program assessments, management, and related activities and manage a total annual budget of approximately $2.1M in direct coordination with the Dean. Ensure sound fiscal operation, including the timely, accurate, and comprehensive development of budgets and implementation.

• Manage the program in accordance with the guidelines of the National Sea Grant Office and NOAA, the University of Delaware.
• Demonstrate integrity, skill and enthusiasm for effectively interacting with academic, industry, and government leaders and with staff, advisory boards, faculty, educators, agency personnel, and the general public.
• Develop new opportunities with both the private and public sector to increase the Program's ability to fund research and communicate science-based results to targeted stakeholders.
• Work closely with the Delaware Sea Grant Advisory Council as a mechanism to understand constituent needs and to build new partnerships.
• Build relationships with local and state elected officials, and the DE congressional delegation, to promote and enhance awareness of Sea Grant's programs, and their impacts on and value to natural resource management in the state.
• Build partnerships and collaborations with University of DE departments and colleges, and between UD and other universities including active participation in university efforts to facilitate and highlight community engagement activities.
• Provide the vision for strategic planning and implementation of Delaware Sea Grant priorities; this includes statewide strategic planning that produces significant results.
• Cooperate with regional and national partners to conduct programming focused on the NOAA Sea Grant mission and strategic plan; Represents Delaware Sea Grant on the National Sea Grant Association.
• Monitor and evaluate program/process/policy effectiveness. Seek best practices and affect changes required for improvement including but not limited to programmatic and financial aspects of DESG.
• Lead a high-performing team of professionals with complementary skills who are committed in a common purpose, performance goals, and approach for which they hold themselves mutually accountable; incorporate and value diversity in the work place and amongst stakeholder groups that Delaware Sea Grant serves.
• Supervise assigned staff. Conduct quarterly goals meetings, yearly merit evaluations and make recommendations for merit increases and on improved performance, when necessary.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree, Ph.D. preferred, in a marine-oriented environmental field or relevant social science field with minimum of eight years' experience. Leadership experience in higher education preferred.
• Proven record of strategic planning, innovative leadership, and sound fiscal management.
• Successful procurement of competitive research funding (university, government, or industry) and knowledge of federal, state, and university policies and procedures for contracts and grants.
• Ability to manage diverse professional staff and lead them in strategic planning, program implementation and evaluation techniques.
• Ability to supervise and train assigned staff including organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments; foster a cooperative environment.
• Ability to make administrative/procedural decisions and judgments; skill in examining and re-engineering operations and procedures, formulating policy, and developing and implementing new strategies and procedures.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to interact effectively with a wide range of constituencies both within and outside the university.
• Knowledge of ocean issues and coastal resources preferred
• Prior experience working with NOAA/Sea Grant or other marine/natural resource organizations is desirable.
• Familiarity with user-groups served by Sea Grant is desirable.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Employment offers will be conditioned upon successful completion of a criminal background check. A conviction will not necessarily exclude you from employment.

The University of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity Employer which encourages applications from Minority Group Members, Women, Individuals with Disabilities and Veterans. The University's Notice of Non-Discrimination can be found at http://www.udel.edu/aboutus/legalnotices.html

To apply please click here!