Chapter Director - Gray's Reef

Location: Chapter Director,Grey’s Reef Chapter of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, Savannah, GA

Supervisor:Vice President, Development

Status: Full-time, Exempt

What We Need

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation (the Foundation), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and a leading voice for U.S. protected waters, is seeking a highly motivated individual to serve as Chapter Director for the Gray’s Reef Chapter of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation. The Foundation seeks an individual with experience in fundraising and organizational development who has a strong network of relationships in communities that surround Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary (NMS), ideally from Jacksonville, FL, to Charleston, SC.

Applicants should possess knowledge of non-profit organizations and experience in building a governing board. The candidate should bring an entrepreneurial mindset and be excited about building a new fundraising strategy and program for the local foundation chapter. The position is based in the offices of Gray’s Reef NMS in Savannah, GA, and is part of a newly formed development team that is headquartered in Silver Spring, MD.

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation is committed to a culture of inclusion, equity, and belonging. We are dedicated to attracting and retaining a diverse staff. We honor experiences, perspectives, and unique identities, and welcome the contributions that you can bring to the team. With a diverse team of employees, we can grow and learn better together and achieve our mission to protect the health of the ocean, coasts and Great Lakes for current and future generations.

What You’ll Do

The Chapter Director will work closely with the chapter governing board, the Superintendent of the Gray’s Reef NMS, and the Foundation’s VP, Development, to support the mission and programs of the Gray’s Reef NMS and strengthen local and regional public outreach and engagement in support of the Sanctuary. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Develop and implement an annual work plan that engages the chapter governing board, the Foundation, and the Gray’s Reef NMS.
• In collaboration with the chapter governing board and the VP, Development, recruit new chapter board members.
• Execute quarterly board meetings, including by developing board packets, and meeting agendas; ensure minutes are kept for each meeting.
• Create, lead, assess and manage the local chapter's fundraising strategies and activities—including events—to help support the conservation programs of Gray’s Reef NMS.
• Work closely with the Foundation's Vice President of Development, who is based at the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation headquarters in Silver Spring, MD, to coordinate, design and implement strategies to cultivate and grow major, principal and corporate donor programs.
• Write grant proposals on behalf of the local foundation Chapter; provide text for grants the Foundation is submitting on behalf of the local foundation Chapter.
• Report on fundraising results to the chapter governing board and the Foundation’s VP of Development.
• Establish and maintain collaborative relations with Gray’s Reef NMS staff to support local fundraising and community outreach efforts.
• Organize and lead education programs (i.e. MATE ROV Competition and Rivers to Reefs), host an annual fundraiser (i.e. A Fishy Affair), and work with the Sanctuary to plan and implement public festivals (i.e. Gray’s Reef Film Festival).
• Represent the local foundation chapter at other events that strengthen community engagement and outreach about Gray’s Reef.
• Maintain the local chapter website and social media engagement; and
• Coordinate and encourage advocacy among Chapter Foundation Trustees in support of the Sanctuary.

Supervisory

• Foster a culture of inclusion and belonging.
• Engage a governing board to support conservation programs.

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher with a minimum of five years’ experience; work experience in the field of development will be considered in addition to higher education requirements.
• Track record of success in fundraising, marketing, and branding.
• Experience creating and implementing fundraising events.
• Demonstrated commitment to ocean stewardship and knowledge of Gray’s Reef NMS.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to speak clearly and persuasively in positive as well as challenging situations; writes clearly, informatively, and accurately; presents numerical data accurately; and demonstrates an ability to learn and communicate the issues fundamental to the Sanctuary’s mission and the Foundation’s work.
• Ability to develop strategies to achieve organizational goals and adapt strategy to changing conditions.
• Non-profit management experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with website management and social media.

Why You Will Love Us

• Dedicated and passionate staff committed to marine and Great Lakes conservation.
• Generous leave policy, plus paid time off the week between December 25 and January 1, and 12 paid holidays
• Health benefits: Medical with an FSA option; dental and vision
• Foundation paid Life and Disability Insurance
• Preparing for the Future: 403(B) with employer contribution after one year of service

Compensation and Benefits: $90-$100K/annually based on experience.

The Foundation offers a competitive benefits package.

Apply through the Foundation’s online portal.  A cover letter and resume are required. Applications received by April 22nd will be preferred.

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The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. This commitment applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, and training. The Foundation makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.