Executive Director
Opportunity
The Executive Director of Save The Bay – Narragansett Bay (Rhode Island) will lead a strong, established and growing organization with a passion for the mission to protect and improve Narragansett Bay. The new leader will serve as the fifth Executive Director to lead the 53-year-old environmental advocacy organization in its exciting new chapter. With recently expanded education programs, increased habitat restoration capacity, a strengthened board structure, a highly sustainable financial position, and an exceptionally strong leadership team, the Executive Director will take the reins of this highly functioning organization at a time of major expansion. This is a unique opportunity with a leading environmental organization offering a highly competitive compensation and benefits package.
Organization
Save The Bay is a member-supported, volunteer-powered nonprofit organization with a mission dedicated to protecting and improving Narragansett Bay and Little Narragansett Bay, and all of the waters that flow into them, from Rhode Island, and Massachusetts, and Connecticut. Save The Bay works to fulfill its mission and vision of a fully swimmable, fishable, healthy Narragansett Bay, accessible to all through activities that improve water quality, marine and aquatic ecosystems, and coastal habitat while training the next generation of Bay stewards. The organization focuses on three areas of work: advocacy and public policy, education and community outreach, and habitat restoration and adaptation.
Save The Bay is headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island with additional locations in Newport and Westerly. The organization is led by a growing and professional staff of 40, supplemented by hourly staff, interns and volunteers, and with an annual operating budget of approximately $3.5M. Governed by a 20-member Board with guidance from a board of trustees, committee members, and a President’s Leadership Council, Save The Bay thrives on the community support from thousands of volunteers, members, and students.
Priorities
The next Executive Director will champion the care and stewardship of Narragansett Bay to ensure that it is healthy, protected, and treated with respect for the benefit of all. Key priorities for the Executive Director include:
Immediate
Long-range
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director is responsible for:
Fundraising and Managing Donor Relationships
Lead fundraising efforts by developing and maintaining long-term relationships with major donors and funders; actively cultivate new donors and funders. Work with the Development team to formulate and achieve annual fundraising goals; align communications, events, outreach, and membership activities to foster long-term philanthropic support for Save The Bay.
External Spokesperson and Leader of the Organization
Serve as Save The Bay’s principal spokesperson, representing the organization’s perspectives and policy positions to all constituents, including with governmental, legislative, and professional leaders and high-end donors. As spokesperson, the Executive Director must be able to understand complex issues and translate them into straightforward language that conveys passion and commitment to protecting and improving Narragansett Bay or other aspects of the natural environment.
Implementation of the Strategic Plan
Ensure that Save The Bay meets its strategic goals while staying true to the organization’s mission, vision, and values. Provide leadership and execution against the new strategic plan and objectives to strengthen the impact of Save The Bay’s work. The Executive Director is a strategic thinker who can help Save The Bay grow within the capacity of the current strategic plan, and beyond, while maintaining financial sustainability.
General Management and Operations
Work closely with senior staff to align department goals with strategic objectives and maintain the highest standard of excellence in all aspects of day-to-day operations. Ensure the organization is well positioned to recruit and retain a diverse, highly qualified and dedicated workforce. Set direction for external communications and messaging. The Executive Director is an effective team leader and consensus builder who seeks out, supports, and celebrates all the people doing the day-to-day work of Save The Bay and understands the importance of supporting senior staff to manage teams and their work.
Financial Management and Compliance
Oversee financial operations to ensure that the organization implements and maintains strong financial controls, procedures and practices. Ensure that the organization complies with relevant laws and regulations. Work with staff, committees, and the Board in preparing annual budgets and operate within budget guidelines. The Executive Director understands and manages reputational, organizational and financial risks and, as needed, initiates and completes capital projects.
Board Management and Development
Provide appropriate, timely and accurate information to the Board regarding all aspects of the organization’s operations. Provide support to Board committees. Monitor and share with the Board trends in non-profit governance, management, and philanthropy. Support the Board in fulfilling its governance and fiduciary responsibilities. Actively recruit new members to join Board committees.
Ideal candidates will meet most if not all of the following qualifications:
Exceptional communication skills to include excellent public speaking and presentation; strong interpersonal and conflict-resolution skills; and demonstrated leadership experience acting and speaking on behalf of organizations, including with governmental, legislative, and professional leaders and high-end donors.
How to apply
Interested candidates can apply for this job online via the link at the top right of this page.
Electronic submissions sent through the above link are preferred. All submissions receive acknowledgment and are confidential within the search committee and TSNE.
Candidates should include a resume and a cover letter that describes how their qualifications and experience match the needs and mission of Save The Bay, along with salary expectations and how they learned of the position. Candidates are strongly encouraged to apply by October 15, 2023.
The Executive Director position is full time and based in Providence, Rhode Island, with the opportunity for work-from-home days. Limited travel required. Save The Bay offers a comprehensive benefits package. Salary is competitive with relevant experience, within the framework of the organization’s annual operating budget, and in the approximate range of $150,000-175,000. Save The Bay is committed to complying with CDC COVID-19 requirements and requires proof of COVID-19 vaccination for all employees.
Save The Bay is an equal opportunity employer. The goals and strategies identified in the 2027 Strategic Plan will allow Save The Bay to deepen community engagement by:
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