Deputy Director, Center for Resilience and Economic Impact

Job Number: R0007351

Job Description
Department:
Center
for Resilience and Economic Impact

Job Summary:

The Deputy Director serves as the operational and strategic
partner to the Inaugural Director of the Center for Resilience and Economic Impact, providing leadership for the Center’s community
engagement initiatives, applied research partnerships, grant administration, and regional economic development efforts. The Deputy Director
works collaboratively with community organizations, government agencies, industry partners, faculty, students, and external stakeholders to
advance initiatives that strengthen the economic resilience and long-term vitality of Maine’s coastal and rural communities.

The
position provides operational leadership for the Center’s programs, manages complex grants and collaborative projects, develops strategic
partnerships, supports applied research initiatives, and serves as the Inaugural Director’s designee when appropriate. The Deputy Director
plays a central role in translating innovative ideas into practical community solutions while helping position the Center as a statewide
leader in resilience, economic development, and community collaboration.

Essential Functions

To be successful in
this position, an individual should be able to perform the essential duties and bring the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and
abilities that support the role. This list of duties is intended to be representative rather than exhaustive, and additional
responsibilities may be assigned as needed.

Strategic Leadership and Center Operations

• Partner with the Inaugural
  Director to establish strategic priorities and implement the Center’s mission and long term goals.
• Provide operational leadership
  for Center initiatives and serve as acting leader in the Inaugural Director’s absence.
• Coordinate implementation of multi-year
  strategic initiatives and community based projects and events.
• Develop operational policies, procedures, and assessment strategies
  to support Center objectives.
• Supervise assigned professional staff, project personnel, and student employees.

Community Partnerships and Regional Engagement

• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with municipalities,
  nonprofit organizations, industry leaders, state and federal agencies, tribal partners, and community organizations.
• Represent the
  Center at public meetings, conferences, and community events.
• Identify opportunities for new partnerships that advance economic
  resilience and regional development.
• Facilitate stakeholder meetings and collaborative planning efforts throughout coastal
  Maine.

Grant Administration and Program Management

• Coordinate complex grant-funded initiatives involving
  multiple institutional and community partners.
• Manage relationships with contractors, consultants, and external service providers to
  ensure project objectives, contractual obligations, timelines, and deliverables are achieved.
• Assist with proposal development,
  grant reporting, compliance requirements, and budget administration.
• Monitor project timelines, deliverables, and program
  outcomes.
• Support financial planning, reporting, and stewardship of Center resources.

Applied Research and Economic
Development

• Support faculty and community based applied research initiatives that address regional economic and
  environmental challenges.
• Coordinate projects that translate research into practical applications benefitting Maine
  communities.
• Assist with development of pilot programs, workforce initiatives, entrepreneurship activities, and economic development
  strategies.
• Evaluate program outcomes and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

Communications and
Institutional Advancement

• Develop presentations, reports, brief materials, and communications that highlight Center
  initiatives and impact.
• Prepare technical and plain-language reports, briefing materials, and policy communications that effectively
  translate research findings, project outcomes, and complex technical information for regulators, policymakers, funding agencies, and
  community stakeholders.
• Collaborate with College Communications and Advancement to promote Center activities.
• Represent the
  Center with external partners, elected officials, funding agencies, and community organizations.
• Support fundraising initiatives and
  development of external funding opportunities.

Position Qualifications

Minimum Education and/or
Experience

• Master’s degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Community Development, Economic Development,
  Environmental Studies, Marine Research or Policy, Business Administration, Planning, or a related field required.
• Five to seven
  years of progressively responsible leadership experience in community development, economic development, higher education, nonprofit
  leadership, public administration, grant management, or related fields.
• Experience leading collaborative partnerships involving
  multiple organizations and stakeholders.
• Experience managing externally funded projects and complex budgets.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in coastal communities.
• Knowledge of Maine’s economic,
  environmental, and community development landscape.
• Experience working within higher education or research
  organizations.
• Experience supervising professional staff.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strategic
  planning and organizational leadership
• Grant development and administration
• Budget management
• Community engagement
  and partnership development
• Facilitation and consensus building
• Project management
• Strong written and verbal
  communication skills
• Public speaking and stakeholder engagement
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple
  priorities
• Excellent political awareness and relationship management skills
• Commitment to community-centered and
  collaborative leadership

Physical/Mental Demands

The physical demands and work environment characteristics
described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform essential functions of this position
and/or may be encountered while performing essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with
disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• To perform this role effectively, an employee is expected to handle employee
  information, documents, and sensitive matters with care, professionalism, and respect for privacy.
• This position involves working
  with a variety of timelines, including some that require quick turnaround and responsiveness to urgent needs.
• In this role, the
  employee will interact with members of the public and others in a variety of situations and conversations. Presenting oneself in a
  professional, respectful, and thoughtful manner at all times is an important part of the role.
• This position includes regular
  movement throughout office spaces, hallways, meeting rooms, and other campus locations.
• Daily work will involve extended use of a
  computer, including keyboard and mouse
• Physical requirements differ by position. In general, most roles involve lifting up to 10
  pounds regularly, with some positions requiring occasional lifting of up to 35 pounds.
• Vision requirements for this position include
  the ability to see clearly at close and far distances and to adjust focus as needed.
• The work environment is dynamic and engaging,
  often involving multiple tasks and projects that require shifting focus and strong organizational skills..
• The noise level is
  generally moderate; however, there may be occasional moments of louder sounds depending on campus activity.

Colby College
supports the Americans with Disabilities Act and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities
to perform the essential functions of the position.

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