Job Announcement [Posted July 2014]

Program Director, Sustainable Economy, Plants to Products   (full-time)

Environmental Health Strategy Center – Portland, Maine, US

Lead our Sustainable Economy program team and help staff a trade association to promote biobased manufacturing as a sustainable economic development strategy.  Our Plants to Products initiative aims to leverage regional assets and attract private investment to create new jobs making advanced biobased products that are safer and more sustainable for people and the planet.

The Environmental Health Strategy Center is a nonprofit organization that promotes human health and safer chemicals in a sustainable economy.  We also staff Biobased Maine, a business alliance that promotes the sustainable use of renewable biomass from forests, farms, and sea to manufacture the next generation of biobased chemicals, materials, and fuels.  We’re located in the State of Maine whose advantages include a high quality of place, abundant natural resources, idle industrial infrastructure, forest bioproducts research capacity, and a trained and dedicated workforce.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the development of a road map to accelerate biobased manufacturing in Maine
  • Manage contractors to inventory regional assets, conduct economic analysis, assess research priorities, develop sustainability metrics, and identify workforce needs
  • Effectively engage diverse stakeholders in addressing related issues and concerns
  • Staff a regional trade association that promotes biobased products
  • Raise funding for infrastructure needed to support biobased manufacturing
  • Communicate Maine’s biobased advantage to the global industry and policymakers

Qualifications

  • Must be conversant in science/engineering/technology with at least a bachelor’s degree, five years of relevant experience, and a proven ability to understand and translate complex information for multiple audiences
  • Outstanding organizing ability to raise awareness, develop leadership, and promote consensus action among diverse stakeholders
  • Must have business savvy, with relevant experience in economic development, market development, business development, or successful entrepreneurial activity
  • Excellent communication skills and marketing ability, in writing and speaking
  • Prior experience in managing contractors and working with subject matter experts
  • Skilled in project management, program development, budgeting, evaluation, and reporting
  • Proven commitment to triple bottom line, sustainability, and/or green chemistry
  • Experience preferred in biobased product development, federal grantsmanship, and/or trade association management
  • Requires frequent in-state travel by car, with some regular out-of-state business trips, light lifting of materials and equipment, typing, and occasional long hours

Benefits

Enjoy a high quality of life and low cost of living in the beautiful State of Maine.  Work in a family-friendly, collegial environment that respects team work and rewards excellence.  We offer a competitive salary with excellent benefits.  Office locations are available in either Bangor or Portland, Maine.

How to apply

Email a cover letter describing your qualifications along with a resume, writing sample, and references to Jenny Rottmann, Managing Director.  We are an equal opportunity employer.

The position will remain open until filled, with initial review of applications scheduled for August 15, 2014. 

Download the announcement Here: Job Announcement – Plants to Products

Posted in Blog