Executive Director

Position Summary

The Executive Director of the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium is responsible for the overall planning, coordination, and implementation of the agency’s operations and programs. This role serves as the principal development and grantsmanship officer, principal legislative liaison, and principal public spokesperson for the agency. The Executive Director is responsible for the coordination and management of more than fifty grants, several major multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional programs, and the agency’s state budget and federal Sea Grant core program.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Planning and Implementation

• Oversee the agency’s strategic planning and implementation process.
• Set the strategic direction for agency programs, activities, and efforts based on input from the agency’s diverse constituencies and stakeholders.
• Work with the Board of Directors and the Program Advisory Board (PAB) to provide strategic advice and guidance to the agency.

Program Coordination

• Coordinate the planning and development of Consortium research, education, and outreach programs that meet the needs of the Consortium’s diverse constituencies.
• Ensure successful delivery of information to target constituencies and track and evaluate all milestones.

Budget Management

• Prepare and present annual state budget requests to the Governor’s Office, the House Ways and Means Committee, and the Senate Finance Committee for agency recurring funds.
  • Secure funds from the state of South Carolina on an annual basis.
• Prepare and present program highlights, needs and the Sea Grant Association budget to the South Carolina Congressional delegation.
  • Secure funds from NOAA National Sea Grant Office

Grant and Funding Development

• Coordinate the development and submission of competitive proposals to achieve agency objectives and seek non-state sources of funding.
• Secure non-state funding year-to-year and develop partnerships to secure funding for priority research and outreach needs.

Public Relations and Advocacy

• Serve as the principal public spokesperson for the agency.
• Act as the principal legislative liaison for the agency.

Qualifications

Preferred candidates have a terminal degree in science, policy or natural resources, and at least five years’ experience in leadership of externally-funded research, education, and outreach/extension programs. Candidates may possess a master’s degree and fifteen years of experience in science or natural resources leadership. Extensive experience in marine and coastal sciences, policy, and resource management is essential. Familiarity with the NOAA National Sea Grant College Program is desirable. Other key abilities for the executive director include:

• Proven experience in strategic planning, program management, and budget management.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Success in grant writing and securing funding from diverse sources.
• Ability to work with a wide range of stakeholders, including government agencies, academia, non-profit organizations, and the private sector.
• Demonstrated success in facilitating collaborative partnerships, particularly with municipal, state and federal agencies, private sector, and local organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to organize workshops, conferences and general information publications.
• Ability to work well with a highly diverse group of scientists, university and agency leaders, students, community organizations and leaders.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a leadership team and talented technical staff.