Climate & Community Center Director

The Island Institute is seeking a Climate & Community Center Director to lead climate resilience initiatives in Maine's island and coastal communities. The role involves developing strategies, engaging with stakeholders, and managing programs focused on clean energy and community adaptation. This is a hybrid position requiring presence in the Rockland office and occasional local travel. Applicants must be Maine residents within commuting distance.
Island Institute has an exciting career opportunity for an experienced professional to join our team as our Climate & Community Center Director (Center Director). The Center Director leads the Island Institute’s programmatic work focused on building climate resilience through mitigation and adaptation among Maine’s island and coastal communities.

The Island Institute operates three distinct centers, each focused on specific areas of impact and reporting to the Chief Programs Officer. The Climate and Community Center focuses on climate change mitigation and adaptation, primarily at the municipal level. The work of this Center includes leading programs that drive clean energy transitions, engage communities in state and regional planning, and empower individual agencies aimed at building climate-resilient communities. This center’s programs are designed to integrate with the Marine Economy Center programs that serve businesses and Sustainable Communities Center programs that build education and workforce pathways in communities.

As a key institutional leader, the Climate and Community Center Director is responsible for developing and executing center strategies to achieve institutional impact and serving as the public-facing champion of the work. The Center Director works collaboratively with other center directors and leadership to share resources, knowledge, and best practices, enhancing the overall success of Island Institute. This role requires effective public engagement and relationship building with partners and stakeholders. The Center Director also collaborates with the Impact Team to monitor and report on program progress and impact and works closely with Marketing and Philanthropy to craft proposals for donors, foundations, and public agencies. Managing within budgeted resources and leading a team to deliver excellent, strategic, and timely programs are essential aspects of this role.

It is expected that this employee is a Maine resident and live within reasonable commuting distance to Rockland, Maine. This position is considered a hybrid role with the expectation of working regularly in the Rockland office as well as having a strong internet connection capable of supporting video conferencing while working remotely. Attending meetings and events in our service area (Casco Bay through Eastern Maine) occasionally at night and on weekends is also a requirement.

Review of applications will begin immediately and posting will close when the position is filled.