Job Description: Executive Director

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Announcement: Executive Director Recruitment

The Board of Directors of the Maine Space Grant Consortium is excited to announce an extraordinary opportunity to join the Consortium as our next Executive Director. We are seeking a visionary and dynamic individual to drive our mission forward and oversee the strategic growth of our organization.
The Executive Director will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the Consortium, leading a passionate team and fostering key relationships with stakeholders. The ideal candidate will bring a blend of leadership, experience in partnership building, and a strong commitment to strengthening the state’s aerospace-related research and education ecosystem.

If you are an inspiring leader looking to make a lasting impact, we invite you to explore this opportunity with us.

Job Description: Executive Director

Location: The primary office is in Augusta with a satellite office in Brunswick Landing.  There is potential to work a hybrid remote/onsite schedule.

Employment Type:  Part-time at 0.5 FTE with an opportunity to increase to 1.0 FTE.

Starting Salary: $55,000

Start Date:  July 1, 2025

Background

The Maine Space Grant Consortium (MSGC) is an Affiliate-based 501(c)(3) corporation overseen by a Board of Directors and is a member of the national network of Consortia in all 50 states plus Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. The network is funded by NASA’s National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program (also known as Space Grant).  Space Grant was established by Congress in 1988 to contribute to the nation’s science and engineering enterprise. The MSGC also manages the Maine NASA Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR). The focus of EPSCoR is research infrastructure development in the state of Maine. The MSGC Executive Director serves as the Director of Maine NASA EPSCoR.

The overarching strategic goals of the Maine Space Grant Consortium reflect and support the priorities of NASA Mission Directorates and the Consortium’s Priority to

  • Continue to broaden, advance and deepen Maine’s research and education capacity in the new space economy.
  • Increase public awareness and understanding of STEM and its connection to NASA.

MSGC will achieve impact through these four strategic goals:

  1. Strengthen the STEM education and workforce pipeline to support Maine’s growing involvement in the new space economy.
  2. Support private and public research infrastructures for the new space economy.
  3. Increase public awareness of STEM contributions to economic development, education, and employment opportunities, and its connection to NASA.
  4. Ensure effective organizational infrastructure to achieve mission and goals.

Job Summary

The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors of the Consortium and plays a vitally important role in planning and implementing NASA Space Grant and NASA EPSCoR programs in Maine. This position requires leadership in engaging multiple research-intensive institutions and a diverse array of undergraduate institutions and facilitating collaborative research among research faculty, postdocs, and graduate and undergraduate students. Regular travel (statewide, regional, and national) is required.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership

  • Direct, develop policy, and implement the Board of Directors strategy and direction.
  • Exercise financial and budgetary control.
  • Works with the MSGC Controller to ensure timely financial reporting to demonstrate progress toward and meeting of project timelines.
  • As per NASA requirements, the Executive Director is the lead PI on NASA EPSCoR and Space Grant awards, providing financial, reporting, and evaluation oversight as well as administrative coordination as needed.
  • Aligns system-wide NASA EPSCoR program activities with state and national priorities in STEM research and education. These priorities will target research development, economic development and workforce development priorities for the state and NASA Directorates.
  • Engages with the Maine Space Grant Affiliates and develops advisory committees (e.g., external technical advisory committee) that will help guide program processes.
  • Engages with and effectively communicates with the Maine EPSCoR Office.
  • Engages the science PIs on implementation of and timely reporting on NASA EPSCoR and Space Grant research project goals and objectives.
  • Effectively communicates with faculty and students at all Affiliate Higher Education institutions to build consensus related to proposals/applications, project timelines and reporting.
  • Reports on the state-wide and the national program’s efforts and outcomes to Maine’s elected officials (e.g., Congressional delegates).
  • Facilitates the selection of research focal areas and leads the development of NASA EPSCoR and Space Grant proposals.
  • Manage recruitment and relationships with Space Grant Consortium academic and industrial affiliates and EPSCoR Technical Advisory Committee.

Management

  • Budgets: Works with the MSGC Controller to ensure fiscal integrity of federal and state and institutional program match funds and spending.
  • Evaluation: Provides oversight for retrieving, organizing, and synthesizing information for evaluation requirements; works with external evaluators as needed.
  • Programming: Ensures efficient and effective processes for resource allocation and program reporting.
  • Competitions: Manage internal competitions specific to NASA EPSCoR and Space Grant solicitations. Pre-plan internal timelines to allow sufficient time to meet federal due dates.
  • Meetings: Organize forums, workshops, technical assistance, annual meetings and other events for the Consortium and NASA EPSCoR.

Represent and Serve:

  • Represents Maine’s NASA EPSCoR and Space Grant Consortium to the national NASA Office for STEM Engagement (OSTEM), all Maine Space Grant Affiliates, Maine’s economic development community, Maine’s State and Federal legislative delegation, and other NASA EPSCoR and Space Grant partners (e.g., consortium partners) as needed. These duties include annual National Space Grant Council and NASA EPSCoR meetings, as well as other meetings across the country.
  • Actively promotes the success of the Maine Space Grant and NASA EPSCoR programs within and outside Maine, including developing promotional materials such as posters and presentations.

Maine Space Corporation

  • The Consortium initiated and led the effort to establish the Maine Space Corporation through legislation as the quasi-independent state entity with the responsibility to develop and grow the Maine Space Complex and lead the state into the new space economy. The Consortium and the Corporation are two separate organizations with distinct authorities, missions and board of directors.  The Executive Director will work closely with the management and the Board of Directors of the Corporation and support their efforts to achieve the purpose of the Maine Space Complex.  This may require additional compensation which will be subject to negotiations with the Boards of the Consortium and the Corporation.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Must be a US citizen
  • Master’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience in STEM related fields.
  • Five or more years of demonstrated experience in project management.
  • Demonstrated experience in relationship building across public and private sectors.
  • Strong team management skills and the ability to build consensus.
  • Strong and timely communication skills to broader audiences (oral and written).
  • Strong interpersonal skills, including ability to lead a diverse group across multiple disciplines.
  • Valid Driver’s License and must have own car.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience working with or managing a nonprofit board of directors

Interview Process

As part of the interview process, candidates will meet MSGC Board of Directors members, Space Grant Affiliate institutions representatives, and select individuals from Maine’s K-12, higher education, business, and government sectors. At a gathering of board members and Affiliate representatives, candidates will be expected to deliver a presentation on several key topics relevant to the position. This presentation will allow candidates to demonstrate their expertise, communication skills, and ability to engage with subjects related to aerospace-related education and research, workforce development, and economic development. Specific details and guidelines for the presentation will be provided in advance.

Start Date and Transition Period

The effective start date is July 1, 2025. A transition period of approximately two months before the start date is anticipated when the new hire would shadow current staff.  A stipend would be provided during the transition period.

Supervision

This position reports to the Board of Directors, which is responsible for performance and salary review. This position supervises the Controller/Director of Education Programs and other MSGC staff.

Work Location

The Executive Director is expected to work out of the Consortium’s Augusta Office at 87 Winthrop Street and occasionally out of the satellite office in Brunswick Landing. The Executive Director may also work remotely but is required to develop a hybrid remote work schedule with the approval of the Board of Directors.

Travel

This position requires occasional travel in the state to meet organizations that receive funding from us and to meet teachers and faculty to explore activities. Out-of-state travel is necessary to attend annual national winter and fall space grant and NASA EPSCoR conferences and to explore partnerships with other states, organizations, and federal agencies.

Starting Salary Range and Benefits

The starting salary is $55,000 for 0.5 FTE.  The MSGC offers excellent medical, dental, retirement, and paid time off benefits. There is potential to increase the level of effort to 1.0 FTE with additional grant support.

Application

The application consists of an updated resume, a cover letter no more than two pages outlining knowledge and experience that fits this position, and one page listing three references and contact information. The application should be in one pdf file and emailed to msgc@msgc.org no later than November 15, 2024.

Nondiscrimination Statement

The Maine Space Grant Consortium is committed to a policy of non-discrimination in the conduct of its business, including meeting its responsibilities under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and other federal and state laws, and to the delivery of equitable and accessible services. It is the policy of the Consortium to ensure full compliance with federal nondiscrimination laws in all programs and activities. The Consortium will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, ancestry, ethnic group identification, creed, sex (including actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity), disability, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, veteran’s status, or age in any Consortium programs, services, or activities. It is unlawful for the Consortium programs, lessees, tenants, concessionaires, and contractors to discriminate against any person because of race, color, religion, ancestry, ethnic group identification, national origin, creed, disability, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, age, or sex (including actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity) in their public services, activities and employment opportunities.