Michigan Environmental Council

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Michigan Environmental Council w w w.environmentalcouncil.org Repor ts to: Board of Direc tors Location: Lansing, MI

MISSION Michigan Environmental Council (MEC) drives the environmental agenda in Michigan.

We develop innovative policy ideas; communicate them to key audiences in a compelling fashion; and engage our members, community leaders and residents as effective local advocates for shared goals. By leading powerful, diverse collaborations, we inspire state leaders to adopt pioneering solutions that set a global standard for environmental leadership.

OPPORTUNITY With a new administration in Lansing and friends of MEC throughout the executive branch, MEC is uniquely positioned to make great strides in advancing equitable environmental policies. The organization is well respected, sound and financially secure. MEC Board members, staff and members are energized by the opportunity before them to become a leading, cutting edge organization making meaningful, positive changes that will have benefits for the people of Michigan, sustainability and our natural environment. There is a keen sense of urgency to maximize the opportunity that currently exists at the Capitol. With that sense of urgency, the Board is pleased to announce the extraordinary opportunity for a new CEO to lead one of the country’s most respected and effective state environmental coalitions in helping Michigan thrive by protecting its air, land, water and people.

BACKGROUND Michigan Environmental Council -- a 501(c)(3) charitable organization -- is a coalition of more than 60 organizations leading Michigan’s environmental movement to achieve positive change through the political/governmental process at the local and state levels. It is a nonpartisan, factbased voice on environmental issues, known for being data-driven, and able to work effectively within the political process.

Since its inception in 1980, MEC has built a long track record of leading collaborations that achieve legislative and regulatory changes that have had significant impact on the protection of Michigan’s environment.

From water quality to sustainable transit, climate change and renewable energy, every issue that MEC focuses on can be linked to environmental justice. With member groups and partners in the public health, business, environmental justice, academic and faith-based

communities, MEC promotes public policies to ensure that Michigan families will enjoy clear waters, clean beaches, beautiful landscapes and healthy communities for years to come. Specifically, MEC: Advocates for safe and affordable drinking water for all and for protection and restoration of the Great Lakes and other waterways; Promotes a rapid transition to clean energy and policies to address climate change; Works to reduce environmental impacts on human health, especially on children and communities most impacted; Advocates for resilient ecosystems; sustainable communities and a thriving economy in Michigan.

MEC’s relationships with legislators and policy makers in Lansing is a core strength. Together with deep policy expertise, open-minded collaboration

with stakeholders of all types, and focus on solving problems, they set MEC apart. Its idea-through-implementation approach recognizes that enacting sound policies is a first step and gives equal weight to implementation and enforcement, consistently earning MEC staff a seat on agency workgroups responsible for putting legislation and regulatory policy into practice.

MEC is governed by a 12-member Board of Directors comprised of leaders from MEC member groups and atlarge individuals. The current operating budget is about $2M. Approximately 80% of the budget is funded by foundation grants, the rest by major donors and individual contributions, events, member dues (less than 2% of the budget) and earnings from the MEC endowment. There are currently twelve full-time staff.

ABOUT LANSING This position is based at MEC’s LEED-certified, solar-powered, historical landmark headquarters near Lansing’s Capitol building and vibrant downtown. Lansing is the seat of Michigan’s state government and East Lansing is home to Michigan State University. Greater Lansing offers quaint towns and friendly neighborhoods. It is a thriving area for education, business, and high-tech manufacturing. It is a

family-friendly community with significant recreational, cultural, and educational assets. Lansing sits in the heart of the Great Lakes Region, offering unparalled access to the world’s fresh water hub. The greater Lansing region welcomes about 4.7 million visitors a year and the total population for a Tri-County area is about 470,000. Lansing is driving distance to multiple major metropolitan areas including Chicago and Detroit.

CURRENT SITUATION MEC was established as a membership organization to be the policy voice for environmental groups across the state of Michigan. It deeply values efforts of member groups, community organizations, and other allies to shape public opinion broadly, promote sound environmental policy and build wide grassroots support for shared policy objectives with an equity lens. Over the years, MEC has continued to represent the collective voice of its members, while developing its own strong influence in the Capitol. Its current strategic plan identifies three top priorities: policy innovation, strategic communications and deepening engagement. The latter two priorities suggest that MEC can build on policies that are reflective of the needs of diverse communities resulting in policy positions that reflect the needs and interests of underrepresented people and communities.

The new CEO will have the opportunity and responsibility to further solidify and grow the financial strength of the organization. The focus is on building a more diverse revenue portfolio with primary emphasis on increased unrestrict-

ed philanthropic support from major individual donors through both ongoing and planned gifts.

Achieving this objective will require concerted efforts to build a more robust iFnternal culture for development of philanthropic support, with staff and Board members working in unison to identify, cultivate and solicit new donor relationships. In turn, this will require continuing focus on identi a fying, recruiting and engaging committed at-large Board members who provide significant financial support. The new CEO will also lead and provide professional development opportunities to all staff to increase awareness of and assistance with promotion of external philanthropic support.

The staff are smart, dedicated and deeply committed to ensuring that MEC continues to be successful. They are interested in retaining a culture that emphasizes team-building and professional development.

For MEC to be seen as the leader of Michigan’s environmental community it must continue to be an organization that represents environmental equity and includes a diversity of voices

and perspectives. To achieve this goal MEC must continue to build and leverage relationships and partnerships with university professors, think tanks, public policy firms, grass-tops and grassroots community leaders, faith and civic leaders, business executives, philanthropists, the media, other nion leaders, and interest groups and organizations. Incorporating and truly embracing the collective interests of these voices will result in identifying a clear path to being more effective and inclusive and thus, more representative of environmental justice, geographical, issue related, statewide advocacy.

MEC needs to play a major role in setting the terms of the debate and be at the table for the development and implementation of sound environmental policies.

Again, with a new administration in Lansing and friends of MEC (including immediate past leadership of the organization) throughout the executive branch, the incredible opportunity now exists for an aspirational CEO to guide MEC through a process that leads to a dynamic new vision and mission for the future.

POSITION SUMMARY The successful candidate will be able to build on and grow MEC’s reputation as the voice for Michigan’s environment. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO will have overall strategic and operational responsibility for MEC staff, programs, and execution of its mission. The CEO must be a strong leader who, working with Board and staff, can articulate MEC’s vision and then lead to achieve it. Successful relationship building and management are critical competencies to fulfill the objectives for this position.

The successful candidate will have the leadership and man-

agement skills to ensure that MEC is an effective agent for change that recognizes diversity as a strength in a constantly evolving environment. Strong management in the areas of human resources, finances, fundraising, grant compliance and management, and program evaluation is required.

Overseeing organizational management and leading staff in developing and implementing programs is essential. The CEO will both push and support strategic thinking and ensure that all staff understand how each piece fits with a larger whole both internally and externally. S/he will be expected

to maintain a welcoming office with a culture of cooperation and collaboration amongst all staff.

The CEO will be a public face of the organization. The CEO will identify and effectively collaborate with diverse partners.

The CEO will be responsible for raising the financial resources to advance the mission and programs, and for managing those financial resources and leading and supporting staff to achieve desired program outcomes and sustainability. This includes creating and sustaining relationships with major donors and funders.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES Providing effective, inspirational executive leadership for the organization, crafting long-term organizational strategic plans and goals in coordination with the board and ensuring the organization stays on track to achieve those goals; Enhancing the human assets of

the organization: partnerships, staff, member organizations, and Board of Directors; collaboratively developing and executing plans for board and staff growth; Presenting the organization and its mission and vision to decision makers, member groups, donors,

media, and the public in a compelling and uplifting way that builds on MEC’s reputation and engages support for its mission.

Sustaining the organization through budget development and oversight, major donor fundraising and foundation relations.

CORE COMPETENCIES Visionary Leadership Collaboratively develop a vision for MEC that is embraced by Board and staff. Champion and continually express the organizational vision through strategic and business planning that ultimately strengthens and expands MEC’s functional capabilities and presence.

Fund Development/External Relations Serve as chief liaison to all MEC constituencies including the Board, staff, members, funders, and strategic partners.

Actively participate in the development and implementation of strategic fundraising efforts.

Build new funding relationships while cultivating existing relationships. Serve as a primary spokesperson for MEC and effectively represent its goals, mission and vision to members, individuals, private foundations, government leaders, the media, sponsors and donors in order to attract the widest interest and support. Ensure that MEC is represented locally, regionally and nationally within the environ-

mental policy space.

Strategic Management Design an organizational model to achieve maximum impact through shared responsibility for organizational success. Lead and manage MEC resulting in a thriving, financially secure organization. Establish strong working relationships and continue to solidify an active board governance structure that provides wise counsel and strategic guidance resulting in streamlined decision-making. Maintain ongoing communications with the Board regarding organizational needs and trends in environmental policy. Maintain an organizational culture that results in a creative and productive staff and one that allows staff to build relationships

that are beneficial to MEC. Oversee a process that produces a balanced budget in line with the organization’s goals. Lead by example and maintain the highest levels of excellence in professional standards and practices for MEC. Program Development Actively engage the organization in tracking and monitoring emerging issues, concerns and areas of focus where MEC can have its greatest impact. Develop mechanisms to establish programmatic goals, evaluate and assess shortand long-term progress and recalibrate organizational resources as required for success. Maintain a highly visible presence in the areas of MEC’s focus by either driving discussions or presenting the organization at local, state, regional and national level and maintain sound working knowledge of priority policy issues at local and national levels. Keep the Board apprised of progress and work collaboratively to adjust course when needed.

CANDIDATE PROFILE We seek a visionary, confident and politically savvy leader with an unwavering commitment to MEC’s mission.

Demonstrated success establishing and cultivating strong relationships with staff, board of directors, donors, community-based organizations and a wide spectrum of stakeholders is required. The CEO needs to develop a deep core knowledge of MEC’s initiatives, programs, operations and fundraising goals and objectives. S/he needs to have expertise and/or an understanding of fundraising, management, environmental policies, state politics, and legislative and regulatory processes. MEC is seeking a CEO with a proven track record of influencing others to action and the ability to develop and create excitement for a vision for MEC. The successful candidate will be an

advocate for staff maximizing the impact of their strengths and promoting professional development with a management style that is collaborative and transparent. Interpersonal skills that include an ability to listen, provide feedback, build morale, delegate, roll up one’s sleeves and make decisions are essential. The candidate will be a self-starter with the utmost integrity and should be motivated by the best interests of the organization and its impact. Specific skills and attributes needed include: n Politically savvy leader n Fundraising success and commitment n Exceptional manager and team builder n Balance between creative thinking and management acumen n Strong relationship-building skills

n Exceptional communicator and spokesperson; marketing acumen n Financial management, oversight and budget-building skills n Experience leading an organization or department n Experience with and/or ability to work effectively with a Board of Directors n Highly motivated, tenacious, adaptable, and innovative We are looking forward to welcoming a dynamic pool of applicants who may come from a variety of backgrounds (senior non-profit management, electoral or legislative arena, public health, business, industry, academia).

We expect our candidates to have at least six (6) years of relevant experience and academic credentials. Active engagement in your local community is a plus.

H O W T O A P P LY Applications and nominations are being received by Noetic Search. Please click here to submit a current resume and letter of introduction to Noetic Search. For more information, please see our website at www.noeticexsearch.com or the Michigan Environmental Council at www.environmentalcouncil.org. MEC offers a competitive compensation and benefit package.

MEC is an equal opportunity employer and seeks applicants who recognize diversity as an organizational asset.

Noetic Search 150 N. Michigan Ave. Suite 2800, Chicago, IL 60601 (312) 863-8577