Director

Groundwork Somerville (GWS) strives to bring about the sustained regeneration, improvement and management of the physical environment through the development of community-based partnerships which empower people, businesses and organizations to promote environmental, economic and social well-being.

Groundwork Somerville is a community-based organization designed to serve as a catalyst for reuse of former Brownfield sites and for community revitalization in Somerville. The organization is an affiliate of Groundwork USA, a network of organizations created by the National Park Service and modeled after the successful network of 43 Groundwork organizations in the United Kingdom.

Position Overview:

Groundwork Somerville is currently seeking a dynamic and motivated Executive Director to start as soon as the position is filled and to take over management of a rapidly growing organization. Given the diversity of projects that Groundwork Somerville tackles every year, the Executive Director position requires a variety of skills and a passion for approaching environmental challenges through a community-driven perspective.

Groundwork Somerville believes in the power of collaboration, and achieves results by building coalitions. We engage city residents, city government, businesses, and community organizations in the planning and execution of our projects. We also guide cities and non-profits throughout the Mystic River region seeking to build similar programs. By creating opportunities for healthy EDUCATION, green JOBS, and sustainable COMMUNITY, Groundwork Somerville empowers people to lead healthier, happier, and more prosperous lives.

Responsibilities:

Organizational Management, Leadership and Development:

• Update the business plan for the organization and facilitate future planning (2012-2014)
• Assist in conducting day-to-day business of Board of Directors, including financial management, budget preparation and meeting participation
• Report regularly to and work closely with the Board of Directors
• Support the Board of Directors to recruit, orient and train new Board members and to create a more diverse Board
• Manage the Advisory Committee
• Participate in all Groundwork USA projects, including monthly phone calls, regional projects, the annual Assembly (Denver in 2011), funding collaborations, and annual peer reviews with GW organizations
• Manage all work of the book-keeper:
  - Management of all billing with vendors
  - Aggressively track down outstanding A/R
  - Ensure compliance with all HR regulations/ needs
  - Financial management
  - Insurance
  - Bi-weekly payroll
  - Management of 4 fiscal sponsorship accounts
• Coordinate and manage administrative activities, including taxes, legal services, and office systems
• Coordinate 21 Properzi Way activities (rent, facility issues, purchasing of supplies) for all sub-letters
• Identify, aggressively pursue and secure all funding, including grants, gifts, fee-for-service arrangements, in-kind donations, non-traditional funding, online marketing, and business sponsorship
• Manage compliance requirements with funders

Program Development and Staff Management:

• Build organizational diversity
• Organize and implement projects around the Mystic River watershed.
• Support and advise staff working on all programs of GWS
• Attend seasonal meetings with all organizational partners - Mystic River Watershed Collaborative, Shape Up Somerville, Community Corridor Planning, and all others
• Hold regular staff meetings to ensure quality project management
• Manage staff relations - internal challenges - by meeting weekly with each Coordinator
• Hold annual reviews for each staff member
• Manage interns and staff to ensure quality programming and administrative tasks

Community Outreach and Public Relations:

• Develop and implement strategies to build and invigorate an active base of volunteers and members
• Establish and maintain partnerships with public, private and non-profit organizations
• Build and maintain a strong relationship with the Cities of Somerville, Everett, Malden, and Medford
• Act as the catalyst for forums that bring different environmental groups together
• Develop promotional materials, press releases and public events
• Serve as a spokesperson publicly representing Groundwork Somerville
• Keep up with new media in order to successfully market GWS in this changing world of technology
• Participate in local committees and groups to ensure promotion of GWS throughout the community, including but not limited to: City committees, community committees, SCAT, Shape Up, Somerville Local First, the Chamber, and other venues.

Qualifications:

1) Education and Commitment to the Groundwork Philosophy:

• Post secondary degree in a related field or equivalent work experience
• Commitment to creating a more diverse environmental movement in urban communities
• Strong knowledge-base in environmental issues including urban agriculture, green infrastructure, smart growth, land-use planning, and community planning
• Commitment to community-building and community-driven design around environmental issues
• Experience and comfort working and recreating outdoors
• Evidence of a clear commitment to community revitalization, open space creation and preservation, sustainable development, and the environment

2) Fundraising and Communication:

• Strong communication skills - demonstrated excellence in written and oral communication
• Ability to engage with and build relationships among diverse audiences, including youth, community members, businesses, and city officials
• Facility in on-the-spot problem solving and conflict resolution
• Demonstrated experience in organizational management and growth, including board development
• Community outreach, project implementation and event coordination experience
• Minimum of 3 years success in fundraising with grassroots organizations, and in leveraging resources from a variety of regional and local partners

3) Administrative Skills and Financial Management:

• Comfort with Microsoft Office Suite
• Knowledge of and/or willingness to learn Google technologies (Documents, Maps)
• Strong organizational skills, highly motivated and well-organized
• Capacity to work within time constraints, consistently on time
• Initiative and resourcefulness
• Ability to work well in a group and independently
• Minimum of 3 years experience with budgeting and financial management for small nonprofits
• Knowledge of and comfort with Quickbooks and financial reports required

Additional desired qualifications:

• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends
• Knowledge of Somerville and Greater Boston communities, non-profit groups, businesses and government institutions preferred
• Proficiency in a language other than English

Click here for full job description.

Compensation: $40,000-$50,000 commensurate with experience; flexible hours; full-time salary.

To Apply:

To apply, please send resume and cover letter. No phone calls please.

Applications due by Monday, April 11th. Please submit a thoughtful cover letter, resume and three references. We will inform applicants of the desire for an interview by Friday, April 15th. Due to an overwhelming number of responses, only those successful candidates will receive an email or phone call. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Groundwork Somerville is an equal opportunity employer.