Associate Director

The Maine Lobstermen’s Association (MLA) and Maine Lobster Community Alliance (MLCA) seek to share a full-time (40 hours/week) experienced Associate Director who wants to help us sustain one of Maine’s most economically and culturally important industries by working with people who are passionate about a way of life that has supported generations of Maine families. Working closely with the MLA/MLCA Executive Director, the Associate Director will take on critical responsibilities including staff and operational management, grant writing and administration, and, over time, represent the organization publicly on policy issues. This is an opportunity to support Maine’s lobster industry at a pivotal moment and help ensure its long-term sustainability and preserve the heritage of our lobstering communities.
Responsibilities:
Under the supervision of the Executive Director, the Associate Director will:

• Manage staff and operations.
• Work with staff to develop strategic work plans and benchmarks for key areas including membership, fundraising, and outreach.
• Research, develop, and submit grant proposals.
• Manage grants, including required reporting, billing, and financial accounting.
• Coordinate the day-to-day functions of financial management, including budget tracking and bookkeeping
• Assist with Board communications; attend monthly board meetings and periodic fundraising events, occasionally speaking on behalf of the organizations.
• Contribute content to Landings, MLCA’s monthly newspaper.
• Conduct other tasks as needed to support the organizations’ missions.

• Bring knowledge, and a curiosity to learn more, about the Maine lobster industry and waterfront communities. Experience working with fishermen or in fishing communities, or other related coastal industries strongly preferred.
• Demonstrate experience managing or supporting a non-profit organization, including staff supervision, budgeting, and fundraising.
• Be proficient in prioritizing tasks and multi-tasking in a small office setting.
• Have excellent writing skills, with the ability to produce successful grant proposals and communicate complex information clearly to the public.
• Possess strong computer skills, including proficiency with QuickBooks Online and Microsoft Office 365 (SharePoint, Word, and Excel). Familiarity with Adobe products, Canva, WIX, database programs, and website administration strongly preferred.
• Be comfortable learning new software programs as needed.
• Be patient, flexible, and solutions-oriented.
• Be able to foster a positive office environment, while working independently and as part of a small team.
• Be open-minded, have strong active listening skills, and the ability to remain calm under pressure.