Managing Director, Beyond Plastics

Beyond Plastics is seeking a Managing Director with strong management, operations, and strategy experience to lead through a growth and expansion period for the organization. The Managing Director will report to Beyond Plastics' President and Founder Judith Enck. They will manage and supervise the Policy, Organizing, Communications, Fundraising, and Operations staff, as well as serve as a key advisor on strategic planning.

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated success in leading teams, managing staff; understand nonprofit fundraising and management, as well as be a strong communicator. They will have the ability to collaborate effectively with people inside and outside the organization, and will have the experience, maturity and self-direction to work autonomously in this fully remote organization. An understanding of climate change issues, plastics pollution, movement building, and environmental issues is a major plus.

About Beyond Plastics

Founded in 2019, Beyond Plastics is a project housed at Bennington College with the mission to end plastic pollution everywhere. Currently a team of 14 deeply committed individuals working remotely, Beyond Plastics focuses on policy and advocacy, building a grassroots movement, and educating the public in order to further its mission. You will be an employee of Bennington College, working only on issues related to Beyond Plastics.

Essential Duties and Responsibiilities

• Overseeing and managing the staff teams in ways that promote a positive, collaborative, and efficient working environment where team members enjoy working together, deliver impact, and grow professionally over time, including through regular feedback as well as through setting up systems and processes that foster collaboration and growth.

• Interfacing with Bennington College to ensure a smooth working relationship.

• Managing the organization's budget.

• Implementing a strategy for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

• Developing systems and structures for organizational effectiveness and efficiency

• Providing strategic partnership on fundraising and communications

• Working closely with the President to take advantage of opportunities that will advance and increase the impact of the organization

• Ensuring the high quality of written and visual materials for the organization

Bennington serves a diverse student population inclusive of members of ethnically/racially minoritized, international, LGBTQIA+, and disability communities as well as diverse gender identities, socioeconomic backgrounds, religions, and political beliefs. Our staff and faculty also reflect diverse and intersecting backgrounds and identities. All employees are expected to be respectful and responsive to these differences in the service of building community that promotes student and employee success and community cohesiveness. Each individual (faculty, staff and students) will be accountable for upholding these values. The College's approach to pluralism and inclusivity-both as fields of inquiry and practice-is to prioritize flexible thought, and to invite the examination of access, value, power, and privilege through its institutional policies and areas of study. We encourage applicants from diverse realms of interest, backgrounds, experience, and accomplishment to apply.

Qualifications

Commitment:

• A strong interest in ending plastic pollution and a commitment to the goals of Beyond Plastics.

• A demonstrated commitment to social equity and racial justice and an eagerness to understand how these issues are related in communities impacted by plastic pollution.

• Grounded in the connections between climate, economic, and racial justice and the ability to speak fluently about these issues.

• Ability to work well within a team of motivated individuals.

Education/Experience:

• A bachelor's degree and a minimum of minimum five years of experience in management, operations, and/or strategic planning, preferable in a non-profit advocacy setting.

Skills:

• Demonstrated ability to lead strategic development efforts and deliver a clear vision and plan.

• Minimum five years of experience leading and managing teams.

• Demonstrated experience working collaboratively

• Strong interpersonal skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Politically savvy and diplomatic

• Ability to independently plan, prioritize, and manage projects, take ownership of high-quality and timely delivery, and quickly surface and resolve roadblocks as they arise.

• Experience working effectively with internal and external stakeholders.

• Excellent problem-solving skills and a solution-oriented approach to work.

• Ability to project a professional presence and conduct relationships in an ethical manner with a high degree of tact, sensitivity, confidentiality and respect.

Note: The position requires the successful completion and acceptable results of a background check.

Work Environment and Requirements

80% of work performed in a home office environment with substantial activities completed using a computer; sedentary work. 20% of work will be in-person meetings and presentations. Periodic travel required. Must be able to work occasional evenings.

Compensation

$115,000-$120,000, commensurate with experience. Bennington College offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical insurance, dental insurance, life and long term disability insurance, retirement, generous time off benefits (4 weeks vacation, 10 sick days and 17 paid holidays) and educational benefits including Tuition Exchange.

To Apply:

The position is open until the position is filled; interviews will happen on a rolling basis.

Please apply with your cover letter addressed to Andrew Craigie, Program Manager, resume and the names and contact information for three recent references, including at least two supervisory references.