Summary

Title: Programs Assistant

Status: Full-time, Exempt  

The Programs Assistant supports the Alliance for the Great Lakes’ Programs Team in achieving the goals of our strategic plan. The Programs Team leads research, policy, partnership building, and advocacy at the local, state, and federal levels to promote clean water and healthy communities. Our focus is on issues including flooding and sewer impacts on communities, water use, invasive species, agriculture, and plastic pollution.

The Assistant role involves administrative coordination, event and meeting support, communications assistance, and file/records management. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, highly organized, and passionate about their work and the mission of our organization. This position reports to the Vice President for Programs and works closely with the Program Directors (including the Directors of Water & Ecosystems, Water Infrastructure, Local Partnerships, Federal Relations, and Media) on meeting logistics and scheduling, document creation and management and travel support, as well as assisting with grant and lobbying reporting, expense management, and other duties that may emerge from our work. The Programs Assistant performs a wide variety of functions independently, exercising confidential discretion and sound judgment in the performance of these duties. The Assistant will collaborate with Operations staff to learn about platforms and how the Alliance utilizes them, as well as to share information, streamline processes, and identify opportunities for improvement. Additionally, this person will assist with projects, including by providing support on organizational initiatives, as assigned by their supervisor and Program Directors.

Representative goals that this position will support, in coordination with the Operations Team, include:

• By the end of 2025, the Assistant will have efficient administrative systems and processes in place to schedule, prepare for, and execute virtual and in-person meetings involving multiple participants.
• By early-2026, the Assistant will develop and prepare the Programs Team to adopt, utilize, and maintain a unified file management system that enables easy and consistent access to files across offices.
• By mid-2026, the Assistant will draft a set of standard operating procedures to document how administrative tasks specific to the Programs Team are performed.

A typical week:

The Assistant plays a key support role in the day-to-day coordination and administration of programs. The weekly routine blends administrative tasks, communication, and event support to ensure successful program delivery.

The week might start with reviewing the Programs Team calendars, scheduling meetings and events on behalf of Programs Team members, organizing priorities, and responding to any outstanding emails. The Assistant may gather updates from recent program activities to share with Communications or the Grants Manager and update internal tracking systems or spreadsheets. They’ll work with the Programs Team to prepare and/or organize agendas, presentations and other meeting materials. They may also attend internal and external meetings to take meeting notes/minutes, organize action items, and help distribute follow-up communications. If there’s an upcoming event, they might spend time clarifying in-person or virtual event needs, formatting or printing materials, assembling supplies, checking technical setups, and confirming final details with presenters or facilitators. As the week winds down, the Assistant makes time for wrap up and reflection. They may meet with their supervisor and Directors to debrief, identify improvements, and plan for the following week.

Throughout the week, the Assistant balances multiple projects, maintains accurate records and filing systems, supports communication among the Programs Team and with other offices, and ensures partners receive timely, helpful information.

Responsibilities

Event and Meeting Coordination:

Organize in-person and virtual logistics for workshops, conferences, and other events, including: prepare agendas based on input/direction from Programs Team staff, send invites to attendees and track responses, reserve space, order food or supplies, take and transcribe meeting minutes, monitor action and follow-up items, prepare materials, and keep permanent records as appropriate.

Communication:

• Maintain general knowledge of activities and projects of the Programs Team.
• As directed by supervisor and Directors, draft and distribute basic program materials, track email communication, and accurately respond to routine inquiries from staff and partners.
• Periodically review website content and identify any necessary updates for the Programs Team to consider.
• Support collaboration and information sharing across the Programs Team and with other offices.

General Administrative Support:

• Serve as a liaison between Programs Team and other staff for purposes of contracts, agreements, grants management, and other official documents.
• Arrange and schedule travel logistics for Programs Team.
• Prepare expense reports and assist with time entry and approvals.
• Execute meeting and event logistics, with guidance from and in coordination with the Office Manager and/or Executive Assistant as needed.
• Compile, clean and prepare basic data sets for analysis, as directed by Programs Team.
• Proofread documents as directed by Programs Team.
• Manage and maintain the Programs Team calendar for internal meetings/timelines, and ensure that timely information is shared with the right people.
• Assist the Programs Team to develop, adopt, utilize, and maintain a unified electronic file management system.
• Track and support compliance with registration and reporting requirements for lobbying, including managing calendar of reporting requirements and submitting reports based on timekeeping by Programs Team staff. Flag any new or changing lobbying needs for supervisor.
• Assist Programs Team to create and regularly update contact lists.
• Provide basic education and technical support on the use of Microsoft Office products.
• Provide additional administrative support as required.

Additional Duties

As assigned or needed.

Work Relationships

The Programs Assistant will work closely with the Programs Team and coordinate with the Operations Team and the Executive Assistant to carry out job duties.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Physical Demands/Work Environment

Occasional evening or weekend work may be required for events or program deadlines. Some travel may be required (e.g., for conferences or partner meetings).

Knowledge/Skills

• Minimum of 3 years of experience with essential administrative support to an organizational team, including scheduling meetings, managing calendars, and preparing correspondence.
• Ability to compose, edit and organize documents and presentations using professional, clear and succinct language and structure.   
• Exceptional organizational and time management skills with a proven ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines. Strong problem-solving and critical thinking abilities. 
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team with a positive, solution-focused, can-do attitude. 
• Experienced in developing systems to build efficiency in processes and quality of deliverables.
• Willingness and desire to provide customized service for individual program staff based on work style and needs.  
• Independent worker capable of making decisions on their own; self-motivated, resourceful, and flexible.  
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products, particularly Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.  Experience with SharePoint and Asana is helpful, but not required; however, developing knowledge of these programs will be essential.

• Ability to learn new software applications quickly.

• Understands and upholds Alliance for the Great Lakes values of community, relationships, courage, integrity, and optimism. 
• Demonstrated alignment with our external and internal operating principles of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• The selected candidate must be able to pass a background check. 

Job Parameters

• This position is full-time and consistent with Alliance employment policy. The Alliance has defined salary ranges that are evaluated annually, and it is customary for candidates to join at the lower half of the range to leave room for learning and development in the role. It is uncommon for starting salaries to fall above the mid-point. The salary range for this position begins at $50,000 and we negotiate salaries with final candidates based on their experience in similar roles and expertise related to the qualifications.

• Excellent benefits, including medical, dental, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, FSA, 11 paid holidays plus the business days between 12/26 and 12/30 (staff who must work on any paid holidays may take those holidays at another time subject to the employee handbook), 3 weeks’ annual vacation to start + PTO, and Fidelity 401(k) with employer match of up to 6% of salary, eligible after 30 days.

• This position can be performed remotely from anywhere within the Great Lakes region; however, there is a preference for candidates with the flexibility to work from Alliance’s Chicago office as needed.

Application Process

Please e-mail a cover letter, resume, references, and writing or work sample that demonstrates relevant qualifications to hr@greatlakes.org. Include the job title in the subject line.

Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis starting on [DATE] and until the position is filled. Materials should be compatible with Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat. Applicants will receive confirmation of receipt of their materials, further guidance, and updates about the hiring process by e-mail, with interviews provided for finalists. No phone inquiries, please.

About the Alliance for the Great Lakes

The Alliance for the Great Lakes is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The search process will reinforce the Alliance’s belief that achieving diversity requires an enduring commitment to inclusion that must find full expression in our organizational culture, values, norms, and behaviors.

Our vision is a thriving Great Lakes and healthy water that all life can rely on, today and far into the future. We aspire to be a voice for the lakes, and to support the voices of the communities that depend on the lakes and their waters.

The mission of the Alliance for the Great Lakes is to protect, conserve and restore the Great Lakes ensuring healthy water in the lakes and in our communities for all generations of people and wildlife. We advance our mission as advocates for policies that support the lakes and communities, by building the research, analysis and partnerships that motivate action, and by educating and uniting people as a voice for the Great Lakes.  

To achieve our vision and mission, everyone in our organization will live our values of Community, Relationships, Courage, Integrity and Optimism, and weave the principles of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion into all our work. Each value and principle is backed by measurable goals and expectations for our Board of Directors and staff. 

 For more information about the Alliance’s programs and work, please visit us online at www.greatlakes.org.

The post Programs Assistant appeared first on Alliance for the Great Lakes.

Original Article

News - Alliance for the Great Lakes

News - Alliance for the Great Lakes

https://greatlakes.org/2025/07/programs-assistant/

Michelle Farley

Overview

The Alliance for the Great Lakes is a non-partisan non-profit organization based in Chicago with staff across the Great Lakes region working to advance policies and programs that preserve and protect Great Lakes water for current and future generations. The Alliance has worked on agriculture policy issues for decades and is looking to expand its technical capacity with a specific emphasis on agronomy, soil health, conservation implementation, and the connection to downstream water quality. To accomplish this, the Alliance is seeking an Agriculture and Water Quality Consultant (Consultant) to provide strategic technical advice and recommendations on a range of priority topics under the Agriculture and Source Water Program. These topics will vary throughout the year but may include:

• Analysis on the potential water quality impacts from proposed modifications to fertilizer and manure application rates
• Recommended conservation practices to mitigate nutrient losses
• Review of livestock permits to ensure water quality goals are achieved
• Strategies for improving soil health

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Knowledge/Skills

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Management, Agricultural Engineering, Crop and Soil Science, or other related degree.
• 5+ years working in agronomy, agricultural engineering, soil science, conservation implementation, and water quality.
• Strong working understanding of state-level policy and legal requirements related to fertilizer and manure application, soil management, and water quality.

Job Parameters

• This is a one-year contract with the potential for renewal in future years. The Consultant will bill the Alliance hourly, with a minimum commitment by the Alliance of $2,500, and a maximum of $15,000 in the first year, dependent on needs as the work progresses.
• Great Lakes Basin (remote) with strong direct experience in Wisconsin, Ohio, and/or Michigan.

Application Process

Please e-mail your resume, references and writing sample to: hr@greatlakes.org.

Include the job title in the subject line.

Applications will be accepted until the job is filled – we are looking for the Consultant to start by June 1, 2025 . Materials should be compatible with Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat. Applicants will receive confirmation of receipt of their materials and further guidance and updates about the hiring process by e-mail, with interviews provided for finalists. No phone inquiries please.

About the Alliance for the Great Lakes

The Alliance for the Great Lakes is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The search process will reinforce the Alliance’s belief that achieving diversity requires an enduring commitment to inclusion that must find full expression in our organizational culture, values, norms, and behaviors.

Our mission is to protect, conserve and restore the Great Lakes ensuring healthy water in the lakes and in our communities for all generations of people and wildlife. We advance our mission as advocates for policies that support the lakes and communities, by building the research, analysis and partnerships that motivate action, and by educating and uniting people as a voice for the Great Lakes. Learn more about the Alliance at www.greatlakes.org. 

The Alliance envisions a thriving Great Lakes and healthy water that all life can rely on, today and far into the future. We aspire to be a voice for the lakes, and to support the voices of the communities that depend on the lakes and their waters. 

The post Agricultural Management Consultant appeared first on Alliance for the Great Lakes.

Original Article

News - Alliance for the Great Lakes

News - Alliance for the Great Lakes

https://greatlakes.org/2025/03/agricultural-management-consultant/

Michelle Farley

Summary

Title: Vice President for Programs 

Status: Full-time, Exempt  

Location: This position is remote and will be located within a Great Lakes state, with a preference for the Chicago area. For candidates outside the Chicago area, monthly overnight travel to the Alliance’s Chicago headquarters is expected. Proximity to a major airport is required.

Role: The Vice President for Programs (VP) is responsible for all aspects of Alliance program implementation. They manage a team of policy and advocacy experts and work collaboratively to create new strategic initiatives for the organization. This is a high-profile position with leadership responsibility for internal program implementation and external advancement of the Alliance’s advocacy, research and relational work around Great Lakes and clean water issues.

Structure: The VP reports directly to the President & CEO. They are a member of the Alliance’s Leadership Team alongside the President & CEO, VP for Finance and Operations, and VP for Advancement. They supervise a team of five program directors with responsibility for various aspects of Alliance program implementation. The VP is an internal liaison to the Advancement and Finance & Operations teams.

Compensation and Benefits: Salary range begins at $140,000, with starting salary determined commensurate with experience. Medical, dental, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, FSA, 11 paid holidays plus the business days between 12/26 and 12/30 (staff who must work on any holidays may take those holidays at another time subject to the employee handbook), 3 weeks of vacation to start + PTO, paid parental leave, and Fidelity 401(k) with employer match of up to 6% of salary.  

Work Environment: Remote with overnight travel required 1-2 times per month. A driver’s license and comfort with solo travel by car and plane is required. If the successful candidate is in the Chicago area, the Alliance’s downtown headquarters office is available for in-office work.

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Overview 

The Alliance seeks its next Vice President for Programs (VP) to lead its work to protect, restore and conserve the Great Lakes and their waters for the people and wildlife that depend on them. The VP will lead advocacy, research and relational work that enables the Alliance’s success as an advocate for the world’s largest source of fresh surface water. They will implement current programs, seek out and build new strategic opportunities, and manage a team of experts and advocates to advance every aspect of the Alliance’s programs.

The VP serves as a strategist, program leader and manager. They work collaboratively with Alliance staff and external partners to ensure high-quality delivery of policy analysis and recommendations, advocacy action, strategic convening and relationship growth.

In the coming three years, the VP of Programs will advance work to create:

• Thriving Great Lakes: Our Great Lakes should be healthy, vibrant and sustainable natural resources that support a diversity of fish, wildlife, and people; 
• Clean Water We Can Depend On: Our Great Lakes should be shared waters that are safe, clean, and abundant for all communities across our region; and 
• A Powerful Great Lakes Movement: Our Great Lakes should unify people across our region, and a strong Great Lakes movement should be able to exert influence on the most critical decisions about our water.

The Alliance plays three critical roles in this work.

We advocate for policies that protect and restore the lakes and enable communities to depend on them. We use our voice and influence to encourage and compel decision makers to make choices that will improve protections for the lakes and the water they provide. The Alliance strives to address priorities identified by a diversity of Great Lakes communities, and to put our resources to work where needed most. Our policy leadership must build a bridge between the halls of power and people who rely on the lakes. 

We build and communicate the research and analysis that motivates action to protect the lakes. Our staff, working with scientists, issue experts, volunteers, and community leaders, dig deeply into the data that defines Great Lakes challenges and guides renewal and revitalization. We seek to understand and communicate the science, policies and perspectives that must drive smart decisions for the lakes. 

We educate and unite people as a voice for the Great Lakes. The Alliance invests time and resources into building a big tent of relationships to exert power for our waters. This means collaborating with trust, honesty, and transparency to elevate voices, collaborators, and partners from across the region. We build the strength of the Great Lakes movement, create pathways for action, and support people along the way.  

The initial goals of this position are:

• By the end of 2025, ensure the Alliance has successfully implemented all annual program objectives and increased its program capacity including planned addition of up to four new regional and state-level advocacy staff. 
• By the end of 2027, ensure the Alliance has successfully completed work under its current strategic plan and is beginning implementation of a new strategy that builds on the increased capacity, reputational leadership and campaign structures developed during the prior three years.

The VP is a public figure for the organization who speaks with authority and diplomacy, is regarded as a thought leader on Great Lakes and clean water issues, and exercises the highest level of political, business and relational acumen. The VP must be as adept at cultivating the best from a staff team as they are at leveraging the external relationships and partnerships necessary for advocacy success.  They report directly the to the President & CEO and communicate to the organization’s Board of Directors on program progress.

The Alliance welcomes a new VP for Programs in a position of strength. We anticipate a staff of 30 by the end of 2025 who, along with our Board of Directors, includes some of the country’s leading Great Lakes advocates, experts and communicators. The Alliance has a well-regarded record of recent and historic successes dating to 1970. The Alliance’s capacity stands tall among state and regional environmental advocacy organizations across the country, with assets of more than $12 million by the end of 2024 and an operating budget of $6.8 million for 2025.

Responsibilities

The VP serves as Strategist, Program Leader, and Staff Manager.

Strategist

• Partner with the President & CEO to advance the organization’s current vision and strategy to achieve its policy goals.
• Identify and develop new program strategies for adoption by the Alliance and recommend improvements to achieve new policy outcomes.
• Track external Great Lakes and clean water needs, opportunities and trends relevant to organizational mission and vision, and make the case for organizational changes to meet those needs.
• Identify and nurture opportunities to advance program strategies through external partnerships.

Program Leader

• Develop and drive campaigns that address federal, state and local levels of government across the Great Lakes region.
• Lead and grow personal and organizational top-level relationships with institutions and partners that are most critical to the Alliance’s campaign success, such as government decision-makers, businesses, and a range of NGOs including philanthropies, academics, think tanks, civic and trade associations, environmental non-profits, and community-based organizations.
• Provide a voice of authority and insight to the media, partners and decision-makers on any issue relevant to Alliance campaigns.
• Maintain and grow relationships with local, regional and national institutional foundations that can support the Alliance’s work.
• Report to the President and CEO and Board of Directors on key performance indicators that demonstrate progress toward program goals.
• Make regular decisions on tactical changes to the strategic plan and incorporate into project management and work planning systems.

Staff Manager

• Manage a team of Director-level issue experts and advocates to implement Alliance programs.
• Ensure all program staff have access to the mentoring and development opportunities needed to excel in their roles at the Alliance.
• Identify, create and communicate regular short-term successes internally as the organization advances towards long-term goals.
• Facilitate effective collaboration between program staff and liaisons from communications, operations and fundraising teams.
• Solve cross-cutting programmatic challenges, fill identified capacity and decision gaps and give team direction on handling work that intersects across issues.
• Ensure organizational culture and values are present in day-to-day work of program staff. 

_________________________________________________________________

Knowledge/Skills

• Track record of designing and implementing campaigns that advance nonpartisan policy reforms at multiple levels of government over multiple years.
• Demonstrated success building winning coalitions of partners to drive policy outcomes across government decision makers, private businesses, and a range of NGOs, including philanthropies, academics, think tanks, civic and trade associations, environmental non-profits, and community-based organizations.
• Healthy, active personal networks in one or more of the Alliance’s priority issue, geographic, and philanthropic focus areas that enhance organizational reputation and fundraising ability.
• Ability to communicate a variety of issue facts and positions clearly, quickly and compellingly to various external audiences including media
• Commitment to ensuring Alliance campaigns, coalitions and policy outcomes reflect the stated needs of communities impacted by water challenges across the Great Lakes, with experience including community input in advocacy strategies.
• Experience working with staff and programs who are funded by philanthropic support and whose work must address funder priorities and grant deliverables.
• Track record of empowering, service-oriented leadership toward peers and direct reports while maintaining high standards of performance and accountability.
• Brings new methods of engaging staff and building buy-in and excitement around program strategy.
• Actively engaged in professional development and ongoing learning networks.
• Commitment to building and managing inclusive internal and external teams that cut across diversities of race, gender, culture, socioeconomic class, and geography.
• Commitment to Alliance values of community, relationships, courage, integrity, and optimism and principles of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice .
• Collaborative, collegial, humble, with a good sense of humor and ability to adapt to diverse work styles; adept at working in teams and independently in both virtual and in-person settings.
• Familiar with Microsoft Office Suite and project management software.
• Bachelor’s degree and 10+ years of experience, including at least three at the executive level, developing program strategy, implementing campaigns, and managing, hiring and retaining a team of multidisciplinary expert staff.

Job Parameters

• This position is full-time and consistent with Alliance employment policy. The Alliance has defined salary ranges that are evaluated annually. The salary range for this position begins at $140,000 and we will negotiate starting salary with final candidates based on their experience in similar roles, and expertise related to the qualifications.
• Benefits include medical, dental, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, FSA, 11 paid holidays plus the business days between 12/26 and 12/30 (staff who must work on any holidays may take those holidays at another time subject to the employee handbook). Employees start with 3 weeks’ vacation annually + PTO; paid parental leave; Fidelity 401(k) with match of up to 6% of salary after one month of employment.
• This position is remote and will be located within a Great Lakes state, with a preference for the Chicago area. For candidates outside of the Chicago area, monthly overnight travel to the Alliance’s Chicago headquarters is expected. Proximity to a major airport is required for all candidates.

Application Process

Please e-mail a cover letter, resume, references and writing sample to: hr@greatlakes.org. Include job title in the subject line.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Materials should be compatible with Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat. Applicants will receive confirmation of receipt of their materials and further guidance and updates about the hiring process by e-mail, with interviews provided for finalists. No phone inquiries please.

About the Alliance for the Great Lakes

The Alliance for the Great Lakes is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The search process will reinforce the Alliance’s belief that achieving diversity requires an enduring commitment to inclusion that must find full expression in our organizational culture, values, norms, and behaviors.

Our vision is a thriving Great Lakes and healthy water that all life can rely on, today and far into the future. We aspire to be a voice for the lakes, and to support the voices of the communities that depend on the lakes and their waters.

The mission of the Alliance for the Great Lakes is to protect, conserve and restore the Great Lakes ensuring healthy water in the lakes and in our communities for all generations of people and wildlife. We advance our mission as advocates for policies that support the lakes and communities, by building the research, analysis and partnerships that motivate action, and by educating and uniting people as a voice for the Great Lakes.  

To achieve our vision and mission, everyone in our organization will live our values of Community, Relationships, Courage, Integrity and Optimism, and weave the principles of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion into all our work. Each value and principle is backed by measurable goals and expectations for our Board of Directors and staff. 

 For more information about the Alliance’s programs and work, please visit us online at www.greatlakes.org.

The post Vice President for Programs  appeared first on Alliance for the Great Lakes.

Original Article

News - Alliance for the Great Lakes

News - Alliance for the Great Lakes

https://greatlakes.org/2025/01/vice-president-for-programs/

Michelle Farley

Summary

The Senior Agriculture Policy Manager (Manager) works to combat one of the most critical unmet water quality challenges in the Great Lakes.  They plan and execute policy analysis, advocacy, and project implementation under the Source Water sections of the Alliance’s strategy. The Manager implements work across the Basin – with a particular emphasis in Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin – to achieve the Alliance’s agriculture and water goals. They are the lead liaison to state and local decision-makers, project partners, and stakeholders across the Alliance’s focus states. The Manager maintains a working knowledge of Great Lakes agriculture and source water programs and policies as they affect the Great Lakes and uses that knowledge to recommend new opportunities within the Alliance’s programs. The Manager ensures timely and high-quality execution of relevant Alliance strategic plan deliverables, and partners with a variety of other staff members to support internal work planning, external communications, grant proposals, and reports.

A typical workday at the Alliance is often self-directed and is based on balancing immediate tasks – drafting comments on land application rules in Ohio – and longer-term projects within the Source Water Program like understanding trends in water quality monitoring data in Western Basin of Lake Erie headwaters. These short-term and longer-ranging projects and tasks are developed in close coordination with the Source Water Policy Director based on the goals under the Alliance’s strategic plan, but the Manager is afforded the flexibility and autonomy to develop their own approach to advance these goals on a day-to-day basis. Our policy work is highly collaborative, and the Manager should feel comfortable engaging – independently – with legislative offices and agency staff as well as facilitating meetings with stakeholders and partners on a regular basis.  

The Manager position can be based in any of the Great Lakes states but a preference is given to those candidates based within the state of Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin.  

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Responsibilities

Planning & Policy 

• Work in collaboration with the Source Water Policy Director (Director), to assist with the implementation of policy, governance, and funding mechanisms to support the reduction of agricultural pollution across the Great Lakes region.   
• Manage relationships with state administrations, lawmakers, and regulatory agencies -including tracking relevant legislation and administrative programs. 
• Identify emerging issues and programmatic reform opportunities to improve surface and groundwater quality in the Great Lakes Basin with particular emphasis on Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin. 
• In coordination with the Director, assist in advancing policy and advocacy efforts across the Great Lakes Basin. 
• Identify trends in mission areas, create fundable concepts, and leverage work and ideas for increased organizational impact related to agricultural pollution reduction. 

Outreach 

• Build issue-focused networks of key stakeholders.  
• Be a leadership voice for the Alliance and for the Great Lakes across the region. 
• Create and conduct external outreach opportunities, such as public speaking, conferences, and presentations. 
• Serve as an Alliance liaison to the broader environmental community, identifying advocacy and partnership opportunities and engaging other Alliance staff as appropriate. 
• Work with the Communications and Engagement team to determine and take advantage of opportunities to communicate to the media and Alliance supporters about the Alliance’s work in the Great Lakes Basin. 

Administrative 

• Assist in the development of short- and long-term work plans.  
• Create opportunities to add strategic capacity to Alliance work through affiliate programs, fellowships, and staff recruitment when possible. 
• Contribute content to grant proposals and reports 

Knowledge/Skills

• Bachelor’s degree, graduate degree preferred, with at least seven years of increasing professional experience in agriculture and or water policy analysis, natural resources management, government affairs, natural resources management, or similar field. 
• Specific knowledge of state and federal agricultural and water quality policies and programs. 
• Working knowledge of agronomy and on-farm nutrient management.
• Familiarity with the process of policy development and advocacy as well as addressing the barriers and opportunities for policy implementation to be successful.    
• Excellent diplomacy skills – the ability to read and respond productively to the needs of different stakeholders at any time is essential. 
• Ability to communicate a working knowledge of Great Lakes issues with confidence to diverse audiences. 
• Excellent listening, writing, and speaking skills. Must be able to speak publicly in a clear, compelling, and engaging manner. 
• Able to identify and engage target constituencies that are most likely to have an affinity for the Great Lakes and motivate them to act on that affinity.  
• Desire and ability to both lead and work as part of a staff team located in different offices with varying types of expertise and priorities. 
• Ability to pivot strategies and tactics to an ever-changing policy landscape. 
• Unwavering commitment to diversity, equity inclusion, and justice. Adhere to and exemplify these principles in addition to our values of community, relationships, courage, integrity, and optimism in everyday practice

Job Parameters

• This position is full-time and consistent with Alliance employment policy. The Alliance has defined salary ranges that are evaluated annually, and it is customary for candidates to join at the lower half of the range to leave room for learning and development in the role. It is uncommon for starting salaries to fall above the mid-point. This position is considered a senior-level manager, and the salary range for this position begins at $80,000. A final salary will be based on the candidate’s experience in similar roles and expertise related to the qualifications.
• Benefits include medical, dental, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, FSA, 12-week paid parental leave and 11 paid holidays plus the business days between 12/26 and 12/30 (staff who must work on any holidays may take those holidays at another time subject to the employee handbook). Employees start with 3 weeks’ vacation annually + 5 sick days; Fidelity 401(k) with a match of up to 6% of salary after one month of employment.
• This position can work remotely from anywhere in the Great Lakes region, with a preference in the states of Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ohio. If located in the Chicagoland area, applicants can work from and host meetings at the Alliance’s downtown Chicago office. This position must have the ability to attend evening and weekend meetings when necessary. Applicants must also be able to travel locally with occasional overnight travel required.

Application Process

Please e-mail a cover letter, resume, references and writing sample to: hr@greatlakes.org. Include job title in the subject line.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Materials should be compatible with Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat. Applicants will receive confirmation of receipt of their materials and further guidance and updates about the hiring process by e-mail, with interviews provided for finalists. No phone inquiries please.

About the Alliance for the Great Lakes

The Alliance for the Great Lakes is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The search process will reinforce the Alliance’s belief that achieving diversity requires an enduring commitment to inclusion that must find full expression in our organizational culture, values, norms, and behaviors.

Our vision is a thriving Great Lakes and healthy water that all life can rely on, today and far into the future. We aspire to be a voice for the lakes, and to support the voices of the communities that depend on the lakes and their waters.

The mission of the Alliance for the Great Lakes is to protect, conserve and restore the Great Lakes ensuring healthy water in the lakes and in our communities for all generations of people and wildlife. We advance our mission as advocates for policies that support the lakes and communities, by building the research, analysis and partnerships that motivate action, and by educating and uniting people as a voice for the Great Lakes.  

To achieve our vision and mission, everyone in our organization will live our values of Community, Relationships, Courage, Integrity and Optimism, and weave the principles of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion into all our work. Each value and principle is backed by measurable goals and expectations for our Board of Directors and staff. 

 For more information about the Alliance’s programs and work, please visit us online at www.greatlakes.org.

The post Senior Agriculture Policy Manager appeared first on Alliance for the Great Lakes.

Original Article

News - Alliance for the Great Lakes

News - Alliance for the Great Lakes

https://greatlakes.org/2024/12/senior-agriculture-policy-manager-2/

Michelle Farley

At the Alliance for the Great Lakes, we don’t just talk about protecting and restoring our cherished waters—we live it. And we’re honored to share that, once again, our dedication has been recognized with three of the most respected nonprofit ratings in the sector. For 2024, we’ve received top honors from Charity Navigator, Guidestar, and GreatNonprofits. The ratings recognize our organization’s financial health, accountability, and transparency, as well as feedback from volunteers and donors.

A Four-Star Seal from Charity Navigator

For another consecutive year, Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator, has awarded us their Four-Star Rating. This seal confirms that we are a “Give with Confidence” charity, indicating that our organization is using donations effectively based on Charity Navigator’s criteria. Nonprofits can earn Charity Navigator scores for Impact & Results, Accountability & Finance, Culture & Community, and Leadership & Adaptability.

Platinum Transparency from Guidestar

Transparency isn’t just a goal for us—it’s a promise. That’s why Guidestar has once again awarded us the Platinum Seal of Transparency, its highest level of recognition. This award recognizes organizations with a high level of fiscal and programmatic accountability and transparency.

Top-Rated Nonprofit by GreatNonprofits

The heartbeat of the Alliance lies in the stories and feedback of our community—volunteers, donors, and champions like you. This year, GreatNonprofits has again named us a 2024 Top-Rated Nonprofit. The award is based on the rating and number of reviews that the Alliance received from volunteers and donors.

Why This Matters

Every badge, every seal, every review carries a deeper meaning. They symbolize accountability, integrity, and the trust you place in us to steward your support effectively. Together, we are building a legacy toward thriving Great Lakes for future generations.

The post Alliance Earns Three Top Charity Ratings in 2024 appeared first on Alliance for the Great Lakes.

Original Article

News - Alliance for the Great Lakes

News - Alliance for the Great Lakes

https://greatlakes.org/2024/11/alliance-earns-three-top-charity-ratings-in-2024/

Michelle Farley

Too many people take the Great Lakes for granted. We asked you what you would miss most in a day without our amazing freshwater resource, and you responded.  

Today, October 17, is Imagine a Day Without Water, a national movement highlighting the value of water in our lives.  

To mark the day, we’re sharing your words to remind everyone why the Great Lakes and clean water matter so much in our lives – and why it’s so important to protect them. 

“Access to an abundance of fresh water.” –  Shannon, Ohio 

“I would miss the St. Lawrence River, the cool water, the fish and wind and waves. The sunset, the breeze through the Thousand Islands, the swirling currents, and all the animals that live in the foliage along the shores.” – Marie, New York 

“Were [the lakes] depleted or severely polluted, billions and billions of living creatures would die, and barren lands would result. They give life-drinking water to millions of animals, plants and oxygen producers, and humans. They give renewal and peace to soul and spirit.” – Patricia, Michigan 

“It is only a short drive for me to take a turn in the road to see Lake Huron. As soon as I do that, my spirit quiets down, and I feel peace.” – Veronica, Michigan 

“While access to fresh water for drinking is what I would miss most, I would also miss summer swimming along the lakefront at Promontory Point, taking in the sunrise, seeing the cormorants and bass and enjoying the community of my fellow swimmers.” – Dana, Illinois 

“We Americans are privileged to have this magnificent, beautiful, bountiful, life-giving resource in our country… We must take care of our Great Lakes; it is our duty to protect them.” – Gail, Illinois 

“The magnificent vista of sky and sea especially when a storm is brewing or has just passed.” Elaine, New York 

“Without our Great Lakes, I would miss most, my first glass of cold fresh water directly from the tap.” – Andy, Ontario 

“I would miss the tap water coming out of my sink. I have heard terrible stories of other places having bad tap water. I am so grateful for having clean, fresh, non-polluted drinking water to drink from.” – Christi, Illinois 

“Born and raised by the shores of Lake Michigan and transplanted by Superior’s, I have lived my whole life enjoying the water itself and the abundant biodiversity that shares these Great Lakes with us. They are my home and their inhabitants, my family. I would miss my home and my family.” – Aleks, Wisconsin 

“Anchoring into the sound of the waves and the gulls, feeling the cold water breathe into me, seeing the sun glimmer across the surface. There’s nothing that brought me peace in the way that Lake Michigan did when I lived in Chicago.” – McKalah, Indiana 

“Truth is, without the Great Lakes we probably wouldn’t be here. Next time you cross the Mighty Mac or take a ferry to Mackinaw Island; take a moment to really appreciate how spectacular the Great Lakes are. Next time you catch a fish in one of the five most amazing freshwater lakes on earth, think about what it would be like if that lake wasn’t there.” – Robyn, Michigan 

Thank you for sharing the ways we are all connected with the lakes! These are the reasons we are fighting to protect our most precious resource: the fresh, clean, and natural waters of the Great Lakes.  

Become a Great Lakes Volunteer

Become a Great Lakes Volunteer

The post What Would you Miss Most in a Day Without the Great Lakes?  appeared first on Alliance for the Great Lakes.

Original Article

News - Alliance for the Great Lakes

News - Alliance for the Great Lakes

https://greatlakes.org/2024/10/what-would-you-miss-most-in-a-day-without-the-great-lakes/

Michelle Farley

Summary

The Alliance for the Great Lakes raises funds from a diverse array of sources to support our advocacy, research and engagement work. Approximately half of our annual revenue comes from institutional foundations, making them a vital source of support for our mission. More recently, the Alliance has taken on several large commitments of government support in keeping with our overall strategy, underscoring the importance of excellence in grant administration and stewardship for the future.

The Grants Manager position is a new role on the Operations team that will assume the operational grant management responsibilities from our Senior Foundation & Corporate Giving Manager.  They will be tasked with building on our existing grants management processes to formalize administration of complex grant requirements.

A large initial portion of the manager’s time will be managing a $5.5M Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant to implement the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative in environmental justice communities in the southern Lake Michigan watershed. This project is expected to run through October 2030 contingent on federal appropriations and other federal actions. The manager will be involved in the planning and implementation of funded activities, programs, and a sub-award granting process, and responsible for full compliance with all terms of the EPA grant.

The duties in the first year of this newly created position will include prioritization of and focus on managing the EPA grant. Within the first year, the manager will:

• Develop documented grant management and compliance policies and procedures and ensure the “Stakeholders” listed below are trained and supported on all pertinent parts.
• Utilize Asana (or similar tool) to detail tasks and subtasks with owners and deadlines.
• Ensure all contracts and other documentation are accurate and fully executed.
• Accurately complete all required reporting and invoicing on time.
• Identify any gaps in tools, controls, or other areas critical to successfully managing the grant and recommend solutions to be implemented.

This position will also be responsible for taking over management of our grants administration structure for the entire organization. Within the first year, the manager will:

• Work closely with colleagues to fully learn their roles in the grants management process, from proposal development through final reports, and complete transition of relevant duties to this role by year end.
• Meet with all lead program staff for current grants to understand the deliverables, budgets, relationships, and any other key information about the grants.
• Establish a monthly meeting to review details of grant expenditures with the Finance Manager and ensure detailed tracking and forecasting of grant expenditures.
• Work with the Director of Communications to develop strategies to generate language that can be used in proposals and reports with the intention of having initial drafting start with this role once that language is available.
  
  

This position reports to the Vice President of Finance & Operations. This position works closely with:

• Alliance program, development, finance and operations staff
• Program/project managers and finance staff at external organizations
• Contractors or consultants assisting with the work outlined in the grant
• Auditors

Specific to the EPA grant, this position works with all the above and:

• Organizations serving as co-administrators of this grant
• Environmental justice and community organizations
• All applicants and recipients of the sub-grants of this EPA funding
• EPA officials

This group collectively will be referred to as the “Stakeholders” throughout this document.

Working with the Stakeholders, this position will draft all contracts related to the grants and ensure execution, monitor progress against financial and programmatic metrics and deadlines, ensure compliance with governmental and funder requirements, ensure the timely submittal of invoices and reports on grant activities, and evaluate if program/project goals are achieved.

Specific to the EPA grant, this position prepares feasibility studies, cost-effectiveness analyses, and determines regulatory conformance of proposed projects/programs. The position has primary responsibility for developing policies and procedures for programmatic and financial reporting, and a compliance and monitoring plan for the portfolio of EPA-funded activities including, but not limited to EPA requirements and single audit requirements. They will partner with the Local Partnerships program team to work on related planning and community development issues as needed.

A typical day at the Alliance is often self-directed and is based on balancing immediate tasks – tracking the status of documentation from a sub-awardee – and longer-term projects like positioning the grants management process to be adaptable in supporting the Alliance’s expanding needs or developing a federally compliant subaward granting system with the Director of Planning. These short-term and longer-ranging projects and tasks are developed in close coordination with various staff including program staff, development staff, operations staff and others. Our work is highly collaborative, and the manager should feel comfortable engaging independently with staff and facilitating regular meetings with stakeholders and partners.

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Responsibilities

General Administration & Compliance

• Maintain accurate grants calendar utilizing existing tools like Office 365, Asana and Salesforce to track projects and help maintain organizational records, while also identifying tools or process improvements to build the Alliance’s grant management capacity.
• Project-manage proposal development, assembly and submission, ensuring key staff are involved and informed throughout.
• Schedule and conduct meetings as necessary to ensure all relevant staff are aware of grant requirements, updated on progress, and included in assessing any issues/barriers to completing the terms of the grant.
• Using Alliance tools and in collaboration with Finance staff, monitor grant expenditures and expenditure forecasts to ensure compliance, and flag potential issues of meeting deliverables or financial expenditure requirements within the grant period to relevant staff.
• Work with Alliance Finance Manager to ensure that expenditures are assigned correctly in the Alliance’s chart of accounts, that all expenses posted to an incorrect general ledger line are moved by Finance Manager, and adequate documentation of the change request is maintained.
• Manage all contractor and sub-awardee contracts, ensuring compliance with terms, receipt of required documentation, and deadline management.
• Complete and submit all required project and expenditure reports via grant-specified reporting methods and frequency as stipulated in grant terms.
• Support Development and Finance staff in developing financial forecasts and budgets.
• Attend trainings to stay current on grant management best practices and changes to federal regulations.
• Actively manage all work throughout the year to be prepared for annual audit and single audit, focusing on thorough grant and GAAP compliance, documentation, and reporting.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Relationships

• Build respectful and authentic working relationships with all Stakeholders and Alliance staff.
• Serve as a trusted resource for Stakeholders on advancing grant deliverables.
• Builds collaborative relationships with external community Stakeholders rooted in a comprehensive understanding of culture and goals.
• Works with Advancement team to identify and take advantage of opportunities to communicate to the media and Alliance supporters about the Alliance’s work.
• Exemplifies a spirit of optimism and advances solutions at the practical, day-to-day scale of work.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

EPA Administration & Compliance

In addition to the above bullet points:

• Analyze proposals, environmental remediation & resiliency plans, education and capacity building plans, and other financial planning documents for feasibility. 
• Verify that all funds are obligated by written agreement/contract by required grant deadlines, and all expenditures are incurred during the grant performance period estimated to be July 2024 to October 2030. 
• Monitor the use of funds and internal policies and procedures for compliance with all federal regulations and local requirements, as applicable; ensures compliance with 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, and relevant OMB Compliance Supplements.
• Actively supports sub-awardees and other contractors to ensure timely and detailed compliance, including 200.332 Requirements for pass-through entities. 
• Ensure that appropriate grant or subrecipient agreements are executed for funded programs and projects, including timelines, budgets, payment schedules, reporting requirements, and that recipients have Universal Entity Identifiers when required. 
• Supervise, direct, and coordinate the work of Stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain risk-based due diligence analyses, as well as subrecipient and contractor eligibility for federal fund awards using SAM.gov. 
• Maintain regular communication with all Alliance staff, partners, and external organizations receiving funding to track progress; provide technical assistance on a wide range of compliance issues; review and approve request for payments and source documents from external recipients of funds. 
• Ensure that procurement methods provide full and open competition, and written standards of conduct and prohibitions on dealing with suspended or debarred parties are maintained. 
• Determine eligibility of programs/projects, and documents.
• Prepare, schedule and manage virtual and in-person meetings; develop agendas and meeting packets, and record minutes; present projects and programs proposed for EPA funding and periodic progress updates on the EPA grant to the Stakeholders, Alliance Leadership & Board, and others as needed. 
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge/Skills

• At least five years of increasingly responsible professional experience in grants management experience at non-profits, state or local governments, colleges or universities, or other industries that receive federal funding directly.
• Experience managing large and/or multi-year federal grants (EPA experience preferred), major private foundations, and fund accounting.
• Managerial experience of grant administration, administrative requirements, cost principles and state and federal regulation compliance.
• Knowledge of and experience applying Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and best practices of financial management.
• Strength at writing and editing complex technical narrative information to fit within the needs of funders.
• Experienced in reading, preparing and presenting comprehensive, concise, clear oral and written reports to diverse audiences.
• Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; interpret a variety of federal statutes and regulations, and technical instructions; and deal with multiple abstract and concrete variables.
• Experience in developing and maintaining authentic, reciprocal partnerships, especially with partners working with less capacity than the granting organization.
• Deep commitment to and understanding of environmental justice, climate justice, and the intersection with community resiliency and ecological restoration
• Unwavering commitment to diversity, equity inclusion and justice. Adhere to and exemplify these principles in addition to our values of community, relationships, courage, integrity, and optimism in everyday practice.
• Innovative, creative, resourceful and independent thinker.
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills.
• Self-motivated, disciplined, and reliable.

Job Parameters

• This position is full-time and consistent with Alliance employment policy. The Alliance has defined salary ranges that are evaluated annually, and it is customary for candidates to join at the lower half of the range to leave room for learning and development in the role. It is uncommon for starting salaries to fall above the mid-point. This position is considered a senior level manager, and the salary range for this position begins at $80,000. A final salary will be based on the candidate’s experience in similar roles and expertise related to the qualifications.
• Benefits include medical, dental, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, FSA, 11 paid holidays plus the business days between 12/26 and 12/30 (staff who must work on any holidays may take those holidays at another time subject to the employee handbook). Employees start with 3 weeks’ vacation annually + 5 sick days; Fidelity 401(k) with match of up to 6% of salary after one month of employment.
• This position can work remotely from anywhere in the Great Lakes region, with a preference for the Chicagoland area. If located in the Chicagoland area, applicants can work from and host meetings at the Alliance’s downtown Chicago office. This position must have ability to attend evening and weekend meetings when necessary. Applicants must also be able to travel within the greater Chicagoland region regularly to meet with Stakeholders up to 6 times per year.

Application Process

Please e-mail a cover letter, resume, references and writing sample to: hr@greatlakes.org. Include job title in the subject line.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Materials should be compatible with Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat. Applicants will receive confirmation of receipt of their materials and further guidance and updates about the hiring process by e-mail, with interviews provided for finalists. No phone inquiries please.

About the Alliance for the Great Lakes

The Alliance for the Great Lakes is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The search process will reinforce the Alliance’s belief that achieving diversity requires an enduring commitment to inclusion that must find full expression in our organizational culture, values, norms, and behaviors.

Our vision is a thriving Great Lakes and healthy water that all life can rely on, today and far into the future. We aspire to be a voice for the lakes, and to support the voices of the communities that depend on the lakes and their waters.

The mission of the Alliance for the Great Lakes is to protect, conserve and restore the Great Lakes ensuring healthy water in the lakes and in our communities for all generations of people and wildlife. We advance our mission as advocates for policies that support the lakes and communities, by building the research, analysis and partnerships that motivate action, and by educating and uniting people as a voice for the Great Lakes.  

To achieve our vision and mission, everyone in our organization will live our values of Community, Relationships, Courage, Integrity and Optimism, and weave the principles of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion into all our work. Each value and principle is backed by measurable goals and expectations for our Board of Directors and staff. 

 For more information about the Alliance’s programs and work, please visit us online at www.greatlakes.org.

The post Grants Manager appeared first on Alliance for the Great Lakes.

Original Article

News - Alliance for the Great Lakes

News - Alliance for the Great Lakes

https://greatlakes.org/2024/09/grants-manager/

Michelle Farley

Summary

The Development Associate (Associate) supports the Alliance for the Great Lakes’ Advancement Team in fundraising, primarily through gift and data entry, producing acknowledgment letters, and preparing correspondence. They also provide general administrative support related to individual and institutional donors/prospects and may work directly with individual and institutional donors in an administrative capacity. The Associate will work to fulfill our objective of operational excellence in donor stewardship as described in the organization’s strategic plan.

Representative goals of this position include:

• Amending and/or creating new donor data entry processes, responsive reporting systems (for internal team and board), and improving data fidelity and reliability.
  
• Executing gift entry, acknowledgment, donor flagging (identifying notable information as defined by the development team) to relevant staff), list development and maintenance,  administrative tasks and processes, among other duties as assigned.
  
• Learning and understanding the Alliance’s giving programs, yearly donor cycle, and using that information to drive process improvements.
  
• Improving administrative capacity, allowing for proactive department growth (both in terms of gifts and gift amount and internal team expansion) that will align with the Alliance’s emergent plan.

A typical week might include:

• Donor gift entry, including processing of checks and electronic gifts, donor flagging (notable increase or decrease), creating of acknowledgment letters, entering donor notes, ensuring data accuracy
• Executing alliance mail campaigns (ex: Annual Report, Watermarks, Annual Appeal, End of Year Appeal)
• Collaborating with the Data Manager and other staff to update process documents and manuals and create process documentation where none currently exists.
• Maintaining a departmental calendar to identify shared key dates for deliverables
• Collaborative conversations with in-office staff on events, process improvements, donor knowledge, etc.
• Administrative support for donor-centric events and gatherings
• Attending All-Staff, Advancement Team, and Donor Data Management meetings – with the expectation of participation and contribution
• Meeting with an ad hoc team to develop improvements to processes that are inefficient or ineffective

The Associate reports to the Vice President of Development.

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Responsibilities

• Implement gift processing, including accurate and timely gift entry and printed acknowledgments
• Collaborate with the Data Manager on the development of standard operating procedures for Salesforce. Work with the Data Manager to generate internal reports.
• Help ensure the integrity of data in the fundraising database (Salesforce) through accurate data entry and correction of errors and merging of duplicate records
• Revamp the existing acknowledgment processes to be more efficient and strategic in supporting donor stewardship
• Maintain a library of acknowledgment letters, updated annually or as needed to create meaningful and specific recognition of donors
• Evaluate and update departmental reporting in close consultation with the Operations Team to ensure Salesforce records are reconcilable to our accounting records
• Support fundraising events by tracking guest registrations and gifts, preparing attendee lists, and day/night of administrative support
• Be alert to donor trends or variations in giving (upgrading, downgrading, recaptured) and alert the Development Team
• Manage bulk mailing processes, working closely with vendors to ensure accurate and timely delivery. Create mailing data files for print vendors.
• Manage and maintain the Development Team calendar for internal meetings/timelines, and ensuring that timely information is shared with the right people.
• Additional administrative support as required (ex: research, purchases, vendor management)

Additional Duties

As assigned or needed, for example, administrative support on research, purchases, vendor management, etc.

Work Relationships

The Development Associate will work closely with the Development Team, the Data Manager (on the Operations team) the broader Advancement Team, the Operations Team, and the Executive Assistant.

Supervisor Responsibilities

None

Physical Demands/Work Environment

A hybrid environment with at least 1x day in the office per week. No physical demands.

Knowledge/Skills

• At least three (3) years experience in data entry, correspondence, and usage of customer/client database (Salesforce preferred). Requisite experience in gift entry/processing, gift acknowledgment, large mail campaigns, and process management
• Rigorous attention to detail with minimal errors when entering donor data
• Solid interpersonal skills in working with an internal team that has a clear delineation of responsibilities along the path of effective donor stewardship
• Exceptional organizational and time management skills with a proven ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines. Strong problem-solving and critical thinking abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team with a positive, solution-focused, can-do attitude
• Ability to communicate both verbally and in writing with diplomacy and tact to donors based on donor needs. Strong listening, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Independent worker capable of making decisions on their own; can-do-attitude, self-motivated, resourceful, and flexible
• Three (3) years of experience with essential administrative support to an organizational team, including scheduling meetings, managing calendars, and preparing correspondence. Contribute to a smooth-running team operation.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office products, particularly Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Understands and upholds Alliance for the Great Lakes values of community, relationships, courage, integrity, and optimism
• Demonstrated alignment with our external and internal operating principles of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion
•  The selected candidate must be able to pass a background check.

Job Parameters

• This position is full-time and consistent with Alliance employment policy. The Alliance has defined salary ranges that are evaluated annually, and it is customary for candidates to join at the lower half of the range to leave room for learning and development in the role. It is uncommon for starting salaries to fall above the mid-point. The salary range for this position begins at $50,000, and we negotiate salaries with final candidates based on their experience in similar roles and expertise related to the qualifications.
• Excellent benefits, including medical, dental, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, FSA, 11 paid holidays plus the business days between 12/26 and 12/30 (staff who must work on any paid holidays may take those holidays at another time subject to the employee handbook), 3 weeks’ annual vacation to start + PTO, and Fidelity 401(k) with employer match of up to 6% of salary, eligible after 30 days.
• This is a hybrid position for candidates living in the Greater Chicago area. The Development Associate is expected to be in the office at least 1x day per week, with seasonal variation (ex, end of year-giving) requiring more frequent in-office time. Occasional evening or weekend hours may be required.

Application Process

Please e-mail a cover letter, resume, references, and writing or work sample that demonstrates relevant qualifications to hr@greatlakes.org. Include the job title in the subject line.

Applications will be accepted until (Date) or until the position is filled, whichever is earlier. Materials should be compatible with Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat. Applicants will receive confirmation of receipt of their materials, further guidance, and updates about the hiring process by e-mail, with interviews provided for finalists. No phone inquiries, please.

Our Vision and Approach

The Alliance envisions a thriving Great Lakes and healthy water that all life can rely on, today and far into the future. We aspire to be a voice for the lakes, and to support the voices of the communities that depend on the lakes and their waters.

Our mission is to protect, conserve and restore the Great Lakes ensuring healthy water in the lakes and in our communities for all generations of people and wildlife.

About the Alliance for the Great Lakes

The Alliance for the Great Lakes is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The search process will reinforce the Alliance’s belief that achieving diversity requires an enduring commitment to inclusion that must find full expression in our organizational culture, values, norms, and behaviors.

Our vision is a thriving Great Lakes and healthy water that all life can rely on, today and far into the future. We aspire to be a voice for the lakes, and to support the voices of the communities that depend on the lakes and their waters.

The mission of the Alliance for the Great Lakes is to protect, conserve and restore the Great Lakes ensuring healthy water in the lakes and in our communities for all generations of people and wildlife. We advance our mission as advocates for policies that support the lakes and communities, by building the research, analysis and partnerships that motivate action, and by educating and uniting people as a voice for the Great Lakes. 

To achieve our vision and mission, everyone in our organization will live our values of Community, Relationships, Courage, Integrity and Optimism, and weave the principles of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion into all our work. Each value and principle is backed by measurable goals and expectations for our Board of Directors and staff.

 For more information about the Alliance’s programs and work, please visit us online at www.greatlakes.org.

The post Development Associate appeared first on Alliance for the Great Lakes.

Original Article

News - Alliance for the Great Lakes

News - Alliance for the Great Lakes

https://greatlakes.org/2024/09/development-associate/

Michelle Farley

Summary

The Chicago Local Partnerships Manager (Manager) leads the Alliance for the Great Lakes’ (Alliance) local water advocacy work in Chicago and Cook County, Illinois to shape policies and practices that help protect the Great Lakes and the communities that depend on them. Broadly, the Manager will support partners in advancing climate-informed, water-focused policies, projects and programs designed to improve the health and quality of Great Lakes waters, address historical inequities in agency decision-making, and strengthen the network(s) of local water advocates to advance solutions to local water challenges. The Manager will leverage and influence municipal and county community engagement and capacity building programs specific to lead service line replacement and urban flooding and sanitation issues. Ongoing coordination and collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders including environmental justice advocates, other non-profits, city and county staff, and elected officials is a key to success. The Manager reports to the Director of Planning, will coordinate with the Director of Clean Water and Equity, and at times will work on specific tasks with members of the Alliance’s regional team of water planning, advocacy, and communication leaders.

A typical week for the Chicago Local Partnerships Manager might look like this… the week begins with a brief call to your supervisor to discuss tasks for the week. You note several upcoming meetings. For the meetings you are supporting, the facilitators asked you to share updates on several planning projects led by the Department of Water Management, like the stormwater tunnel on the southside of Chicago and updates to Chicago’s 2014 Green Infrastructure Strategy. You check-in with partners and draft a summary statement on the engagement opportunities and overall status of these projects, and then send your update to the meeting facilitators.

Facilitators also asked for an update on the Clean Water State Revolving Fund public comment letters for Illinois, as this is state level policy work informed by your local advocacy, you reach out to the Director of Clean Water and Equity to coordinate an update. The meeting you are leading is a work planning meeting with partners to discuss expenses and scope of work for an event to gather feedback on the Department of Planning and Development’s Calumet River Site Design Guidelines. In preparation for this meeting, you develop and send out the agenda and links to shared materials. Asana, the Alliance’s project management system, reminds you that your grant report is due. It’s the end of the week and the Alliance’s Engagement Team is hosting a virtual happy hour, so you hop on for the last 30 minutes to connect with colleagues. 

The Alliance for the Great Lakes sets a protection agenda for the Great Lakes, a resource of global significance and the world’s largest source of surface freshwater. The Alliance seeks to protect the Great Lakes from their greatest threats, build a resilient future for communities and instill the value of clean water throughout the region. Learn more at www.greatlakes.org.

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Responsibilities

Local Networks and Coalitions

• Identify the resources needed to elevate local leadership and strengthen local coalitions, networks and partnerships to collaboratively advance water infrastructure policies and programs. Specific roles or tasks could range from co-creation and coordination of events, workshops, and trainings; work planning or campaign planning; navigating technical and policy decision-making; data and policy analysis; and joint fundraising to advance shared goals. The Manager will be supported by their Alliance colleagues in completion of tasks. For example, tasks related to the policy and technical work will be supported by the Water Infrastructure team; planning and engagement work will be supported by the Director of Planning; fundraising and communication work will be supported by development and communications staff.

Policies and Programs

• Advocate for community recommended processes that allow agency staff to meaningfully engage with community leaders on the development and implementation of policy and program priorities.
• Maintain working relationships, individually or through partners, with city staff and elected officials in Chicago and Cook County to build support for, pass policies and regulations, and fund water infrastructure priorities, with a focus on funding and financing lead service line replacement and gray and green stormwater infrastructure to address chronic urban flooding and sanitation issues.
• Cultivate expertise in navigating the bureaucratic and political decision-making process for passing and implementing water infrastructure policies and programs, including capital improvement programs and capacity building programs in Chicago and Cook County.

Equity, Environmental Justice, and Affordability Frameworks

• Build upon Chicago’s established environmental justice action planning process to advance complete solutions for flooding and sanitation issues facing historically disinvested communities in Chicagoland.
• Use agreed upon equity and environmental justice indicators to inform where water infrastructure investments and other needed resources (e.g. housing and social services) should be prioritized in the Chicagoland region.
• Ensure water affordability measures are included along with efforts to accelerate implementation of water infrastructure priorities. 

Program Development

• Assist with developing joint fundraising proposals that support the work of multiple coalitions and networks, and which facilitate the development of Alliance programs.
• Track and report on grant deliverables, project budgets and expenses.
• Inform the Alliance’s strategic direction in Chicago/Illinois, Detroit/Michigan, and Cleveland/Ohio.

Knowledge/Skills

• Strong existing relationships in Chicagoland, especially in communities of color or communities disproportionately impacted by failing water infrastructure.
• At least 3 years of experience,
  • facilitating (lead or support role) collaborative processes that allow a range of stakeholders to meaningfully participate in the co-creation of shared strategies, research and/or communication materials;
  • developing and managing action plans, scopes of work, work plans and budgets that keep teams (internal and external) advancing shared work;
  • planning and running virtual and in-person meetings, workshops, training, or events designed to advance shared and agreed upon scopes of work; and
  • developing communication strategies, tactics, and materials used to communicate complicated information in easy-to-understand language that provides everyone from elected officials to community leaders with actions they can take.
• In Chicago and surrounding south suburbs, willingness to cultivate relationships and working knowledge on how water infrastructure policies and programs are implemented, with a focus on budgeting and capital planning, and equity focused policies and programs related to drinking water, flooding, and sanitation.
• Creative thinker with the ability to quickly translate ideas into on-the-ground actions, test for success, and shift tactics as needed.
• Experience supporting qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis that furthers local policy and planning efforts, is a plus.
• Bachelor’s degree, is a plus.

Job Parameters

• This position is full-time and consistent with Alliance employment policy. The Alliance has defined salary ranges that are evaluated annually, and it is customary for candidates to join at the lower half of the range to leave room for learning and development in the role. It is uncommon for starting salaries to fall above the mid-point. The salary range for this position begins at $75,000 and we negotiate salaries with final candidates based on their experience in similar roles, and expertise related to the qualifications.
• Excellent benefits, including medical, dental, vision, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, FSA, 11 paid holidays plus the business days between 12/26 and 12/30 (staff who must work on any holidays may take those holidays at another time subject to the employee handbook), 3 weeks’ vacation to start + sick time, and Fidelity 401(k) with employer match of up to 6% of salary, eligible after 30 days.
• This position is based in the greater Chicagoland region. Applicants must be able to occasionally (or more frequently if preferred) work from and host meetings at the Alliance’s downtown Chicago office.
• Applicants should expect a combination of sitting at a desk and computer workstation; off-site meetings with partners, city staff and elected officials; and hosting meetings and events in communities. Regular local car travel of less than 40 miles round trip from downtown Chicago is required.
• Opportunity for professional development such as conferences, webinars, association membership, etc.

Application Process

Please e-mail a cover letter, resume, references and writing sample to: hr@greatlakes.org.

Include job title in the subject line.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled – we are looking to fill immediately. Materials should be compatible with Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat. Applicants will receive confirmation of receipt of their materials and further guidance and updates about the hiring process by e-mail, with interviews provided for finalists. No phone inquiries please.

About the Alliance for the Great Lakes

The Alliance for the Great Lakes is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The search process will reinforce the Alliance’s belief that achieving diversity requires an enduring commitment to inclusion that must find full expression in our organizational culture, values, norms, and behaviors.

The Alliance’s vision is a healthy Great Lakes for all people and wildlife, forever. Its mission is to conserve and restore the world’s largest freshwater resource using policy, education, and local efforts, ensuring a healthy Great Lakes and clean water for generations of people and wildlife.

The Alliance for the Great Lakes is committed to upholding and exemplifying the values of community, respect, accountability, and boldness. These describe the qualities that all members of the Alliance for the Great Lakes community exemplify in their role as environmental advocates and professionals.

The Alliance for the Great Lakes is committed to ensuring everyone in the Great Lakes region has healthy access to the lake and clean water. But acknowledges that not everyone does. Visit our website for more information on the Alliance’s statement on environmental justice: https://greatlakes.org/campaigns/environmental-justice/

For more information about the Alliance’s programs and work, please visit us online at www.greatlakes.org.

The post Chicago Local Partnership Manager appeared first on Alliance for the Great Lakes.

Original Article

News - Alliance for the Great Lakes

News - Alliance for the Great Lakes

https://greatlakes.org/2024/05/chicago-local-partnership-manager/

Michelle Farley

We are excited to unveil the inaugural honorees of the Alliance for the Great Lakes 2024 Wavemaker Awards. As we launch this esteemed recognition for the first time, we celebrate the outstanding contributions of individuals and organizations who have been instrumental in conserving and elevating the Great Lakes. These Wavemakers have not only dedicated themselves to our cause but have also inspired a wave of proactive engagement across our communities. Their efforts embody the deep commitment required to safeguard the environmental integrity of our cherished Great Lakes region. Join us in honoring their enduring impact at the 2024 Great Blue Benefit, themed “Celebrating Wavemakers: Bridging Communities and Conservation.”

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Meet the 2024 Wavemakers (in Alphabetical Order)

Gerald (Jerry) W. Adelmann
President Emeritus of Openlands
Jerry Adelmann has been a pivotal figure in conservation since he joined Openlands in 1980, coordinating groundbreaking projects like the Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor. His leadership has resulted in significant conservation achievements including the creation of the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie and the preservation of the Openlands Lakeshore Preserve.

Michael S. Davidson
President and CEO of Openlands
Michael Davidson, with over 25 years in mission-driven leadership, has significantly shaped environmental strategies in the Chicago region. His notable contributions include leading initiatives that integrate community engagement with environmental sustainability, advancing urban conservation and local food system projects.

Mary Peterson
Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes Volunteer
Mary Peterson has dedicated over a decade to the Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes, coordinating volunteer efforts and enhancing visitor experiences. Her leadership in volunteer coordination and community engagement has been instrumental in maintaining and protecting the Sleeping Bear Dunes.

Brenda Santoyo
Illinois Water Justice Coalition member, and Water Justice Program Manager at the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization (LVEJO)
Brenda Santoyo advocates for clean water and healthy living conditions in Chicago’s underserved communities. Her leadership in the Water Justice Program at LVEJO has been crucial in shaping policies and practices for environmental justice and sustainability.

Asiana Spaw
Documentary Filmmaker: Microplastics: Not a Small Problem
Asiana Spaw has used her filmmaking to spotlight environmental issues, particularly microplastic pollution in the Great Lakes. Her documentary “Microplastics: Not a Small Problem” has raised awareness and prompted discussions on sustainable environmental practices.

Iyanna Simba
Illinois Water Justice Coalition member, and City Programs Director at the Illinois Environmental Council
Iyanna Simba leads citywide initiatives at the Illinois Environmental Council, focusing on water policy and environmental advocacy in Chicago. Her efforts in coalition building and policy development have been key to advancing environmental justice and sustainable urban practices.

Join Us in Celebration

On Thursday, June 13, 2024 our Great Blue Benefit takes place at the beautiful Columbia Yacht Club in Chicago, Illinois. This special event is not just an opportunity to recognize the incredible efforts of our honorees but also a time to enjoy the camaraderie of those who share our commitment.

Supporting Our Mission
All proceeds from the Great Blue Benefit will directly support the Alliance for the Great Lakes’ ongoing initiatives to ensure our waters are clean, safe, and accessible for all generations.

The post Announcing Our 2024 Wavemaker Honorees appeared first on Alliance for the Great Lakes.

Original Article

News - Alliance for the Great Lakes

News - Alliance for the Great Lakes

https://greatlakes.org/2024/05/announcing-our-2024-wavemaker-honorees/

Michelle Farley

Summary 

Title: Communications Director 

Reports to: Vice President of Development  

Classification / Status: Full-time, Exempt 

Level: Director 

Location: Hybrid / Office – occasional meetings in Chicago, Great Lakes State or Washington, D.C.   

The Communications Director will develop and execute communications and marketing strategies to grow the size of and deepen engagement with our constituent base and increase our brand awareness across the Great Lakes region. The Director manages owned and paid media to grow our volunteer, advocate and donor constituencies that support our program work. The Director ensures that all our supporters receive consistent and targeted information about the Alliance’s work so that we can retain and upgrade their engagement. The Director is the Alliance’s brand steward and serves as editor-in-chief for institutional communications. They are part of the development, communications, and volunteer management team. They work closely with the Media Director, providing owned and paid media to advance program and advocacy goals and campaigns, while leveraging media campaign materials to facilitate storytelling and engagement with our supporters. 

The Director guides and manages the internal communications team. As a team leader, the Director energizes staff members by inspiring and motivating direct reports and by evolving constituent engagement strategies and tactics throughout the organization. The Director is also a capable public figure for the organization who can speak credibly to our constituents. The Director collaborates with other Alliance campaign and program leaders. They will interact with the Board of Directors and external partners in support of strategic communications planning and to aid fundraising efforts. 

This role reports to the Vice President for Development. 

Major priorities for the role include: 

1. Increase brand awareness of the Alliance for the Great Lakes in priority markets 

2. Grow the size of our supporter base, including digital advocates, active email recipients, and social media followers 

3. In partnership with our Development staff, leverage growing supporter base growth to increase smaller donor acquisition. 

4. Deepen the engagement of our supporter base with Alliance activities and programs. 

5. Advance success of Alliance program priorities  

Structure: The Director reports to the Vice President of Development (VPD) and works closely with other senior program staff leaders, especially the Media Director. The Director of Communications supervises the following staff: Senior Communications Manager and Staff Writer, as well as occasional affiliates and contractors. 

Compensation and Benefits: Salary range begins at $100,000, with starting salary determined commensurate with experience. Medical, dental, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, FSA, 11 paid holidays plus the business days between 12/26 and 12/30 (staff who must work on any holidays may take those holidays at another time subject to the employee handbook), 3 weeks vacation to start + PTO, Fidelity 401(k) with employer match of up to 6% of salary.  

Work Environment: Fully remote with some travel required. If based in Chicago, an office is available downtown for use. 

_________________________________________________________________________________  

Overview 

The Director will start work from a position of strength. Our staff and Board of Directors include some of the country’s leading Great Lakes advocates, experts and communicators. Our organization has a well-regarded record of recent and historic successes dating to 1970. The Alliance’s capacity stands tall among state and regional environmental advocacy organizations across the country, with more than $10 million in assets of which more than 70% is unrestricted. The Alliance is growing toward an operating budget of $5 million by the end of 2024. 

Representative goals of this position include:  

By the end of 2024: 

• Ensure constituent communications strategies are built into all appropriate campaigns under the new strategic plan. 
• Develop a new social media strategy that will advance our strategic planning goals and empower supporters to advocate for the Alliance and our priorities. 

• Achieve a 10% increase in number of digital donors, 10% increase in number of new email signups, 10% increase in engaged email list, and 15% increase in website traffic 
• Conduct a constituent survey to identify ways to improve relationships with our supporters. 
• Review our digital communications tools and add/delete/replace as needed. (Determine capacity needs for our new strategic plan. 

Within five years: 

• Key partner and constituent voices and stories are regularly woven into all relevant program campaigns. 
• The Alliance becomes well-known in terms of overall brand recognition and has a highly engaged (and growing) base of supporters.  

A typical week for the Director might include: 

• Meeting with Media Director for a briefing on a recent policy development and upcoming press conference; creating a plan to support the campaign and engage our constituents with owned and/or paid media.  

• Reviewing copy for the monthly e-newsletter; adding a quick new story about the policy development before approval the e-newsletter to be sent. 
• Leading a Dev/C&E brainstorming session about how to engage a new audience with the Alliance. 
• Meeting with VP of Development and Staff Writer to determine the story budget and timeline for the annual report. 

Responsibilities 

Strategist: The Director ensures that every aspect of the organization’s public outreach – including issue and program work, volunteer and advocacy growth & leadership, and fundraising – furthers our mission and is aligned with our program goals. They will lead strategic communications and engagement planning, set long-range measurable goals and implement regularly updated work plans appropriate to achieving them. They will: 

• Develop responsive communication-driven programs and help staff members understand their role in and contribution to the overall marketing effort. 
• Identify key targets for Alliance communications and implement strategies to link those targets to achievement of the organization’s environmental issue and fundraising goals. 

• Create / advise on direct mail and paid media (search engine ads, social ads, magazine ads, paid list acquisitions, PSAs, ect.)  
• Leverage media and business partnerships for brand/issue awareness and constituency growth 
• Vet, select and manage contracts for the Alliance’s communications tools: website, digital advocacy, platform, email service provider, social media channels, social monitoring and posting tool, photo/video library, and donation platform.  
• Find ways to raise the competitive profile of the Alliance. 
• Ensure that all engagement of volunteers and advocates educates them to act, grows the quality and quantity of constituent leadership, and creates capacity for advancing overall program strategy. 

• Present and report (in tandem with the VP for Development) on Alliance’s communications strategy and outputs to the Board. 
• Collect and ensure the regular acquisition of quantitative and qualitative data from constituents to shape future strategies 
• Brainstorm communications strategies in tandem with social media engagement and website goals, drive small donor strategy 

Communicator: The Director partners with the Media Director to cultivate opportunities for publicity, recognition, and constituency engagement. They will: 

• Serve as the “Editor in Chief” and the lead in content strategy, ensuring accuracy and correct voice,  
• Create, lead and manage the overall organizational content calendar. 
• Deploy social media and other owned and paid communications in support of earned media for program campaigns in collaboration with Media Director. 
• Tailor look, feel, and performance of all Alliance communication vehicles for advocacy, volunteering and fundraising purposes to target audiences. 

• Align all constituent engagement with organizational brand and values. 
• Create a culture of listening and responsiveness to constituent voices and seek out ways to equitably serve all constituents. 
• When a Great Lakes crisis or urgent opportunity arises, demonstrating the ability to think calmly and collaboratively in an all hands-on deck demonstrate demonstrates/media. 

Motivator: The Director of Communications leads the Alliance’s communications team to ensure strong collaboration, performance and job satisfaction. They will: 

• Build staff capability to communicate independently and credibly. 
• Allocate communications staff across a variety of campaigns and other efforts to ensure team skills are aligned to organizational needs 
• Evaluate and reports the performance of overall communications effort and individual team members using organization-wide tools and metrics. 
• Identify needs and opportunities for supporting professional development of staff as a team and individuals 

• Ensure internal digital systems are maintained and updated regularly to support our constituent engagement and communications goals 
• Engage a diverse set of audiences and influence acknowledgement strategy post-event and post-donation 

Work Relationships 

The Director of Communications works closely with a wide variety of Alliance for the Great Lakes staff members, particularly the Media Director and the communications and development staff 

Supervisor Responsibilities 

The Director of Communications supervises the following staff: Senior Communications Manager and Staff Writer, as well as occasional affiliates and contractors. 

Physical Demands/Work Environment 

Remote office work environment with occasional overnight travel required. Office space available if located in Chicago. 

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Knowledge/Skills  

• Minimum of 7 years of experience culminating in proven leadership of regional or national scale advocacy, political or marketing campaigns.  
• Minimum of 3 years leading a team. 

• Persuasive, with excellent written and oral communication skills. 
• Ability to understand and motivate multiple constituencies, including government, private sector, elected officials, volunteers, and issue advocates. 
• Demonstrated cultivation and driving of successful collaborative staff teams. 
• Clear and proven ability to use, test, and adapt electronic platforms to engage thousands of individual constituents and move those constituents offline for additional cultivation. 
• Demonstrated success in using communications and marketing tools to move decision-makers on policy agendas. 

• Track record of understanding of constituent demand and preferences and using this to shape successful engagement strategies.  
• Eagerness to work at both the “nuts and bolts” and strategic levels of our engagement effort. 
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred. 

NICE TO HAVE: 

• Strong portfolio of strategic advocacy writing, with an emphasis on converting technical and policy agendas to compelling public messages. 
• Ability to work independently, quickly, and in keeping with the news cycle regardless of time of day. 
• Driven by a strong commitment to the value of individual and collective constituent action and the values of the organization. 
• Experience and comfort with setting and working within an annual budget at the regional non-profit scale. 

• Proficiency in creating social media campaigns and driving engagement online into real-life actions 

Job Parameters 

• This position is full-time and consistent with Alliance employment policy. Salary range begins at $100,000 with a starting salary determined commensurate with experience. 

• Excellent benefits, including medical, dental, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, FSA, 11 paid holidays plus the business days between 12/26 and 12/30 (staff who must work on any holidays may take those holidays at another time subject to the employee handbook), 3 weeks vacation to start + PTO, and Fidelity 401(k) with employer match of up to 6% of salary, eligible after 30 days. 

• This is a remote position for candidates living in a Great Lakes state or in Washington, D.C., with occasional travel required. If located in Chicago, an office is available downtown for use.  

Application Process:

Please email a cover letter, resume, references, and writing sample to hr@greatlakes.org. 

Include job title in the subject line. 

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled – we are looking to fill immediately. Materials should be compatible with Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat. Applicants will receive confirmation of receipt of their materials and further guidance and updates about the hiring process by email, with interviews provided for finalists. No phone inquiries, please. 

The Alliance for the Great Lakes is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The search process will reinforce the Alliance’s belief that achieving diversity requires an enduring commitment to inclusion that must find full expression in our organizational culture, values, norms, and behaviors.  

About the Alliance for the Great Lakes 

The Alliance for the Great Lakes is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The search process will reinforce the Alliance’s belief that achieving diversity requires an enduring commitment to inclusion that must find full expression in our organizational culture, values, norms, and behaviors.  

Our vision is a thriving Great Lakes and healthy water that all life can rely on, today and far into the future. We aspire to be a voice for the lakes and to support the voices of the communities that depend on the lakes and their waters. 

The mission of the Alliance for the Great Lakes is to protect, conserve, and restore the Great Lakes ensuring healthy water in the lakes and in our communities for all generations of people and wildlife. We advance our mission as advocates for policies that support the lakes and communities by building the research, analysis, and partnerships that motivate action, and by educating and uniting people as a voice for the Great Lakes.   

To achieve our vision and mission, everyone in our organization will live our values of Community, Relationships, Courage, Integrity and Optimism and weave the principles of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion into all our work. Each value and principle is backed by measurable goals and expectations for our Board of Directors and staff.  

The post Communications Director  appeared first on Alliance for the Great Lakes.

Original Article

News - Alliance for the Great Lakes

News - Alliance for the Great Lakes

https://greatlakes.org/2023/11/communications-director/

Michelle Farley

At the Alliance for the Great Lakes Board of Directors meeting on October 6, 2023, in Chicago, the Board welcomed Timothy Alston for a three-year term.

New Board Member: Timothy Alston

Timothy is a process controls engineer at the Gary Sanitary District, one of the largest wastewater utilities in the State of Indiana and one of the few majority-black employees utilities in the region. He provides direct technical and advisory support to the Plant Superintendent on wastewater treatment plant improvements and optimizing plant processes. He also helps manage the Operations and Maintenance Department, which is the heartbeat of the utility. Timothy was an environmental consultant for CDM Smith Inc. in the Chicago Office from 2018-2020.

As a young professional living in Chicago, Timothy has demonstrated a passion for mentorship to underserved communities through his work as an undergraduate mentor and the Director of Programs for the Chicago Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), as well as spearheading the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Student Outreach Mentorship Program from 2019-2021. 

Timothy is a Co-Founder of the Black Water Professionals Alliance Inc. (BWPA), which has grown to over 200 members across the country. The mission of BWPA is to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion by fostering a community focused on networking, professional development, and leadership opportunities for Black people in the water industry. He has personally mentored over 100 students in developing their STEM academic and professional skills over the past several years through a nonprofit called SMASH Academy.

Originally from Maryland, Timothy received his B.S. in Environmental Science from Claflin University, a historic HBCU in South Carolina, and his M.S. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. 

He and his wife currently live in South Loop, Chicago, and just tied the knot this past July 23, 2023.

New & Returning Officers

Laura Payne was elected to a second two-year term as Vice Chair of Development. Bill Henry was elected to a second two-year term as Board Secretary.

Leaving Office
The board also said farewell to term-limited board director Quentin James and expressed special gratitude for his six years of service.

“I extend a heartfelt thank you to our board members—past and present—for their unwavering dedication and exceptional leadership,” said Joel Brammeier, President & CEO of the Alliance. “Their invaluable time and expertise are fundamental to the achievements of the Alliance in safeguarding and revitalizing the Great Lakes. We eagerly anticipate the valuable contributions of our newest board member and extend our deepest appreciation to those transitioning on.”

For a complete listing of Alliance for the Great Lakes directors and officers, visit our Board of Directors page.

The post Alliance for the Great Lakes Board of Directors Welcomes Newly Elected Board Member & Returning Officers appeared first on Alliance for the Great Lakes.

Original Article

News - Alliance for the Great Lakes

News - Alliance for the Great Lakes

https://greatlakes.org/2023/10/alliance-for-the-great-lakes-board-of-directors-welcomes-newly-elected-board-member-returning-officers/

Michelle Farley

Summary 

Title: Executive Assistant 

Status: Full-time, Exempt  

Location: Great Lakes State, Chicago area preferred   

Role: The Executive Assistant (EA) provides support to the President/CEO and COO to maximize the strategic use of their time and supports the President/CEO and COO to maximize the strategic use of their time and assists the Operations team in seamlessly integrating the Operations team in the seamless integration of essential administrative work into the Alliance’s mission-driven culture and workplace. This position reports to the President/CEO and works closely with the COO, VP of Finance & Operations, and Office Manager on meeting logistics and scheduling, document creation and management, Board of Directors administrative support, as well as human resources, financial, and office management matters. The Executive Assistant performs a wide variety of functions independently, exercising confidential discretion and sound judgment in performing these duties. Administrative services may be provided to other department staff as required. Additionally, this person will assist with special projects as assigned by the President and CEO. 

Structure: The Executive Assistant works directly with the President/CEO, COO, Office Manager and reports to the President & CEO.   

Compensation and Benefits: Salary range begins at $75,000, with the starting salary determined commensurate with experience. Medical, dental, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, FSA, 11 paid holidays plus the business days between 12/26 and 12/30 (staff who must work on any holidays may take those holidays at another time subject to the employee handbook), 3 weeks vacation to start + PTO, Fidelity 401(k) with employer match of up to 6% of salary.  

Work Environment: This is a primarily remote position with a strong preference for location in the Chicago area. The EA may work primarily from their home and should expect to be in the Alliance’s Chicago office once per week on average.   

_________________________________________________________________________________  

Overview 

A typical week might begin with a meeting with the CEO to review the status of projects and upcoming engagements requiring his participation. Later, the EA pivots to reviewing requests the COO has received for input from Program staff. The EA schedules these tasks and follows up with staff members as needed to understand timelines and any outstanding action items. On Tuesday, the Board Development Committee is meeting, so the EA sends the VP of Development & Communications the latest RSVP list and logs into the meeting a few minutes early to manage the Zoom and prepare to take minutes. After the meeting, the EA ensures the minutes are accurate and concise before distributing them to the committee. The EA knows that a lobbying report is due on Wednesday, and a communication is being sent out to our VIP supporters, so they send a few emails to ensure all the required materials for both projects are available before logging off for the day. On Wednesday, the EA files the lobbying report and then turns their attention to the mailing. They have a few questions on the recipient list, which they work through with the Individual Giving Manager before sending the message on the President & CEO’s behalf. The Alliance has a board meeting coming up, so Thursday and Friday are spent preparing the presentation for the meeting and working with the catering team, office of the building, and venue for our Board dinner to finalize logistics. On Friday afternoon, the EA sits down with the COO to review her schedule for the upcoming weeks and ensure she has the relevant materials to accomplish any major projects she’s tagged to complete before logging off for the week. 

The Executive Assistant contributes to the successful execution of the Alliance’s strategic plan by supporting top leadership in their responsibilities across the organization and directly contributing to the Operations team’s defined outcomes around administrative and board support.   

Responsibilities 

Executive Assistance 

• Maintain general knowledge of all activities and projects the President/CEO and COO are involved in and accurately respond to routine inquiries from staff. 
• Develop and implement systems to ensure the needs and expectations of the President and CEO are met in a timely and efficient manner. 
• Plan, coordinate, and ensure calendars for the President/CEO and COO are managed effectively. 

• Work closely with the President/CEO and COO to keep them well informed of upcoming commitments and responsibilities with appropriate follow-up. 
• Schedule internal and external meetings, including preparing agendas, inviting attendees, scheduling meeting rooms, ordering equipment, taking and transcribing meeting minutes, monitoring action and follow-up items, and keeping permanent records as appropriate. 
• Arrange and schedule travel logistics for the President/CEO, COO, and other staff, as needed. 
• Proofread and ensure accurate formatting of all correspondence going out under the President/CEO’s signature. 
• Serve as a liaison between the President/CEO and staff for purposes of contracts, agreements, and other official documents. 

• Prepare expense reports and assist with time entry as needed. 
• Compose correspondence. 
• Serve as the primary staff liaison with the Alliance’s external administrative legal counsel, ensuring that staff needs are effectively prioritized and advanced with the Alliance’s law firm and track the established retainer.  
• Manage the registration and reporting requirements for the Alliance’s staff lobbyists, including assessing registration and reporting requirements and advising on any new or changing needs. 
• Other projects/duties as assigned by the President/CEO and COO. 

Board Liaison 

• Coordinate meetings and special events logistics for board members.  
• Take minutes for meetings on calls and in person. 
• Coordinate with the President/CEO to assemble and distribute communications to Board of Directors members prior to each of the quarterly board meetings and retreats. 

• Maintain board SharePoint site and ensure accurate record keeping. 
• Assist with logistics for new board member orientation process and details related to exiting board members. 
• Administer the Board Nominating Committee recruitment process in collaboration with the President & CEO and Nominating Committee Chair, including the process for board members to recommend potential new directors and tracking candidate interactions and follow-ups.    

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Knowledge/Skills  

• Minimum of 5 years in administrative assistance or office management at the executive level.  
• Experience working for senior leaders of the organization and Board members is preferred.  
• Exceptional planning and organization skills.  
• Ability to compose, edit, and organize documents and presentations using professional, clear, and succinct language and structure.   

• A demonstrated commitment to timely and accurate performance.  
• Attention to detail and ability to anticipate and proactively solve problems is critical.  
• Willingness and desire to provide customized service for individual board members and leadership staff based on work style and needs.  
• Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint emphasized). 
• Ability to learn new software applications quickly. 

• Experience with SharePoint and Asana is helpful but not required.  
• The Alliance for the Great Lakes values community, relationships, courage, integrity, optimism, and the principles of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in all our work.   

Job Parameters 

• This position is full-time and consistent with Alliance employment policy. The salary range begins at $75,000, with a starting salary determined commensurate with experience. 
• Excellent benefits, including medical, dental, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, FSA, 11 paid holidays plus the business days between 12/26 and 12/30 (staff who must work on any holidays may take those holidays at another time subject to the employee handbook), 3 weeks vacation to start + PTO, and Fidelity 401(k) with employer match of up to 6% of salary, eligible after 30 days. 
• This is a primarily remote position with a strong preference for location in the Chicago area. The EA may work mostly from their home and should expect to be in the Alliance’s Chicago office once per week on average. 

Application Process 

Please email a cover letter, resume, references and writing sample to: hr@greatlakes.org. 

Include job title in the subject line. 

Writing Sample: As part of our evaluation process, we kindly request that you provide a writing sample showcasing your ability to communicate with clarity and professionalism. This sample can be in the form of a memo, an email to board members, or any relevant work from your portfolio.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled – we are looking to fill immediately. Materials should be compatible with Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat. Applicants will receive confirmation of receipt of their materials and further guidance and updates about the hiring process by email, with interviews provided for finalists. No phone inquiries please. 

The Alliance for the Great Lakes is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The search process will reinforce the Alliance’s belief that achieving diversity requires an enduring commitment to inclusion that must find full expression in our organizational culture, values, norms, and behaviors.  

About the Alliance for the Great Lakes 

Our vision is a thriving Great Lakes and healthy water that all life can rely on today and far into the future. We aspire to be a voice for the lakes, and to support the voices of the communities that depend on the lakes and their waters.

The mission of the Alliance for the Great Lakes is to protect, conserve and restore the Great Lakes, ensuring healthy water in the lakes and in our communities for all generations of people and wildlife. We advance our mission as advocates for policies that support the lakes and communities by building the research, analysis and partnerships that motivate action and by educating and uniting people as a voice for the Great Lakes.   

To achieve our vision and mission, everyone in our organization will live our values of Community, Relationships, Courage, Integrity and Optimism and weave the principles of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion into all our work. Each value and principle is backed by measurable goals and expectations for our Board of Directors and staff.  

The post Executive Assistant  appeared first on Alliance for the Great Lakes.

Original Article

News - Alliance for the Great Lakes

News - Alliance for the Great Lakes

https://greatlakes.org/2023/10/executive-assistant-2/

Michelle Farley

Summary 

Title: Director, Clean Water & Equity  

Status: Full-time, Exempt  

Location: This position is remote and will be located within the Great Lakes states or Washington D.C., with a preference for proximity to a major airport. 

Role: The Director of Clean Water and Equity will develop and execute campaigns to advance the Alliance for the Great Lakes’ (Alliance) water infrastructure program goals as guided by our strategic plan. The Director leads these campaigns across the Great Lakes region with an initial focus on Ohio, Michigan, and Illinois. The Director is responsible for building and maintaining relationships with partner organizations, stakeholders representing a variety of interests, and decision-makers. The Director identifies and pursues opportunities to advance and improve water policies, programs, and funding across the region. The Director works closely with the water infrastructure team and other program staff working on our water infrastructure goals at the local, state, and federal levels to integrate this work. 

Structure: The Clean Water and Equity Director reports to the COO / VP of Programs. They collaborate with other directors and VPs as a team leading the Alliance’s program work. The Director supports media and communications staff to advance strategic media campaigns, public education, and constituency growth in support of our goals. The Director supervises a Water Policy Analyst and Senior Program Manager, with the potential for a third team member to be added in 2024. 

Compensation and Benefits: Salary range begins at $100,000, with the starting salary determined commensurate with experience. Medical, dental, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, FSA, 11 paid holidays plus the business days between 12/26 and 12/30 (staff who must work on any holidays may take those holidays at another time subject to the employee handbook), 3 weeks vacation to start + PTO, Fidelity 401(k) with employer match of up to 6% of salary.  

Work Environment: Fully remote with some travel required. Overnight travel within the Great Lakes region is required, with an average of once per month. A driver’s license and comfort with solo travel by car is required. If the candidate is located in the Chicago area, the Alliance’s downtown headquarters office is available for in-office work. 

_________________________________________________________________________________  

Overview 

The Alliance seeks its next Director, Clean Water & Equity to lead the Alliance’s work to advance drinking water, wastewater and stormwater policy goals in the Great Lakes states. The Director develops and implements advocacy strategies supporting equitable access to clean water, increased water infrastructure investment, and engagement of public officials, organizations, and businesses in service of these priorities. The Director serves as a strategist, convener and relationship builder.  They work collaboratively with Alliance staff and external partners to ensure timely and high-quality delivery of written policy analysis and recommendations, advocacy actions, and grant and partnership deliverables in support of the Clean Water & Equity portfolio. 

Current core projects include 1) the State Revolving Fund (SRF) Advocates’ Forum, a national network supporting organizations advocating for equitable and just delivery of federal and state water infrastructure funds 2) state-level efforts to reform and improve SRF programs with an emphasis on advocacy around Intended Use Plans. The Director will set direction for and implement organizational clean water goals related to water infrastructure investment, drinking water safety, including lead service line replacement, nature-based solutions, and water services affordability across the region with a near-term emphasis on Illinois, Ohio and Michigan. They identify and strengthen relationships with diverse allies across the Great Lakes region to advance program and policy priorities.

The Director is a public figure for the organization who speaks with authority and diplomacy, is regarded as a regional thought leader on water issues and cultivates extensive partner relationships that further the Alliance’s clean water & equity goals. The Director manages relationships with state decision-makers, agency staff, businesses, partners, and other individuals across the Great Lakes region. The Director provides counsel to the Alliance’s senior staff on meaningful community engagement and works as a team with our local and federal policy staff. 

The Director will start work from a position of strength. Our staff of 26 and 18-member Board of Directors include some of the country’s leading Great Lakes advocates, experts and communicators. Our organization has a well-regarded record of recent and historic successes dating to 1970. The Alliance’s capacity stands tall among state and regional environmental advocacy organizations across the country, with more than $10 million in assets, of which more than 70% is unrestricted. The Alliance is growing toward an operating budget of $5 million by the end of 2024. 

The  goals of this position  are to: 

By the end of 2024: 

• Play a lead role in the State Revolving Fund Advocates Forum, a national network of  organizations focused on ensuring that federal water infrastructure funds are allocated to communities that need it most 
• Ensure Great Lakes states, particularly Illinois and Michigan, are doing a better job of directing water infrastructure funding to disadvantaged communities 

• Partner with organizations in Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio to advance one piece of high-priority water infrastructure legislation in each state  
• Recommend  water infrastructure policy goals for the Alliance’s next strategic plan 

Within five years: 

• The Alliance is recognized as a leader in the Great Lakes region on drinking water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure policy and funding 

• Multiple Great Lakes states have made substantial progress since 2024 in advancing water infrastructure restoration projects that protect public and lake health 

• The Alliance has clear policy goals and sufficient staff capacity and structure to deliver on those goals 

A typical week for the Director might begin with a meeting with the Water Infrastructure team to ensure everyone is clear on their goals for the week and any obstacles or opportunities are identified and decisions are made regarding next steps. You touch base with the Media Director about a report on where water infrastructure funding is being directed in Michigan to ensure that the release and talking points are solid, and that external partners feel well-prepared to share their stories and provide supportive comments. Midweek, you have a call from an Ohio legislator who wants to introduce legislation to ban water shut-offs in the state. You commit to helping get bipartisan cosponsor signed onto the bill and, organizing a lobby day with partners in Ohio, and sharing a quick update with your Ohio coalition. There is an upcoming water week in Washington, so on Friday, you book a flight to go to DC a month from now to meet with Great Lakes members of Congress along with our Director of Federal Affairs to highlight the importance of federal water infrastructure funding to their constituents. You review the most recent quarter’s work plan metrics and prepare a brief to present to the Leadership Team the following week. 

Responsibilities 

Strategy 

• Set direction for organizational clean water and equity goals related to water infrastructure investment, drinking water safety, nature-based solutions, and water services affordability across the region with a near-term emphasis on Illinois, Ohio and Michigan. 
• Works with Alliance staff to align and integrate policy and funding campaigns across local, state and federal levels of government 
• Builds and sustains a strong and diverse set of trusted relationships with advocates, decision-makers and other stakeholders that informs organizational strategy and tactics 
• Maintains expertise in relevant funding mechanisms, regulations and administrative programs, and uses that knowledge to inform Alliance strategy 
• Designs and executes multi-year policy reform campaigns in Great Lakes states to implement Alliance strategic plan water infrastructure priorities. 

• Recommends future long-term strategic options for the Alliance to fill gaps in water infrastructure advocacy across the region, and to center our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice principles through the program. 

Advocate 

• Accountable for delivering policy change for the Alliance’s Clean Water & Equity work across the region. 
• Creates regular short-term policy, organizing and communication successes as we advance toward our long-term goals. 

• Ensures policy goals are connected to real-world outcomes that have an impact on the lives of people 
• Ensures Alliance advocacy agendas are supportive of the needs of our partner organizations. 
• Collaborates with Alliance staff and external partners to create work products including reports, stories, and media placements to advance thought leadership of Alliance with decision makers. 
• Builds and leverages relationships outside of the traditional environmental community, including with environmental justice leaders, labor leaders, municipalities, and businesses. 
• Collaborates with NGO partners and community organizations for decision maker education on water issues (e.g., lobby days, legislative briefings, advocacy workshops, etc.) 

• Supports Alliance media and communication staff in development of mass advocacy campaigns, supporter activation, conference presentations and media engagement on policy priorities.  

Manager & Institutional Leader 

• Ensures this work contributes to the Alliance’s role as a collaborative and contributing member of the environmental community in the Great Lakes region 
• Presents and reports on the Alliance’s Clean Water & Equity work to Alliance leadership, including to the Board of Directors 

• Manages a team of policy analysts and advocates 
• Supports the Development Team in building and maintaining critical personal relationships with institutional and individual donors that support this work 
• Serves as a voice of authority and insight to traditional media, social networks and to the Alliance’s supporters.  
• Actively engages in organizational discussions to help steer the direction and culture of the Alliance. 
• Expands the Alliance’s regional network of NGO and community-based organizations. 

• Motivates and mentors staff that work in multiple locations to execute campaigns as team members, peers and collaborators. 

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Knowledge/Skills  

• Leadership ability and experience as demonstrated by a track record of successful problem identification, mentorship, relationship and partnership building, conflict resolution, and strategic decision-making both internal and external to an organization.  

• Demonstrated success at motivating key influencers to act in a coordinated and strategic manner. 
• Strong existing network of relevant and influential leaders in one or more areas of geographic focus for the Alliance, i.e., Illinois, Ohio, or Michigan. 
• Prior demonstrated success at managing multiple closely aligned and well-coordinated priorities at the same time. 
• Fundamental commitment to socioeconomic and racial equity in clean water outcomes and demonstrated skills in identifying the policy options that advance equity. 
• Top echelon skills at writing and speaking to motivate powerful people. 

• Staff management and/or mentoring experience. 
• Experience with and commitment to use of project management software. 
• Driven by a strong commitment to public interest work and the values of the organization. 
• Optimistic outlook both internally and externally 
• Committed to a big-tent approach to water advocacy that bring together science, data, relationships, stories and winning strategy 

• Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree preferred. Leadership of significant past successful campaigns may substitute for advanced degree. 
• Minimum of 7 years of experience culminating in proven leadership of state, regional or national scale advocacy, political or marketing campaigns. 

Job Parameters 

• This position is full-time and consistent with Alliance employment policy. The salary range begins at $100,000 with a starting salary determined commensurate with experience. 

• Excellent benefits, including medical, dental, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, FSA, 11 paid holidays plus the business days between 12/26 and 12/30 (staff who must work on any holidays may take those holidays at another time subject to the employee handbook), 3 weeks vacation to start + PTO, and Fidelity 401(k) with employer match of up to 6% of salary, eligible after 30 days. 

• This position is remote and will be located within the Great Lakes watershed, with a preference for the southern part of the region and proximity to a major airport, with occasional travel required. If located in Chicago, an office is available downtown for use.

Application Process 

Please e-mail a cover letter, resume, references, and writing or work sample that demonstrates relevant qualifications to: hr@greatlakes.org. Include the job title in the subject line. 

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Materials should be compatible with Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat. Applicants will receive confirmation of receipt of their materials and further guidance and updates about the hiring process by e-mail, with interviews provided for finalists. No phone inquiries please. 

The Alliance for the Great Lakes is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The search process will reinforce the Alliance’s belief that achieving diversity requires an enduring commitment to inclusion that must find full expression in our organizational culture, values, norms, and behaviors.  

Our vision is a thriving Great Lakes and healthy water that all life can rely on today and far into the future. We aspire to be a voice for the lakes, and to support the voices of the communities that depend on the lakes and their waters.

The mission of the Alliance for the Great Lakes is to protect, conserve and restore the Great Lakes, ensuring healthy water in the lakes and in our communities for all generations of people and wildlife. We advance our mission as advocates for policies that support the lakes and communities by building the research, analysis and partnerships that motivate action and by educating and uniting people as a voice for the Great Lakes.   

To achieve our vision and mission, everyone in our organization will live our values of Community, Relationships, Courage, Integrity and Optimism and weave the principles of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion into all our work. Each value and principle is backed by measurable goals and expectations for our Board of Directors and staff.  

The post Director, Clean Water & Equity  appeared first on Alliance for the Great Lakes.

Original Article

News - Alliance for the Great Lakes

News - Alliance for the Great Lakes

https://greatlakes.org/2023/09/director-clean-water-equity/

Michelle Farley

Summary 

Title: Media Director  

Status: Full-time, Exempt  

Location: Great Lakes State or Washington, D.C.    

Role: The Media Director (Director) will develop and execute communications and media campaigns to advance our program and advocacy goals as guided by our strategic plan. The Director leads these campaigns across program areas and across the Great Lakes region. The Director is responsible for building and maintaining relationships with local, state, regional and national media outlets. The Director identifies and pursues opportunities to place stories about the Alliance’s program work that reach the media, decision-makers and influential voices and segments of the public. The Director works closely with program staff to develop strategic communication materials and prepare staff for media and other public speaking opportunities. The Director coordinates tightly with the staff leading engagement of our donor, volunteer and advocate constituents to ensure all our supporters receive consistent and targeted information about the Alliance’s work. 

Structure: The Director reports to the COO and works closely with other senior program staff leaders. 

Compensation and Benefits: Salary range begins at $100,000, with starting salary determined commensurate with experience. Medical, dental, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, FSA, 11 paid holidays plus the business days between 12/26 and 12/30 (staff who must work on any holidays may take those holidays at another time subject to the employee handbook), 3 weeks vacation to start + PTO, Fidelity 401(k) with employer match of up to 6% of salary.  

Work Environment: Fully remote with some travel required. If based in Chicago, an office is available downtown for use. 

_________________________________________________________________________________  

Overview 

The Alliance seeks its next Media Director to lead communications and media campaigns to advance our program priorities. The Director works collaboratively with program teams to ensure our work is successfully communicated across relevant channels to reach decision-makers and those with the ability to influence our goals. This work is critical to the success of our policy campaigns. The Director also supports program staff in their role as public communicators for the Alliance. This includes identifying and creating press-worthy stories and narratives from Alliance program work, ensuring the quality of public-facing products such as reports and presentations, and preparing staff for media interviews and for other public speaking engagements. The Director has a solid understanding of the Alliance’s programs, can speak with authority and clarity on our issues, and can field and direct media requests related to basic program work. The Director will also provide strategic support to Alliance partners in need of media relations capacity while working on shared goals. They work closely with the staff team that advances Alliance brand awareness and constituent engagement, which uses our media campaign materials and content to support outreach and storytelling to all of our supporters. The Director manages relationships with local, state, regional and national media outlets. The Director works as part of a team of senior program staff leaders across the Alliance’s issue areas. 

The Director will start work from a position of strength. Our staff of 26 and 18-member Board of Directors include some of the country’s leading Great Lakes advocates, experts and communicators. Our organization has a well-regarded record of recent and historic successes dating to 1970. The Alliance’s capacity stands tall among state and regional environmental advocacy organizations across the country, with more than $10 million in assets of which more than 70% is unrestricted. The Alliance is growing toward an operating budget of $5 million by the end of 2024. 

The long-term Development goals of the Alliance are: 

By the end of 2024: 

• Develop narratives for each of our programs that can be used along with specific pitches for media. 
• Ensure communications strategies are built into all appropriate campaigns under the new strategic plan. 

• Establish the Alliance as a leading voice for the Great Lakes with media across the Great Lakes region. 

Within five years: 

• The Alliance’s work and related issues are getting regular national coverage due to our media campaigns in ways that resonate with decision makers. 
• Key partner and constituent voices and stories are regularly woven into all relevant program campaigns. 

A typical week for the Director might begin by helping staff chart out a communications strategy for a new report we are releasing. Staff are hoping we can get supportive endorsements from elected officials and a business partner prior to release. Later you field a call from an Ohio reporter who wants to talk about the harmful algal bloom in Lake Erie. They are new to the beat and need some extensive background before working on their first story. The next day you set up a public radio interview for one of our Michigan staff. You work with staff to develop talking points and ensure they are prepared to answer tough questions. Concurrently, you also are working with other staff to help prepare a PowerPoint presentation highlighting our policy work to Congressional staff. You review the most recent quarter’s metrics and prepare a brief to present to the Leadership Team the following week. 

Responsibilities 

Strategy 

The Director leads the media strategy that supports the Alliance’s current strategic plan and positions the organization for its next phase of growth.  

• Develop and implement strategic communications and media plans for the Alliance to forward its programmatic, policy and advocacy goals. 
• Identify, translate and synthesize technical and policy information to tell compelling stories to the media, influencers and decision makers. 
• Manage external media relations and outreach. This includes the development and distribution of media pitches, press releases, op-eds, briefings, talking points, and messaging, while also responding to incoming media queries.  
• Serve as a spokesperson for the Alliance with the media 
• Contribute to the development of communications strategies for major Alliance announcements, priorities, and events. This includes the creation of strategy documents, spokesperson messages, written materials, pitch letters, etc. that elevate the thought leadership of the Alliance, its staff and its Board of Directors. 

• Monitor and share daily news clips with staff to identify emerging trends, track favorable and unfavorable coverage of our issues and other Great Lakes issues, and identify key reporters. 
• Oversee management and growth of media lists and database.  
• Advance the Alliance’s diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice principles in alignment with department and organization goals 

Relationships 

The Director is the primary connector between the Alliance’s programs and those with the ability to reach audiences that advance our advocacy. 

• Develop relationships with top-tier national, regional, and policy news outlets across all relevant media channels (including print, broadcast, and online). 
• Support media training sessions for Alliance spokespeople, including the development of messaging and guidance for media opportunities and interviews. 
• Work closely with the COO and other members of the Management Team on media campaigns, storytelling and message development.  
• Collaborate with Development and Marketing staff on messaging to our donor, volunteer and advocacy constituents. 

• Identify opportunities to elevate partner organizations and support collaborative media outreach efforts. 
• Help develop content for Alliance staff speaking at conferences and events. 
• Contribute to Alliance publications and website such as through reports and newsletters.  
• Represent the Alliance at meetings and conferences as appropriate. 
• Align all constituent communications with our organizational brand and values 

• Create a culture of listening and responsiveness to constituent and supporter voices 

Accountability 

The Director has primary responsibility for setting and reporting on the key performance indicators that demonstrate progress toward our media campaign goals. 

• Set metrics and KPIs for successful implementation of the media strategy and relevant annual targets, including the impact of Alliance press coverage 

• Consistently ensures all team members are appropriately informed on statuses of relevant work. 
• Identify key opportunities to align and collaborate on Alliance marketing communications and implement strategies to achieve both programmatic and marketing goals. 
• Report regularly to Leadership staff 
• Identify and recommend timely strategic and tactical changes to address shortfalls and missed opportunities 

Management 

The Director is responsible for the attentive management of media strategy workplans and budgets. 

• Create and track the annual budget and workplan 
• Ensure productive management and utilization of vendor services.  
• Mentor and coach staff to effectively represent the Alliance in support of their work’s media strategy 

• Illustrate the impact of our media efforts to staff. 

_________________________________________________________________ 

Knowledge/Skills  

• Bachelor’s degree and 7+ years of experience at increasing levels of responsibility 

• Exceptional written and oral communication skills   
• Demonstrated experience working across internal program teams and with specific program staff to develop and implement strategic communications and media plans that advance advocacy campaigns   
• Demonstrated experience identifying, translating and synthesizing technical and policy information to tell compelling stories to the media, influencers and decision makers, and supporting external partners to tell these stories to the media and other audiences  
• Experience managing external media relations and outreach. This includes the development and distribution of media pitches, press releases, talking points, and messaging, while also responding to incoming media queries.   
• Relationships with top-tier national, regional, and policy news outlets across all relevant media channels (including print, broadcast, and online)    

• Demonstrated ability to work with a wide range or partners on media strategy and delivery   
• Experience developing content for speakers at conferences and events 
• Prior demonstrated success at managing multiple projects covering a broad range of issues 
• Ability to approach challenges with an optimistic attitude and work with team members to resolve them. 
• Can comfortably and candidly assess strengths and weaknesses in their work.  

• Eagerness to work at both the “nuts and bolts” and strategic levels to help advance our policy work.  
• Passion for mission-driven public interest work related to clean water, climate adaptation, the Great Lakes, and the role of water in community and regional resilience and revitalization.  
• Unwavering commitment to diversity, justice, equity and inclusion.  
• Collaborative, collegial, with a good sense of humor and ability to adapt to diverse work styles; adept at working in teams and independently in both virtual and in-person settings. 

Job Parameters 

• This position is full-time and consistent with Alliance employment policy. Salary range begins at $100,000 with starting salary determined commensurate with experience. 

• Excellent benefits, including medical, dental, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, FSA, 11 paid holidays plus the business days between 12/26 and 12/30 (staff who must work on any holidays may take those holidays at another time subject to the employee handbook), 3 weeks vacation to start + PTO, and Fidelity 401(k) with employer match of up to 6% of salary, eligible after 30 days. 

• This is a remote position for candidates living in a Great Lakes state or in Washington, D.C., with occasional travel required. If located in Chicago, an office is available downtown for use.  

Application Process 

Please e-mail a cover letter, resume, references, and writing or work sample that demonstrates relevant qualifications to: hr@greatlakes.org. Include job title in the subject line. 

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Materials should be compatible with Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat. Applicants will receive confirmation of receipt of their materials and further guidance and updates about the hiring process by e-mail, with interviews provided for finalists. No phone inquiries, please. 

About the Alliance for the Great Lakes 

The Alliance for the Great Lakes is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The search process will reinforce the Alliance’s belief that achieving diversity requires an enduring commitment to inclusion that must find full expression in our organizational culture, values, norms, and behaviors.  

Our vision is a thriving Great Lakes and healthy water that all life can rely on, today and far into the future. We aspire to be a voice for the lakes, and to support the voices of the communities that depend on the lakes and their waters. 

The mission of the Alliance for the Great Lakes is to protect, conserve and restore the Great Lakes ensuring healthy water in the lakes and in our communities for all generations of people and wildlife. We advance our mission as advocates for policies that support the lakes and communities, by building the research, analysis and partnerships that motivate action, and by educating and uniting people as a voice for the Great Lakes.   

To achieve our vision and mission, everyone in our organization will live our values of Community, Relationships, Courage, Integrity and Optimism, and weave the principles of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion into all our work. Each value and principle is backed by measurable goals and expectations for our Board of Directors and staff. 

The post Media Director appeared first on Alliance for the Great Lakes.

Original Article

News - Alliance for the Great Lakes

News - Alliance for the Great Lakes

https://greatlakes.org/2023/07/media-director/

Michelle Farley

Summary

Title: Senior Agriculture Policy Manager 

Status: Full-time, Exempt  

Location: Ohio preferred  

Role: The Senior Agriculture Policy Manager (Manager) plans and executes policy analysis, advocacy, and project implementation under the Agriculture & Water Restoration sections of the Alliance’s strategy. 

Structure: The Manager reports to the Agriculture & Restoration Policy Director and works with other program, fundraising, and communications staff.  

Compensation and Benefits: Salary range starts at $75,000. Medical, dental, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, FSA, 11 paid holidays plus the business days between 12/26 and 12/30, 3 weeks vacation to start + PTO; Fidelity 401(k) with employer match of up to 6% of salary.  

Work Environment: Remote; occasional travel required. 

Overview

The Senior Agriculture Policy Manager (Manager) plans and executes policy analysis, advocacy, and project implementation under the Agriculture & Water Restoration sections of the Alliance’s strategy. The Manager implements work across the Basin – with a particular emphasis in Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin – to achieve the Alliance’s agriculture and water goals. They are the lead liaison to state and local decision-makers, project partners, and stakeholders in Ohio and will grow and nurture similar relationships in other Alliance focus states. The Manager maintains a working knowledge of Ohio agriculture and source water programs and policies as they affect the Great Lakes and uses that knowledge to recommend new opportunities within the Alliance’s programs. The Manager ensures timely and high-quality execution of relevant Alliance strategic plan deliverables and partners with a variety of other staff members to support internal work planning, external communications, and grant proposals and reports. 

A typical day at the Alliance is often self-directed and is based on balancing immediate tasks – tracking the status of a relevant bill in the Ohio Legislature– and longer-term projects within the Agriculture and Restoration Program, like quantifying the costs to meet water quality targets in the Western Basin of Lake Erie. These short-term and longer-ranging projects and tasks are developed in close coordination with the Director based on the goals under the Alliance’s strategic plan, but the Manager is afforded the flexibility and autonomy to develop their own approach to advance these goals on a day-to-day basis. Our policy work is highly collaborative, and the Manager should feel comfortable engaging – independently – with legislative offices and agency staff as well as facilitating meetings with stakeholders and partners on a regular basis. 

Responsibilities

Planning & Policy 

• Work in collaboration with the Agriculture and Restoration Policy Director (Director), to assist with the implementation of policy, governance, and funding mechanisms to support the reduction of agricultural pollution across the Great Lakes region.   
• Manage relationships with the state of Ohio Administration, lawmakers, and regulatory agencies. Including tracking relevant legislation and administrative programs. 
• Track the implementation of the Maumee River (OH) Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) and the overall changes in water quality in the Western Lake Erie Basin. 

• Identify emerging issues and programmatic reform opportunities to improve surface and groundwater quality in Ohio and Michigan 
• In coordination with the Director, assist in advancing policy and advocacy efforts in Ohio and Michigan with an emphasis on the Western Lake Erie Basin.  
• Identify trends in mission areas, create fundable concepts and leverage work and ideas for increased organizational impact related to agricultural pollution reduction. 

Outreach 

• Build issue-focused networks of key stakeholders with a focus in Ohio. 

• Be a leadership voice for the Alliance and for the Great Lakes in Ohio and across the region. 
• Create and conduct external outreach opportunities, such as public speaking, conferences, and presentations. 
• Serve as an Alliance liaison to the Ohio environmental community, identifying advocacy and partnership opportunities and engaging other Alliance staff as appropriate. 
• Work with Communications and Engagement team to determine and take advantage of opportunities to communicate to the media and Alliance supporters about the Alliance’s work in the Basin. 

Administrative 

• Create and keep current Alliance case statement supporting engagement in Ohio. 
• Assist in the development of short- and long-term work plans for Ohio and Michigan  
• Create opportunities to add strategic capacity to Alliance work through affiliate programs, fellowships, and staff recruitment when possible. 
• Contribute content to grant proposals and reports 

Knowledge/Skills

• Bachelor’s degree, graduate degree preferred, with at least seven years of increasingly responsible professional experience in managing natural resource stewardship, environmental organizing and coalition building, community-based planning or similar field. 
• Specific knowledge on state and federal agricultural and water quality policies and programs. 
• Familiarity with the process of policy development and advocacy, as well as addressing the barriers and opportunities for policy implementation to be successful.    
• Established network and relationship portfolio including stakeholders, experts, influencers, and decision-makers in Ohio and around the Great Lakes region 
• Excellent diplomacy skills – the ability to read and respond productively to the needs of different stakeholders at any time is essential. 
• Unwavering commitment to diversity, justice, equity and inclusion. Adhere to and exemplify these principles in addition to our values of community, relationships, courage, integrity, and optimism.  
• Ability to communicate a working knowledge of Great Lakes issues with confidence to diverse audiences. 
• Excellent listening, writing, and speaking skills. Must be able to speak publicly in a clear, compelling, and engaging manner. 
• Able to identify and engage target constituencies that are most likely to have an affinity for the Great Lakes and motivate them to act on that affinity.  
• Desire and ability to both lead and work as part of a staff team located in different offices with varying types of expertise and priorities. 
• Ability to pivot strategies and tactics to an ever-changing policy landscape 

Job Parameters

• This position is full-time and consistent with Alliance employment policy.  Salary range starts at $75,000 annually. 
• Benefits include medical, dental, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, FSA, 11 paid holidays plus the business days between 12/26 and 12/30 (staff who must work on any holidays may take those holidays at another time subject to the employee handbook). Employees start with 3 weeks vacation annually + PTO; Fidelity 401(k) with a match of up to 6% of salary after one month of employment. 
• The Manager position can be based in any of the Great Lakes states, but a preference is given to those candidates based within the state of Ohio. 

Application Process

Please e-mail a cover letter, resume and references to: 

hr@greatlakes.org. Include job title in the subject line. 

Applications will be accepted until (Date) or until the position is filled, whichever is earlier. Materials should be compatible with Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat. Applicants will receive confirmation of receipt of their materials and further guidance and updates about the hiring process by e-mail, with interviews provided for finalists. No phone inquiries, please. 

About the Alliance for the Great Lakes

The Alliance for the Great Lakes is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The search process will reinforce the Alliance’s belief that achieving diversity requires an enduring commitment to inclusion that must find full expression in our organizational culture, values, norms, and behaviors. 

Our vision is a thriving Great Lakes and healthy water that all life can rely on today and far into the future. We aspire to be a voice for the lakes, and to support the voices of the communities that depend on the lakes and their waters. 

  

The mission of the Alliance for the Great Lakes is to protect, conserve and restore the Great Lakes ensuring healthy water in the lakes and in our communities for all generations of people and wildlife. We advance our mission as advocates for policies that support the lakes and communities by building the research, analysis, and partnerships that motivate action and by educating and uniting people as a voice for the Great Lakes.   

To achieve our vision and mission, everyone in our organization will live our values of Community, Relationships, Courage, Integrity, and Optimism and weave the principles of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion into all our work. Each value and principle is backed by measurable goals and expectations for our Board of Directors and staff.  

 For more information about the Alliance’s programs and work, please visit us online at www.greatlakes.org. 

The post Senior Agriculture Policy Manager  appeared first on Alliance for the Great Lakes.

Original Article

News - Alliance for the Great Lakes

News - Alliance for the Great Lakes

https://greatlakes.org/2023/05/senior-agriculture-policy-manager/

Michelle Farley

Andrea Densham is a Senior Strategic Advisor to the Alliance for the Great Lakes.

Resources: Take Action

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The post Plastic Pollution Season 2, Episode 14 appeared first on Alliance for the Great Lakes.

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News - Alliance for the Great Lakes

News - Alliance for the Great Lakes

https://greatlakes.org/2023/04/plastic-pollution-season-2-episode-14/

Michelle Farley

James Kessler is a scientist from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory. His educational background comprises an engineering degree in Earth Systems Science and a Master’s of Science from the University of Michigan. He has dedicated his research efforts to understanding the intricate physical processes of large lakes and creating numerical models of ice and hydrodynamics.

Resources:

Great Lakes Products

Great Lakes Ice Cover

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Every Tuesday, the Alliance for the Great Lakes will chat with special guests about Great Lakes issues and dig into what it all means for you and your community. Subscribe to our Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Deezer (more platforms coming soon).

Hear More Episodes

The post Great Lakes Ice Cover Season 2, Episode 26 appeared first on Alliance for the Great Lakes.

Original Article

News - Alliance for the Great Lakes

News - Alliance for the Great Lakes

https://greatlakes.org/2023/03/great-lakes-ice-cover-season-2-episode-26/

Michelle Farley

Summary

Title: Vice President of Development  

Status: Full-time, Exempt  

Location: Chicago preferred  

Role: The Vice President of Development (VPD) will lead our strategic fundraising growth and donor relations efforts for the next five years and beyond. The VPD establishes and leads implementation of long-range fundraising strategy and will be a key advisor informing future organizational strategy.  

Structure: The VPD reports to the President & CEO, manages the Development Team, and works closely with other senior staff leaders. They serve as liaison to our Board of Directors Vice-Chair for Development.  

Compensation and Benefits: Starting range is $120,000-140,000, commensurate with experience. Medical, dental, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, FSA, 11 paid holidays, 3 weeks vacation to start + PTO; Fidelity 401(k) with employer match of up to 6% of salary.  

Work Environment: Flexible hybrid in-person downtown Chicago office and remote TBD; travel required.  

Overview

The Alliance for the Great Lakes seeks its next Vice President of Development (VPD) to lead our strategic fundraising growth and donor relations efforts for the next five years and beyond. The VPD establishes and leads implementation of the organization’s long-range fundraising strategy to support organizational growth during and beyond the current strategic plan. They will be a key advisor informing the Alliance’s next program strategy. They lead the Alliance’s effort to connect donors and resources to our strategy and organization and ensure that Alliance leaders are positioned to create opportunities for revenue growth. They build the networks, narratives and opportunities that energize and engage the Alliance’s individual donors, family foundations, and business partners.  

The VPD is part of the organizational Leadership Team. They work closely with the Finance and Operations Team, which leads on revenue & expense accounting, grant budgeting, Salesforce administration and reporting, and project management. The VPD also works collaboratively with the VP of Communication and Engagement and their team, which markets the Alliance’s lower-dollar donor program. They partner with the COO on management of foundation grant fundraising, which requires extensive collaboration with program staff.  

The VPD manages the Development Team, comprising the Foundation & Corporate Giving Manager, Individual Giving Manager and Development Associate. The team is responsible for day-to-day execution of institutional, family, and mid- to high-level individual fundraising. They are accountable for delivery of annual and multiyear revenue objectives, and for achieving growth and retention targets.  

The VPD will start work from a position of strength. Our staff of 26 and 18-member Board of Directors include some of the country’s leading Great Lakes advocates, experts and communicators. Our organization has a well-regarded record of recent and historic successes dating to 1970. The Alliance’s capacity stands tall among state and regional environmental advocacy organizations across the country, with more than $10 million in assets of which more than 70% is unrestricted. We draw more than $1 million in support from individual and family donors each year. Combined with a sterling reputation among private foundations and businesses, the Alliance generates more than $4 million in revenue annually from a diverse base of donors. 

The long-term goals of this position are: 

By the end of 2024, the Alliance can raise $5MM+ in annual sustainable revenue. 

Within five years, the Alliance is sustaining sufficient annual sustainable revenue to support completion of our 2025 strategic plan, with a likely target of at least $7MM, with most growth coming from individuals, families and businesses. 

A typical week for the VPD might begin with a round of donor follow-ups to secure meetings. After that, you meet with the CEO and Board Vice-Chair for Development to outline needs for a Board fundraising strategy planning session happening next month. Tuesday is major donor meeting day and you’ve been able to secure two appointments in the same day in the Chicago suburbs, but they are far apart so you are on the road and chatting with our supporters. Wednesday kicks off in the office with a full team meeting to confirm highest priorities for the next week. Later that day, you have individual check-ins with each of your staff. Last week at an event you attended, a current Alliance donor offered to meet to discuss a potential new six-figure gift, so Thursday you work with the CEO to decide how to frame the next conversation. Friday, one of your team members brings over marketing content from the Communications and Engagement team to figure out how to use it to reach our higher-level donors. You update changes in Salesforce for the week and get yourself ready to start follow ups again on Monday. 

Responsibilities

Strategy 

The VPD creates and leads the development strategy that supports the Alliance’s current strategic plan and positions the organization for its next phase of growth.    

• Create a fundraising strategy and action plan aligned to and integrated with the organization’s current objectives and long-term vision  
• Design program narratives, descriptions of needs, and success stories in ways that engage and excite the donors with the ability to grow the Alliance’s revenue  
• Set the annual revenue objectives with Alliance leadership, and design the tactical plans that will ensure progress toward the fundraising strategy goal  
• Create and lead an intentional moves management strategy that reflects a multi-year pipeline of donor upgrades, growth and retention  
• Provide guidance and recommendations on future organizational strategy in collaboration with the CEO and board leaders   

• Advance the Alliance’s diversity, equity, inclusion and justice principles in alignment with development goals. 

Relationships 

The VPD is the primary connector between the Alliance’s programs and those with the ability to support our work. 

• Maintain and grow a portfolio of primary donor relationships that provide a substantial annual foundation for the Alliance’s work 

• Lead creation of communications that energize and engage mid- and high-level individual, family and business donors 
• Activate the President & CEO, board members and other Alliance leaders on external donor relations, public relations and influence building, and specific gift ask opportunities 
• Design points of engagement throughout the year and across the region between mid-to-high level individual, family, foundation and business donors and the Alliance board and staff  
• Use convening and events to build and nurture relationships and philanthropic influence 
• Advise on creation of digital and print materials to ensure fundraising relevance of Alliance image and brand  

Accountability 

The VPD has primary responsibility for setting and reporting on the key performance indicators that demonstrate progress toward fundraising strategy goals. 

• Set metrics and KPIs for successful implementation of the fundraising strategy and relevant annual targets. 
• Partner with the Finance and Operations team to ensure revenue and donor data captured in Salesforce supports robust and transparent analysis of progress 

• Report regularly to Leadership staff and Board of Directors 
• Identify and recommend timely strategic and tactical changes to address shortfalls and missed opportunities. 

Management 

The VPD leads and supervises a team of staff and administers the Development department.  

• Manage development staff charged with tactical implementation of annual fundraising plans for mid- and high-level individual and family donors, institutional foundations, and businesses. 
• Create and track annual budget and workplan for department 
• Evaluate staff performance comprehensively, including for progress toward annual objectives and fulfillment of organizational values  
• Mentor and coach staff to listen to and partner with program staff to advance the fundraising strategy 
• Manage fundraising engagement of the Board of Directors through the Development Committee in partnership with the Vice-Chair for Development 

• Illustrate the impact of philanthropy to our full staff 
• Nurture, grow and develop a passionate, inspired and accountable staff team aligned to the Alliance’s values and principles

Knowledge/Skills

• Bachelor’s degree and 10+ years of experience in fundraising at increasing levels of responsibility, with a preference for a focus in major individual, family and corporate giving 
• Demonstrated success building and implementing multiyear fundraising strategy to grow a portfolio of mid and high level ($1000 – $100K+) individual/family and corporate/business ($25K – $100K+) gifts 
• Track record of building trusted relationships with individual donors, with intuitive ability to understand and communicate organizational programs, priorities and motivations 
• Demonstrated skill at crafting narratives and stories that amplify organizational success and create compelling cases for future giving 
• Expert ability to develop donor pipelines, and establish KPIs that inform efficient and smart tactical fundraising choices 
• Keen understanding of real-world fundraising environment, with demonstrated ability to adapt both to immediate external disruptions and  long-term trends 
• Staff supervision experience 
• Actively engaged in professional development and ongoing learning networks within philanthropy sector 
• Familiarity and comfort with policy advocacy as a primary organizational mission 
• Strong network and relationship portfolio in one or more of the Alliance’s priority revenue growth streams including mid-level individual, major individual/family, and corporate donors 
• Strong networks within the philanthropic community, especially in Chicago. Access to other networks in the Great Lakes region desired, particularly in northern Ohio, Michigan, and eastern Wisconsin 
• Innate sense of diplomacy, tact and poise around all kinds of people 
• Experience diversifying an individual donor base, with a priority of building relationships with donors across generational, geographic and cultural boundaries 
• Experience coordinating with mass marketing acquisition and stewardship that drives small donor giving and generates new leads 
• Experience motivating members of a board of directors to engage on fundraising strategy and relationship building 
• Unwavering commitment to building, managing and mentoring inclusive teams that cut across diversities of race, gender, culture, socioeconomic class, and geography. 
• Commitment to and passion for mission-driven public interest work related to the Great Lakes, clean water, climate adaptation, and the role of water in community and regional resilience and revitalization.  
• Commitment to Alliance values of community, relationships, courage, integrity, and optimism  
• Collaborative, collegial, with a good sense of humor and ability to adapt to diverse work styles; adept at working in teams and independently in both virtual and in-person settings. 
• Familiar with Microsoft Office Suite and project management software 
• Familiarity with Salesforce and commitment to using the system as the Alliance’s repository of all donor data and relational knowledge 

Job Parameters

• This position is full-time and consistent with Alliance employment policy.  The starting salary range is $120,000-140,000 commensurate with experience. 
• Excellent benefits, including medical, dental, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, FSA, 11 paid holidays, 3 weeks vacation to start + PTO; and Fidelity 401(k) with employer match of up to 6% of salary, eligible after 30 days. 
• The preference is for the VPD to be in the Chicago/southern Lake Michigan area due to proximity of donor base and staff team. Open to discussion of location with qualified candidates. Travel within the Lake Michigan region is required, with occasional travel elsewhere in the Great Lakes region. 

Application Process

Please e-mail a cover letter, resume, references and writing sample to: 

hr@greatlakes.org. Include job title in the subject line. 

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Materials should be compatible with Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat. Applicants will receive confirmation of receipt of their materials and further guidance and updates about the hiring process by e-mail, with interviews provided for finalists. No phone inquiries please. 

About the Alliance for the Great Lakes

The Alliance for the Great Lakes is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The search process will reinforce the Alliance’s belief that achieving diversity requires an enduring commitment to inclusion that must find full expression in our organizational culture, values, norms, and behaviors.  

Our vision is a thriving Great Lakes and healthy water that all life can rely on, today and far into the future. We aspire to be a voice for the lakes, and to support the voices of the communities that depend on the lakes and their waters. 

The mission of the Alliance for the Great Lakes is to protect, conserve and restore the Great Lakes ensuring healthy water in the lakes and in our communities for all generations of people and wildlife. We advance our mission as advocates for policies that support the lakes and communities, by building the research, analysis and partnerships that motivate action, and by educating and uniting people as a voice for the Great Lakes.   

To achieve our vision and mission, everyone in our organization will live our values of Community, Relationships, Courage, Integrity and Optimism, and weave the principles of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion into all our work. Each value and principle is backed by measurable goals and expectations for our Board of Directors and staff.  

The post Vice President of Development  appeared first on Alliance for the Great Lakes.

Original Article

News - Alliance for the Great Lakes

News - Alliance for the Great Lakes

https://greatlakes.org/2023/03/vice-president-of-development/

Michelle Farley

As the Alliance’s Agricultural & Restoration Policy Director, Tom leads work in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ohio to achieve the Alliance’s agriculture and water goals and implements regional restoration initiatives. In addition, he serves as a convener, organizer, and relationship builder at all levels of government and stakeholders, emphasizing state-level agriculture water policy.

Resources:

Bold Action Needed to Meaningfully Reduce Algal Blooms in Western Lake Erie

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The post The Cost to Meet Water Quality Goals in the Western Basin of Lake Erie Season 2, Episode 12 appeared first on Alliance for the Great Lakes.

Original Article

News - Alliance for the Great Lakes

News - Alliance for the Great Lakes

https://greatlakes.org/2023/03/the-cost-to-meet-water-quality-goals-in-the-western-basin-of-lake-erie-season-2-episode-12/

Michelle Farley

Speakers include Alliance for the Great Lakes policy experts:
Joel Brammeier, President & CEO
Crystal M.C. Davis, Vice President for Policy and Strategic Engagement
Don Jodrey, Director of Federal Relations
Jennifer Caddick, Vice President, Communications & Engagement (Moderator)

Resources:

Top 5 Great Lakes Federal Policy Priorities for 2023 – Alliance for the Great Lakes

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Subscribe to the Lakes Chat Podcast

Every Tuesday, the Alliance for the Great Lakes will chat with special guests about Great Lakes issues and dig into what it all means for you and your community. Subscribe to our Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Deezer (more platforms coming soon).

Hear More Episodes

The post Ask Us Anything! Great Lakes Federal Policy Priorities Q&A (Webinar) Season 2, Episode 11 appeared first on Alliance for the Great Lakes.

Original Article

News - Alliance for the Great Lakes

News - Alliance for the Great Lakes

https://greatlakes.org/2023/02/ask-us-anything-great-lakes-federal-policy-priorities-qa-webinar-season-2-episode-11/

Michelle Farley

As the Director of Federal Relations in Washington, D.C., Don Jodrey represents the Alliance and its federal priorities while building upon and maintaining its relationships with members of Congress, their staff, and federal agencies.

Resources:

Top 5 Great Lakes Federal Policy Priorities for 2023 – Alliance for the Great Lakes

Webinar Registration – Great Lakes Priorities in Washington, DC – Ask Us Anything!

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Subscribe to the Lakes Chat Podcast

Every Tuesday, the Alliance for the Great Lakes will chat with special guests about Great Lakes issues and dig into what it all means for you and your community. Subscribe to our Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Deezer (more platforms coming soon).

Hear More Episodes

The post Top 5 Great Lakes Federal Policy Priorities for 2023 Season 2, Episode 10 appeared first on Alliance for the Great Lakes.

Original Article

News - Alliance for the Great Lakes

News - Alliance for the Great Lakes

https://greatlakes.org/2023/02/top-5-great-lakes-federal-policy-priorities-for-2023-season-2-episode-10/

Michelle Farley

As Alliance for the Great Lakes president and CEO, Joel Brammeier oversees all aspects of the organization, leads a team of professionals across five locations, along with a base of more than 15,000 volunteers around the region dedicated to protecting clean water and building a sustainable future for the Great Lakes. Since joining the Alliance in 2001, Joel has become a leading voice on invasive species and water protection issues across the Great Lakes region. He has testified before Congress on invasive species solutions and advises state governors and Canadian provincial premiers on the implementation of the Great Lakes Compact, a binational agreement that ensures Great Lakes water stays in the basin.

As the Director of Federal Relations in Washington, D.C., Don Jodrey represents the Alliance and its federal priorities while building upon and maintaining its relationships with members of Congress, their staff, and federal agencies.

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Subscribe to the Lakes Chat Podcast

Every Tuesday, the Alliance for the Great Lakes will chat with special guests about Great Lakes issues and dig into what it all means for you and your community. Subscribe to our Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Deezer (more platforms coming soon).

Hear More Episodes

The post 2022 Post Midterm Election Recap – What It Means for the Great Lakes Region appeared first on Alliance for the Great Lakes.

Original Article

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News - Alliance for the Great Lakes

https://greatlakes.org/2022/11/2022-post-midterm-election-recap-what-it-means-for-the-great-lakes-region/

Michelle Farley

Fred Stonehouse is a maritime historian, author, and lecturer. He’s the author of over thirty books on maritime history, many focusing on the Great Lakes.

Carl Lindquist, founder and executive director of the Superior Watershed Partnership and Land Conservancy, a local nonprofit working on the Upper Peninsula dedicated to helping local communities adapt to climate change. 

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Resources

Superior Watershed Partnership & Land Conservancy – Dedicated to the protection of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan

Subscribe to the Lakes Chat Podcast

Every Tuesday, the Alliance for the Great Lakes will chat with special guests about Great Lakes issues and dig into what it all means for you and your community. Subscribe to our Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Deezer (more platforms coming soon).

Hear More Episodes

The post Stannard Lighthouse/Lake Superior Watershed Partnership appeared first on Alliance for the Great Lakes.

Original Article

News - Alliance for the Great Lakes

News - Alliance for the Great Lakes

https://greatlakes.org/2022/11/stannard-lighthouse-lake-superior-watershed-partnership/

Michelle Farley

At the Alliance for the Great Lakes Board of Directors meeting on September 16 in Chicago, the Board welcomed two new directors for a three-year term.

David Hackett

David Hackett is Senior Counsel at Baker McKenzie, LLP in Chicago, Illinois. He advises senior management, legal departments, and boards of major corporations and nonprofits on compliance, risk, environmental, and sustainability matters. Following his tenure with the Environmental Enforcement Division of the US Department of Justice, David joined the Firm, where he has played a formative role in establishing the Firm’s compliance, environmental, climate, and ESG practices. At Baker McKenzie, David has served as the managing partner of North America, a member of the Global Executive Committee, and a Chicago office managing partner. He has also been the North America Chair of the Compliance Practice Group and the Banking, Finance, and Major Projects Practice Group.

He advises or sits on the Board of numerous nonprofits, including  Alliance for the Great Lakes, World Business Council for Sustainable Development, National Parks Conservation Association Midwest Advisory Board, Prince of Wales Charitable Foundation Accounting for Sustainability, Chicago Civic Consulting Alliance, Chicago Academy of Science/Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Chicago CRED, and the UN Global Compact US Board.

He is a graduate of Haverford College and the University of Pennsylvania Law School.

Alan D. Steinman, Ph.D.

Alan (Al) Steinman is the Allen and Helen Hunting Research Professor at Grand Valley State University’s Annis Water Resources Institute (AWRI). He was the Director of AWRI from 2001 until 2022. Previously, he was Director of the Lake Okeechobee Restoration Program at the South Florida Water Management District. He has published over 190 scientific articles, book chapters, and books; has been awarded over $60 million in grants for scientific and engineering projects and over $5 million in private fund-raising, and has testified before the U.S. Congress and the Michigan and Florida state legislatures.

Some of Dr. Steinman’s professional service activities include membership on the National Academy of Sciences Committee to Review Everglades Restoration and science advisory boards/committees for the Great Lakes Advisory Board of the U.S. EPA, the International Joint Commission, and the University of Michigan’s Water Center. His community service includes serving on the Boards of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, The Nature Conservancy (MI chapter), Congregation B’Nai Israel, Goodwill International of West Michigan, West Michigan Symphony, and the Land Conservancy of West Michigan.

Dr. Steinman holds a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship from Oak Ridge National Laboratory, a Ph.D. in Botany/Aquatic Ecology from Oregon State University, an M.S. in Botany from the University of Rhode Island, and a B.S. in Botany from the University of Vermont (Phi Beta Kappa). Steinman’s research interests include aquatic ecosystem restoration, harmful algal blooms, phosphorus cycling, and water policy.

For a complete listing of Alliance for the Great Lakes directors and officers, visit our Board of Directors page.

The post Alliance for the Great Lakes Board of Directors Welcomes Two New Members appeared first on Alliance for the Great Lakes.

Original Article

News - Alliance for the Great Lakes

News - Alliance for the Great Lakes

https://greatlakes.org/2022/10/alliance-for-the-great-lakes-board-of-directors-welcomes-two-new-members-2/

Michelle Farley