Director, Center for Resilience and Economic Impact

Job Description

Department:

Provost and Dean of Faculty

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Employee Type:

Job Summary:

Colby College invites applications for the role of inaugural Director of the Center for Resilience and Economic Impact, who will guide the program’s strategic direction and establish it as a premier interdisciplinary and collaborative hub for addressing the critical need for resilience to adversity across Maine’s communities in the face economic, environmental, and social challenges. This is a unique leadership opportunity to build a program that will have a longstanding impact on communities across the state of Maine. The Center for Resilience and Economic Impact will be based in Port Clyde, Maine, home to some of the state’s last working waterfront that is vulnerable to many social, environmental and economic forces.

The mission of the center is to build resilience for Maine's communities and economy through data-driven, proactive approaches that leverage Colby's strengths in environmental science, computation, economics, and public policy. This work will also contribute to positioning Maine as a leader in building an innovation economy to develop economic resilience.

The Center for Resilience and Economic Impact is launching at a time of focused energy on the ways Colby meaningfully engages with Maine. Several key initiatives establish a strong commitment to this work with a network of partners. Colby’s investments in downtown Waterville have reshaped the city’s economic trajectory, helping to counteract regional challenges and exemplifying the impact of our partnerships with Maine communities. As the steward of Allen and Benner Islands, Colby has a significant presence on the coast for a wide range of academic programs and activities, including the Summer Island Fellows research program and extensive engagement with K-12 students and educators. The new Public Policy Lab at Colby College supports interdisciplinary research, immersive learning, and direct collaboration with policymakers, thought-leaders, and lawmakers, especially in the state of Maine. Colby also has developed a model of strong academic and research collaborations with a range of Maine institutions focused on enhancing research capabilities across the state.

The ideal candidate will have accumulated a set of experiences that make them an effective and passionate leader of interdisciplinary, collaborative initiatives that drive real-world impact for people and communities. A highly visible representative of the College, the director of the Center for Resilience and Economic Impact will work in close partnership with College leadership, faculty, staff, students, partner institutions, Maine communities, and state government.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Develop and regularly update a multi-year strategic plan for the program, including clear objectives, milestones, and measures of success, in alignment with the College’s vision and mission and with state and local stakeholder needs.
• Lead the development of core research, education and outreach programs focused on resilience and economy in Maine, emphasizing data-driven approaches to expand knowledge of community and economic resilience and adaptation strategies.
• Advance the work of the state by informing policy and assessing the state’s resilience goals with best available data and community engagement.
• Champion an interdisciplinary approach, integrating science, economics, engineering, public health, and policy to address challenges faced by Maine communities.
  
  

Research & Program Development

• Build and oversee a premier interdisciplinary research program that expands knowledge of Maine’s community and economic resilience.
• Foster Colby faculty and student research activities centered on Maine resilience.
• Develop and oversee the Summer Research Fellows program in Port Clyde, inviting Colby students to deeply engage with resilience and economic impact research questions with mentorship from the Director or Colby faculty and in conversation with community stakeholders.
• Integrate faculty-student teams with community partners to develop community resilience plans through courses or summer research programs.
• Organize and deliver educational opportunities, outreach, and community building events, such as summer lecture series and workshops for local community members or connecting community members to state-level opportunities for education or resources for enhancing resilience.
• Distribute seed research funds to faculty and students in collaboration with partner institutions and community partners.
  
  

Partnership & Community Engagement

• Serve as a hub for partnerships and collaboration across academic, scientific, and policy-focused institutions throughout Maine and beyond.
• Actively identify and cultivate key partnerships that further the mission of the center.
• Partner with Maine communities, state government, and research institutions to evaluate resilience, highlight successes, and inform policy.
  
  

Operational Management

• Guide, implement, and evolve the program’s operating and strategic plans.
• Develop and oversee communications and outreach strategies to promote the program’s programs, successes, and impact stories.
• Manage the program budget.
• Convene and steward an advisory board comprising national experts on resilience, leaders in the resilience economy, local stakeholders, and representatives of key partner institutions.
  
  

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education in a related field such as urban planning, public policy, environmental studies or engineering, or economics.
• 10 years of experience in fields related to resilience or interdisciplinary program development, ideally in a higher education, non-profit or research context.
• Demonstrated success in building and managing complex partnerships with academic institutions, government agencies (local and state), or nonprofit organizations.
• Proven experience in interdisciplinary research program development, with a track record of advancing strategic goals and informing policy.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to lead teams and collaborate effectively across complex organizations.
  
  

KEY RELATIONSHIPS: The director will collaborate with program-affiliated faculty, students, and staff, as well as the program’s Advisory Board. They will also regularly interact with external and internal partners, including government agencies (e.g., Maine Office of Community Affairs), academic institutions, non-profit organizations, community members, donors, alumni, and parents. The director will report to the provost.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: General open office and campus environment. Position involves sitting, although frequent movement is necessary. Computer usage involving repetitive hand/wrist motion is also necessary. Must be able to work additional hours during busy periods, including evenings. Ability to interact with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and external constituencies regularly is crucial.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: Successful and satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check).