Leadership Maine Facilitator

Maine Development Foundation (MDF) is looking for their next dynamic Leadership Maine (LM) facilitator. In this contracted position the successful candidate will be passionate about Maine and leadership development. Working as part of a small team, this position will co-create curriculum design and delivery consistent with MDF’s brand, and the program will remain the premier leadership development tool focused on the Maine economy. 

Leadership Maine, now in its 33rd year, is the state’s premier cross-sector leadership program and features Maine as your classroom! We take a leader beyond their day-to-day experience and out into communities, businesses, and organizations across the state over the course of nine months. The class interacts directly with business and community leaders to learn how they are approaching economic and community development in their region. The program expands students’ capacity to enrich the teams they lead, their organizations, the communities where they live and work, and their ability to help shape our state’s future. 

The Leadership Maine curriculum is designed for leaders from all sectors and all regions of Maine to learn individually and as a cohort. Participants travel together to different regions of the state to learn from each other and from host businesses/communities in real time through on-the-ground sessions. In the process, they hone relationships, team building, and collaboration skills. Participants also work in project teams to understand and find solutions to real-life challenges facing Maine. 

Leadership Maine has graduated over 1,300 leaders who are leading the way in driving economic growth throughout Maine. 

Through carefully designed sessions, leaders: Learn first-hand about critical issues facing our state by exploring Maine’s diverse regions, assets, economies, issues, and people through direct interaction; Uncover and build upon their personal leadership strengths and opportunities for growth, and the skills to build effective teams through experience; Gain an increased commitment to making a difference in Maine communities; Develop important and lasting relationships with a diverse community of business, community, government, and educational leaders. 

Qualifications: 

-7 to 10 years of progressively more responsible experience in management, with a thorough knowledge of leadership development principles and/or training 

-Experience interacting and collaborating with a variety of stakeholders 

-Remain abreast of current market and industry trends (e.g., leadership development programs at the local and state level, books and other resource tools) 

-A deep understanding of and connections with the Maine economy preferred 

-Strong ties to various statewide networks and people 

-Extensive event planning and/or program management and delivery experience 

-Comfortable working in dynamic situations; flexible, solutions oriented, and a problem solver 

-Technologically adept, computer literate, with specific experience in word processing, desktop publishing and spreadsheet applications  

Leadership Maine alumni preferred. Ability to drive and have transportation for statewide travel. Some session overnights required. 

Scope of Work: 

-This position will start with the September 2027 – May 2028 program year   

-This position will facilitate a 1-day orientation in June, opening and closing retreats (3 days in September and 2 days in May, respectively), a 3-day bus tour in October, and 6 to 7 in-person journey days around the state 

-This position will collaborate with and design programming alongside other Leadership professionals – for example, MDF partners with Hurricane Island Outward Bound School (HIOBS) for many elements of the opening retreat 

-Typical class size ranges between 36 – 44 students  

-The consultant will partner with internal MDF staff support, namely the Program Director and Program Coordinator 

Submission Requirements: 

• Letter of Interest 
• Resume or CV 
• Proposed approach or methodology 
• 3 references 
• 5 testimonials from past clients/students/coworkers  
• Fee Structure 

Send all required documentation in a single pdf format to rvanadestine@mdf.org with subject Line: LM RFQ. All submissions are due no later than August 6th at 4:00pm. We anticipate a decision in September. : Provide a summary of the role, what success in the position looks like, and how this role fits into the organization overall.