The Environmental Law Institute (ELI), with the assistance from Russell Reynolds Associates, is seeking a President to lead the organization in advancing its mission to foster innovative, just, and practical law and policy solutions to enable leaders across borders and sectors to make environmental, economic, and social progress.
THE ROLE
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the President has ultimate responsibility and is accountable for management of the strategic, programmatic and financial operations of the organization. In collaboration with the Board of Directors, the President will play an instrumental role in broadening the organization's commitment and impact by driving new strategic initiatives consistent with ELI's mission. The President will lead and actively engage in the development, implementation, execution and evaluation of these initiatives.
The President will partner with the Vice President of Research and Policy to define areas of research focus in order to build on ELI strengths and to ensure that ELI’s work addresses significant emerging issues in environmental law and governance and maintains and enhances ELI’s engagement in and commitment to international environmental programs. He/She will also partner with the Executive Vice President (who is also the Editor-in-Chief of the Environmental Law Reporter) to plan, develop, and maintain high quality educational programs and ELI publications, including the Environmental Law Reporter, The Environmental Forum magazine, newsletters, and books. He/She also writes the President’s column in The Environmental Forum.
The President will:
- Provide strategic vision and leadership for the continued development of ELI’s financial support, membership, and organization;
- Lead ELI in prioritizing, cultivating, and implementing a program that supports its vision, mission and policy objectives worldwide, all in furtherance of enhancing ELI’s stature and effectiveness;
- Ensure that all ELI activities and programs meet the highest standards of ethics and transparency;
- Work closely and collaboratively with the Board of Directors to benefit from their experience and expertise and to encourage their support for and involvement in ELI’s activities;
- Provide intellectual leadership and foster research and analysis on complex and pressing environmental challenges while encouraging creativity and innovation among a capable staff and committed and diverse membership;
- Personally communicate, and enhance the institutional communication of, ELI’s mission, activity, and results to wide audiences of interest, including skilled use of print and digital media;
- Convene leaders across industry, legal, regulatory, not-for-profit, and academic sectors to exchange best practices, enhance understanding through robust debate, and ultimately build the skills and capacity of tomorrow’s leaders and institutions.
CANDIDATE PROFILE
ELI is seeking a leader of significant accomplishment with strong operational management capacity, intellectual breadth and rigor, external convening power, and practical experience within the non-profit, government, academic, legal and/or business sectors. The successful candidate should be skilled in managing an organization of similar scale and have experience working closely with a Board of Directors, high-level staff, prominent stakeholders and other constituents to achieve organizational objectives in a fiscally responsible and effective manner.
The candidate should be a passionate and dynamic spokesperson who excels in both written and oral communication and is flexible and able to represent ELI effectively in any setting. This individual should have direct experience in building effective partnerships, fundraising and development of alternative revenue streams. In addition, the candidate should have the marketing acumen to think strategically about furthering the brand awareness of ELI and its programs to influencers and consumers.
It is preferred that this individual have a background in environmental law and a track record that offers significant credibility to the various stakeholders of ELI. The individual should have a demonstrated commitment to developing strategies and programs that enhance national and global environmental governance and a sophisticated understanding of the complexity of issues surrounding these areas.
The candidate should be someone who can listen to and learn from key stakeholders inside and outside the organization. This individual should have the capacity to foster constructive and transparent dialogue and collaboration among people, at times on opposing sides of sensitive issues, while respecting the history and mission of ELI and its members.
In terms of the performance and personal competencies required for the position, we highlight the following:
Setting Strategy
The President should be a strategic leader with strong political acumen and interpersonal skills. He/she should have outstanding judgment and be a critical thinker, able to develop strategy and make strategic decisions about the direction of the organization from both a public policy and business perspective. The President should be able to assimilate and balance the many different interests of various constituents.
Leading Teams
The candidate should have the leadership necessary to be effective in an organization of motivated professionals with a diverse set of skills and perspectives. The candidate should foster a culture of engagement and empowerment, convening and leading to achieve excellence. The candidate should have the ability to set priorities decisively, delegate responsibilities, assure accountability and allocate resources to ensure results.
Communication and Fundraising Skills
He/she should be an inspiring communicator who can articulate ELI’s vision and direction to a wide audience and also be effective in one-on-one conversations. He/she should have the ability to connect with and secure resources and results from international leaders, government policy makers, corporate executives, lawyers, partners, scientists, NGO leaders, donors, Directors and staff. He/she should have a demonstrated ability to fundraise effectively on a global scale and the gravitas to cultivate and attract Board and Leadership Council members, Annual Dinner Star Sponsors and Dinner attendees, speakers, and writers who are important to ELI’s success.
Environmental and Policy Knowledge
The candidate should have deep substantive knowledge of how the legal, political, public policy and advocacy apparatus in Washington and beyond operates. She/he should have a presence and credibility in Washington and/or the international environmental profession, should be highly respected and have the ability to deal across the political aisle and with all branches of government. Regardless of political background, she/he needs to be politically savvy and have the ability to cultivate strong relationships with all key external constituencies and policy makers.
Interpersonal Acumen
The candidate should have the interpersonal skills and intellect needed to recruit, retain, motivate, and inspire professional staff, current and prospective donors, members and partners. This person should be an active listener, demonstrate respect for others and, in turn, gain their respect. The candidate should be able to develop positive and productive relationships, decisively build consensus and engage people and institutions towards achieving goals.
Compensation
ELI is offering a competitive compensation and benefits package designed to attract a candidate of significant recognition and accomplishment.
TO EXPRESS INTEREST IN THIS OPPORTUNITY, PLEASE CONTACT:
Jamie Hechinger, Denise Grant, and Barbara Dolgin
Russell Reynolds Associates
1700 New York Avenue, NW
Suite 400
Washington, DC 20006-5805
Tel: +1-202-628-2150
Direct: +1-202-654-7800
Fax: +1-202-331-9348
ELI is an equal opportunity employer strongly committed to achieving an
inclusive, diverse workforce that values every individual. Minority candidates are encouraged to apply.