About Community Boating, Inc.
Community Boating, Inc. (CBI) is the nation’s oldest public sailing organization with a mission to build a diverse community, promote personal growth, and inspire appreciation of the natural environment through sailing. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, CBI serves individuals of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds, providing affordable and accessible sailing, kayaking, and windsurfing programs to the Greater Boston community.
CBI is located on Boston’s Charles River Esplanade between the Hatch Shell and the Longfellow Bridge. The organization operates from a 1-acre site with a two-story building fully equipped with classrooms, multipurpose space, offices, and equipment storage areas. Shoreline operations accommodate over 100 boats, and the floating dock system is fully ADA-compliant. Programming runs 8 months, with an organizational budget of $2.5 million and a focus on youth programs, adaptive sailing, and lifelong learning. CBI serves over 15,000 adults, youth, and families annually. Founded in 1946, CBI is a leader in community sailing and continues to prioritize accessibility and affordability in all its initiatives.
Position Summary
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director is a key leader in advancing CBI’s mission and ensuring the organization’s sustainability and impact. This role involves strategic planning, program oversight, financial stewardship, fundraising, and staff and volunteer development while fostering partnerships and community engagement.
Primary Job Duties & Responsibilities
Drive alignment between the organization’s mission and its programs, strategic goals, and community outreach efforts.
- Collaborate with the Board of Directors to develop, refine, and execute CBI’s strategic plan.
- Act as the primary spokesperson and advocate for CBI, cultivating relationships with community stakeholders, donors, and local organizations.
- Build and maintain a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, innovation, and excellence throughout the organization.
Ensure the effective delivery of high-quality sailing and water sports programs in alignment with CBI’s mission and values.
- Oversee the quality, safety, accessibility, and inclusivity of all programs, with particular attention to youth and individuals with disabilities.
- Evaluate program performance, implementing enhancements to meet evolving needs including retaining existing CBI participants and attracting new participants.
- Manage the maintenance of facilities and fleet to industry standards.
- Ensure compliance with organizational bylaws and best practices in operational management.
Develop and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies to ensure the financial health and growth of the organization.
- Lead donor cultivation, grant writing, sponsorship initiatives, and special events.
- Strengthen relationships with existing donors while identifying and engaging new funding opportunities.
- Partner with the Board of Directors to create and implement a sustainable and diversified development strategy.
Maintain the financial health, transparency, and compliance of the organization.
- Prepare the annual budget for approval by the Board of Directors, ensuring fiscal accountability.
- Manage organization according to approved budget.
- Regularly assess and update operational fees to maintain revenue alignment.
- Ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and internal policies while proactively managing organizational risk.
- Collaborate with the Board on legal documents, official correspondence, and key financial decisions.
Foster a cohesive and effective team to achieve organizational goals.
- Recruit, retain, and mentor a talented and mission-driven team of staff and volunteers.
- Create a supportive work environment emphasizing collaboration, professional development, and innovation.
- Implement and uphold HR policies and practices that promote inclusivity and equity.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will have a notable record of nonprofit administration, sailing leadership, and the capacity to ensure scalability and long-term sustainability for CBI.
- Bachelor’s degree preferred; advanced degree in nonprofit management, business administration, or a related field is a plus.
- Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience, preferably in a nonprofit, community organization, or recreational/educational setting.
- Proven experience in nonprofit leadership, program development, and fundraising.
- Strong organizational abilities including planning, program development, data-driven evaluation, delegating, and task facilitation.
- Strong financial management and strategic planning skills.
- Demonstrated ability to cultivate donor relationships and secure funding.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of organizational leadership.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Strategic in focus and able to gain support and execute approved plans and directions, sometimes exhorting the Board to make actionable decisions, with a strong and natural ability to analyze and communicate the reasons behind recommendations.
This full-time position requires weekends and occasional evenings. Current CPR, First-aid, and SafeSport certifications must be obtained. Prior to employment, the successful candidate will have a background check conducted.
How to Apply
Email a cover letter and resume to [email protected]
