Title: Associate Director - Gloucester Marine Station

Executive Area: Academic Affairs

College/School/MBU: College of Natural Sciences

Department: Environmental Conservation

Work Location: Gloucester

Schedule: Full Time

Work Arrangement: Onsite

Job Summary

The University of Massachusetts Amherst Gloucester Marine Station (GMS) is launching a critical development period. With a recently completed strategic plan, significant infrastructure investments, deep community ties, and university support, GMS seeks an Associate Director to support the Director in a blended role of operational management, strategic coordination, and research program development. The role will assist in developing a suite of high-quality, collaborative, marine and coastal research and engagement programs, in support of identified ecological, economic, and community resilience objectives.

We seek a collaborative thought leader with an entrepreneurial spirit. This position emphasizes leadership, the advancement of collaborative, interdisciplinary marine and coastal research, with a particular focus on resilient economic development.

The successful candidate will partner with the Director to implement financing and fundraising strategies for research and development, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and advance high-impact initiatives that support the long-term growth and development of the Gloucester Marine Station (GMS). The Associate Director will report to and work closely with the UMass Amherst Gloucester Marine Station Director. foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and advance high-impact initiatives that support the long-term growth and development of the GMS. The Associate Director will report to and work closely with the UMass Amherst Gloucester Marine Station Director. The position is based on site in Gloucester, Massachusetts.

Essential Functions

Strategic Leadership & Research Advancement:

Serve as the Associate Director and a senior leadership partner to the Director, exercising delegated authority to advance the strategic priorities of GMS and to address emerging issues through shared leadership and independent judgment.

Provide operational and strategic oversight, in close coordination with the Director, to ensure quality, coherence, and timeliness across interdisciplinary GMS initiatives, research programs, and applied projects.

Guide and communicate emerging research opportunities and community-identified needs to interdisciplinary faculty teams, catalyzing new community-driven research concepts, competitive grant development, and expanded student engagement opportunities.

Translate regional and statewide resilient economic development strategies into applied, community-informed research and engagement programs and applied economic development opportunities aligned with GMS mission and capacity.

Independently design innovative regional economic development, blue economy, and climatetech research and data management methodologies. Lead regional stakeholder coordination associated with the Northeast Climatetech Consortium and create associated student learning opportunities.

Position GMS as a high-quality regional platform for marine science and technology research and demonstration, fostering public engagement focused on ecological, economic, and community resilience.

Lead and support the identification and development of public and private entities with whom to foster participation and collaboration in GMS research, demonstration, extension, and student engagement activities.

Develop and sustain strong, collaborative relationships with interdisciplinary faculty teams, serving as a key liaison to align faculty research interests and priorities with emerging community needs and partnership opportunities. Facilitate the development of collaborative research initiatives, interdisciplinary projects, and high-impact student engagement opportunities that advance the mission of GMS.

Contribute substantively to the design and implementation of GMS research and extension programs, including research methodologies, data management approaches, program delivery, and innovative experiential learning models.
Advance immersive student internship opportunities in collaboration with faculty, staff, and external partners, aligning academic, workforce, and community impact.

Apply advanced research, evaluation, and coalition-building practices to strengthen cross-sector partnerships, program development, assess outcomes, and enhance the effectiveness of GMS initiatives. Develop evaluation frameworks, performance indicators and methods for assessing effectiveness and evaluate environmental, economic, and community outcomes through rigorous qualitative and quantitative approaches.

Represent GMS at professional conferences, public sector meetings, community forums, and university functions, as delegated by the Director.

Programmatic Responsibilities:

Coordinate with researchers (faculty, government), on-the-ground practitioners (municipalities, non-profits), and industry/start-up partners to advance climate resilience research and application via cultivation of new research & demonstration projects at the GMS.

Leverage GMS’s North Shore Blue Economy Phase I Findings & Vision Forward, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center’s Climatetech Strategy, GMS’s Essex County Economic & Flood vulnerability studies, along with regional partnership network resources to advance sustainable socio-economic research and regional economic development opportunities.

Support research & demonstration projects at GMS in response to regional and state needs through collaborative opportunities and partnerships.

Work with faculty, staff, and external partners to develop immersive student internship and applied learning opportunities associated with R&D projects.

Use leading research methodologies for coalition-building and program development to create change and monitor effectiveness.

Other Functions

Work collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, equality and inclusiveness.

Work in partnership with colleagues within the College of Natural Sciences (CNS) community and across the campus to support the CNS Dean’s strategic priorities.

Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the College of Natural Sciences.

Minimum Qualifications

Master’s degree with five (5) years of demonstrated experience in sustainable economic development and systems leadership OR a Bachelor’s degree with seven (7) years of experience in sustainable economic development and systems leadership.

Demonstrated professional experience leading teams, project management, leading data management and analysis, establishing successful programs.

Demonstrated expertise in economics, environmental management, and social policy, including the ability to synthesize interdisciplinary concepts, evaluate complex policy and environmental challenges, and apply sound judgment in developing strategic solutions and recommendations.

Ability to maintain a diverse schedule of local, regional, and statewide activities.

Ability to work independently to organize multiple tasks and set priorities for action, take initiative, be creative, and operate with self-direction in a fast-paced office environment.

Ability to set and meet deadlines while maintaining high standards of accuracy and quality.

Ability to collaborate well to formulate plans and objectives in accordance with overall goals; ability to identify and implement process improvements.

Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact effectively and work productively in establishing and maintaining harmonious working relationships with a diverse population of faculty, staff, students, and external stakeholders.

Demonstrated professional experience leading teams, project management, leading data management and analysis, establishing successful programs.

Proficient in Microsoft Office suite (e.g., PowerPoint, Excel, Word).

Proficient managing online meeting platforms (e.g., Zoom, Teams).

Preferred Qualifications

An advanced degree (master’s or doctorate) in marine science, environmental science, environmental policy, natural resource management, coastal or regional planning, public policy, applied economics, or a closely related field with demonstrated academic preparation in these disciplines.

Demonstrated experience collaborating with researchers in an academic or other research institution environment to foster interdisciplinary partnerships, align research priorities, and advance collaborative initiatives.

Highly organized multi-tasker.

Confident public speaker.

Curious and bold strategy builder.

Strong ability to work collaboratively with a team and drive individual efforts.

Strong interpersonal problem-solving and collaboration skills.

Demonstrated record of peer reviewed publications.

Strong research background paired with the demonstrated ability to translate and communicate research - written and verbally - to a range of audience types including government, businesses, academia, natural resource managers, and elected officials.

Knowledge of the northeast U.S. ecology of coastal systems and coastal Massachusetts communities.

Additional Details

This position is located at the University of Massachusetts Amherst Gloucester Marine Station (GMS) located in Gloucester, MA.

Since 1967, GMS has conducted pioneering, place-based marine and coastal research. For five decades, engaging directly with communities and businesses who rely on these systems for their livelihoods and quality of life, GMS work has benefited Massachusetts. Now, inspired by recent investment and the resulting success, UMass Amherst GMS begins a bold and exciting new era. Over the past five years, by engaging over 400 regional community members, and partnering with government, nonprofits, and the private sector, GMS has generated an historic level of growth and success. Four new faculty were hired, adding capacity and interdisciplinary expertise. Securing $8M in state and federal research grants has led to 30 new research projects, focused on economic, ecological and social resilience, spanning fisheries and seafood systems, marine ecology and conservation, blue economy and regional economic development, and salt marsh systems. Funding from 13 different state, federal, and university programs have enabled 50 undergraduate and graduate students to participate in immersive research and workforce development experiences. A $4.2M investment from the Commonwealth and UMass Amherst fueled priority site improvements in 2025-26 to support foundational infrastructure and resilient, interdisciplinary R&D opportunities – a new dock and crane, outdoor meeting and teaching spaces, and a Living Seawall that demonstrates both how we innovate to add ecological integrity to necessary hard infrastructure and how we are catalyzing student research opportunities. GMS is a regional hub for marine science and technology research and demonstration.

At UMass Amherst and in CNS, we strive to be a community where every individual feels a sense of belonging, where every individual is included, and where every individual is valued. These values and goals are reflected in the College of Natural Sciences’ Inclusive Excellence framework and in the UMass Amherst’s For the Common Good: 2024–2034 Strategic Plan.

This position is located at a working marine research station. The position will need to access a ladder to reach the dock and/or board a boat at times. The facility is on the water, so exposure to wind and weather in a working research environment is expected.

This position is subject to final budgetary and administrative approval.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in indoor and/or outdoor environments, and requires frequent lifting, bending, tool use or equipment use. May involve work in confined spaces or at heights.

Work Schedule and Work Arrangement

Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm

Salary Information

Pay Grade: PSSAP Grade 29

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Special Instructions for Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references.

This position will remain open for the time period required by any applicable collective bargaining agreement and will continue until a suitable candidate pool is identified. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early.