The Mackinac Center for Public Policy seeks an executive vice president to work together with the president and other leaders to provide strategic and visionary leadership to the organization to ensure its future influence, credibility and viability. At the direction of the president, the executive vice president will direct the operations in the overall management of the Center.
Core Competencies:
The executive vice president will demonstrate at least the following core competencies:
Principled Decision-making: Clear and principled decision-making motivates the executive vice president. The principles of a free market and free nation, in alignment with those of the Mackinac Center, rather than personal or party loyalty, will guide all decisions.
Political Insight: The executive vice president will demonstrate keen insight into state, national and local politics and will be comfortable in expressing that insight in a variety of settings. This insight will also demonstrate itself as sensitivity to internal political challenges.
Operational Judgment: The executive vice president will demonstrate the ability to balance competing values and needs on an operational and strategic level. When key interests are in opposition to one another, the executive vice president will be able to work well with supporters, legislators, staff and other key stakeholders to ensure the best possible outcome at the direction of the president. The executive vice president will naturally and professionally represent the interests of the Mackinac Center.
Collaboration: The executive vice president will demonstrate an exceptional ability to work with and through people, especially under pressure, in such a way that goals are met and individuals and groups remain engaged in the Center’s mission. The executive vice president will be a builder of people.
Notable Tenacity and High Velocity of Work: The executive vice president will be energetic, optimistic and able to get results. He or she will have a proven track record demonstrating the ability to remain resilient.
Courage: The executive vice president will demonstrate humble courage and the ability to remain focused on a principled outcome even in the face of resistance and disapproval while maintaining a constructive and flexible manner.
Communication: The executive vice president will be an excellent communicator both of the details and of the intent while being able to create clarity and alignment, and will be an excellent communicator both individually and in groups, in writing, and through a wide array of media.
Demeanor: The executive vice president will have a winning personality and a warm sense of humor that fits the culture of the Mackinac Center.
Responsibilities and Duties:
The executive vice president shall be responsible for the supervision of most Center staff. These responsibilities shall include creating job descriptions, directing work assignments, setting goals, providing training, monitoring progress, giving performance reviews and providing input on compensation and employment status.
The executive vice president shall be responsible for developing and maintaining the Mackinac Center’s strategic plan, and shall ensure that all Center projects, publications and events are aligned with the plan. He or she shall prioritize and direct the assignment of Center resources in reaching strategic goals.
The executive vice president shall be responsible for developing the Board of Scholars and making full use of their expertise. This includes involving them in writing, research and speaking wherever and whenever it will advance the Center’s mission.
The executive vice president shall, when time allows, accept and fulfill speaking engagements that advance the Center's mission.
The executive vice president shall, when time allows, write and review Center publications where his or her expertise is required to further the Center's mission.
The executive vice president shall assist the president and the vice president for advancement in fundraising by cultivating relationships with contributors and prospects, and writing and reviewing grant proposals.
The executive vice president shall assist the president and the vice president for operations in overseeing financial reporting, the annual budget, and the annual audit and ensuring that Center financial operations are conducted according to generally accepted accounting principles and in a manner that promotes financial stability for the Center.
Minimum Qualifications:
Education
The executive vice president shall have completed an educational level that, in conjunction with relevant job experience, demonstrates a level of competence in the areas necessary to fulfill the requirements of the position. No particular degree is required.
Experience
The executive vice president shall have prior experience in managing people and projects, as well as have experience demonstrating the necessary political and policy competencies to fulfill the requirements of the position.
Experience with like-minded organizations, such as other think tanks, is helpful but not necessary. Candidates with a wide range of experiences will be considered.
Technical Skills
The executive vice president shall demonstrate a high level of proficiency in Microsoft Word Outlook and Excel, as well as be comfortable using social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) as a communication tool, and shall maintain a level of basic competency with other software used by the Center.
Organizational Structure:
The executive vice president will report to the president of the Mackinac Center.
Compensation:
Commensurate with experience
If you would like to be considered for this position, please send your resume, a cover letter and writing sample to careers@mackinac.org.
You may also mail your application material to:
Patricia Benner
Vice President for Operations
Mackinac Center for Public Policy
140 West Main Street
P.O. Box 568
Midland, Michigan 48640
