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The Northeastern Connecticut Council of Governments (NECCOG), one of nine statutory regional councils of governments in Connecticut, is seeking a forward-thinking; energetic; knowledgeable; and thoughtful, inclusive, and aspirational leader to become its next Executive Director, replacing the current Director who is retiring after thirty years of service. NECCOG is known for its innovation, development, avocation, and application of regionalism in delivering services to its member communities and wishes to continue this tradition. NECCOG is a chief-elected official driven organized forum for the member towns to discuss, facilitate and develop responses to issues of mutual concern.
NECCOG, which is made up of sixteen member towns with a combined population of 95,000 residents, is governed by a board of directors consisting of its chief-elected officials. Connecticut is unique in that it has no functional counties. Regional councils of governments are, in part, empowered by state statutes to accept or participate in any grant, donation or program available to municipalities; provide professional services individually or regionally. All regional services provided by NECCOG are determined and approved by the member towns.
NECCOG work is diverse and ever changing — focused on achieving results for our member towns through regionalism — offering a range of voluntary — member initiated programs and services — depending on the collective and/or individual needs of our member towns. These programs include: Land Use Planning and Technical Assistance, Transportation Planning and Technical Assistance (NECCOG is not an MPO – but does maintain a formal arrangement with CONNDOT and federal partners) at FHWA and FTA), Engineering, GIS, Economic Development, COVID Recovery, Property Revaluation, Paramedic Intercept, Public Transit (Northeastern Connecticut Transit District) Administration and Animal Services. NECCOG’s regional approach to problem solving enables our member towns to achieve efficiencies and economies of scale that individually would be difficult to realize. NECCOG’s staff, acting as an extension of each member town, have a range of expertise and experience to address and assist our member towns with their collective and individual needs. Staffing at NECCOG is currently approximately 30 individuals. NECCOG, as one of its core functions, maintains regional and state-wide relationships with an array of stakeholders and others important to the mission of NECCOG. Some of the work performed by NECCOG is confined to the 16 members towns and some have been extended to communities in other regions. NECCOG is also pro-active on issues related to regionalism with the General Assembly and the Administration – maintaining ongoing relationships with key policy makers.
NECCOG’s executive director requires a seasoned professional, skilled in the art of advocacy, diplomacy and building effective collaborations – coupled with solid administrative skills and experience. with a strong command of local, state, and national public policy. The successful candidate will have a combination of education and experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position, including the following:
- A master’s degree in public administration or a related field.
- Related increasingly responsible senior level supervisory, management, policy development experience, including active participation in the legislative process, in the public and/or private sector.
- Substantial public sector experience at the local and/or regional level is highly desirable.
- Any combination of education and experience would demonstrate the ability to perform the work of Executive Director.
A successful candidate will also have a combination of the following skills and competencies:
- Leadership competency to carry out the Board of Director’s vision, goals, and objectives through strategic and day-to-day operations of NECCOG serving as the principal resource to the Board of Directors for the overall operational and fiscal integrity of the organization;
- Proven ability to build and maintain strategic relationships with state, local government officials, non-profits organizations, the business community and others who can help NECCOG to advance its agenda and secure achievement of NECCOG’s policy goals;
- A solid track record of innovation – serving as a visionary leader in the one or more of the following fields: Regionalism, Municipal Functions, Strategic Planning and Public Policy – while displaying a high degree of proven personal integrity and character with a high-energy level in driving self and others toward goals and achieving results;
- Experience working at an executive level with a board of directors, or body of elected officials, and with a formal committee system or equivalent;
- Understands what it means to be politically savvy, without being political.
- A clear understanding of human resources and personnel policies, program development and evaluation, and budgeting and financial planning;
- Sophisticated understanding of policy-making and legislative processes and political dynamics (Connecticut experience preferred) that may have been earned from diverse environments (i.e., government, non-profit or corporate) representing a non-partisan organization that operates in a diverse political environment and cognizant of the political sensitivities regularly in play in the state and northeastern Connecticut region;
- Demonstrated understanding of human resources and personnel policies, program development and evaluation, budgeting, and financial planning, purchasing, contract and grants administration, and insurance and risk management skills;
- Demonstrated ability to build and lead a high-performing team and ensure all team members are trained, aligned, and collaborating to achieve year-over-year improved organizational results; and
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment, with a record of handling a wide variety of projects at one time and with the ability to be nimble in changing course or direction when needed.
This position is a “contract” position with terms of three (3) years, which is renewable. Compensation for this position is negotiable and competitive with similar positions and commensurate with experience.
Submit cover letter, résumé, and contact information for five professional references by June 21, 2024, online to Michael Jaillet. Questions regarding the recruitment may be directed to Michael Jaillet at 847-380-3240 x 137. NECCOG is an Equal Opportunity Employer actively seeking and encouraging a diverse pool of applicants for consideration.
Application Deadline: June 21, 2024
Posted: 2024-06-24
