Mystic Aquarium seeks an experienced, mission-driven President and Chief Executive Officer to lead the organization into its next chapter, defined by expanded conservation impact, philanthropic growth, and deeper community relevance. Reporting to the Board of Trustees, this leader will set the strategic direction, build organizational capacity, and ensure Mystic Aquarium is well-positioned to advance its mission to protect aquatic life and empower communities to save our oceans.
- The ideal candidate will bring strong management skills and genuine business acumen and be able to translate compelling goals into sustained, measurable outcomes.
- Beyond operational expertise, this leader must be a visionary who looks at an institution with a proud, more than 50-year history, an extraordinary animal collection, a nationally recognized rescue program, and a deeply loyal community, and sees, with clarity and conviction, the remarkable organization it is becoming.
- This is an opportunity to lead a distinctive institution at a pivotal moment.
- A strategic plan has been developed that provides a meaningful starting point; the incoming CEO will be expected to bring fresh eyes to this plan, innovating, revising, and creating the right blueprint moving forward, ensuring that the strategy is grounded in current realities and shaped by an aspirational vision.
- The central mandate is to build on Mystic Aquarium's stable foundation while helping the organization evolve to meet the growing demands of its mission and the extraordinary opportunities ahead.
- Success will require a leader who can galvanize both internal and external audiences around a shared vision, generating the enthusiasm, trust, and commitment needed to move the organization forward together.
- The CEO will understand the inherent connection between the Aquarium's revenue-generating capacity and its ability to support the conservation, education, and research initiatives that are foundational to its mission.
- Diversifying that revenue model will be a defining priority, moving the organization away from its current concentration in gate admissions and visitor spending toward a stronger, more sustainable balance between earned and contributed income.
- The new President and CEO will work with an enthusiastic and devoted community to chart the course for Mystic Aquarium's next exciting phase.
- In the near term, they will assess the organization, build trust with the Leadership Team, and craft a compelling philanthropic narrative that engages donors in the Aquarium's rescue, research, education, and conservation work.
- In the long term, they will prepare the organization for a potential capital campaign; guide master planning for facilities and animal habitats, including a dedicated animal rescue facility; and ensure that Mystic Aquarium expands its audience while maintaining the excellence in animal care and scientific engagement that defines its reputation.
- This leader will elevate the Aquarium's visibility across the philanthropic, scientific, and civic communities it serves and ensure that one of the region's most beloved institutions remains an indispensable force for ocean conservation for generations to come.
- Experience Required
- To fulfill this mandate, three key capabilities are crucial. First, the new CEO must be an authentic and effective champion of the organization.
- This highly visible and influential leader, well-connected politically at both state and federal levels, will establish a strong fundraising foundation by engaging philanthropic organizations, strengthening corporate partnerships, and making a compelling case for investing in the Aquarium's mission.
- They should strategically position the organization as a conservation leader and develop relationships with peer institutions, academic partners, and civic leaders to broaden the Aquarium's influence regionally, nationally, and internationally.
- Second, this leader must be an inspiring internal figure and a decisive culture builder, earning the trust of a talented staff, clarifying accountability across departments, strengthening management at all levels, and fostering a transparent, mission-driven workplace that retains top talent and attracts new professionals.
Third, and equally important, is governance:
- the next CEO must actively nurture the relationship with the Board, engage trustees in their philanthropic and governance roles, and maintain a high-trust, productive partnership between the Board and staff to support the organization's aspirational goals.
Salary
- $450,000 to $480,000 plus a performance-based bonus
