Executive Director

The Green Award Foundation is looking for an Executive Director

Location: Rotterdam, Netherlands

Type: Full-time

Reports to: Green Award Board

About the Green Award Foundation

Established in 1994, Green Award Foundation (GAF) has been successfully committed to the recognition and stimulation of safer and cleaner shipping for over 30 years. The Green Award certification and incentive program for ships started with a program for sea-going vessels and launched a program for European inland shipping in 2011.

GAF’s objective is to promote safety and environmental performance by ships and crew above and beyond mandatory regulations through the provision of an incentive-based certification scheme. Identifying industry best practices in connection with new and near future conventions and regulations are key in motivating continuous improvement as well as forward-looking industry practices. The Foundation uses the UN Sustainable Development Goals as a roadmap to drive positive impact and is open to cooperate with other initiatives that synergize with its mission.

Position summary

The Green Award Foundation is at a pivotal moment in its mission to transform the shipping industry towards higher sustainability and safety standards. We are seeking a visionary Executive Director to lead this movement, guiding our internationally recognized certification and incentive program into the future.

As Executive Director, you will have a unique opportunity to shape industry best practices, engage with global maritime leaders, and expand Green Award’s reach. Your inspirational and enthusiastic leadership will be instrumental in motivating shipowners, ports, and maritime stakeholders to exceed regulatory requirements and embrace innovative, forward-thinking sustainability measures.

If you are passionate about driving change in the maritime industry, have strong leadership skills, and thrive in a dynamic international environment, we invite you to be part of our mission.

In addition to the above responsibilities, the Executive Director is expected to be a leader who inspires potential certificate holders, incentive providers and other stakeholders to engage with GAF’s mission. He/She will work closely with the Board and Board of Experts to ensure that the organization is fulfilling its mission and remains well respected within the international waterborne industry. The Executive Director will also be responsible for external relationships , in particular with key stakeholders, including incentive providers, Green Award Certificate holders, partners, waterborne associations and representatives of relevant public authorities.

Our ideal candidate will be a motivational leader and strong networker. The Executive Director will be a strategic thinker who is able to balance short-term needs with long-term perspectives, able to translate challenges into opportunities. He/She will have excellent communication skills and be able to represent our organization to a wide variety of stakeholders.

Key responsibilities

1. Relations to Board and Board of Experts:

1. Intermediate between the Boards and Green Award staff.
2. Safeguards that operations are carried out in accordance with the Foundations bylaws and policies.
3. Review, propose and update policies and procedures.
4. Draft, implement and updating the Strategic plan.
5. Propose revisions on Green Award certification requirements

2. Financial Management:

1. In partnership with the Management Team, create an annual budget.
2. Oversee and manage generated income in line with the approved annual budget.
3. Facilitate, in partnership with the Business Manager, external accountancy audits, ensuring that all financial records are in order.
4. Collaborate with the Board to ensuring that the organization remains financially stable and sustainable for the long term.

3. Operational Management:

1. Supervision of the Green Award Bureau and external contractors.
2. Supervision on work carried out on behalf of external parties.
3. In close cooperation with managers and team, keep the certification program relevant.

4. Staff Management:

1. Serve as a servant leader to the staff, providing guidance, motivation and support.
2. Foster a positive work environment and promote teamwork and collaboration.
3. Model and promote the organization’s values and culture, setting a high standard for ethical and effective behavior in all interactions.
4. Annually determine number of staff to be employed in order to preparing a draft budget proposal to the Board.
5. In partnership with the organization’s Business Support manager, set and manage terms of employment.

5. Marketing and Communications:

1. Maintain the organization’s brand and ensuring the quality of the messaging of the brand and vision to key stakeholders.
2. Act as the organization’s lead spokesperson and represent the organization at public events and speaking engagements.
3. Promotion of the Green Award program within the whole waterborne industry to highlight the Green Award’s work and encourage potential incentive providers and ship/barge owners to join.

Qualifications

1. Bachelor’s (or Master’s) degree in a relevant field (e.g. business administration, maritime economics and logistics, or equivalent).
2. Maritime background is desirable.

Skills

1. Language: English proficient (C2), Dutch desirable (B2).
2. Managerial experience, strong leadership, communication and interpersonal skills.
3. Demonstrated experience in motivating parties to joining forces.
4. Ability to work collaboratively with staff, Boards, incentive providers, certificate holders and other stakeholders.
5. Passion for the organization’s mission and vision.

Attitudes/Soft skills

Leadership, analytic, optimistic, team-player, flexible, willing to travel world-wide, willing to be available outside office hours.

We offer you

A Full-time position under Dutch law including excellent secondary working conditions and benefits.

Working within an international team.

A competitive salary, depending on age, level of experience and education.

To apply:

Please submit your CV and motivation letter detailing your experience, qualifications, references, and why you would be the best candidate for this interesting position to management@greenaward.org

https://www.greenaward.org/