General Manager
Direct Hire
The General Manager leads day-to-day operations and long-range planning for the Casco Bay Island Transit District (CBL), reporting to the Board of Directors. The GM will lead a small, dedicated, year-round management team and long-serving year-round captains, deckhands and shoreside personnel who are members of a union. The year-round team of 44 grows to around 90 in the busy summer season.
From its terminal and offices on the waterfront in Portland, Maine, Casco Bay Lines provides ferry service 365 days a year to six unbridged, year-round residential islands in Casco Bay, offering comprehensive transportation services for passengers, freight and vehicles, annually transporting approximately one million passengers to the islands of Casco Bay. Islanders depend on CBL; its ferries have not missed a day in over 40 years.
CBL’s Mission “is to provide sufficient dependable, reliable service safely and securely, as affordably as possible, to preserve our year-round island communities. CBITD shall also provide incidental tour and charter services to residents of and visitors to the Casco Bay region to enhance the quality and security of the District's regular service to the islands.”
CBL is regulated by Federal, State of Maine, City of Portland, and other entities; boats are inspected by the US Coast Guard. An annual, independent audit of management’s presentation of the financial statements and compliance with Federal Transit Authority regulations is performed.
The General Manager supports the Board in the formulation of policy and acts as the public spokesperson for the District. They are responsible for operating the business in a manner consistent with Board policies and objectives as well as in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
More information: Casco Bay Lines – About
Responsibilities
Strategic
Cultivate a strong and transparent working relationship with the Board, ensuring open communication, alignment, and timely reporting of financial and programmatic milestones and goals. Ensure prompt disclosure of any urgent, safety or regulatory issues.
Collaborate with the Board of Directors to develop long-term strategic plans including assessing and mitigating risks.
Recruit, hire, and develop management personnel to meet the District’s Mission, execute long-term strategic plans, respond to challenges, and support staff ability to provide safe, reliable service through clear communications, and implementation of programs for professional development and performance management.
Become familiar with and build productive relationships with Islanders so as to maintain and improve service to meet islander needs. Work with the Board to gather input from island residents and develop metrics to measure islander satisfaction with CBL.
Operational
Direct and oversee day-to-day operations of the District, ensuring safe, on-time ferry service for passengers and vehicles and freight delivery to all islands following the schedule, in compliance with regulations.
Ensure that marine staff have the training, support and pride in their work to deliver this service and that CBL is an attractive, positive workplace where captains, crews and service personnel can be proud to develop and dedicate their careers.
Comply with current Collective Bargaining Agreement, share information with union members and plan for future negotiations that are productive and positive and support employees in fulfilling their responsibilities through communication and training.
Develop baseline measurement of employee job satisfaction and engagement through a standard survey and oversee measurable improvements. Insure high job satisfaction and a solid, collaborative, safety conscious work culture where differing backgrounds and perspectives are welcomed.
Evaluate the schedule, with input from captains and crews, and recommend changes to the board, to be discussed with the public, in order to be efficient, fiscally prudent, provide adequate service to islanders, and visitors as appropriate.
Develop, budget for and implement a plan to improve IT and software systems performance, addressing cybersecurity and business continuity, and ensuring financial integrity (in consultation with auditors) including data needed for decision making and measurement of organizational success.
Produce reports as required to the Board of Directors and prepare budgets, models, plans and proposals for the Board’s consideration. Serve as staff or appoint staff for the Board and its committees.
Financial
Deliver annual budget to the Finance Committee of the Board on time each year and ensure staff responsiveness through committee and board deliberation and approval process. Provide sufficient detail, including expense analysis and revenue scenarios to enable sufficient board review and sound decision-making.
Oversee Financial performance, delivering monthly financial statements to Finance Committee of the Board on time, achieving clean annual audits and maintaining financial controls to the satisfaction of auditors.
Prepare long-term (5-year) financial models and long-term strategic and capital plans for Board discussion.
Oversee implementation of capital projects in accordance with Board approvals. Ensure capital projects are fully vetted and communicated to all stakeholders and delivered on time and within budget, with exceptions clearly explained and communicated to stakeholders.
Negotiate contracts, leases, and major purchases to get the best deal for the District.
Oversee grant applications and compliance to obtain funding for infrastructure and to support operations following board strategy and in accordance with approved budgets and long-term financial plans.
Qualifications
At least ten (10) years of leadership experience; including operational leadership of an organization of more or less similar size, ideally in public transportation, business or a municipal and/or nonprofit enterprise serving customers/stakeholders or meeting targets daily.
Bachelor’s Degree required. MBA or master’s degree in finance or management preferred. Will consider a combination of education and strong operating experience.
Financial acumen, track record of overseeing preparation and achievement of annual budgets and operating plans as well as long-term capital and operating plans, through good times and tough times.
Track record recruiting and developing high-performing teams. Experience in a union environment highly desirable.
Experience with compliance and operating in a government-regulated environment. Knowledge of Federal, State and local rules and regulations governing public transportation, especially marine transportation is a plus, including FTA grant administration and capital procurement experience.
Excellent written and oral communication skills, including skills in presenting and gaining alignment across groups ranging from boards of directors, workforce, customers, and funding sources. Demonstrated ability to negotiate to reach win/win solutions. Record of working with and building positive relationships with a variety of stakeholders. Experience reporting to or being a member of a board of directors desirable.
Successful candidates will have a strong commitment to high ethical standards. They will hold themselves and their team accountable by setting clear priorities and leading by example with strong integrity, credibility, dedication, having a positive attitude, and keeping calm in a fast-paced environment.
Please send a letter of interest and resume to Mary Warren Libby, Director of Recruitment at ProSearch for consideration. mary@prosearchmaine.com
ProSearch is proud to be an affirmative action / equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, creed, gender/sex, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected under local, state, or federal laws..