Executive Director

Executive Director - Chaplaincy Institute of Maine (ChIME)

ChIME’s History and Reach 

The Portland-based Chaplaincy Institute of Maine (ChIME) is a two-year interfaith educational program for students seeking spiritual growth and ordination as interfaith ministers.  ChIME welcomes students from all faith backgrounds who demonstrate respect for and a curiosity about the world’s wisdom traditions. It has served students from Maine and beyond for almost 20 years. 

One of only a handful of interfaith chaplaincy programs in the United States, ChIME​ represents a unique voice as it lives out its mission to pioneer interfaith spiritual care in a rapidly evolving spiritual landscape and at a time of significant spiritual challenge. According to national polling done by the Pew Research Center in August 2020, roughly 60 percent of respondents identified themselves as “secular spiritualists,” unaffiliated with any religion. ChIME’s programming emphasizes a commitment to communal and personal well-being and service as well as the healing power of self-reflection, the arts, and nature.  ChIME’s commitment to Interfaith exploration and education places it in a central role in a time of cultural shifts.

Since 2002, ChIME students and graduates have delivered more than 61,200 hours of community service to well more than 100 Maine organizations. ChIME alumni serve as Interfaith chaplains at hospitals, hospice centers, fire departments, senior living facilities, colleges, nursing homes, prisons, schools, youth centers, and elsewhere. The beneficiaries of our service include Maine Medical Center, the American Red Cross, the Center for Grieving Children, Bowdoin College, The Telling Room, and the founding of Furniture Friends for newly arrived refugees, among many others. 

For more information about ChIME,its interfaith education programs, and its community work, please visit https://www.chimeofmaine.org

Characteristics of the Ideal Candidate 

The right candidate will become ChIME’s first full-time Executive Director at a critical juncture. ChIME is beginning its post-founder years eager to attain greater long-range fiscal sustainability and a professional grounding for itself organizationally and programmatically.

ChIME seeks a proven leader with in-depth, across-the-board experience managing a non-profit organization. The successful applicant will have 5+ years as executive leader at a stable, well-regarded nonprofit and a B.A. or advanced degree. She or he should exhibit sophisticated leadership characteristics developed across years of management experience. The candidate should also be highly collaborative and fluent in best-practice approaches to all elements of sustainable non-profit organizations. 

Additionally, the candidate should have a proven record of successful foundation and major-donor “asks” and an active network of prospective donors. She or he should also be well-versed in how to raise the public profile of emerging non-profits.

Other core competencies for the successful candidate include: a) the capacity to represent ChIME in the community, b) strong strategic capability, c) financial-management experience, d) the ability to thoughtfully manage staff and create a broader volunteer base to meet the organization’s crucial mission; and e) the experience to facilitate effective Board/Staff teamwork.

Religious education or certification is not a requirement of the job. However, the successful applicant will be a good cultural fit, someone who is aligned with and enthusiastic about ChIME’s spiritual and supportive ethos and programming. Personal commitment to one’s own spiritual growth is highly desired. 

Position Scope

Beginning in the first quarter of calendar year 2021, the Executive Director will lead a small staff comprising talented, creative individuals eager for leadership and committed to building ChIME’s long-range mission. Under her/his leadership, ChIME seeks to: 

Bolster its financial health by diversifying and strengthening its revenue streams and growing its reserves; Increase ChIME’s visibility in the media and among thought leaders; Connect the broad community of people in Maine that need spiritual succor and support in an unprecedented and challenging environment with ChIME; Take the lead in creating a strategic, long-range development and fundraising plan;  Effectively tell ChIME’s story of bringing active hope to individuals and communities throughout and increasingly beyond New England through new, on-line programming;  Work directly with the Board of Trustees to steward existing supporters of ChIME and to identify and work with other major philanthropic sources, both foundation-related and individual; Increase partnerships and collaborations with the more than 150 organizations served by ChIME’s students and alumni, deepening ChIME’s service to the community in a time of significant spiritual challenge;  Broaden ChIME’s vision and programming to meet the needs of this time;  Continue to expand its support for a growing alumni base so they are creatively engaged in their communities; and  Build bridges to select national and international interfaith programs and traditional faith communities.

To Apply 

Please submit a cover letter detailing your qualifications for and interest in this position, as well as a current resume or C.V. to chime.boardoftrustees@gmail.com.

Applications will be accepted through February 15, 2021. Candidates are encouraged to apply immediately.

Non-discrimination Policy 

ChIME does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, national origin, ancestry, public assistance, ethnic background, religion, marital status, economic class, age, disability or handicap (mental or physical), sex, creed, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression and any other legally protected characteristics in admission or participation in its programs, services and activities, or in employment.