Full-Time Executive Director
Job Description
Heartland Conservation Alliance
Executive Director
Description:
Heartland Conservation Alliance (HCA), an urban land trust founded in 2012, is a nonprofit organization based in Kansas City, Missouri (www.heartlandconservationalliance.org). HCA conserves, protects and restores natural lands within the Kansas City region, benefiting the community and future generations by improving water quality, creating recreational opportunities, protecting life and property, and preserving our natural and cultural heritage. HCA accomplishes its goals through collaboration with a network of public and private organizations and agencies that share its goals, values and objectives, and through public outreach and education. HCA works primarily in the Blue River Watershed, which lies within the confines of the Kansas City metropolitan area. The 42-mile Blue River is divided into eight Action Areas; HCA’s programs include a variety of conservation, restoration and educational activities in each of these sections. This year HCA completed the purchase of its first property as a land trust, a forty-acre tract of oak and hickory riparian forest.
The Executive Director is responsible for leading HCA’s strategic direction and overall management of the organization. The Executive Director is expected to identify and implement short- and long-term strategic goals, and to be accountable to the Board of Directors for achieving those goals. The board is in the process of creating a new five year strategic plan.
The Executive Director serves as the public face of the organization in Kansas City, and in regional and national environmental networks. The Executive Director leads all fundraising activities, including annual campaigns, one-time appeals, solicitation of government grants, and special events.
The Executive Director leads the organization in supporting diversity and inclusion. Our conservation strategies are enriched and made stronger by the contribution of the experiences, perspectives, and values of diverse individuals and communities. Environmental justice transcends political, cultural and social boundaries, and serves as a guiding principle to expand our network’s reach.
Responsibilities:
Organization Management and Financial Responsibility
- Develops and monitors an annual budget and provides overall management of the fiscal operations of the organization in cooperation with the Board Treasurer and the Finance Committee.
- Ensures the preparation of cash flow projections.
- Ensures regular evaluation and reporting of budget results.
- Ensures that systems are in place for effective financial management, fundraising management, and conservation management.
- Ensures Board and staff are in compliance with all internal policies and procedures, legal requirements, and financial standards.
Staff, Board and Volunteer Leadership
- Serves as staff liaison to the Board of Directors, including preparing materials for meetings, staffing Board committees, and assisting with special projects.
- Provides support and supervision to a Steering Council and Work Groups, both of which include community stakeholders
- With the Executive Committee recruits, trains, and evaluates up to 15 Board members.
- Leads a team of four full time staff, a contracted bookkeeper and other contractors as required
- Recruits, trains, motivates, and evaluates staff.
- Ensures professional development opportunities for staff to increase their effectiveness and keep them informed of new developments in their respective fields.
- Creates a positive working environment.
Planning
- Assists the Board in setting the organization’s strategic direction through the development and implementation of a strategic plan, fundraising plan, outreach and communications plan, and conservation plan.
- Works with staff and the Board to establish goals and strategies.
- Coordinates staff to develop multi-year and annual work plans.
- Monitors trends and organizational capabilities to ensure the strategic plan is current and accurate.
- Monitors, tracks and reports progress toward plan benchmarks.
Fundraising and Resource Development
- Cultivates major donor prospects, including individuals, corporations, and private foundations.
- Develops and maintains a portfolio of individual major gifts prospects and donors.
- Supports gift solicitations by Board and staff members.
- Supports the Board in the cultivation of major donors.
- Provides staff support and direction to Board fundraising.
- Researches and applies for appropriate government and foundation grants.
- Leads fundraising and annual campaigns.
Conservation and Land Protection
- Ensures that the organization achieves its conservation mission in a highly strategic and focused manner.
- Assists the conservation team in efforts to build and nurture relationships with landowners, key stakeholders, and agency partners.
- Oversees management of the organization’s conservation easements and fee lands.
- Ensures compliance with the Standards and Practices of the Land Trust Alliance.
- Assists in the development of conservation plans that guide future work.
Community Outreach and Education
- Oversees all communications and outreach efforts.
- Oversees the creation and production of all communications materials, including newsletters, marketing materials, social media and news releases.
- Establishes and maintains strong, positive working relationships with a network of partners and stakeholders.
- Represents the organization to a variety of audiences, including volunteers, alliance members, government agencies and officials, community leaders, and other partners.
- Communicates the organization’s vision and exemplifies its core values.
Working Conditions
Work is performed in the office as well as in the field, including some evenings and weekends. Telecommuting and virtual meetings are common for all staff. Travel is required to project sites, meetings, speaking engagements, workshops, professional associations, and other events requiring land trust participation.
Qualifications:
Qualifications of the Executive Director will include a Bachelors’ Degree, with significant experience or academic work in the sciences, particularly ecology or biology. A successful candidate will have proven leadership and management experience. Candidates must be self-motivated and highly independent workers, possessing strong written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills, and have excellent organizational skills. The ability to develop relationships and collaborate with partners is critical.
Salary and Benefits
Salary: $50,000-$60,000 | Health Insurance Stipend: $200 monthly
This is a full time position. The Executive Director is entitled to 15 days of personal leave per year, in addition to seven holidays.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, please submit a resume, cover letter and a list of references to [email protected] or by mail to Heartland Conservation Alliance, 6601 East 93rd Street, Kansas City Missouri, 64138.Apply for this Job
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