Executive Director – Albuquerque, NM
Organization: New Mexico Wilderness Alliance
Position Title: Executive Director
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Hours & Compensation: Full-time.
Position Dates: Start date April 1, 2013.
Application Deadline: March 15, 2013.
Posted On: February 15, 2013
Organization Overview:
The New Mexico Wilderness Alliance is a non-profit 501(C)(3), grassroots, environmental organization dedicated to the protection, restoration, and continued enjoyment of New Mexico’s wildlands and Wilderness areas. The primary goal of the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance is to ensure the protection and restoration of all remaining wild lands in New Mexico through administrative designations, federal Wilderness designation, and on-going advocacy.
Description:
The primary function of the Executive Director is to implement the strategic goals and objectives of the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance (NMWild) in accordance with the organization’s mission. This includes interacting with members, coalition partners and the Board of Directors in implementation of these strategic goals and objectives.
The Executive Director provides direction and leadership to the NMWild staff toward the achievement of the organization’s mission, strategic goals and objectives, and meeting daily operational requirements. S/he will have a passion for wilderness and the NMWild mission and will demonstrate high ethical standards in carrying out her/his responsibilities. S/he will have a strong sense of purpose and be a strong organizational leader, with skills, capacity and drive to ensure that the organization has (a) a strong financial base, (b) a highly focused, effective and efficient staff team in place, (c) a healthy and productive relationship with the Board of Directors, and (d) respect and influence in the broader community of conservation organizations.
The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors.
Responsibilities:
- Program, Campaigns and Advocacy. Oversees the design, marketing, promotion, delivery and quality of NMWild campaigns, programs and services. S/he ensures that the conservation goals and strategy of Board and Staff are addressed and participates directly in campaign advocacy as needed.
- Support for Board Operations. Supports operations and administration of board functions by providing appropriate information and advice to the board and assuring effective interfacing between the board and staff.
- Financial, Tax, Risk and Facilities Management. Works with the Board Finance Committee to develop a yearly budget, subject to board approval, and prudently manages the organization’s resources within the budgetary guidelines and in accordance with applicable laws, regulations and sound management practices.
- Human Resources Management. Works with Board Personnel Committee to update personnel policies, and effectively manages the human resources of the organization within the provisions of approved personnel policies and procedures and in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
- Community and Public Relations. Assures the organization and its mission, programs, products and services present a strong, positive image to relevant stakeholders. This includes maintaining positive relations with government agencies, legislators, staff, media and other conservation groups, and the development of material for the NMWild newsletter and other publications as needed.
- Fundraising. Oversees fundraising planning and implementation, and ensures that the fundraising efforts are carried out effectively and professionally. As appropriate, the Executive Director will meet regularly and develop relationships with key funding sources.
In addition to the above specific functional responsibilities the following general job performance categories, among others, will be used as criteria for job performance reviews of the Executive Director’s position:
- Commitment to excellence: maintains high standards in performing job responsibilities and inspires confidence in the quality of her/his work.
- Team work/interactions: maintains effective and positive working relationships with Board, staff and external contacts.
- Staff development: provides effective, timely and regular feedback and coaching to staff; gives staff appropriate recognition of their accomplishments; and creates and nurtures an effective team environment.
- Communications: communicates well both orally and in writing; effectively presents ideas and information, and keeps the right people informed of ongoing opportunities and problems.
Qualifications:
Education:
- Degree or significant studies in land conservation, wildlife biology, environmental protection, or similar areas of emphasis, or equivalent in work history and experience.
Work Experience:
PUBLIC LAND CONSERVATION
- Direct involvement in campaigns to conserve public lands.
- Coalition building and other efforts to garner public support for public land conservation.
- Collaboration with federal, state and local elected officials, as well as land management agencies, to advance legislative and administrative protections for public lands.
- Knowledge of public lands politics and history.
- It is desirable that the candidate have experience in New Mexico related to public land protection and/or familiarity with current and prospective campaigns in New Mexico to increase public land protection.
- Experience working in culturally rich and diverse communities.
MANAGEMENT
- Supervisory roles, preferably with regard to public land conservation or other work related to environmental protection.
- Institution-building experience taking organizations to the next level of effectiveness.
- Demonstrable leadership, strategic thinking and planning skills, and ability to lead and coach staff.
- Experience in achieving and maintaining effective relationships with Board of Directors, and effectively engaging the Board in the pursuit of the organization’s mission.
- Familiarity with “at will” employment and experience in reviewing job descriptions and carrying out performance evaluations.
FINANCE AND BUDGETING
- Familiarity with financial statements, ability to understand operating results and detect trends.
- Experience in developing and monitoring operational and campaign budgets.
COMMUNICATIONS SKILLS
- Experience cultivating and working effectively with Board of Directors, including Chairperson and specific committees.
- Excellent writing skills with the ability to develop written presentations, including reports to the Board of Directors, “op ed” material for local publications, articles for NMWild newsletter and internet site.
- Ability and experience in oral presentations, for instance with editorial boards, small groups and large conferences.
FUNDRAISING
- Demonstrable experience in developing and successfully implementing an organization-wide fund-raising effort, including foundation, individual and legacy giving.
NATIONAL CONTACTS AND RELATED EXPERIENCE
- Familiarity with Wilderness Legislation and Antiquities Act opportunities, including interaction with legislators ,executive branch decision makers, and the several national conservation organizations that provide logistical support for local campaigns.
- Experience with federal agencies responsible for managing public lands.
SPECIAL JOB REQUIREMENTS
- Commitment to working with a small non-profit organization with modest resources.
- Dedication to fostering a positive, respectful and friendly work environment in the main office in Albuquerque and in the various offices around the state.
- Ability to work long unpredictable hours, including weekends as needed.
- Ability to travel frequently in New Mexico and as needed to Washington DC and Colorado, Texas, Arizona and elsewhere.
How to Apply: Please send cover letter and curriculum vitae by email to [email protected] by March 15, 2013.
Contact Information:
New Mexico Wilderness Alliance, http://www.nmwild.org
142 Truman Street NE, Suite B-1, Albuquerque, NM 87108
