Executive Director Golden Gate Audubon-Berkeley, CA

Position Title: Executive Director

Reports to: Board of Directors

Location: Berkeley, CA

The Golden Gate Audubon Society is dedicated to protecting Bay Area birds and wildlife and to connecting people of all ages and backgrounds with the natural world. We lead strategic advocacy, habitat restoration, and public education to engage Bay Area residents in the protection of our shared, local environment.

Golden Gate Audubon Society is an independent chapter of the National Audubon Society. We operate with a small staff, an active Board of Directors, and a large community of committed volunteers.

The Executive Director is charged with leading a sustainable organization that effectively achieves its environmental conservation and education goals. He or she is responsible for organizational planning and development, fundraising and financial management, and supporting a staff of five. The Executive Director is also our lead spokesperson to the media, funders, public agencies, conservation allies, and elected officials.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead Programs and Operations: Oversee Golden Gate Audubon Society’s conservation, education, and volunteer programs. Lead strategic planning and execution, conduct regular reviews of progress on attaining organizational goals, and communicate progress to staff, board members, and the public.

• Support the Board of Directors in Organizational Governance: Work closely with the Board of Directors to implement our strategic and financial plans. Facilitate Board activities, including Board meetings, recruitment, and training.
• Lead Fundraising Efforts and Provide Fiscal Oversight: Lead efforts to develop and sustain a diverse funding base to support Golden Gate Audubon Society’s roughly $550,000 budget. Prepare and manage a balanced budget. Lead program staff in fundraising activities, including donor relationships, grant applications and reporting, appeals, and major events.
• Manage Staff and Volunteers: Promote an organizational culture that fosters strong teamwork, effective communication, and commitment to Golden Gate Audubon Society’s mission and goals. Support the success of five full- and part-time staff members and a broad network of dedicated and energetic volunteers.
• Serve as Primary Organizational Spokesperson: Serve as chief spokesperson to media and the public. Clearly communicate with members and funders. Establish ongoing relationships with public and private partners, decision-makers, and stakeholders. Execute the organization’s communication plan with the Communication Director and the Board of Directors.
• Support Conservation Advocacy: In partnership with our active EastBay and San Francisco conservation volunteer committees, identify Golden Gate Audubon’s advocacy priorities and support volunteers’ efforts to achieve them via public testimony, written comments, outreach to decision-makers, and legal action.

Qualifications:

The Executive Director should have at least 5 years of professional experience, including demonstrated experience and/or expertise in the following:

• leadership, organizational development, and management of nonprofit organizations, preferably in the environmental or wildlife conservation field;
• budgeting and managing financial resources;
• leading organizational growth and effectiveness and working closely with an active volunteer board;
• non-profit fundraising, including major donor cultivation, membership solicitation, events, corporate sponsorships, and foundation grants; and
• shaping policy positions and acting strategically to further an advocacy agenda.

The Executive Director should also have the following qualifications:

• strong analytical skills, strategic thinking, and tactical abilities;
• excellent written and oral communication skills, including ease with public speaking and working with media;
• passion for wildlife conservation and volunteer-based organizations;
• excellent interpersonal, diplomatic, and collaborative skills;
• commitment to promoting science education and conservation leadership in low-income communities and communities of color; and
• bachelor’s degree or equivalent

The following qualifications are helpful but not required:

• enthusiasm for birds and birding and for wildlife and their habitats;
• familiarity with Bay Area and/or California government agencies, environmental organizations and funding community;
• Strong familiarity with environmental policy, conservation biology, natural resources conservation, and/or environmental education; and
• familiarity with issues, regulations, and laws affecting Bay Area birds.

Compensation:

This is a full-time position with a competitive salary and health benefits.

Target start date: May 1, 2014 (preferred)

Our staff is focused on making positive change in the world and we support and celebrate diversity. The Golden Gate Audubon Society is an equal opportunity employer.

Application Instructions:

Send resume, cover letter, and writing sample to[email protected]. In your cover letter, please describe a successful fundraising/development effort, explaining your role and how you contributed to its success.

No phone calls, please. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning on February 24, 2014 until the position is filled.