Olympic Park Insitute Director

Position: Olympic Park Institute Director

Organization: NatureBridge

Location: Seattle, WA

Salary: commensurate with experience

Description

NatureBridge seeks an Institute Director to join the NatureBridge senior leadership team. This is a full-time position requiring significant time spent both in Seattle and on our campus at Lake Crescent.

NatureBridge, formerly Yosemite National Institutes, is committed to educating the next generation of leaders to respect the natural world, understand the scientific principles that govern it, and preserve it for future generations. NatureBridge is the largest residential educational partner of the National Park Service, currently operating four environmental education campuses: Olympic Park Institute in Olympic National Park, Yosemite Institute in Yosemite National Park, Headlands Institute in Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and Santa Monica Mountains Institute in Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Each year, NatureBridge helps more than 40,000 people from ethnically and economically diverse backgrounds find a personal connection to nature through field science, youth leadership, and teacher training programs. We have led the way in residential field science and environmental education for nearly 40 years. During that time, we have introduced almost one million students to the wonders of our national parks and inspired them to engage in conservation and service.

See www.naturebridge.org for more information.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

The Institute Director is responsible for the overall leadership and management of NatureBridge’s Olympic Park Institute. S/he will oversee education programs in the awe-inspiring Olympic National Park. The institute serves more than 8,000 students per year. The director’s primary responsibilities will include strategic planning, partnerships and constituent development, fundraising, and serving as the public face of the institute as we build a committed community of partners, local board members, funders, and program participants.

The director is responsible for ensuring that all aspects of the operations run smoothly and efficiently. The director supervises a management team of sales, operations, programs, and food and facilities staff who oversee the campus operations. The financial management and fundraising for Olympic Park Institute are key responsibilities for this Institute Director, so the director must have in-depth experience in fundraising, budgeting, and financial administration. Olympic Park Institute has a $2.1 million annual operating budget and more than 35 employees.

This is a full-time exempt position reporting to NatureBridge’s Vice President of Operations. The director will serve as a member of the NatureBridge senior leadership team, and will be the principal representative for Olympic Park Institute’s local board and many constituencies.

Management and Administration

The director is fully responsible for the management and administration of Olympic Park Institute. The director will be expected to:

• Partner with NatureBridge senior staff and the institute local board and staff to engage in business planning to ensure efficient operations and successful outcomes for the future.
• Provide leadership in sound finance administration, including development and implementation of campus policies and procedures, a complete understanding of finance administration, sound budgeting and forecasting skills, and ensure strong communication with other campus directors and the national finance team.
• Provide “charismatic leadership” on campus to create a welcoming, client-centered atmosphere.
• Provide leadership on information technology to ensure institute implementation of and participation in the NatureBridge-wide IT road map.
• Participate in developing organization-wide policy as part of the senior leadership team and support NatureBridge-wide initiatives.
• Participate in developing organization-wide operational efficiencies and effectiveness as a member of the senior leadership team.
• Execute and implement policies developed by the NatureBridge senior staff and board.
• Hire, support, and develop the core competencies of institute personnel and implement strategies and systems that ensure that institute operations (educational programs, customer service, facilities, and food service) meet the highest standards of quality and safety.
• Lead development of annual operating plans with assistance from the local board and national office staff.
• Any other duties as assigned.

Strategy Formulation and Development

The director will serve as the key player in Olympic Park Institute. Specific responsibilities include:

• Provide strong, creative, diplomatic, and energetic leadership to the institute. Work with public and private sector partner organizations to establish and build strong working relationships with the primary partner, Olympic National Park, as well as customers, potential supporters, and donors.
• Develop an active and committed volunteer leadership and work closely with the local institute Board chair and Board members
• Lead development of annual budget and operating plan with assistance from national office staff.
• Ensure that the institute meets the commitments of the plan and budget.
• Support diversity in the work place, client base, and local Board.
• Explore options, formulate plans, and implement extension and touchpoint programming to expand the reach of Olympic programs.

Fundraising, Marketing, and Public Relations

Fundraising, marketing, and public relations will be critical to the success of this position. Key components will be:

• Manage implementation of a sales and marketing plan as part of overall NatureBridge plans.
• Manage the sales and marketing staff and ensure that annual goals are met/exceeded for marketing programs to teachers, schools, and school districts.
• Continue to build ongoing relationships with potential donors, foundations, NPS, and government agencies.
• Work in partnership with the NatureBridge national development staff and provide leadership to the Olympic Park Institute board and staff in conducting ongoing fundraising activities.
• Conduct specific fundraising activities in concert with the national office.
• Provide leadership for public relations activities, including media outreach and participation in public events, in concert with the NatureBridge Communications Director.

Experiences and Qualities We Seek

The ideal candidate will be a strong leader and builder of partnerships, with at least eight to ten years of related experience. S/he should also have the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required, master’s degree preferred in a related field such as education, business, or public administration.
• Expertise in building coalitions across multiple and diverse constituencies.
• Proven leadership ability.
• A passion for teaching children and adults about the natural environment.
• Demonstrated ability to market and close sales.
• Demonstrated ability to fundraise.
• An independent, self-directed individual with a can-do attitude.
• Ability to focus on the needs of all constituencies to create especially strong partnerships.
• Ability to engage an external audience to promote the role of the institute.
• Demonstrated expertise in managing people, budgets, and operations.
• Working knowledge of educational institutions, including K-12 schools, and environmental or outdoor education.
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• A strong commitment to the mission of NatureBridge.
• Experience with board recruitment, board building, and development.

Compensation

Commensurate with experience. NatureBridge provides a comprehensive compensation package, including competitive salary, medical and dental benefits, generous vacation, and the opportunity to work in a national park with its spectacular location.

Recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce is a high priority at NatureBridge

NatureBridge values diversity, equity, and inclusion. We strive to diversify our workforce and seek applications by individuals from all backgrounds.

How To Apply

Interested individuals are encouraged to submit a cover letter explaining why your background fits our needs, including salary requirements, and current resume (as Word or PDF only) to:

[email protected]

No calls or faxes please. No staffing or recruiting agencies please. Application process open until position filled.