EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
American Whitewater
www.americanwhitewater.org
Salary: Open
Location:Washington DC or Asheville, North Carolina; Other locations will be considered
Type: Regular Full-Time, Salaried
Overview
American Whitewater — the nation’s leading organization focusing on whitewater conservation and access — is seeking a proven leader and seasoned professional manager who will take overall responsibility for implementing the strategic goals and objectives of the organization. This position offers an excellent opportunity for professional and personal growth within an organization that is renowned for its success in landmark river conservation and access issues throughout the
The Executive Director provides direction and leadership toward the achievement of the organization’s philosophy, mission, strategy, and its annual goals and objectives. The Executive Director is charged with building the organization – through fundraising, enhancing credibility and visibility with the public and the media, increasing membership and volunteer participation through appropriate staff direction, financial oversight and budget expansion, and cultivating new and existing organizational opportunities.
The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors, which includes an Executive Committee.
Responsibilities
This position demands a wide array of skills including communication, fundraising, fiduciary planning and management, familiarity with non-profit governance, business administration, human resource management, grant-writing, and public relations. The Executive Director must have the ability to work cooperatively and effectively with other staff, board members, major donors, and volunteers. Specifically:
The successful candidate will work with the Board of Directors to assure that American Whitewater has a long-range organizational strategy that achieves its mission. The Executive Director will design, administer, and evaluate comprehensive programs to achieve those goals and objectives, and he or she will further delegate these goals as reportable tasks from the organization’s staff.
With the Treasurer, the Executive Director will develop and recommend to the Board an annual budget for approval and will effectively manage all programs and staff responsibilities within those guidelines. He or she will keep the Board or Directors fully informed and apprised on the condition of the organization at all times so the Board can carry out its governance functions and maintain its responsibilities. The candidate will attend all Board meetings and other committee meetings as appropriate and will prepare an annual report. He or she will serve as the primary spokesperson for American Whitewater and thereby will assure that the organization and its mission is properly presented to its members, volunteers, major donors, and other non-profit organizations within the coalitions American Whitewater has joined.
The Executive Director will provide direct oversight for all staff and will effectively manage the human resources of the organization, including weekly reporting of time spent on assigned tasks, discipline and maintenance of personnel files, annual staff evaluations, and administration of the organizational benefits program. The successful candidate will also oversee all organizational programs managed by staff including events and safety, and will supervise, through volunteers and staff, the American Whitewater website and its bi-monthly magazine, American Whitewater Journal.
Fundraising and member development are central duties for the Executive Director. American Whitewater enjoys generous support from its membership and has developed successful relationships with numerous charitable foundations and industry partners. The successful candidate will be responsible for maintaining these important channels and will work to expand these relationships and develop others to broaden the organizational funding base.
Qualifications
- A minimum of 5 years of work directing a non-profit organization (or equivalent private sector experience)
- Successful fundraising experience, including grant writing and large donor solicitation
- Experience in developing strong membership programs and outreach
- Experience in personnel management
- Experience in working with a Board of Directors
- Experience in coalition building and working with volunteers
- Ability to maintain organizational confidentiality, work long hours and some weekends, and thrive under pressure
- Excellent written and oral communications skills
- Natural leadership skills, vision, strong work ethic, and a proven ability to innovate and inspire
- A passion and personal dedication to natural resource conservation, especially for protecting
- Experience with whitewater and/or outdoor recreation issues is beneficial
- Advanced degree (or equivalent) preferred
The
About American Whitewater
Founded in 1954, American Whitewater is a national organization with a mission “to conserve and restore