Executive Director

The Torch Lake Protection Alliance (TLPA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to the preservation, protection, and sustainable stewardship of Torch Lake — one of the most beautiful and ecologically significant inland lakes in the United States.

Through community engagement, science-based advocacy, water quality monitoring, and partnerships with stakeholders, TLPA works to ensure that the natural beauty and ecological integrity of Torch Lake endures for generations to come. The organization serves lakefront property owners, seasonal residents, recreational users, and the broader community.

The Role

TLPA is seeking a full-time Executive Director to supplement, expand and support the work of its volunteer Board of Directors. This is a newly created position designed to add capability, capacity, and continuity to the organization — and to serve as a foundation for future staff growth.

The Executive Director reports to the Board President and will work closely with the chairs of the Membership, Communications and Fundraising working groups. This is a hands-on and leadership role within a working-board culture: board members will continue to be hands-on in carrying out committee-endorsed actions. The Executive Director does not intend to shift the Board to an exclusively advisory function, but rather to extend what the organization can accomplish.

While the position’s primary focus is membership growth, communications and fundraising. It plays a supporting role in Advocacy and Lake Management.

Key Responsibilities

Membership, Communications & Fundraising (Primary Focus)

• Lead efforts to grow and retain TLPA membership in coordination with the Membership working group chair.
• Develop and execute member communications including newsletters, email updates, and the TLPA website, in coordination with the Communications working group chair.
• Manage social media presence and serve as a consistent, accessible point of contact for lakefront property owners and residents.
• Support fundraising efforts including grant writing.
• Perform actions resulting from Membership, Communications and Fundraising working group meetings, under the direction of the working group chairs and with approval of the Board President.
• Sustaining and future compensation increases are tied to success with attracting additional members, donations and grants.

Events

• Lead organization of the annual Greet Educate and Meet (GEM) and the Annual Meeting.
• Participate in and support planning and execution of other community events and educational programs as needed.

Board & Committee Support

• Attend all Board meetings (once per month) and provide operational updates.
• Attend Membership, Communications and Fundraising working group meetings.
• Play a supporting role in the Advocacy and Lake Management committees.
• Provide support to Fundraising efforts.
• Suggest policies and procedures as needed to improve organizational effectiveness

Qualifications

Required

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including timely and professional email correspondence.
• Computer proficient, including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Experience with event planning and organization.
• Collaborative working style — able to work well with others and appropriately delegate or request support as needed.
• Able to respectfully receive feedback from the community and board and thoughtfully consider the perspectives of others.
• Primarily remote/work-from-home but must be available and willing to attend in-person events, meetings, and group gatherings — including daytime, evening, and occasional weekend commitments.

Desirable

• Salesforce experience, or willingness to gain proficiency in the platform.
• Background, familiarity, or genuine interest in lake-related environmental issues — a strong plus.
• Website and social media management experience.
• Reside reasonably close to the Antrim/Kalkaska County areas.
• Certificate in Fundraising Management.
• Grant writing experience.

Compensation & Hours

• This is a full-time, W-2, exempt position. Hours are expected to average approximately 40 hours per week, with seasonal variation around the GEM (late May/June) and Annual Meetings (late July/August).
• Hybrid work schedule.
• Salary plus benefits (negotiable) commensurate with experience, capability and capacity.