Executive Director

Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy Executive Director (Full-Time)

The mission of the Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy (WLAC) is to deliver Walloon Lake, a place where people and nature thrive, to the next generations through the power of conservation. The WLAC is unusual in the conservation community in that it is a hybrid of a lake association and land trust. We are a non-profit 501(c)(3), membership-based organization. Working together with full-time and part-time staff, a Board of Trustees, a seasonal trail crew, and interns every summer, we tackle lake and land issues and lead the way in local conservation. From safety to governmental affairs, water quality to land conservation and public education, we strive to connect land, water, and community along Walloon. The right candidate will see this extraordinary combination as a unique opportunity to protect the lake and land in one of the most beloved scenic areas in the country.

We: conserve and protect the “Gem of the North,” aka Walloon Lake and its watershed, following best practices and standards. We are a small but mighty team that helps form lifelong connections between this amazing little piece of the world and the people who live, work, and play in Walloon. Our board members and volunteers are the best humans on the planet.

You: love all things land and water

Some perks…

• Pay is competitive and aligns with the latest Land Trust Alliance’s Salary Survey
• Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA Plan)
• Simple IRA with a 1 to 1 employer match up to 3%
• Plenty of vacation and personal days and recognition of all federal holidays. 
• Cell phone/internet stipend
• Flexibility – off-season work from home arrangements combined with office hours. We will look for direction and input from the new Executive Director on how to best offer a hybrid work schedule that accommodates the organization and staff.
• Modern office space located in the heart of Walloon Lake Village
• Paid professional development
• Did we mention that we get to wake up every morning and protect the most beautiful lake in the world?

Starting Salary: Annually – $100,000 to $120,000 dependent on experience. 

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Executive Director is a visionary leader who will propel the mission of the Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy forward. Passionate about preserving natural resources for future generations, the Executive Director oversees all aspects of the organization’s operations, including conservation initiatives, community outreach, fundraising, financial management, and staff leadership. The Executive Director will work closely with the Board of Trustees, staff, volunteers, donors, and community partners to advance the organization’s goals and uphold its reputation as a trusted steward of the natural  environment. The takeaway: it’s a big job with a level of responsibility that will challenge and excite you. The ideal candidate will be “all in” for protecting land and water, and nurturing a healthy work environment, all of which feels good because it IS good.

Strategic Leadership: You are a natural-born leader who’s as relationship-driven and intuitive as you are rational and strategic (a hybrid of Ted Lasso and Professor McGonagall). In this role, you execute a clear vision that aligns with the organization’s mission and objectives. Adept at reading the room, you listen first, speak second, and adapt your strategies to the evolving needs of the environment, the staff, and the community. Using our 2023-27 strategic plan as your North Star, you’ll work with staff and stakeholders to achieve the goals and outcomes for the organization.

Conservation and Stewardship: You are passionate about conservation stewardship (an affinity for work boots is encouraged, but is optional). Using your knowledge of land and water conservation, you’ll oversee land conservation projects, watershed protection efforts, and habitat restoration initiatives.  

Community Engagement: You play well with others. Your enthusiasm is infectious and your delivery is on point, so you engage others in the life of the organization’s mission with ease. Collaborating with community members, experts, stakeholders, businesses, and partners is essential to your success in this role. Over time, you’ll expand WLAC’s support network community-wide. Relationship-building and conservation awareness are equal priorities, so you organize educational programs, workshops, and events that promote environmental awareness and encourage community participation.

Fundraising and Development: You are a catalyst and a closer in the fundraising arena, and you do it with finesse. Your fundraising savvy is strong, because you know that it’s the lifeblood of our legacy. You develop and implement fundraising strategies, including major gifts cultivation, planned giving and legacy programs, to secure financial resources necessary for the organization’s operations and projects.  In this role, you’ll identify, cultivate, and steward major donors, philanthropic partners, and grantmakers to support the organization’s financial sustainability. You’re devoted to best practices in fundraising, but are equally open to fresh approaches. Above all, you are discreet. Your approach to confidentiality rivals the CIA’s.

Financial Management: You lean into the numbers. You ensure the organization’s fiscal health by managing budgets, financial reporting, and compliance with relevant financial regulations. A strategist extraordinaire, you make informed decisions to allocate resources effectively. 

Board Collaboration: You know board engagement is your bread and butter–and is the best way to engage your stakeholders in your love of land and water. In this capacity, you’ll collaborate closely with the Board of Trustees to provide regular updates, seek guidance, and leverage their expertise in guiding the organization’s direction. Translation:  If the word “board” makes you bored, this is not the job for you.

Staff Leadership:

You want to create a culture that lifts everyone, so you prioritize mentorship, work-life balance, professional development opportunities, and provide performance evaluations to the team.

Advocacy and Partnerships: You are articulate and are comfortable representing WLAC’s interests in external forums. To strengthen our community outreach opportunities, you show up at and shine at events relevant to our work in our local communities (including WLAC-sponsored events and partner events). You can comfortably advocate for policies and practices that align with the mission of the Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy. Building partnerships is your superpower, so you engage with government agencies, NGOs, and other organizations with ease. 

Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree or higher in business administration, nonprofit management, conservation, or a related field required. At least 10 years of professional experience, to include 3-5 years at a senior management level with comparable operations, fundraising, staff management, and budgetary responsibilities. 

Note: This position description serves as a general overview of the role’s responsibilities and requirements. Duties and expectations may be adjusted to accommodate the organization’s evolving needs.