Executive Director

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.

To Apply: Please click
here to apply (preferred) or send your cover letter
and resume to [email protected] with
the subject: WLAC Executive Director Application. For
questions, please contact Christie Perdue, Principal at The Solvent
Group, at [email protected].