Executive Director

Founded in 1936, the Idaho Wildlife Federation (IWF) is Idaho’s oldest and largest statewide organization promoting the conservation of Idaho’s wildlife heritage and legacy of sporting opportunities. IWF gives grassroots hunters, anglers, and other conservationists a voice in decisions that affect wildlife, habitat, and public access before the state legislature, the Fish and Game Commission, Congress, and federal agencies. 

In recent years, IWF has experienced dramatic growth in our activities, our coalitions, and our ability to amplify the voice of all Idahoans on a range of wildlife management issues. We seek an executive director who can lead the organization’s progress to even higher level of grassroots power and mission success. 

Duties & Responsibilities

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the executive director (ED) is responsible for defining, fundraising for, leading, and implementing activities that advance IWF’s mission and sustain the organization’s operations and power.

Conservation Programs/Advocacy

• Oversee the work of program staff and volunteers to ensure delivery of IWF’s programmatic/advocacy goals.
• Collaborate with IWF board and staff to set strategic direction and oversee facilitation of programmatic goals and ensure accountability.
• Build and maintain relationships with partner organizations, agencies, and elected officials.
• Serve as the public face of IWF on key conservation campaigns and programs.
• Maintain a fluency in the breadth of issues IWF is working on and serve as the subject matter lead on some program areas/policy issues (develop positions, draft policy statements, work with coalition partners, etc.).

Finances

• In consultation with the board of directors, prepare the annual budget and set and meet revenue and expense targets.
• Lead development of annual revenue goals and implementation of fundraising activities.
• Identify, cultivate, and solicit funds from institutional donors (foundations and corporations).
• Maintain relations with institutional donors and communicate with them about program activities, formal grant reports, and other IWF updates.
• Identify, cultivate, and solicit funds from major donors and grassroots donors.

Outreach/Communications

• Serve as the organization’s primary public spokesperson to the press, public, and elected officials.
• Collaborate with communications staff to set strategic messaging and oversee development of press statements, opinion pieces, and other communications materials on issues and program priorities.
• Supervise and collaborate with staff on other outreach activities, including events.

Board of Directors

• Work in partnership with the Board Chair to manage the operations of the Board of Directors.
• Coordinate board meetings, including scheduling, agenda development, and follow-up.
• Aid in recruitment and development of directors and officers.
• Facilitate development and monitoring of organization’s strategic plan.

Operations

• Develop and implement procedures and policies to govern business operations.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant state, federal and local laws.
• Manage contracting process for external goods and services.
• Oversee office technology and other operational needs, including troubleshooting, acquisition, and coordination of external services.

This is a full-time, year-round position, with the expectation of a 40-hour workweek on average, but with work and travel outside of regular business hours and during busy times of the year. We expect that the position will work out of Boise in a hybrid setting with close access to IWF’s office, and travel 2-3 times a month.

Essential Qualifications (“Need to Have”)

Candidates for this position should have the following qualifications, as a result of their experiences and/or educational attainment:

• Five or more years of experience in the nonprofit sector (advocacy, management, communications).
• Fluency in the policy and politics of conservation, especially fish and wildlife, public lands, and outdoor access, in Idaho, regionally, and nationally.
• Personal participation in and enthusiasm for wildlife-based outdoor recreation.
• Experience leading, managing, and facilitating a collaborative team of staff.
• Experience in grassroots and institutional fundraising and enthusiasm for raising the revenue needed to meet organization-wide budget and program needs.
• Competency in communicating with, listening to, and working with people from diverse backgrounds and differing points of view.
• Skill in public speaking and writing for a wide range of audiences, including the media, elected representatives, agency personnel, donors, and the public.

Other Desired Qualifications (“Good to Have”)

Candidates who demonstrate the following additional qualifications will be well positioned to succeed in this position:

• Understanding of Idaho communities, people, history, and politics.
• Experience working with nonprofit board members.
• Experience in grassroots fundraising via direct mail, digital appeals, events, etc.
• Experience working with philanthropic foundations and familiarity with funders who work in conservation and Idaho.
• Aptitude for working collaboratively with conservation stakeholders, including nongovernmental organizations, farmers and ranchers, public agencies, and other community interests.
• Experience with financial management, including preparing budgets and financial reports.
• Experience coordinating and motivating the work of people with diverse backgrounds, interests and skills.
• Familiarity and skill with standard office software, donor and constituent management software, and other relevant technology.
• Campaign/advocacy communications experience, including strategic messaging as well as writing, editing, public speaking, and social media.
• Experience developing and implementing strategic plans and campaign plans.
• Aptitude for tackling nuts-and-bolts operational and business needs.
• A commitment to giving all Idahoans a voice in fish and wildlife conservation and reaching out to new constituencies.

Compensation

The annual salary for this position will be between $90,000 to $95,000, subject to experience and negotiation. Generous benefits include 100%-paid health, vision, and dental insurance, a generous retirement plan, vacation and personal leave, paid holidays, and a paid sabbatical after seven years of service.