Executive Director

About Akashinga:

Akashinga, formerly the International Anti-Poaching Foundation (IAPF), was founded in 2009 by Australian-born, Zimbabwean-based environmentalist Damien Mander. In 2023, we rebranded as Akashinga, meaning “the Brave Ones” in Shona, to reflect our mission of empowering women and communities in conservation. Our innovative model transforms traditional conservation by focusing on local development, advancing women’s leadership, and creating nature-based economies.

By working with indigenous and local communities, we protect biodiversity, safeguard migratory pathways, and foster interconnected habitats to combat climate change and biodiversity loss. Akashinga is dedicated to building resilient ecosystems where wildlife and people thrive together for a sustainable future.

Position Details:

As the Executive Director, reporting to the Board of Directors and working closely with the Founder & CEO, you will be the voice and the face of Akashinga in the US, expanding its brand and sources of funding. You will develop and engage a network of supporters and finalize and implement a strategic development plan to support a current annual budget of approximately $10M+. As the ED you will also play a pivotal role in growing the reputation, brand, and voice for a game-changing conservation organization while ensuring that Akashinga is understood to be one of the world’s premiere organizations that is protecting wildlife and ecosystems in partnership with local and indigenous communities.

You will recruit and build a strong team across advocacy, development, communications, and operations as needed, while leveraging resources and cultivating key donor relationships with individuals, foundations, and corporations at local, state, and national levels. Additionally, you will oversee the firm managing outsourced back-office functions, evaluating when to bring these functions in-house or expand third-party support. This position is a fully remote role and will be located on the east coast of the US with a preference for New York or DC. Travel is anticipated to be 20% with at least one trip to the field annually.

To ensure an efficient hiring process, we kindly ask all applicants to apply directly through the link provided. Please refrain from reaching out to individuals within our organization regarding this opportunity. Only applicants submitted through the official application portal will be considered. Thank you for your understanding!

Role & Responsibilities:

• Provide inspirational leadership and direction to staff and ensure the development and management of a professional and efficient organization.
• Sustain a healthy organizational culture, staff retention, team morale, and serve as a living example of Akashinga’s organizational values.
• In partnership with the Founder-CEO and BoD, add an additional 1-2 BoD positions over the initial 12-18 months who are highly engaged and willing to leverage and secure resources.
• Work closely with the Akashinga-USA BoD’s; create agendas, attend, and support Board meetings; assist with governance and Board recruiting as necessary; support Board communication, training, and decision-making at Board’s discretion.
• Ensure that Akashinga-USA operates efficiently, legally, and in a fiscally responsible and sustainable manner.
• Work closely with Akashinga leadership to develop and shape the direction and strategies of Akashinga.
• Lead the updating and implementation of Akashinga’s strategic plan in the USA and ensure progress against measurable goals.
• Lead the development and implementation of various plans including Fundraising, Communication, Growth, Risk Management, etc.
• External relations and fundraising.
• Lead the ongoing development of Akashinga-USA’s communications, marketing, and fundraising programs in concert with the USA team and global organization to further its vision and impact.
• Oversee the development and implementation of an updated fundraising strategy to significantly increase: (a) the number of donors, (b) donation revenue, (c) and donor retention.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive Resource Development Plan that meets or exceeds goals.
• Determine the timing, mix and priority for fundraising activities outlined in the strategy.
• Participate in the construction and review of grant and other funding proposals.
• Serve as a key Akashinga-USA spokesperson and ambassador, strengthening its visibility and reputation (PR, media, legal, etc.). Develop and refine new approaches to expand Akashinga’s brand recognition
• Encourage, engage, and support the Founder-CEO, the BoD and other Akashinga champions in their capacity as program advocates.
• Oversee marketing and other communication efforts including press releases and Op/Eds.
• Be cognizant of international laws regarding donations.
• Fiscal and Operational Management.
• Lead the development, management, and monitoring of the organization’s budgeting and reporting processes.
• Develop long and short-range financial plans, ensure sound operations, monitor the budget and ensure financial controls are in place, set financial priorities to ensure the organization is operating in a manner that supports the needs of the program and staff.
• Hire, train, manage, and motivate staff and contractors as appropriate; conduct and/or support Akashinga-USA Human Resources (HR) functions (from recruiting to termination, creation of documentation and policies, etc.) with guidance from legal counsel and other resources as necessary; support international HR activities as requested.
• Prepare and submit to the Board a proposed annual budget and monthly financial statements accurately reflecting the financial conditions of the organization.
• Ensure that Akashinga is deploying nonprofit industry best practices and operating within all federal, state, and local laws and requirements.
• Ensure preparation and submission of all required federal, state, and local, employment, IRS, tax, and other regulatory documentation.
• Evaluate and integrate the consulting firm (4M) currently providing back-office development and tax filing support.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred
• 10+ years direct nonprofit management experience in an organization that has a successful track record of raising $15-20M or more per annum, with a thorough knowledge of fundraising principles and major gifts management.
• Successful experience in a lean, hands-on, practical environment, keen to do the work yourself until and after additional staff is built.
• Data-driven, analytical, and creative, with the flexibility to adapt strategies, staffing, and operations to evolving needs and demands.
• Must excel in responding swiftly to rapidly changing circumstances.
• Demonstrated experience in leading people and teams to success by focusing on strategic objectives and maximizing the potential of key staff members.
• Supervisory experience of at least an 8+ person department (including part-time, contractors, and volunteers).
• Experience managing external consultants and vendor relationships.
• Ability to convey a vision of Akashinga-USA’s strategic future to staff, Board, volunteers, and donors.
• Ability to visit field operations in Africa at least once per year.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines while maintaining a positive attitude.
• An exceptional communicator, both in writing and orally; a person who gets energy from connecting with individuals, aligning the case for support and creating opportunities for engagement.
• Proven fundraising skills (especially grants and major donors) with a history of delivering fundraising goals and implementing an effective development strategy.
• Strong financial management abilities and history of responsibility for budgets of $15-20M or more.
• Reputation for consistently achieving goals by mastering process and building consensus.
• Proven ability to collaborate with and motivate board members and other volunteers.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, QuickBooks, and general business software, a plus.
• Ability to analyze, interpret and present data to support challenges and initiatives a plus.
• Success in leading a start-up environment a plus.
• Excellent strategic planning capabilities.

Compensation:
The compensation range for this position is $210,000 – $250,000 annually, commensurate with experience. 

For background information on Akashinga, see our website Akashinga – People, Planet, Future

Akashinga provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Akashinga complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.