SLRCAC Position Opening: Executive Director

The St. Louis River Citizens Action Committee is seeking an Executive Director.    A detailed position description is available below.  Starting salary $40,000 / year. Applications must include applicant's resume', references, and a cover letter submitted in Microsoft Word format to jack.ezell@wlssd.duluth.mn.us by January 29, 2007.  Questions should also be directed to jack.ezell@wlssd.duluth.mn.us.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The St. Louis River Citizens Action Committee (SLRCAC) Executive Director leads a local nonprofit organization focused on protection, restoration, and improved stewardship of the St. Louis River Estuary and Western Lake Superior through education and facilitated community supported solutions.  The Exec Director is the primary spokesperson for the SLRCAC and works through strategic outreach to recruit stakeholders and partnerships to forge collaborative approaches to restoration and maintenance of the natural resources of the SLR Area of Concern.  This position serves as the principle contact to government agencies, local governments, industry, conservation organizations, foundations, and the academic community.  This position will spend significant time cultivating donors and motivating major gifts to the SLRCAC.  The position is based in Duluth, MN reports to the SLRCAC Board of Directors.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Works with Board and staff to articulate and implement the SLRCAC mission: assists and guides the Board in developing a clear, shared vision for the future of the organization; builds understanding around the current mission; develops appropriate strategies to advance that mission; works with the Board and appropriate staff to develop a strategic plan; is responsible for organizational implementation of the strategic plan; leads the staff in developing and implementing work plans to accomplish SLRCAC goals.  

   2. Develops and implements fundraising and financial development strategies: works with the Board to assess the current and future financial resources needed to realize the SLRCAC mission; serves as lead fundraiser; oversees fundraising programs and activities with a focus on expanding funding sources as well as maintaining relationships with current donors; plays a key role in planning fundraising strategies and in soliciting major gifts; works with staff, donors and Board members to secure adequate income and develop strong personal commitments from those who have an interest in SLRCAC work.  

3. Provides a strong public presence for SLRCAC: acts as lead spokesperson, and as such, must be a confident and articulate public speaker able to convey SLRCAC work and programs to a broad array of people and audiences; represents SLRCAC in appropriate local, regional and national forums; vigilantly protects SLRCAC reputation for integrity and quality.  

4. Provides support and training to maximize the effectiveness of the Board of Directors: participates in Board recruitment and orientation; develops and maintains a strong working relationship with Board members; works in a collaborative manner to facilitate and coordinate the work of all SLRCAC committees; develops strong systems for sharing information with Board leadership; employs appropriate systems for dialogue and communication between board and staff to ensure that the Board is kept abreast of all relevant organizational activities.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

1. Establishes the SLRCAC as a major partner and facilitator in the Western Lake Superior region

2. Develops key partnerships with public & private organizations in order to identify and resolve technical issues and to widely communicate solutions and best practices

3. Cultivates relationships with major donors and serves as point person for developing large foundation and principal gift proposals

4. Engages local community support for resource protection and restoration efforts

5. Ensures accountability and legal compliance

6. Develops and administers budgets and ensures sound financial performance

7. Develop and present proposals to achieve SLRCAC goals, scientific topics and SLRCAC Mission

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

1. BA/BS degree and experience in management of non-profit organizations or equivalent combination of education and experience

2. Demonstrated experience influencing, developing and implementing resource management policy and plans

3. Knowledge of Great Lakes issues and AOC/RAP processes

4. Demonstrated experience in motivating major donors to support resource protection and restoration efforts

5. Experience in setting goals and motivating volunteers 

6. Knowledge of politics and society with respect to environmental affairs

7. Ability to manage diverse activities under deadlines while delivering quality results

8. Ability to communicate effectively via written, spoken, and graphical means in English

9. Effectively utilize common software applications (e.g. Word, Excel, and Web browsers)

AUTHORITY

1. Negotiates complex agreements, sometimes in political environments

2. Develops and implements creative ideas to improve overall organization performance

3. Formulates, evaluates, and recommends broad organizational policies and long-term programs

4. Designs, implements, and directs complex and diverse projects encompassing multiple programs and coordinating the work of other professionals, inside and outside the organization.

5. Secure public and private funds to achieve priorities

6. Negotiates complex agreements and contracts

LEADERSHIP

1. Demonstrated leadership and visionary qualities and able to work effectively with and through others

2. Successful experience in partnership development including networking with high-level contacts

3. Negotiation skills 

4. Anticipates, diagnoses, and resolves complex problems and identifies creative solutions

5. Interprets guidelines, evaluates information, and modifies processes to adapt to changing circumstances

6. Incorporates cross-disciplinary knowledge to support SLRCAC objectives

7. Makes decisions based on incomplete or ambiguous information and accepts associated risks

8. Judges talent, assesses strengths and weaknesses, creates strong morale and team spirit, and motivates individuals and teams toward desirable results

9. Expected outcome to recruit, retain, and manage high quality and effective staff           

10. Set financial goals, evaluate return on investment, and develops corrective strategies to improve future results

11. Develop long-term strategies to achieve strategic goals and objectives

12. Works effectively under pressure and diffuses tension among colleagues comfortably

13. Builds cooperative relationships and collaborates with diverse groups, including land owners, conservation partners, government officials, donors, board members, and the general public, to recruit support for the SLRCAC and to publicize SLRCAC efforts

14. Commands attention, changes tactics midstream as necessary, and manages group processes during presentations or discussions

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT

The Executive Director may work under physically demanding circumstances.  This position will require evening and weekend hours and may require frequent travel.

November 2006