Job Description
Conservation Nation
Managing Director
Comp : $120K - $135K
Location
: Washington, DC
About Conservation Nation
Conservation Nation is a nonprofit based in Washington D.C. dedicated to helping create a thriving planet for people and wildlife sustained by an inclusive and growing network of conservationists. We have a tight focus on diversifying the conservation movement by lifting longstanding systemic barriers that have kept the wildlife conservation field too small and too homogeneous for too long. We do this by giving an equitable leg up through funding and support to wildlife conservationists from underrepresented communities and by educating and inspiring the next diverse generation of wildlife champions and leaders.
Conservation Nation has an annual operating budget of $3M and 8 dedicated and talented staff.
The CEO of Conservation Nation, Lynn Mento, will be moving to part-time in January 2025. She will become a co-CEO with her partner at Conservation Nation, Tricia Reilly, who also works part-time. They will be focused on building relationships and partnerships, strategic planning, and ideas for mission amplification.
About the Managing Director Position
Conservation Nation is seeking a Managing Director to oversee day-to-day operations, manage and support the staff, ensure successful program implementation, and work with the co-CEOs and team to build and execute successful relationships, partnerships and fundraising. This new, full-time position is for hire for December 2024/January 2025 and reports to the two collaborative and supportive part-time co-CEOs.
The ideal candidate:
Has experience in wildlife conservation, environmental education, or education
Believes in the mission to lift barriers for a more diverse and inclusive corps of conservationists to tackle the challenges facing the planet
Has successful experience raising awareness and engagement with storytelling, marketing, communications, social media, and the organization's website
Understands or has had exposure to the financial workings of a nonprofit organization
Is optimistic, enthusiastic, creative, open to suggestions and ideas
Is low on ego - loves to collaborate, believes in the power of partnerships, wants all boats to rise, believes in ego-less teamwork
Is local to or willing to relocate to the Washington D.C. area
Job Responsibilities:
The Managing Director will be charged with ensuring the following responsibilities are met in collaboration with an experienced, creative, and supportive staff. Candidates are encouraged to identify the areas where their expertise best aligns and where they may have room for growth. Please know that Conservation Nation leadership recognizes that not every candidate will have successful experience in each responsibility listed below and welcomes candidates with a variety of experiences.
Operations and Human Resources
Manage day-to-day operations, programs, fundraising, communications and the organization's resources
Implement strategic and financial plans by working with senior stakeholders
Organize, motivate, and mentor team leaders to strategically grow the organization's impact, programs, and fundraising, and to effectively fulfill its important mission
Assure that the organization makes consistent and timely progress in achieving its mission, goals, and targeted programmatic impact
Over time, oversee HR processes such as hiring, separation, ongoing staff development, performance management, and compensation and benefits
Identify and address organizational, operational problems and design solutions with guidance from the CEOs
In collaboration with the finance committee, oversee the annual audit and 990, including preparation of schedules, compliance, and response to management letter
Program oversight :
Help achieve our education goals of broad expansion and impact growth, with guidance on optimal resource allocations
Help achieve our conservationist support goals of optimal support at various stages of career paths, including the development of new programs, based on new funding
Culture:
Work with the CEOs to foster an enthusiastic, imaginative, collaborative working environment, encourage professional development, recognize positive contributions, promote the values of collaboration and partnership, and champion accountability amongst staff
Provide thoughtful leadership that is inclusive, transparent, and empowering
Model the organization's commitment to valuing unique perspectives, identities, cultures, lived experiences, and expertise of all those in our global network, community partnerships, and team
Development/Fundraising :
Develop and manage fundraising work, including grants, individual gifts, sponsorships, and endowments
Help raise funds needed to support the education programs, the conservationist support programs, and general operating expenses
Joint partnership with the CEOs in various fundraising opportunities
Ensure maintenance and optimal use of donor and prospect files for individual, foundation, and corporate donors
Lead development of an appeals strategy, informed by CEOs' insights
Oversee gift processing and acknowledgement, coordinate with team on tailored communications for Advisory Council, Board, and Major Donor contributions
Collaborate with the CEOs to engage the board and advisory council in fundraising
Coordinate consultants, as needed
Assist as needed in the preparation of grant and contract proposal submissions, budgets and reports
Marketing/communications/storytelling :
Ensure strong marketing, communications and storytelling to support growth
Guide optimized use of our social media channels and our website to drive significant growth in interest and engagement
Encourage regular and frequent content development and distribution
Oversee creation of communication pieces for donor engagement, including brochures and the annual report
Qualifications
Please know that Conservation Nation recognizes that not every candidate will bring all of the knowledge, skills and experiences listed below, and welcomes candidates with a variety of experiences.
Passion for the mission of Conservation Nation
Experience in wildlife conservation and/or environmental education, or education
Record of strong operational leadership and the ability to ensure effective and efficient policies and procedures across an organization
A record of leading trust-based relationships with colleagues, partners, and stakeholders
Strong and transparent communication skills with the ability to connect with, engage, and build trust with a variety of individuals and organizations
Compensation and Benefits
The compensation band for this position is $120K - $135K with bonus potential and a generous benefits package.
How to Apply
Conservation Nation has retained the executive search firm LeaderFit to partner with them on this search. Interested candidates should upload a resume and brief cover letter here . LeaderFit
Job Tags
Full time, Contract work, Part time, Local area, Relocation,