Executive Director

~ Founded in 1995, Loudoun Wildlife began as small, dedicated group of conservation-minded residents and has grown to be a leading voice for the environment and wildlife in Loudoun County. ~

Once a largely rural area, Loudoun County has changed and now encompasses not only hills, farmland and open areas but also increasing suburban development as the population rapidly grows. Such transformations bring a greater responsibility to preserve and protect the important habitat and wildlife that live among us. This is the role of Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy.

To achieve this, Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy inspires people to enjoy and protect through recreation, education, conservation and restoration of the environment we all depend upon today and tomorrow. We work to connect the people of Loudoun County to their natural world and wildlife neighbors, and we foster responsible and sustainable stewardship of our land. We educate through programs and field trips, restore habitat, participate in citizen science projects to monitor the health of the environment, and advocate on behalf of the people, wildlife and habitat in the region.

Position Overview

The Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy Board of Directors seeks a committed and motivated individual to lead the nonprofit organization as Executive Director. We seek an Executive Director who is an experienced, dynamic, and visionary leader and will work with our Board, staff, members and community stakeholders to guide our organization to its next level of strategic and programmatic success as one of the county’s leading conservation voices.

A successful candidate will be passionate about protecting and creating lasting change for our environment and is seeking an opportunity to continue the successful programs of an effective nonprofit environmental organization while also nurturing its potential for growth. Whether managing educational campaigns, building meaningful partnerships in the community, working with members, donors and funders, lobbying lawmakers, or guiding staff, the Executive Director will serve in the gratifying role of leading our organization to its next level of achievement.

The Executive Director displays strong commitment to the conservation mission of Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and is responsible for executing the vision and mission as well as directing and administering the day-to-day activities of Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy. This includes implementing the plans, duties and objectives established by the Board and the governing documents of the organization; the Executive Director works closely with the Board of Directors for these purposes. The Executive Director supervises the staff, works with and coordinates the work of the committee chairs and the organization’s volunteers.

Responsibilities

Mission, Management, and Administration: 

1. Helps the Board and staff determine and align to the values, mission, vision, and short and long-term goals of the organization. Keeps the Board fully apprised of developments, financial matters, and all other issues with the potential to impact ─ positively or negatively ─ the reputation, health and welfare, and sustainability of Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy.
2. Builds and works in collaboration with a developing strategic Board to identify problems as well as opportunities and brings these to the Board and/or its committees as appropriate to facilitate discussion and deliberation; recommends and manages timelines, solutions, policy positions, and strategic action.
3. Provides general oversight of all activities, manages the day-to-day operations, and assures a smoothly functioning, efficient organization.
4. Coordinates the work of the Committee Chairs and works with the Committees to develop, review and implement goals and objectives. Supports Committee Chairs and volunteers on projects and activities, fostering a collaborative and rewarding work environment in which the contributions of all volunteers and employees are valued.
5. Participates as a non-voting member in Board meetings; assists with scheduling, setting agendas, collecting metrics and providing background or developing information. Manages the Board’s due diligence to assure timely attention to core issues.
6. Manages the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy office staff and volunteer coordinators with responsibilities including staff training and development and setting performance goals. Ensures that the process for selecting, development of, motivating, and evaluating staff and volunteers is transparent and communicated in a timely manner to the Board.
7. Assists in rendering policies and procedures for Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy, consistent with the organization’s governing documents, and the guidance, motions and resolutions from the Board of Directors.
8. Works with the Board President to enable the Board to fulfill its governance functions and facilitates optimum performance by the Board, its committees and individual Board members.

Financial Oversight and Fund Development:

1. Responsible for substantial fundraising with some assistance from the Board, including working with individual donors and obtaining grants.
2. Responsible for administering grants and serves as the designated contact person for Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy grants.
3. Helps guide and enable the Board and its individual members to participate actively in the fund development process.
4. Responsible for maintaining sound financial practices and overseeing the development and management of the approved annual budget and operating plan.

Community Relations:

1. Responsible for promoting and advocating for the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy vision and mission, within the public and private sectors, for issues relevant to the organization, its mission, and its members. This may include speaking for Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy at appropriate local and regional meetings, conferences and workshops, communicating knowledgeably and enthusiastically about the organization’s vision, mission, and activities.
2. Listens to members, volunteers, donors and the community in order to improve services and generate community involvement.
3. Fosters and develops a network of contacts and collaborates with local and appropriate environmental organizations, businesses and governments insuring the reputation and role of Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy in the greater community to promote policies that encourage a healthy environment and which align with our mission.

Qualifications

• Proven integrity and leadership skills with unquestionable ethics
• Bachelor’s Degree
• Demonstrable knowledge of conservation, environmental science and related issues
• Demonstrated management experience with wildlife conservation, project management and volunteers within a non-profit organization
• Excellent organizational and communication skills, including the ability to be a liaison with the Board, the staff, volunteers and the public
• Knowledge and/or experience in the following areas: fundraising, finance and fiscal oversight, human resources, oral and written communications, public relations, program planning and evaluation, and governance

Desirable Qualities:

• Insightful, visionary leader with commitment, experience, and passion for conservation
• Executive manager with the ability and character to handle the pressure and responsibility of answering to multiple constituencies, including a Board of Directors, passionate membership, donors, and funders.
• Experienced, successful, proven nonprofit leader, spokesperson and fundraiser
• Relationship-builder with the personality, character and integrity required to build trust, establish credibility, and motivate staff, Board members, donors, members, and volunteers
• Accomplished networker who knows how to build a community of supporters and collaborative partners working together to meet our mission
• Management savvy with strong commitment to results

Additional Information

We are a leader in environmental education and conservation. Our programs include monthly youth outings and adult nature programs, support to our area schools, the quarterly publication of the Habitat Herald, and extensive advocacy and community outreach. These activities build public awareness for habitat restoration, the importance of utilizing native plants, and Audubon-at-Home efforts.

We encourage volunteer engagement in citizen science programs such as Eastern Bluebird monitoring, Monarch butterfly habitat conservation and restoration, amphibian monitoring, and stream monitoring. Our participation in the Christmas Bird Count and the Annual Butterfly Count contribute to national databases, and the Loudoun County Bird Atlas documents birds in our area.

Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy has an office located at The Gate House at Morven Park in Leesburg, VA. We are led by a highly dedicated Board of Directors, three part-time staff positions, several consultants, and a large membership of volunteers whose role in the success of the organization is critical.

Compensation: This is a Full-Time exempt position with a salary range of $65-$75,000 commensurate with experience. This position offers flexible work week hours but requires commitment to and participation in numerous meetings and events as they occur outside of regular business hours.Paid time off and federal holidays, and with the new Executive Director the Board of Directors will explore the best option for providing paid health benefits.

To Apply

• Please click "Apply" below to email a resume and cover letter.
• Application review begins 4/2/18 and will remain open until 5/4/18.
• Contact by email only. No Phone Calls, please.

~ We are an equal opportunity employer that values diversity in our organization and the community we serve; it is our position to consider all candidates equally without regard to age, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or other non-merit factors.

Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy is committed to hiring someone with the right mix of experience (both traditional and nontraditional) and encourages all qualified applicants to submit an application for consideration. Please see this page for further information about the organization. ~