Executive Director

~ Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) is dedicated to the conservation, preservation, and responsible recreational use of the New York State Forest Preserve and other parks, wild lands, and waters vital to our members and chapters. ~

ADK is the only nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and advocating for New York State’s wild lands and waters while also teaching people how to enjoy natural places responsibly. Since 1922, the organization has offered people opportunities to stay and play in as well as protect, discover, and explore the outdoors. Today, ADK has 30,000 members in 27 chapters statewide and is served by a professional, year-round staff. The organization is recognized as a vital voice in the commitment to environmental stewardship and ethical outdoor recreation in New York State. For more information on membership or making a difference, head to our website or follow ADK on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.

Position Overview

ADK is seeking a dynamic, energetic and experienced professional to serve as its next Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer.

The Executive Director (ED) acts as the Chief Executive Officer of the ADK and is responsible for the overall management and direction of ADK in accordance with its Mission, Vision and Bylaws. The ED works under the general oversight of the Board of Directors (Board), the President and the Executive Committee. The ED works closely on a daily basis with the Chief Operating Officer, a long term ADK employee, who is responsible for many of the day to day operations. ADK is, and will continue to be, a Volunteer-Staff partnership. Development and implementation of the budget, strategic plan, and promotion of ADK's mission will continue to be a shared responsibility of the volunteers and staff. The ED will work with ADK senior staff, the Executive Committee, and the Board in defining and implementing ADK policies and furthering its mission.

A law degree is mandatory and status as a member of the New York State Bar in good standing or ability to obtain same during her/his tenure as Executive Director of ADK is required.

The ED assumes a strong leadership role throughout the State of New York and surrounding areas in partnering with governmental agencies, government officials, other not-for-profit environmental and advocacy organizations, and funding agencies, organizations, and Foundations.

The ED has responsibility for knowing and keeping current on all laws, regulations, and government policies that govern the activities of ADK and the public lands it strives to maintain “forever wild”. The ED provides oversight, and overall management, planning, vision, and leadership for all aspects of ADK including Programs, Services, Finance, Resource Development, Human Resources, Member Services, Communications, and Advocacy.

Responsibilities

Development and Coordination of Advocacy Efforts:

• Chief strategist of ADK's Conservation and Advocacy program, working closely with the Conservation and Legislative Director.
• Coordinate ADK’s advocacy relationships and campaigns with like-minded organizations to ensure success in joint advocacy efforts.
• The ED is responsible for media relations.
• Build effective and collaborative working relationships with state and local government officials.
• Develop relationships with state and national organizations involved in national environmental and conservation issues which affect New York such as acid rain and climate change.

Legal Duties (with appropriate legal qualifications):

• Review all legal agreements and contracts for ADK and its chapters, research, develop and communicate legal opinions for members, chapters, and staff as legal issues and questions arise.
• Collaborates with staff and volunteers on various insurance and Risk Management related issues.
• Being able to serve as co-counsel for ADK when necessary, in cases such as the Clean Air Act and Forest Preserve cases and actively participate in preparation and review of legal briefs and proceedings before the courts.
• Oversee the drafting and institutional compliance with the applicable federal and state laws and ADK By-Laws and Board of Director Policies.

Internal Organizational Management:

• Provide overall strategic direction, assisting the Chief Operating Officer (COO) in the supervision and program management of staff as needed, and develop yearly work plans with senior staff.
• Provide oversight to assure ADK stays within approved plans and budgets.
• Represent when needed, with the COO and Chief Fiscal Officer, ADK in negotiations with contractors and government agencies.
• Effectively manage the human resources of ADK in a manner which supports a productive, professionally competent work force in an environment respectful of personal well-being, professional development and cultural diversity.
• Coordinate all HR efforts and policies with the Volunteer Human Resources Committee.

Finance:

• The ED, together with the COO and CFO, shall be responsible for the financial health of ADK and shall work with the Finance and Audit Committees.

Fundraising:

• Collaborate with the Development Director in the implementation of all ADK fund raising programs, activities, policies and in the identification and cultivation of donors, foundations and maintain relationships with donors and grant makers.
• The ED shall be responsible for continuing to obtain public funding for ADK programs and activities.

Program and Member Services:

• Ensure program quality and consistency with ADK goals through ongoing evaluation of all programs and services.
• Serve as Publisher of Adirondac magazine.

Support and work with the Board of Directors:

• The Executive Director will work with the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee in accordance with ADK Bylaws to insure that ADK operates with a clear mission and a long-range strategic plan that is consistent with the mission.
• Keep the Board of Directors fully informed on conditions, opportunities, issues, and challenges for ADK and the environment.

Qualifications

Required:

• Law Degree and ability to obtain Bar Admission in New York State.
• Bachelor’s Degree, preferred in environmental, not for profit, corporate management or related studies with at least 10 years in public policy advocacy and management.

Desirable:

• Excellent public speaking and oral communications skills with the demonstrated ability to communicate complex environmental and conservation arguments to a variety of lay and expert audiences.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills.
• Ability to achieve ADK’s public policy objectives through well researched and reasoned legal and scientific policy arguments.
• Substantial and demonstrated experience and success with the workings of the legislative process and an understanding of the workings and decision-making process of the executive branch and it’s public agencies such as the New York Department of Environmental Conservation, Office of Parks and the Adirondack Park Agency.
• Demonstrated experience including individual staff development and cultivation and writing for foundation grants.
• Development and implementation of strategic plans, institutional initiatives and identification and prioritization of short and long term organizational goals, needs and resource acquisition.
• Demonstrated success in managing and incentivizing an experienced well qualified senior management staff to achieve ADK’s major initiatives and policy objectives within our Annual and Capital budgets.

Compensation

• Competitive salary and benefits. 

To Apply

• Please click "Apply" below to upload your cover letter, resume and three references by December 7, 2018.

~ Equal Opportunity Employer ~