Executive Director

Published on: December 8, 2010

This job posting expired and applications are no longer accepted.
Consultative Group on Biological Diversity Published: December 8, 2010
Location
San Francisco , California
Skill Level
Senior Level, Senior Level
Job Type
Full-time
Categories
Admin/ Gen Mgmt

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Description

The Consultative Group on Biological Diversity, based in San Francisco, CA, is seeking an Executive Director.

Founded in 1987, the Consultative Group on Biological Diversity (CGBD) is a professional association of grantmaking foundations whose shared vision is for a sustainable, just and healthy future for all life on Earth, advanced by a vibrant and effective philanthropic sector.

CGBD is building a community of foundation leaders who learn from each other; share the knowledge that resides in their separate foundations; adopt an holistic, integrated approach to environmental analysis and problem-solving; are well-informed about the current state of scientific, economic and political factors affecting their work; whose short-term strategies are informed by a broad-scale, long-range assessment of future trends; and who actively pursue collaborative endeavors.

The CGBD has 57 foundation members, a budget of $1.25M and a staff of seven.  It is governed by a Board of Directors, currently composed of representatives from nine member foundations.  The CGBD supports a handful of member-driven programs and projects that focus on climate change and energy, marine ecosystems, land and freshwater, conservation science, and the Gulf of California.  In addition to members, more than 75 foundations are actively involved in the work of these programs.  Each year, the CGBD organizes a substantial annual meeting, about two dozen webinars and conference calls, several other in-person, multi-day meetings, a quarterly newsletter, and a continually updated website.

Position Overview:

Working closely with a dedicated Board of Directors, and engaged staff and members, the Executive Director will lead the organization's programs and activities to address and advance the critical global biodiversity issues of its members. The Executive Director's overall responsibility is to ensure that the work of CGBD's leadership and members is properly supported in a timely and effective manner, reflecting member values, history and traditions.

Responsibilities:

Specifically, the Executive Director will be charged with meeting the following broad goals and objectives:

  • To serve as a champion for the mission, direction and activities of the CGBD, building, strengthening and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders, donors, partners and critical constituencies.
  • To provide organizational leadership for CGBD, implementing established program priorities and fostering a culture which recruits and retains members and top level professional staff.
  • To support the development of a vibrant future by continuing to cultivate, expand and make best use of the CGBD's Board of Directors, members, and partners.
  • To develop, raise and manage the annual budget and ensure the overall financial and administrative health of the organization.
  • To provide regular information to the Board and members about key issues; organize and manage strategy sessions on selected topics of interest to members; and facilitate communication among members.
  • To work with an annual meeting planning committee to design and organize the CGBD's well-attended annual meeting.
  • To work with the Horizons Committee to identify emerging trends and issues, and organize seminars, briefings, or other forums to distribute information.

Qualifications:

The Executive Director should ideally possess the following professional qualifications and personal attributes:

Professional Qualifications:

  • Responsive leadership style, with the capacity to build on and deploy the CGBD's assets while ensuring that members drive the organization.
  • Leadership and business acumen; a proven record of organizational effectiveness, engaging and fully utilizing a Board; and competence with personnel management, budgeting, and stewardship of financial resources.
  • Experience recruiting, directing, motivating and developing staff while building a nimble yet effective infrastructure to support a member-based organization.
  • Experience building effective networks, partnerships, and/or coalitions; and motivation to use new social media and other web-based tools to deepen organizational connections.
  • Ability to listen to others and learn from their best ideas, demonstrating intellectual curiosity, approachability, and openness to input from all levels of staff.
  • Superb organizational and interpersonal skills combined with an ability to diplomatically prioritize sometimes conflicting demands. Willingness to undertake administrative tasks, as needed.
  • Bachelor's degree required with an advanced degree or equivalent experience strongly preferred.
  • The highest level of personal and professional integrity and quality standards.
  • Willingness and ability to travel is required.

Personal Attributes:

  • Passionate commitment to the values and mission of CGBD.
  • Ability to inspire trust, lead and facilitate with strong interpersonal skills and move from ideas to action.
  • Ability to stay grounded and give credit and recognition to others.
  • A personal style of acting with humility and grace - in sum a superb professional and personal presence.

Compensation: This is a full-time position.  The CGBD offers an excellent benefits package and a salary that is commensurate with experience.

To Apply:

Interested candidates should please e-mail a cover letter explaining how your skills and background fit this position and a resume. Please reference CGBD in the subject line.

Daniel Sherman, President
Explore Company 

The Consultative Group on Biological Diversity is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes a diverse candidate pool for this search.

The organization uses an outside firm to check the accuracy of information supplied by applicants.

When you apply for this position, please say you saw this job on Green Dream Jobs!!

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