Executive Director

Save The Waves Coalition is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and preserving the coastal environment, with an emphasis on the surf zone, and educating the public about its value. STW is a devoted group of surfers, scientists, and activists, who share a common belief that our wild coastal areas around the world are precious and valuable, and need to be protected for the benefit of the entire community.

Position Overview:

This position is for an executive director to lead all aspects of a small environmental nonprofit organization. The individual will create and execute the organization's overall program strategy, in addition to overseeing all operations. They will manage a small staff, including setting forth goals and responsibilities for each employee.

They will lead fundraising efforts, and be responsible for all financial management, including budgeting, reporting, and executing on an annual financial plan. They will work closely with the board of directors to make program strategy and resource allocation decisions, to maximize effectiveness. They will continually cultivate support for the organization, including attending and speaking at events, meeting with potential donors, and representing the organization in any appropriate public forums. The individual will represent the organization in the media, including conducting interviews for print, online and broadcast media. The position reports to the organization's board of directors.

Responsibilities:

• Create and manage annual financial plan for org including forecasting, budgeting and profit & loss.
• Establish goals and priorities for staff, and provide periodic performance reviews and feedback.
• Design and implement overall program strategy for the organization.
• Organize and oversee all board meetings, including establishing agendas and managing meetings.
• Establish and execute annual development & fundraising plan for the organization, including grant research and grant writing, corporate development, individual donors, and membership.
• Oversee all administration for the org, including human resources, accounting, payroll, technology, and other day-to-day operations.
• Manage and oversee all marketing & PR for the org, including through web & online channels, traditional & social media, events, and other marketing channels.
• Establish and manage partnerships with complementary organizations for environmental programs, co-marketing, and fundraising.
• Represent the organization at various events and conferences through presentations and talks, reinforcing the organization's mission and goals.
• Position requires some local and international travel, as well as flexible hours.

Qualifications:

• Extensive experience, through either work or study, on coastal environmental issues.
• Leadership experience, including managing staff, and setting goals & objectives.
• Extensive fundraising experience, including grant writing and donor cultivation.
• Experience in financial management, including forecasting, budgeting, and managing a P&L.
• Excellent written skills, including experience writing about environmental issues.
• Public speaking savvy, with experience addressing different types of groups.
• Media experience, including conducting interviews for television, radio and print.
• Minimum 10 years experience working with environmental nonprofits or comparable work experience.
• International field experience, working with different cultures and environments.
• Multi-lingual skills preferred.
• Creative thinking, spontaneity and a strong passion for the organization mission.

Compensation: Save The Waves offers a salary that is competitive with other national, nonprofit conservation/environmental organizations. This is a full-time position with benefits based in Davenport, CA (10 miles north of Santa Cruz, CA).

Deadline: December 16, 2011

To Apply:

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume and reference list. Please title resume and cover letter documents using this convention: lastname_resume.doc & lastname_cover.doc?