Executive Director

Heart of the lakes is a nonprofit corporation created in 2004 with a mission to strengthen the capacities of land conservancies and other organizations dedicated to conserving Michigan's lands that are environmentally and economically significant. Heart of the Lakes is the policy and public voice for its member land conservancies.

Position Overview:

The Board of Directors for Heart of the Lakes Center for Land Conservation Policy is seeking an Executive Director who is a strong and capable leader and a passionate advocate for land conservation and protection.

You'll need superior skills and experience in federal, state and local policy development and implementation; building partnerships to achieve organizational missions; and collaborative efforts aimed at supporting the development, viability and vitality of nonprofit organizations, such as the statewide network of land conservancies.

You'll be responsible for the successful management of Heart of the Lakes, including implementing the strategic plan for the organization, and the hiring and supervision of staff and/or consultants required to attain the goals of the organization within the financial limits established by the Board.

Respondents should learn about Heart of the Lakes by going to our website. Copies of Heart of the Lakes' 2012-2014 Strategic Plan can be obtained by contacting Julie Stoneman.

Responsibilities:

Conservation Policy: 

• Leading the organization in ensuring that federal, state, local and other policies, laws, rules and/or regulations are developed or sustained in keeping with the best interest of land conservation in Michigan. 
• This includes serving on committees, commissions, boards and other bodies to ensure that the needs and voices of land conservation are clearly reflected in policy and program development. 
• This also includes serving as the spokesperson for Heart of the Lakes and its conservancy members and Board.

Building Conservancy Services and Capacities:

• Being instrumental to the success of land conservation and preservation throughout Michigan with and through the network of land conservancies and related stakeholders as established in the strategic plan for the organization, including programs such as ACE and others.

Strategic and Annual Planning:

• Presenting to the Board for its approval a program of work for each fiscal year supported by a budget plan for the financial implementation of the proposed program that will attain the goals of the strategic plan for the organization that will be developed by the Board in collaboration with the Executive Director.

Financial Accountability:

• Reporting to the Board on a regular basis the financial status of the organization and the progress Heart of the Lakes is making to attain its annual work plans and strategic plan. Generally, this will include monthly financial reports for key officers and a quarterly activity report to the entire board as well as regular progress reports at board meetings.

Resource Development:

• Collaborating with the Board and other partners and stakeholders to ensure that financial resources are secured through grants, memberships, donor services and other revenue streams to fully support the attainment of the vision, mission and goals of Heart of the Lakes. 
• The Executive Director also develops and participates in professional development opportunities involving Heart of the Lakes personnel, Heart of the Lakes contractors and/or other conservancies and organizations in ways that are beneficial to Heart of the Lakes.

Communications:

• Ensuring that external and internal communications needs are effectively and proactively met, including use of the Heart of the Lakes website and periodic newsletters, news releases, social and other print/electronic communications that are significant to land conservation in Michigan and/or important to achieving the mission and goals of Heart of the Lakes.

Key Partnerships:

• Maintaining and developing partnerships and serving as liaison with key constituent groups and organizations in Michigan and nationally, including conservation groups and organizations; local government groups and associations; economic development and tourism groups and associations and others as necessary and appropriate to attain the mission and goals of Heart of the Lakes.

Financial Management and Reporting:

• Ensuring that all financial and reporting requirements of the Board, grantors and federal, state or local governments are met.

Personnel and Contractors:

• Hiring or engaging, evaluating and terminating employees and contractors hired or retained to assist in attaining the mission and goals of Heart of the Lakes, in keeping with the policies and direction of the Board.

Board Collaboration:

• Working with the Board to involve members strategically in helping to attain the mission and goals of Heart of the Lakes, including development of the annual work plan and organizational strategic plan that should define areas of Board member concentration. 
• The Executive Director will also provide liaison and support for Board appointed committees.

Qualifications:

General Skills and Experience:

• Working with policy makers and administrative agencies at all levels to achieve desired results
• Forming and strengthening partnerships to achieve goals and objectives and build capacities
• Providing inspired leadership that compels staff, stakeholders and others to unify around organizational missions and goals
• Developing and managing programs in a collaborative fashion that support attainment of goals and objectives for communities that vary depending upon circumstances
• Developing, evaluating and improving organizations and their personnel and contractors

Specific Experience:

• Work with land conservancies or land trusts or closely related land conservation activities
• Advocate for policy and participating in policy development
• Non-profit leadership and management experience
• Organizational management and leadership experience, including experience in strategy development, program planning and budgeting
• Fund raising experience, including but not limited to individuals, grants and major donors
• Superior communication skills

Additional Information:

Heart of the lakes attains its mission through:

Policy and Legislative Services, in compliance with 501(c)(3) status, that focus on developing and sustaining polices that support conservation, mitigate threats to natural resources, create or sustain revenues to support conservation and natural resource management and support essential laws and programs, such as the Michigan Constitutional mandate of the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund.

Conservancy Services that include the Advancing Conservancy Excellence (ACE) program; a technical support program that provides resources to help the more than 28 Michigan land conservancies attain their organizational and program goals, including National Accreditation; tools and technical resources including a service providers directory that helps conservancies access professional services; and by serving as a central resource for information about land conservation, outreach and partnerships.

Communications and Outreach to raise the visibility of Michigan's land conservancies and build recognition for the important role of land and water quality protection to community building and economic development.

Compensation: Compensation is to be determined based on the qualifications of the individual or entity selected. Candidates should include salary/compensation expectations in their response.

To Apply:

Please click "Apply Now Online!" to submit qualifications, three references and compensation expectations to Julie Stoneman by Friday, December 14, 2012.

Questions may be directed to: Tim Ervin. Questions via email are preferred.