Executive Director

~ Launched in 2006, the International Biochar Initiative (IBI) is the only international nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering the advancement of sustainable biochar systems. ~

Though biochar has been used as a soil enhancer for over 2,000 years, the extent of its potential benefits to modern agriculture has only recently been recognized, as has its ability to serve as a powerful tool in the fight against climate change.

IBI has over 400 members from 34 countries and a board and advisory committee representing the world's leading biochar experts in the academic, business, nonprofit, and agricultural communities. Leveraging this expertise, IBI is ideally equipped to serve as the leading proponent of biochar, advocating its use where appropriate as a critical tool in improving the sustainability of agricultural production at all scales and addressing the global crises of food security and climate change.

For more information, please visit our website. 

Position Overview 

IBI seeks a mission-focused and entrepreneurial Executive Director to lead the organization to its next level of financial, programmatic, and organizational success.

The Executive Director will build on IBI's achievements to date by significantly increasing IBI's revenue and membership, providing outstanding organizational leadership and vision to establish strategic priorities and goals, scaling up programs and activities, and passionately communicating IBI's mission and accomplishments to internal and external stakeholders.

The Executive Director will have demonstrated experience in growing an organization and will be an accomplished fundraiser, a collaborative leader, and an excellent manager who can leverage existing partnerships and foster new ones. This unique leader will have the drive, tenacity, and independence to thrive in a young and evolving organization, with a small and dispersed staff, where initiative and adaptation to change will be required.

It is the IBI Board's expectation that the Executive Director will not only guide the organization's overall growth, but also lead the effort to establish permanent offices for IBI in the U.S. The structure and timeline for this growth will be determined by the Executive Director in consultation with the board.

IBI will consider candidates with a range of career profiles whose core values and leadership abilities match the demands of the Executive Director role. The Executive Director will report to and work closely with the international IBI Board of Directors to carry out the organization's mission.

Note: The location for this position is flexible within the U.S., with the understanding that the successful candidate will be responsible for establishing permanent offices for IBI in a major city suitable to fulfilling the organization's mission. This position will require up to 30% travel.  

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

The Executive Director will perform the following and other duties as assigned: 

Leadership, Vision, & Strategy 

• Work with the IBI Board of Directors and staff to revise, refine, and implement overall organizational vision, strategy, and programmatic priorities.
• Ensure the organization's goals and programs build on IBI's accomplishments to date and further strengthen the quality, relevance, and profile of the organization. 
• Lead the development and implementation of an organizational growth plan, including staffing, communications, infrastructure, external strategic partnerships and alliances, and plans to track, measure, and communicate progress and success. 
• Promote successful business development, market development, and supportive policies to help overcome obstacles and provide solutions to the commercialization of sustainable biochar systems. 

Fundraising & External Relations 

• Lead fundraising through personal efforts and by guiding volunteer and board engagement in a strong and successful development effort that will ensure the long-term financial health of the organization.
• Identify and pursue foundation funding opportunities, including drafting grant proposals and reports.
• Work closely with donors who provide place- or project-based support to make the case for additional general operational support.
• Pursue creative new avenues for earned revenues that also advance the organization's mission. 
• Represent IBI externally, and raise IBI's profile as the most credible and authoritative entity engaged in supporting the development of sustainable biochar systems globally. 
• Communicate IBI's vision, mission, and strategic priorities to inspire and galvanize internal and external stakeholder support. 

Board Relations/Development & Organizational Management 

• Help develop an active, diverse, and inclusive board that is willing to leverage and secure resources on behalf of the organization.
• Provide leadership and oversight for IBI's programmatic work, ensuring engagement of appropriate technical and policy expertise, and managing and evaluating staff and contractors as appropriate. 
• Oversee annual budgeting, programmatic planning, and evaluation of IBI's efficacy; report to the board of directors on progress toward meeting IBI's goals. 

Qualifications

The successful applicant will have a significant number of the following qualifications: 

• 10+ years of relevant substantive work experience, with 5+ years in a senior managerial role
• Strong interest and abilities in fundraising, including demonstrated success securing funding and scaling up an organization via diverse funding sources
• Proven success managing a dynamic organization including overseeing day-to-day operations
• Superior verbal and written communication skills with the ability to attract partners and funders by communicating a compelling and inspired sense of purpose
• Willingness and ability to work closely and constructively with the board of directors and contribute to board development
• A high level of diplomacy and pragmatism and the ability to facilitate collaboration and consensus among a wide range of internal and external stakeholders
• Demonstrated operational skills and the ability to manage time and resources, including budget management, organizational planning, and infrastructure development
• Demonstrated success working in a global setting across multiple locations and time zones
• Passion for and experience with working on technical environmental, sustainability, conservation, and/or climate change issues with a strong focus on business and market development and economic drivers strongly preferred
• Experience with agricultural and other land management practices preferred
• Familiarity with biochar desirable
• Experience working with boards of directors preferred 
• High level of motivation, initiative, energy, and an entrepreneurial spirit with the desire and willingness to take on a range of tasks
• A proactive management style and ability to oversee and guide staff on multiple projects simultaneously
• Ability and drive to move thought leadership and collaboration into action-translating innovation into new programs, policies, best practices, market opportunities, and partnerships 
• Experience driving and managing institutional growth or change preferred
• Willingness and capability to manage staff remotely
• Willingness to travel nationally and internationally
• Fluency in English required, foreign language skills a plus
• Bachelor's degree required, advanced degree in a relevant field preferred 

Compensation: IBI will offer an excellent benefits package and a competitive salary that is commensurate with experience. 

To Apply

To be considered for this position, please click below: "Apply Here!" and then follow instructions: downloading a resume, cover letter and salary requirements.

                                                                       ~~~ 

CEA Recruiting is assisting IBI with this search. Please direct all applications and inquiries to CEA Recruiting. 

CEA Recruiting works with leading environmental nonprofits, foundations, and businesses to recruit top talent and design effective organizational staffing strategies. For more information, visit our website.  

~ The International Biochar Initiative is an equal opportunity employer. ~