Executive Director

The Washington Association of Land Trusts (WALT) seeks an exceptional Executive Director to help lead and serve a thriving statewide association of 36 nonprofit conservation organizations. This is a unique opportunity to head a growing organization with a bold vision and a strong track record in delivering legislative victories, developing innovative new programs, and driving a culture of learning and growth.

WALT's mission is to increase the collective strength and excellence of the land trust community in Washington State, and it has served as the unified hub for Washington's private voluntary land conservation organizations since 2008. Across the state, our member organizations are at the forefront of work to safeguard a diverse and connected natural world, support a vibrant working-lands economy, broaden access to the outdoors, and foster an ethic of engagement with the landscapes that sustain our quality of life. To date, our members have conserved well over a million acres of vital open space, and represent a community of staff, board members, supporters, and volunteers. Our vision is to be a united group of conservation champions, working with diverse local voices to safeguard Washington's essential lands, waters, and wildlife for all time. Visit http:ljwww.walandtrusts.org for more information.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership & Management

The Executive Director is responsible for all aspects of the organization's management, operations, and growth.

• Leading the Board of Directors and membership in developing and updating a strategic vision
• Ensuring organizational sustainability through long-term financial health and implementing appropriate organizational policies
• Overseeing implementation of strategic goals and ongoing programs through staff management

Government Relations

The Executive Director is responsible for building and growing the organization's policy and advocacy program, which serves as a foundational part of the organization's value proposition.

• Engaging members in the development of an annual policy platform and grassroots advocacy efforts to achieve policy goals
• Managing a dedicated contract lobbyist in support of legislative strategy
• Serving as a registered lobbyist and spokesperson on behalf of the organization with key decision-makers and elected officials
• Developing and maintaining key partnerships and coalitions to help increase conservation funding opportunities or build new tools

Education & Networking

The Executive Director is responsible for facilitating regular opportunities for conservation practitioners across the region to learn and grow together as a community of practice.

• Serving as the fiscal sponsor of the biennial Northwest Land Camp and manager of the contract Land Camp Coordinator
• Supporting the organization's multi-year justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion learning initiative
• Hosting regional in-person meetings with opportunities for generative discussion and informal networking
• Supporting virtual learning through regular workshops and peer-to-peer roundtables on emerging issues

Development & Fundraising

The Executive Director is responsible for helping to build the financial capacity of the organization in service of the membership.

• Seeking and obtaining foundation grants to support current work plans
• Developing relationships with individual donors
• Securing sponsorships for educational events
• Working to expand organizational membership

Communications & Outreach

The Executive Director is responsible for helping to maintain open lines of communications with the land trust network and raising the profile of the land conservation movement among the general public.

• Maintaining an active website ,e-news, social media, and listserv presence
• Producing WAL T's annual State of the Lands report Groundswell to elevate stories of impact of the land trust community
• Developing outreach materials to help share success stories and collective impact
• Creating earned media opportunities to highlight important conservation issues
• Leveraging creative partnerships to provide public exposure

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE OF THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE

• 3+ years of senior management experience
• Experience supervising 1+ direct reports
• Fiscal accountability; proven track record of managing budgets
• Comfortable working across a diverse set of interests and across the political spectrum
• Ability to work with political and other executive leaders individually or in groups to achieve objectives
• Sincere and demonstrated commitment to WALT's mission and vision
• Understanding and/or demonstrated experience in diversifying and growing funding streams
• Willing and able to make gift solicitations
• Able to develop strategic partnerships with foundations, corporations, and/or similar organizations
• Can work effectively within a networked structure to develop goals for an organization that integrates the goals of member organizations
• Has proven ability to serve multiple constituencies and stakeholders
• Ability to make critical choices to develop and drive organization-wide priorities
• Can facilitate effective meetings and discussions
• Collaborative and inclusive leader; ability to find common ground and to bring diverse viewpoints together
• Can tell WALT's story in a compelling and authentic fashion
• Able to develop and maintain relationships with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders
• Outstanding communicator: excellent speaking, writing, and listening skills
• Ability to work with political leaders individually or in groups to achieve objectives
• Experience facilitating productive conversations within groups

Personal Characteristics:

• Commitment to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in organizational management and the land conservation movement
• Visionary and executes on the vision
• High EQ
• Problem solver who is flexible and nimble
• Tact, diplomacy, and discernment
• Transparent and trustworthy with a high degree of integrity
• Commitment to principles of cultural humility in working with diverse communities

Highly Preferred:

• Strong experience developing and executing strategy and vision for an organization or department
• Experience developing and building alliances and partnerships
• Proven ability to facilitate and manage growth
• Strong organizational skills and a business orientation that leverages and optimizes resources
• Experience managing an organization or a department with multiple programs
• Familiarity and understanding of PNW's environmental/conservation issues and organizations
• Experience with building relationships with donors
• Experience engaging in advocacy and policy work on the state and/or federal level
• Knowledge of state-level policy processes and agency collaboration
• Track record of building strong, trusting relationships with public and private partners to address complex issues and develop innovative solutions

Preferred:

• Experience working in environmental/conservation organizations
• Experience in nonprofit organizations
• Direct experience working with and/or reporting to a board of directors
• Record of success in developing and maintaining productive, collaborative relations with funders
• Experience influencing legislation and public funding

***Must live in Washington and be able to travel frequently to Olympia during the state legislative session and attend occasional in-person regional, statewide, and national meetings

TO APPLY

Interested candidates should send a resume and cover letter to stacey@consultmetamorphic.com. Please include "WALT Executive Director" in the subject line.