Executive Director

Executive Director Channel Islands Park Foundation 

Summary:  

The Channel Island Park Foundation’s (CIPF) Executive Director will be a visionary leader ready to steward a small non profit with a working board to become a recognized and robust mission driven organization with financial health and long-term strategy. A central aspect of this role is the ability to establish and maintain a collaborative partnership with the National Park Service (NPS). This relationship is crucial for advancing strategic goals aligned with NPS priorities, including infrastructure and landscape rehabilitation, park accessibility and safety, community engagement, youth education and workforce development. The Executive Director will be responsible for developing relationships with funders, conceiving and implementing programmatic efforts with collaborators, refining and promoting the brand of the organization and serving as the voice and face of the organization in communicating with media and partners.  This person will be savvy, strategic and operate with pristine integrity with an active and engaged Board of Directors and the leadership of Channel Islands National Park, particularly the Park Superintendent.   

Responsibilities:  

Fundraising & Financial Management  

• Develop and lead fundraising strategies to grow and secure financial resources for the foundation.  
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with individual donors, corporate partners, foundations and government agencies to increase funding sources and ensure long-term financial sustainability.  
• Provide strategic financial leadership, oversee budgets, prepare regular financial reports for the board, Channel Islands National Park and stakeholders and monitor financial data and performance. 

Strategic Leadership  

• Oversee the design, development, implementation and success of the organization’s strategic and annual operating plans.   
• Partner with the National Park Service to design, implement and evaluate project initiatives in alignment with strategic priorities.   
• Collaborate closely with the National Park Service to meaningfully engage community partners and identify programs that benefit the community and the Park with a strong emphasis on family, youth and volunteer constituencies.   
• Oversee day-to-day operations, ensuring the overall success and long-term sustainability and growth of the organization.  
• Provide visionary leadership to inspire volunteers, stakeholders and community members operational plans of the foundation.  
• Effectively partner with the Board of Directors to advance the mission, ensure compliance with governance policies and regulations, and build a pipeline of strong future board members.  

Program Development & Management 

• Oversee the development, implementation and success of the organizations strategic annual operating plan and advance the organization's mission and objectives 
• Build and grow active participation within the community for the Channel Islands Park Foundation. 
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of programs and initiatives and prepare regular reports for stakeholders and the Board of Directors.  

Community Engagement  

• Elevate the organization's brand, image awareness and presence with the local community.  
• Represent the foundation publicly in public forums and events activating as the primary spokesperson communicating key messages to the media, government officials and the general public.  
• Lead and execute established community events including the annual general meeting and annual fundraiser.  
• Identify and grow opportunities for community engagement, event participation and speaking engagements to grow local support.  
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Qualifications:  

• Demonstrated success in fundraising, strategic planning and program development  
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as nonprofit management, public administration, environmental science or equivalent work experience and five or more years of professional leadership, supervisory and fundraising experience. 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively engage with all stakeholders including donors, partners, community members, board of directors and government officials.  
• Strategic thinker and strong leader with the ability to lead and implement innovative solutions to complex problems. 
• Entrepreneurial spirit comfortable in driving initiatives and creating systems.  
• Ability to work independently as well as with a volunteer board of directors.  
• Experience in nonprofit management preferred but not required. 
• Experience with National Park operations preferred but not required. 
• Strong commitment to the mission and values of the organization, with a passion for The Channel Islands. 

Salary & Benefits: 

• Base salary of $100k annually  
• Health benefits including medical, dental & vision coverage  
• 401(k) enrollment 
• 20 days of accrued paid time off/year to start 
• After 5 years of employment paid time off increases to 25 days/ year 
• After 10 years of employment paid time off increases to 30 days/year
• 12 paid holidays annually  

Application Process:  

Please submit a resume, cover letter and a minimum of three professional references to CIPFrecruit@gmail.com. Applications will be accepted and interviews scheduled on a rolling basis until the role is filled.