Executive Director

About Us

Friends of the Cedar River Watershed (The Friends) engages people to enhance and sustain watersheds through restoration, education, and stewardship. Since 1996, we have worked effectively in collaborative partnerships, building a grassroots constituency for watershed health through restoration efforts, outreach, and education. Our primary goal is to work with people – family by family, business by business – educating about the values of our watershed. We are a local group with our roots in the water that we protect. We serve a diverse population: the watershed is home to approximately 22% of Washington State's population and one of the most diverse zip code in the United States. By engaging a broad spectrum, we inspire positive behavior change for the greater good. We empower our supporters to show that they are a piece of a much larger puzzle, and can make positive choices to have a huge impact.Through innovative collaborations with municipalities, schools, individuals, and businesses, we link local citizens to environmental stewardship efforts including volunteer habitat restoration events, salmon recovery efforts, and conservation and education programs in order to preserve these finite resources for future generations.

Job Summary

The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors and is responsible for the organization's consistent achievement of its mission and financial goals. The Executive Director supervises a staff team of two full-time, two part-time and one seasonal employee. This a full-time, exempt position requiring occasional evening and weekend work. Key responsibilities include:

Primary Responsibilities

Leadership

Lead staff, Board, volunteers, and other key stakeholders in fulfilling mission and adhering to strategic plan.

Lead creation and review of strategic and annual operational plans

·Align staff and board work plans to execution of Strategic Plan

·Oversee organization-wide capacity building projects in accordance with strategic goals and priorities

·Think systemically and strategically; assess options based on The Friend's strategic plan, conditions in the economic environment and innovate to enhance organization's impact and sustainability

Fiscal & Business Operations

Manage fiscal and administrative operations and ensure financial health of Friends of the Cedar River Watershed.

·Work with Board to develop annual budget and lead budget review process

·Develop financial best practices and manage the organization's funds using those practices

·Oversee and support Program Managers with the development and execution of program budgets

·Manage daily, weekly and monthly QuickBooks revenue and expense data, invoice preparation, accounts payable and accounts receivable

·Manage cash flow and expenses according to budget, including monthly reports

·Manage quarterly and annual business and employer tax filing and payments to city/state/federal governments

·Oversee bookkeeper in the management of accounts payables and receivables, the maintenance of financial records and the bi-monthly payroll processing and records management

·Submit all contracts and grant acceptance documents to the Board President for approval and sign off

·Develop an operational plan that incorporates goals and objectives that are aligned with the strategic plan

·Oversee the efficient and effective day-to-day operation of the organization

·Review existing policies on an annual basis and recommend changes to the Board as appropriate

·Identify and evaluate the risks to The Friends staff and volunteers, finances, goodwill and image and implement measures to control risks; ensure appropriate and adequate insurance coverage for the organization

Fund Development

Oversee annual fund development activities and grant processes.

·Work with the Board and Staff to create realistic fundraising goals and implement fund development strategies

Establish, maintain and cultivate relationships with foundations, governments, and corporate funders
Solicit and secure major donors to ensure development of a strong and growing funding base
Develop and implement donor recognition plan
Provide oversight and direction to the planning and implementation of annual fundraising events

Personnel Management & Human Resources

Supervise and inspire staff; ensure a healthy work environment that attracts, maintains, and motivates a diverse and high quality staff team.

·Determine staffing requirements; recruit, hire and train personnel to further The Friends' mission

·Develop and implement bi-annual performance review process and professional development plans; oversee review process and conduct reviews for manager positions

·Plan and facilitate staff meetings and team building opportunities: group and individual

·Develop/maintain personnel policies and procedures in compliance with all applicable labor laws, including fair compensation and benefits.

·Coach and mentor staff; discipline and/or terminate staff when necessary

·Provide support to programs when needed

·Negotiate and directly manage contract labor

Board Relations

Support and inspire Board

·Work with board President to develop agendas for Board Meetings

·Provide materials and resources to Board

·Foster effective teamwork and serve as a liaison between Board of Directors and the staff

·Create and implement Board Development needs assessment and matrix to support Board Development efforts.

·Report to Board monthly on internal and external issues that affect The Friends

·Participate with the Board of Directors in adaptively managing a strategic plan

·Conduct official correspondence on behalf of or with the Board, as appropriate

·Partner with the board of directors to help create and maintain an effective governance structure

Community Relations/Advocacy

Represent The Friends in the community and foster collaboration with partner organizations; ensure a visible and vibrant presence in the community.

·Communicate with stakeholders to keep them informed of and appropriately involved with The Friends' work

·Establish strong working relationships and collaborative arrangements with community groups, funders, politicians, land managers and other organizations to help achieve the goals of the organization

·Network with other organizations through coalitions/committees

·Effectively and strategically represent The Friends at community activities, councils, and stakeholder gatherings

·Serve as media spokesperson for the organization

Program Implementation

Ensure delivery of core program areas are sustainable, relevant and aligned with overall strategic plan and mission.

·Oversee and support Program Managers in the development, implementation and evaluation of programs and services, assuring that goals and objectives are aligned with The Friends overall strategic plan

Monitor the day-to-day delivery of programs to maintain or improve quality
Oversee the planning, implementation, execution and evaluation of special projects

Qualifications

·At least 7 years experience in non-profit management, ideally in the environmental or conservation arena

·Demonstrated excellence in interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills to a variety of diverse stakeholder groups and populations

·Strong financial and operational experience

·Staff supervision experience

·Ability to develop, manage and nurture partnerships and key donor relationships

·Ability to manage multiple demands

·Excellent organizational,

·A reliable, self-starter disposition and the ability to work with minimal supervision

·A naturally friendly and accommodating personality

·Strong verbal and written communication skills

·Discretion while working with private client information

·Proficiency in QuickBooks, MS Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and experience with donor software

·Flexibility to work some nights and weekends

·Reliable transportation to travel throughout the Lake Washington/Cedar River/Sammamish Watershed

Compensation & Benefits

The Executive Director is a full-time salaried position. Compensation and benefits for the position include:

·Salary commensurate with experience (starting annual salary range $50,000-$62,000)

·Medical and dental insurance stipend

·Generous paid time off

·Annual training and development plan for professional and personal growth

PREFERRED CANDIDATES will have a working knowledge of King County's drinking water supply, watershed management issues such as salmon recovery and stormwater, LID and sustainability program experience, and a high level of comfort in a vigorous work environment.
How to apply

To apply:

Please submit resume and letter of interest outlining your qualifications to hiring@cedarriver.org by Monday, April 7, 2014.