Company description

Whiterock Conservancy (www.whiterockconservancy.org), is a 5,500-acre non-profit land trust located in rural west-central Iowa along the Middle Raccoon River near the progressive small town of Coon Rapids, Iowa, (www.coonrapidsiowa.com).

Whiterock Conservancy was created in 2004 to steward a large, bio-diverse private land donation that includes seven square miles of land along both sides of the Middle Raccoon River as well as the historic Garst Farm visited by Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev during the Cold War. Whiterock’s three main programs are:  1) environmental stewardship and restoration of prairie, wetland, woodland, riverine and oak savanna habitats; 2) sustainable agriculture on a commercial scale (pasture and crop ground); and 3) low-impact public recreation, including hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, lodging, camping, event hosting, canoeing, and interpretive events. Land stewardship, agriculture, and restoration activities take place concurrently on the same land. We continue to develop a variety of ways, both recreational and educational, for the public to interact with Whiterock’s unique history and landscape.

Whiterock has farm, donation, guest services, grant and endowment income and an operational budget of $950,000.  

Job description

Position Summary:  The Executive Director is responsible for working with the Board to set the direction, secure funds for and overall management of this innovative non-profit land trust.

The executive director manages all aspects of operations and takes on a strong and visible role in implementing strategic goals for land conservation, community engagement, fundraising, donor cultivation and solicitation and organizational development. This is a hands-on position that requires both long-range vision, as well as attention to organizational details. He/she must have experience in the management and operation of a recognized conservation organization and prior experience in land conservation and/or land stewardship is highly desirable. This position reports to the board of directors.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Serves as the Chief Executive of this non-profit land trust, with full responsibility and authority for the effective day-to-day management and coordination of operations in accordance with policies formulated jointly with the Board of Directors.
2. With support of the staff and the Board Development Committee, aggressively leads development efforts of the institution via the cultivation of potential and ongoing supporters, and actively seeking their donations.  
3. With the support of the management team leads project formulation and oversees grant writing and grant administration.
4. In conjunction with the Board of Directors and staff, implements long-term strategic plan that will include ongoing development of its business model.  
5. With the support of the staff, spearheads efforts to market, promote, and increase awareness of Whiterock, including formulating and ensuring appropriate communication strategies and messages, writing newsletter articles, email communications, social media, press releases, and speaking publicly at a variety of meetings and events, etc.
6. Hires, trains, coordinates, and supervises staff to carry out the basic operations of the organization, and, when necessary, disciplines and discharges staff.  Works with staff to effectively incorporate the efforts of interns and a growing number of volunteers.  Evaluates staff and ensures professional development of staff as warranted by organizational needs.
7. Serves as chief advisor to the Board of Directors and keeps the board fully informed, assuring effectiveness in its policy-making, budgeting, and fundraising roles. Assists the board in recruiting and training board members.
8. Develops and nourishes strategic partnerships with other organizations, such as area economic development and tourism organizations, ag-oriented groups, environmental researchers, county leaders, university research departments, trail user groups, etc.
9. Coordinates, encourages, and supports research and archival efforts related to Whiterock’s land base, flora and fauna, land management interventions, tourism numbers, etc. 

Compensation

this position is: salaried

Application instructions

Deadline

September 16, 2016