Reports to: Board of Directors
Type: 40 hours/week, hybrid on-site
Pay: $60,000-$70,000
Please download & read the full executive profile here!
ABOUT FOC
“Supporting, enhancing, and promoting the Volunteer Park Conservatory and fostering connection between people & nature.”
Founded in 1980, The Friends of the Conservatory is a group of passionate community leaders and volunteers with a mission to inspire connection between people, nature, and community. As a regionally recognized non-profit, we partner with the City of Seattle to support and advocate for the Volunteer Park Conservatory, protect and ensure public access, provide education, foster connection through events and education, and support conservation of the historical building. All together, we open our doors to 150,000 visitors a year.
Today we are in a period of transformation. In 2022, we are planning to update our contract with the City of Seattle, building new partnerships, working on a 5-year strategic plan, and expanding our programming. As we move beyond the limits and disruptions of the pandemic, the team is excited to work with a new leader to expand the impact of the FOC.
In addition, the Executive Director will be the face of the Conservatory within the larger community, building relationships with donors and key partners such as the City of Seattle, as well as many local nonprofits and horticultural organizations in the region.
THE POSITION
The next Executive Director of the Friends of the Conservatory will join during an exciting period of rebirth and transformation, and will have the immense opportunity to write the next chapter in the Conservatory’s 100+ year history. They will start from a stable position, inheriting a balanced budget, small reserve fund, growing board, and a community of passion and dedicated volunteers.
OPPORTUNITY FOR IMPACT
There are several major, exciting opportunities and challenges on the horizon:
Short and long term strategic planning
Join the collaborative process to develop a strategic plan focused on strengthening capacity and organizational sustainability. Help us in identifying creative avenues for growing and diversifying revenue over the next 5 years.
Organizational Leadership
Work to improve and optimize operations for smoother day-to-day activities. Help assess current systems and put into place new and needed structures, policies, protocols, and resources. Partner with the board in developing better governance, compliance, and recruitment practices.
Team Building, and Volunteer Expansion
Lead organizational design, cultivating an equitable and inclusive culture, and facilitating an expanding team of paid staff and volunteer members in working effectively together on site.
Educational Program Development
Build the organization's profile as a community gathering place. Work closely with staff to develop new and creative educational programs and arts & cultural events that reach new demographics.
Cultivating Impactful Partnerships
Foster positive relationships with the talented and committed staff, volunteers, Parks Gardeners & staff, board members, partners, donors, and funders. Connect the organization with a whole new set of community stakeholders including the King County arts community.
Improve Fundraising & Donor Relationships
Drive the strategy to expand our fundraising capacity as we work towards the goal of making the Conservatory free again. Build strong relationships with existing donors and find new communities to connect into the work of the FOC.
WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
Friends of the Conservatory seeks a multidimensional leader with a compelling combination of lived experience, professional work, and direct and transferable skills. If you feel like you are a good fit for this role but don’t have all of the below skills, we still encourage you to apply. The board is committed to supporting the next Executive Director in their professional growth.
Qualities / Attributes | As a leader, you are:
- Transformative - You hold a vision and can communicate strategic direction while being able to identify and respond creatively to challenges, opportunities and community circumstances.
- Strong Storyteller- You are an enthusiastic advocate who has a joy and passion for connecting people to nature. You are a transparent, proactive communicator who can connect with a wide range of audiences.
- Emotionally Intelligent – You are a good listener who has strong self-awareness of your impact on others. You bring a high level of integrity to everything you do.
- Culturally Intelligent - You actively work to dismantle white supremecist work culture and create an inclusive and sensitive space welcoming to folks regardless of race, age, gender, ability, economic status, sexual orientation, or identity.
- Pluralist - You recognize the interconnectedness of people and actively empower all members of our community in co-creating our programs. You believe in sharing leadership and know how to leverage collective expertise.
Abilities | Your combination of experiences and skills encompass many or most of the following:
Experience serving as Executive Director. Deputy Director, COO, CAO, CFO, a member of senior staff or similar role(s) in an organization, division, or department of comparable size
- NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT - A broad understanding of all aspects of running a small non-profit organization, including board governance, operations, and human resources.
- FUNDRAISING - Understanding of fundraising strategies, including demonstrated talent in cultivating donors, overseeing grants, and collaborating on the execution of a development plan.
- TEAM DEVELOPMENT - Ability managing a small team, as well as professionally developing and empowering staff to follow their interests and grow their careers; Empathetic verbal and written communication skills.
- STRATEGIC PLANNING - Experience leading strategic planning, as well as scaling and overseeing implementation with a small team and large volunteer base.
- VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT - Experience managing and engaging volunteers and volunteer leaders on community and organizational projects, including establishing systems and supports for volunteers.
- FISCAL STEWARDSHIP - Expertise in the financial aspects of managing a small nonprofit, including in developing and monitoring budgets, diversifying revenue, managing cash flow, and efficiently aligning and maximizing limited resources.
- PARTNERSHIPS - Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to develop new and enduring relationships with a wide variety of internal and external community stakeholders.
- PASSION FOR PARKS / GARDENS / ENVIRONMENTAL / HORTICULTURAL - Connection, passion, and appreciation of parks, gardens, and environmental issues – which may come from board or staff service, volunteer work, or personal life.
What to Expect:
Your first three months will be focused on building working relationships with our staff, community leaders, and volunteers. Key to this will be integrating into our volunteer-driven culture, understanding our communication and co-working practices, and gaining familiarity with existing systems. You’ll also support the organization in ramping up for early year events.
Hours, Benefits, Perks
The Executive Director position is a full-time exempt role based in Seattle, with an expectation of being 80% onsite at the Conservatory. The salary offered is $60,000 – $70,000 per year plus the following benefits:
- Open/Flexible PTO
- 13 paid holidays
- Monthly Healthcare Contribution
- Annual $500 Professional development stipend
- Monthly $140 Transportation stipend
- One time $300 Technology stipend
- Annual Bonus Opportunity
Friends is also ready to explore adding an employer-sponsored healthplan and have relocation assistance available.
Application Instructions:
Please download & read the full executive profile here!
This role will remain open until filled with a priority deadline of October 7 and first review of October 10.
We request candidates submit a resume and a cover letter that answers the following two questions: (1) What draws you to the Friends of the Conservatory now in your career? And (2) What are 3-5 key accomplishments you are most proud of, that reflect the needs of this role?
Please submit your resume here [application link].
