Get as PDF

The next several years will provide the incoming Executive Director with a rewarding leadership opportunity. Starting with a highly-respected organization, generous membership base, dedicated board, and supportive community leaders - the next Executive Director will work in partnership with the Board and staff to achieve the following priorities:

• Ensure that Sempervirens sustains effective local and State relationships that position the organization as an essential partner in land conservation and stewardship
• Develop and leverage a variety of public and private investments to fund our operations and land acquisitions
• Strengthen staff, governance, and administrative practices to enhance the mission of the organization

The Ideal Executive Director Candidate
Sempervirens is seeking a collaborative leader with a personal or vocational connection to land conservation. The candidate should demonstrate a strong desire to preserve and protect the redwood forests and the natural character of California’s Santa Cruz Mountains. He or she should have a proven track record in attracting and sustaining public and private funding. Effective communication and community collaboration and day-to-day management skills are also essential for this position. The incoming Executive Director will bring informed political insights, strategic thinking, integrity, and a sense of humor to their work.  This is a full-time, exempt position.

• Demonstrated commitment to Sempervirens’ mission of land conservation and protection, with experience providing leadership to these issues in a staff or volunteer role
• Senior management experience in an organization of similar scope and size
• A proven track record in developing and maintaining relationships with government, foundations, and major donors in the $20k range or larger
• Ability to conceptualize, communicate and lead the entire organization to shared visions and new directions, in response to changing environmental needs and opportunities 
• Experience in negotiating and sustaining productive collaborations and negotiations
• Ability to attract, develop and retain staff and volunteers as well as maintain a high level of performance and to utilize their talents effectively
• Exceptional public and interpersonal communication skills - including speaking, writing, and consensus building
• Ability to analyze problems and opportunities utilizing a variety of stakeholders in the outcome
• Experience working for and partnering with a volunteer Board of Directors
• Financial management  experience with a budget of at least $2 million, including budgeting, oversight,  compliance, and reporting abilities
• Willingness to work occasional nights and weekends to support the Board of Directors and community events
• Working knowledge of Microsoft computer applications, database management and the Internet
• Valid CA driver’s license

Confidential Application Process: E-mail (Word document) cover letter summarizing interest, qualifications, and compensation requirements along with a current resume to: SVFSearch with “Sempervirens ED Search” in subject field. Resumes without a cover letter will not be considered.

Inquires from candidates are welcomed and should be directed to Margaret Donohoe, leadership transition consultant at (408) 979-0572.

Sempervirens Executive Director
Job Responsibilities

• Establish collaborative relationships with other conservation organizations, State Parks, policy makers, foundations, corporations, land owners, donors, and governmental officials to assure productive interactions that will support our mission of land conservation and protection
• Actively seek opportunities for land acquisitions and negotiate terms and conditions
• Develop and maintain a thorough knowledge of the history, traditions, emerging issues and stakeholders involved in local land conservation efforts

• Identify and develop a broad range of community resources and support necessary to accomplish the goals of Sempervirens
• Provide a  credible and informed presence for Sempervirens in the community
• Provide direction and oversight to comprehensive fund development plan that includes major donor, membership, corporate, government, and foundation support
• Provide oversight and direction to the development and preparation of funding proposals and reports
• In conjunction with the Board and Development Director, participate in and ensure success of major solicitations.
• Ensure that members, donors, and other stakeholders receive timely communications on the organization’s activities and land campaigns

MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION
(20-25% of responsibilities*)

• Ensure sound financial planning, management, reporting, and organizational accountability
• Develop the annual budget and implement adequate financial controls and practices
• Manage the property and assets which may include real property, easements, endorsements, endowments, bequests, lifetime estates, equipment, accounts receivables and cash
• continued in next column >>>>

Get as PDF

I. BASIC FUNCTION/ PURPOSE OF POSITION

Part of the Development team, this position is responsible for maintaining donor records in Raiser’s Edge, generating acknowledgements and computer reports, assisting with mailings and special projects, and using the database to support development.

This position will also work with the IT and website consultants, tech support, software and computer vendors.

II. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF THIS JOB:

• Process and enter into database all donor gifts and keep up to date all donor records in Raiser’s Edge.
• Prepare daily donation record sheets, statistics and bank deposits.
• Responsible for all computer generated reports.
• Maintain matching gifts records.
• Setting up and managing tribute records (trees, groves, legacy, etc.), following through with Forest Program Manager and communicating with donors and/or families.
• Office liaison with service organizations like Soroptimists and Garden Clubs.
• Assists in event planning and organizing and working at events when needed.
• Maintains database and supports computer network consultant.
• Backup for Publications Director and Administrative Assistant when necessary. Will assist Publications Director with the design and production of the newsletter and mailings.
• Website administration: Working with Webmaster and Membership Director on website maintenance and upgrades.
• Email communications/marketing: Implementing and managing mass email communication with Membership Director.
• Assists Development Director with donor communications, record management, and exporting of data for projects, mailings and events.
• Works with bookkeeper to balance financial records. Prepares daily, monthly, quarterly and yearly financial and statistical reports for the bookkeeper and Board of Directors.
• Prepares reports for annual audit and assists in audit process.
• Prepares monthly statistical reports for Membership Director and Development Director.
• Backs up accountant when necessary (i.e. credit cards, issuing checks, running accounting reports, record keeping)

III. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervises R/E database. Works with webmaster and IT consultants to administer website and monitor computer network.

IV. KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIRED TO PERFORM THIS JOB

• Raiser’s Edge, Windows, MS Office 2007.
• Communications skills, donor relations skills, organization, accuracy, teamwork, and an ability to work independently.  Attention to detail, sense of humor and willingness to pitch in are essential.
• Development background; knowledge of network administration and website maintenance are a plus, as are Dreamweaver, HTML-Kit, Adobe InDesign, and Adobe Photoshop.

Sempervirens Fund is located in Mountain View, California. We are an equal opportunity employer. Non-smoking office environment.

• Maintain a climate which attracts, retains and motivates a diverse and high caliber team of staff, volunteers, members, and Board members
• Oversee the recruitment, employment, development, and release of all personnel
• Provide direct supervision of outside consultants, which may include legal, real estate, planning, engineering, fund development, and marketing professionals
• Ensure that good human resource practices are in place including the development of position descriptions and implementation of regular performance evaluations
• Ensure that the organization complies with all relevant laws, regulations and applicable policies set forth by the Board, State Parks and regulators
• Develop a process for planning, implementing, and evaluating short and long-range financial, project, and program goals for the organization
• Negotiate and ensure accountability for all contracts and grants

• Create effective lines of communications and linkages between Board and staff
• Attend, as an active participant, all Board meetings and serve as an ex-officio member of all task forces and committees as needed
• Report regularly to the Board regarding organizational objectives, financial status, and other issues relevant to the Board
• Provide the Board with timely and accurate information to help members reach sound decisions and establish policies and priorities
• Provide support, education and leadership to Board members to assist them in their governance roles and responsibilities
• Assist the Board in identifying, recruiting and utilizing Board members with the essential skills to help support the mission and vision of Sempervirens
• Supervise the implementation of Board policy

>Top of page