Executive Director Position

The Bay-Friendly Landscaping & Gardening Coalition seeks a dynamic Executive Director to lead us in transforming the landscape of the region. With over $10 million invested in program development to date, the Coalition is poised to expand the implementation of Bay Friendly checklists, certifications and trainings throughout the region, making sustainable landscape practices the norm for landscape professionals, nurseries, land developers and managers, builders, water agencies and local governments. The Executive Director is the Chief Executive Officer of the Coalition with associated management and fundraising responsibilities, and reports to the Board of Directors. The Executive Director leads the Coalition’s prioritization and strategic planning efforts, takes responsibility for meeting fundraising and financial objectives, coordinates consultant work, and communicates the mission and vision of the Coalition to key constituency groups in order to promote sustainable landscaping practices. This is a unique opportunity for a visionary individual who sees the vital mission of creating regenerative landscapes while exercising entrepreneurial skills to grow the organization.

Background:

Established in 2009, the Coalition is a California nonprofit focused specifically on promoting sustainable landscaping and gardening practices in the San Francisco Bay Area. Bay-Friendly programs offer home gardeners, landscape professionals, and public agencies the tools and skills to create beautiful, healthy, and sustainable landscapes. Our mission is to work in partnership to reduce waste and pollution, protect the Bay, conserve water, energy and natural resources, while creating vibrant landscapes. It is based on 10 years of program development by Stopwaste.org.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Grow the organization to reach its full potential
• Help develop and maintain a 2-3 year strategic plan in concert with the Board of Directors;
• Provide leadership in developing program, organizational and financial plans with the Board of Directors.
• Oversight of 3-5 contractors and establishment of permanent staff positions;
• Build and maintain strategic alliances with local, statewide and national organizations;
• Market the Coalition to organizations, public agencies, and individuals to promote membership growth;
• Fundraise from diverse funding sources including sponsorships, fee for service activities, and grants in order to expand organizational capacity;
• Provide leadership in the launch and marketing of the Bay-Friendly Landscape standards and third party rating systems to local governments and other appropriate public agencies, property developers and landscape professionals.
• Provide leadership in the development of a Bay-Friendly public agency council and Bay-Friendly Landscape Professional network group
• Strengthen and bring to scale the existing programs and implement new programs as needed;
• Oversee a biannual regional conference, two annual at-large membership meetings , and other events;
• Maintain effective communications with the Board of Directors and support the bimonthly Board of Directors meetings;
• Manage and administer the organization’s budget and all financial matters;
• Perform such other duties as may be directed by the Board of Directors.

QUALIFICATIONS:

The candidate’s qualifications must be demonstrated through directly relevant professional experience and education.

Outstanding leadership skills, as demonstrated by previous management experience with staff or contractors

Bachelor's degree required in business, public policy, environmental management or related field (Master's degree, a plus).

Minimum of 10 years of staff management experience and it is highly desirable that a minimum of 3 of those years be in the nonprofit sector.

Proven track record raising funds from private and public institutions.

Direct experience developing and implementing fundraising strategies including grant writing, membership campaigns, and fee for service programs.

Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.

Experience in organizational development and related program development.

Ability to develop budgets, navigate accounting systems and interpret financial reports.

Understanding of sustainable landscaping practices and knowledge of Bay Area landscape community a plus.

The ability to work independently, and as part of a team.

Working knowledge of common computer applications (Quickbooks, spreadsheets, data management, power point, word processing).

The Executive Director will initially be an independent contractor and work under the direction of the Board of Directors. Executive Director must show proof of, and maintain minimum levels of one million dollars in general and auto liability insurance. To complete the duties of this position, the successful candidate must provide his/her own office space, computer, phone and internet access.

The Executive Director is a flexible part-time (minimum half-time) position with a salary of $5,000 per month. The determination will be made depending upon the qualifications of the selected candidate. It is the desire of the Board of Directors to expand the position in both salary and hours as funding allows.

To Apply

Send a cover letter and resume to Executive Director Search Committee via email at info@bayfriendlycoalition.org with Executive Director in the subject line. Deadline is October 22, 2010. Initial interviews will be held on Wednesday, November 3 with a potential follow-up interview on Friday, November 5th. Please hold these dates open.