Executive Director, Mianus River Gorge, Inc.

The Mianus River Gorge was the first land project of the Nature Conservancy as well as the first National Natural History Landmark in the United States. Founded in 1953, Mianus River Gorge, Inc. is an independent, not-for-profit organization, whose mission is to preserve, protect, and promote appreciation of the natural heritage of the Mianus River watershed through land acquisition and conservation, scientific research, and public education throughout the region. 

IDEAL CHARACTERISTICS 

The Executive Director should be able to articulate and execute on a clear vision for MRG going forward, and be or have the following:

• A deep passion and connection with nature; leadership skills and the ability to manage growth and foster big ideas; a background in the environmental sciences is strongly preferred; if not already steeped in science, broadly respectful of MRG’s unique grounding in science- and research-based strategies and practices, along with a willingness to learn how to articulate MRG’s priorities to convey broadly what is happening within the Gorge from preservation, conservation, and sustainability perspectives.
• Expertise in land acquisition and management is preferred; respected by funders, partners, and constituents, with the ability to work comfortably with other land trusts and preservation-related partners; someone that people in both the lay and professional communities go to for answers.
• Proven management, problem-solving, and implementation skills as well as strategic capability, with commensurate fiscal and business acumen as an executive with an environmental or other relevant nonprofit organization or government agency; experience in an organization of similar size and scope preferred.
• Proven ability to lead a highly dedicated staff; able to envision and translate into operation new initiatives and deeply understand how operational and programmatic decisions are being experienced by staff.
• Proven experience as a dynamic fundraiser with the ability to cultivate and steward major donors and to frame the vision and concepts to secure financial support from individual donors, foundation, preservation-minded partners, and government sources, particularly in the face of a changing political and financial landscape and increased competition.
• The ability to embrace and engage new audiences through social media, marketing, and digital platforms and technology, with experience working with media, public relations, and community outreach.

The Executive Director should also have or be: 

• An effective relationship builder at all levels: local government, major donors and landowners, staff, local community, and within the community of land trusts and environmental conservation organizations; highly visible, energetic, and engaging, with social and emotional intelligence, gravitas, confidence, and charisma.
• Comfortable in the field; willing to multitask, roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty and/or wet.
• Collaborative and empathetic; a consensus builder who will navigate and balance the interests and agendas of multiple constituencies and embrace the suggestions and promising ideas of others, recognize and respect a group of deeply committed employees, constituents, and partners.
• A proactive, analytical, and creative problem solver who can anticipate, initiate, and implement rather than just respond to challenges as they arise.
• A good and active listener and communicator who can take the lead but also knows when to delegate responsibilities as appropriate; able to maintain on all fronts a sense of continuity and common purpose.
• A good sense of humor and the ability to maintain balance and perspective.

Please send applications, including letters of interest and CVs, and nominations to Mark Tarnacki and G. Angela Henry at MRG@PhillipsOppenheim.com.