Executive Director
Job Description
Summary: The
Executive Director is the Chief Executive Officer of the American Cetacean
Society (ACS). The Executive Director works at the direction of the ACS
President, is responsible to the Board of Directors, and is evaluated by the
Executive Committee of the Board. The Executive Director is responsible
for ensuring the implementation and management of Board objectives and
directives, consistent with ACS’s mission and financial objectives.
Introduction: ACS has been without an Executive
Director for over 15 years. The President and Board have been filling the
role in the interim, assisted by an office administrator. ACS’s
2009 budget is $180,000. The National and Chapter Boards are eager to
welcome an Executive Director who is suited to help build upon our strengths
while developing a sustainable future.
Program
Development and Administration:
- In conjunction with the Board of Directors,
assure that ACS has a long-range strategy which achieves its mission and
toward which it makes consistent and timely progress.
- Provide leadership in developing program,
organizational, and financial plans with the Board and staff, and carry
out plans and policies authorized by the Board.
- Support the Chapters and promote development of
new chapters.
- Promote active and broad participation by
volunteers in all areas of ACS's work.
- Maintain official records and documents; ensure
compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
- Develop and maintain a working knowledge of
significant developments and trends in cetacean biology, management, and
conservation.
Budget and
Finance:
- Develop and maintain sound financial practices.
- Work with the Treasurer and the Board to prepare
a budget; ensure that ACS operates within budget guidelines.
- Ensure that adequate funds are available to
permit ACS to carry out its programs.
- Jointly with the President and Secretary of the
Board, conduct ACS’s official correspondence; jointly with
designated officers, execute legal documents on behalf of ACS.
Communications
& Marketing:
- Ensure that the Board is kept fully informed on
the condition of ACS and all important factors influencing it.
- Publicize ACS’s activities, programs, and
goals.
- Establish sound, collaborative relationships with
community groups and other organizations.
- Represent ACS’s programs and point of view
to agencies, organizations, and the general public.
- Oversee publication of ACS’s newsletter Spyhopper and journal Whalewatcher.
Staff and
Volunteers – Recruitment, Retention, Training, & Evaluation:
- Be responsible for the recruitment, employment,
and release of all personnel, both paid staff and volunteers. (Note: there currently is one part-time
office administrator on staff.)
- Ensure that job descriptions are developed, that
regular performance evaluations are held, and that sound human resource
practices are in place.
- Encourage staff and volunteer development and
education, and assist program staff and volunteers in relating their
specialized work to the total program of ACS.
- Maintain a climate that attracts, keeps, and
motivates a diverse staff (including volunteer staff) of top quality
people.
Conditions of Employment:
- The normal
work week is 40 hours weekdays, including occasional evening and weekend
work.
- Occasional
travel required.
- Paid
vacation, sick, and holiday leave.
- Health insurance,
FICA, Workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance.
- The
continuation of employment is contingent upon successful fundraising.
Qualifications:
- Minimum of
two years experience working in a nonprofit organization, including
supervising paid and volunteer staff and working with a volunteer
President and Board of Directors.
- Bachelor’s
degree in a related field.
- Successful
experience raising money and managing fundraising programs. Proven
ability to obtain grant funding and manage a membership program.
- Experience in
nonprofit fiscal management, including fund accounting, budgeting, and
grant management.
Knowledge, Skills, and
Abilities:
- Demonstrated
ability in written and oral communications and interpersonal skills.
- Proven
ability to develop and execute a strategic plan.
- Demonstrated
conceptual skills and problem solving capabilities.
- Proven
ability to think “outside the box”.
- Computer
skills (M.S. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, QuickBooks, internet, etc.).
- Background in
marine mammals, including natural history, policy, and conservation
desirable.
Personal Characteristics:
- A leader who
can articulate a vision and motivate people to act with a shared vision.
- An individual
whose style is at once decisive and direct as well as collegial and
approachable.
- A person who
is accessible, supportive, and flexible.
- An executive
with a “hands on” approach to work and a passion for results.
- A good
listener who inspires confidence and trust and is open to ideas of others.
- An excellent manager
who respects and supports the capabilities and independence of staff and
volunteer leadership.
- A person with
integrity, a good sense of humor, and a high level of energy.
- A
conservationist with enthusiastic commitment to ACS’s mission,
growth and development.
E-mail cover letter,
resume, a one-page writing sample related to fundraising, and the names and
contact information of three professional references to: acsedsearch@acsonline.com.
Position open until filled.
The American Cetacean
Society is an equal opportunity employer.
About ACS: The American
Cetacean Society protects whales, dolphins, porpoises, and their habitats
through public education, research grants, and conservation actions. Founded
in 1967, ACS is the oldest whale conservation group in the world. ACS is
a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization headquartered in
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President & Executive Director
The
phone: 508 743-9888 x301
cell: 774 313-8850
fax: 508 759-5477
e-mail: kzagzebski@nmlc.org
web: http://www.nmlc.org/
“Caring for stranded marine animals.”
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