Executive Director

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About the Redwood Parks Conservancy

Redwood Parks Conservancy (RPC) is a non-profit cooperative association that serves Redwood National and State Parks and surrounding public lands. Our mission is to foster understanding, enjoyment, and stewardship by providing support to our partner agencies: the National Park Service, California State Parks, and the U.S. Forest Service.

RPC accomplishes its mission through sales generated from seven park stores located within state and federal visitor centers across far Northern California and our website. RPC organizes legacy events, operates a robust volunteer program, and raises funds through memberships, grants, and donations. We support conservation and public enjoyment of over 140,000 acres within Redwood National and State Parks, where we help welcome close to 2.5 million visitors annually. Our work generates capacity and funding for public lands that are otherwise critically lacking.

Executive Director

The Executive Director will serve as RPC’s senior leader, guiding a skilled staff and engaged Board of Directors to strengthen the organization’s role as a trusted partner to public lands. The ED will provide strategic vision, ensure financial sustainability, and deepen partnerships across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Key priorities include supporting partner agencies - the National Park Service, California State Parks, and the U.S. Forest Service, growing financial resources, and elevating public awareness of the RPC’s mission.

Job Summary

The Executive Director serves as the Chief Executive of RPC under the guidance of a Board of Directors (BOD), reporting to the Board Chairperson. The ED is responsible for actively managing all organizational affairs to advance RPC’s mission and vision, providing leadership to the organization and the staff, managing all RPC programs, and is responsible for the successful implementation and management of operations.

The ED collaborates with the BOD to develop strategic and other plans, and is responsible for the implementation of these plans, along with budgets, partnership contracts, programs, and public relations.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities

Fund Development

• Oversee RPC’s fundraising goals through supervision and evaluation of the Development Director.
• Work with the Development Director to identify fundraising goals and strategies in an annual development plan.
• Increase public support through individual donations, membership fees, legacy gifts, and sponsorships.
• Secure government and foundation grants.
• Assist the Development Director with stewarding RPC’s largest donors.

Agency Coordination

• Oversee all RPC activities with the agencies.
• Work directly with agency leadership to identify and meet shared goals.
• Serve as a liaison to the Redwood National and State Parks Management Team.
• Represent RPC with tact and diplomacy within agency partnerships; maintain confidentiality, and instruct staff accordingly, regarding all sensitive information.
• Manage funding requests from partner agencies with Board review as necessary.
• Assure compliance with agency agreements, collaboratively develop shared annual workplans, and ensure effective communication and partnership procedures.

Operations Management

• Develop an annual sales plan with the Director of Retail Operations to identify sales goals and strategies for meeting those goals.
• Support the retail division by ensuring inventory accuracy, logistics, operational effectiveness, multichannel integration, and compliance and sustainability.
• Leverage knowledge of retail sales best practices, business development, including e-commerce and marketing, and product development trends to ensure retail division growth.

Communications / Public Relations

• Ensure regular communication with both internal and external contacts, including staff, BOD, agency partners, volunteers, donors, and community leaders.
• Increase visibility and base of public support through expanded community relations, multichannel media outreach (website, e-newsletters, social media, print, and radio) and through innovative engagement methods.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with agencies, community partners, minority groups, Tribal communities, and major donors to RPC.
• Represent RPC at all levels – local to international.
• Be involved with groups supporting nonprofit cooperating associations, including but not limited to California State Parks Foundation and Public Lands Alliance.

Organization Planning

• Perform annual business planning and monitor progress towards organizational goals.
• Develop and oversee efficient administrative systems.
• Maintain a working knowledge of developments and trends in the field.
• Respond to emerging issues.
• Identify opportunities for collaboration with local nonprofits and community groups.
• Demonstrate the ability to build relationships and partnerships on a local, state, and national level to meet goals and exceed expectations.

Personnel Management

• Recruit, hire, supervise, and release all personnel, both staff and volunteers.
• Ensure training and orientation of all employees and volunteers to meet job requirements.
• Conduct staff meetings and regular, transparent communications.
• Maintain up-to-date job descriptions.
• Evaluate the performance of staff.
• Maintain human resources practices following California law.
• Maintain an appropriate and effective succession management plan.
• Maintain employee handbook to remain in compliance with California labor laws.
• Maintain confidentiality related to sensitive information.

Financial Management

• Supervise the preparation of the annual budget and provide regular financial updates to the BOD.
• Evaluate financial performance by reviewing financial statements and cash flow, and collaborate with relevant BOD committees on managing investments and key fundraising initiatives.
• Assure financial sustainability of operations and programs.
• React quickly and deliberately to any business interruptions to minimize losses.

Program Development and Management

• Oversee and manage an array of events and programs, in collaboration with staff, agency, and community partners.
• Evaluate the feasibility of potential new mission-compatible programs.
• Sponsor and support programs and events.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of past programs and recommend changes.
• Seek new programs and opportunities to expand and broaden reach.

Board of Directors

• Communicate and collaborate regularly with the Board, ensuring transparency, accountability, and adherence to governance frameworks.
• Assist the Board Chair with BOD meeting preparations, including setting meeting agendas, preparing timely information packets, acting as Secretary, or directing staff to record Board and Committee meetings.
• Participate in all Board-appointed committees and provide support for the committee chairpersons.
• Assist in Board recruitment, orientation, and development.
• Develop annual and strategic work plans with Board and Park Partners input.
• Partner closely with the Executive Committee, Board of Directors, Redwood National and State Parks Superintendents, and the United States Forest Service Forest Supervisor.

Special Projects

Develop and implement activities to address needs that may arise outside of the budget and strategic plan. Identify and secure funding support.

Education, Experience, and Skills Required

Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of five (5) years of supervisory experience, or any equivalent combination of education, training, and supervisory experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

A full job description is available upon request

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