Executive Director

Executive Director

Job Title: Executive Director

Job Category: Exempt

Reports To: Board of Directors

Position Type: Full-Time, Onsite

Job Summary

Native Seeds/SEARCH (NS/S) has stewarded the seeds of the desert Southwest and Mexico for over four decades. The organization conserves more than 1,800 regional seed varieties in a climate-controlled seed bank and distributes seeds today, prioritizing communities that have stewarded these seeds for generations. The Executive Director is responsible for leading and managing the organization, ensuring the mission is advanced through community relations, fundraising, program development, financial stewardship, and leadership.

Essential Competencies

Fundraising and Development

• Develop and implement comprehensive, sustainable, diverse fundraising strategies.
• Engage current and new contacts, cultivating sponsors and donors.
• Ensure adequate personnel, systems, and software for managing fundraising efforts.
• Sign acknowledgements for donations and pledges.

Leadership

• Operate with integrity, honesty, and transparency with staff, board, donors, and community.
• Coach and guide staff and volunteers to meet program targets and comply with requirements.
• Oversee all programs, tracking effectiveness and efficiency.
• Build strong internal and external relationships.
• Attend events and functions to support the organization.
• Manage personnel policies, evaluations, and discipline processes.
• Ensure staff are qualified, compensated fairly, and receive professional development.
• Make mission-driven decisions with good judgment and provide constructive feedback.
• Empower staff and delegate responsibilities.

Communication

• Speak publicly and develop community relationships to promote the mission and funding.
• Communicate effectively in written materials, traditional and social media.
• Build constructive relationships with program participants, media, staff, volunteers, board members, donors, and community leaders.
• Handle and defuse tense situations in the workplace.
• Engage with the Board of Directors, management staff, and donors respectfully and consistently.
• Promote lawful and defensible employment practices.

Vision

• Believe in and promote the mission of Native Seeds/SEARCH.
• Think and act strategically, communicating strategies to staff and board.
• Consider the organization’s future and evolution.
• Organize, delegate, and manage programs, prioritizing essential needs.
• Develop short- and long-term goals and methods to achieve them.
• Assess resources required and set manageable steps toward goals.
• Evaluate progress, report to the board, and adjust as needed.
• Ensure the organization meets changing needs through enhanced offerings and new relationships.
• Inspire others with an optimistic attitude.
• Oversee timely legal document development and implementation.
• Build relationships throughout the heritage seeds and traditional agriculture community.

Financial Management

• Create a transparent and accurate budget with finance staff.
• Make decisions on staffing and program adjustments for financial stability.
• Inform the Board of Directors of financial status promptly.
• Supervise use of funds to meet sponsor and donor commitments.
• Ensure timely tax reporting and payment obligations.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain diversified funding strategies.
• Hire, train, and oversee employees.
• Evaluate direct reports and align performance with organizational goals.
• Ensure clear and compliant HR policies and practices.
• Collaborate with development staff for sponsor and donor engagement.
• Partner with finance staff to develop and monitor budget, preparing financial statements.
• Maintain financial stability through planning and donor development.
• Engage sponsors and donors to secure funding.
• Monitor compliance with contracts, grants, and commitments.
• Approve contracts on behalf of the organization.
• Work with staff to track program outcomes.
• Develop and update policies and procedures for program operations and internal controls.
• Implement community awareness and marketing initiatives.
• Serve as primary liaison to the Board, coordinating board committees.
• Inform the Board of important issues and activities.
• Provide in-person leadership and support for staff.

Education, Qualifications, and Abilities

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture, Conservation, Environmental Science, or related field, or 8 years of similar nonprofit leadership experience.
• Experience with communities in the US Southwest or Mexico.
• Minimum 7 years of nonprofit management experience (or equivalent).
• Experience in fundraising and donor development.
• Experience managing staff and budgets.
• Functional knowledge of office equipment (phone, computer, copier, scanner).
• Valid Driver’s license and insurance coverage.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Agriculture, Conservation, Environmental Science, or related field.
• Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE).
• Demonstrated senior or executive leadership experience.
• Prior experience working with a board of directors.
• Advanced computer skills (Microsoft Office, databases, financial software, social media).

Abilities

• Operates in an office setting, using standard equipment for extended periods.
• Regularly works at the organization office, including outside normal hours.
• Travel to meetings within and outside Tucson, Arizona.
• Works effectively in a stressful environment with diverse employees.
• Communicates respectfully and effectively with staff, community, board, sponsors, and donors.

Physical Requirements

This is a MEDIUM DUTY position. It involves lifting no more than 50 pounds with frequent lifting or carrying of objects up to 25 pounds.

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