Vacancy announcement, Execurtive Director, Montana State Parks Foundation
POSITION PROFILE
Executive Director
ABOUT MONTANA STATE PARKS FOUNDATION
The Montana State Parks Foundation raises private support to enhance the visitor experience and build advocates for Montana’s State Parks and recreation heritage.
Incorporated in August of 2015, The Montana State Parks Foundation continues to set ambitious goals and projects aimed at making state parks across Montana evenbetterplacesforresidents,visitors,andnaturalcreaturesalike. Weare working on implementation of several substantial parks improvement projects. We work closely with Montana State Parks managers to select a variety of urgent parks needs spread across the state meant to enhance the experience of parkvisitorsandcreatethenextgenerationofStateParkenthusiasts. Through parks improvements, education, local champions, and our expanding Friends Groups Networks, we are volunteers, and the channeling of materials and services to those in need, our mission is to build and inspire a more vibrant, just, and sustainable local economy.
MSPF will begin fundraising to purchase an Action Trackchair, an off- road, motorized wheelchair for LonepineStatePark. Lonepineboasts one of the best trail systems in the stateparksystem. Addingatrack chair that can be reserved and used by visitors will open the trail system to a group of historically excluded visitors due to physical limitations.
For more information visit:
www.montanastateparksfoundation .org
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Montana State Parks Foundation Board of Directors is seeking the organization’s future Executive Director. This is an extraordinary opportunity for a dynamic, mission- driven,andexperiencedleaderwithastrongpassionforMontana’sStateParks. The Executive Director will work collaboratively with a long-standing committed Board of Directors, volunteers and a diverse network of strategic partners.
The Executive Director is the key management leader of Montana State Parks Foundation (“Foundation”) and the lead philanthropic partner to Montana State Parks. TheExecutiveDirectorisresponsibleforoverseeingtheadministration, programs and strategic plan of the organization. Other key duties include day-to- day operations, fundraising, marketing, and community outreach. The position reports directly to the Board of Directors (“Board”).
The Executive Director will work in close connection with the Board, ensuring that members have the information needed to make strategic decisions on behalf of the Foundation. The Executive Director will also ensure that Foundation communications across all platforms and channels are timely, effective, and reflect the organization’s core values and mission.
With input from the board members, the Executive Director will work to ensure proper management and growth of the approximate $1,000,000 annual budget. Additionally, the Executive Director will work with the Board and development volunteerstoincreaseincomesources. Currentincomesourcesincludegrants, business and corporate contributions, individual donors, and specialty income from license plates, events and merchandise.
The Executive Director will provide operational and financial leadership for the organization, ensuring that all aspects are running at maximum effectiveness for the greatest impact. The Executive Director will lead and promote an organizational culture that values Montana’s 55 state parks, the heritage of outdoor recreation, experience inclusivity, engagement, collaboration, and mission alignment.
Ongoing Project:
Fort Owen State Park Preservation
We believe that Montana’s 55 state parks are used by and designed for Montanans, by Montanans and include world-class recreation opportunities, some of our most important historic sites, and a fantastic representation of many facets of Montana culture.
CANDIDATE PROFILE
The Montana State Parks Foundation Board of Directors is interested in identifying candidates who offer a wide range of skills, professional and lived experiences, and backgrounds.
Experience managing and leading teams, extraordinary communication and leadership skills, and the ability to create strong relationships across key partners, including other non-profit organizations, corporate partners and neighboring park communities, and State and Federal agencies.
While it is understood that no one candidate will offer every desired qualification, the details provided below are representative of the general competencies, knowledge, and experience the Foundation is seeking for this importanthire. Pleaseseethefulljobdescriptionforadditionaldetails.
Governance and Leadership Experience
Maintain a visionary mindset, with the ability to develop and articulate the importance of Montana’s recreational heritage
Strengthen organizational governance through clear policies and procedures that reflect transition from organizing/founding board to governing board
Model effective and credible leadership by ensuring accountability, responsiveness, and a clear purpose and direction, while empowering and respecting our many volunteers and strategic partners
Foster trust and collaboration among stakeholders and possess the ability to manage special project selection and fulfillment
Be a public face for the organization, build relationships, manage collaborations, collaborate messaging and community engagement to ensure accuracy and support the Foundation’s mission
Strategy and Vision
• Support the fulfillment of existing programs and special projects
Ongoing Project:
The Visions of Chief Plenty Coups
Envision new program, service and fundraising possibility and work with Board to achieve
Lead strategic planning and community outreach efforts to ensure the foundation can successfully fulfill its mission into the future
Ensures that programs and funding relationships are robust enough to meet and/or exceed strategic goals and objectives
Financial and Operational Skills
Possess a track record of sound financial planning and management experience, oversight and accountability, with the ability to clearly communicate financial details to Board and project partners
Uphold fiscal integrity of the Foundation to with submission of a proposed annual budget, monthly financial statements, and represent with accuracy the financial condition of the organization
Display proven success and expertise in leadership, vision, and guidance for al l organizational financial and budgetary issues, decision-making, and reporting, including overall financial viability, operations analysis, and financial controls
Lead the development and fulfillment of an evolving fundraising plan Skilled Communicator and Relationship Builder
Enhance the Foundation’s image by being active and visible in the community and by working closely with other professional, civic and private organizations
Inspire action toward the Foundation’s vision and mission through consistent and inspirational messaging and storytelling
Connect and expand the Foundation’s relationships with strategic partners, donors, sponsors, community leaders, and customers
Adapt communication style to various audiences
Serve the Foundation as a skilled fundraiser, mission advocate, and public speaker
Communicate effectively with partners, volunteers and board members, providing the information and transparency necessary for good governance and informed decision-making
Compensation and Location
The compensation for this role will offer a base compensation range of $60,000 - $75,000, commensurate with skills and experience. Additional benefits include three weeks of personal leave, $400/month QSHRA, internet and phone stipend.
This full-time position reports to the Board of Directors. The position provides location flexibility in the State of Montana. The position does require seasonal travel across the State of Montana.
Please submit your cover letter and resume to:
Montana State Parks Foundation Paige Judnich, Executive Search Manager
Email - paige@cascadiamg.com
CC – mtstateparksfoundation@gmail.com
Montana State Parks Foundation, Inc. Executive Director Organization website: http://www.montanastateparksfoundation.org Reports to: Board of Directors
Hours: Full Time
Classification: Exempt Salary
Range: $60,000 - $75,000
Effective Date: February 1, 2023
The Executive Director is the key management leader of Montana State Parks Foundation, the lead philanthropic partner to Montana State Parks. The Executive Director is responsible for overseeing the administration, programs and strategic plan of the organization. Other key duties include fundraising, marketing, and community outreach. The position reports directly to the Board of Directors (“Board”).
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
1) Board Governance: Works with Board in order to fulfill the organization mission.
Responsible for leading Montana State Parks Foundation in a manner that supports and guides theorganization’s mission as defined by the Board of Directors.
Responsible for communicating effectively with the Board and providing, in a timely and accurate manner, all information necessary for the Board to function properly and to make informed decisions.
2) Financial Performance and Viability: Develops resources sufficient to ensure the financial health of the organization.
Responsible for the fiscal integrity of Montana State Parks Foundation to include submission to the Board of a proposed annual budget and monthly financial statements, which accurately reflect the financial condition of the organization.
Responsible for fiscal management that generally anticipates operating within the approved budget, ensures maximum resource utilization, and maintenance of the organization in a positive financial position.
Responsible for fundraising, developing and leading a fundraising plan and including other resources necessary to support Montana State Parks Foundation’s mission.
3) Organization Mission and Strategy: Works with Board and staff to ensure that the mission is fulfilled through programs, strategic planning and community outreach.
Responsible for implementation of Montana State Parks Foundation’s programs that carry out the organization’s mission.
Responsible for strategic planning to ensure that Montana State Parks Foundation can successfully fulfill its mission into the future.
Responsible for the enhancement of Montana State Parks Foundation’s image by being active and visible in the community and by working closely with other professional, civic and private organizations.
4) Organization Operations: Oversees and implements appropriate resources to ensure that the operations of the organization are appropriate.
Responsible for effective administration of Montana State Parks Foundation’s operations.
Responsible for the hiring and retention of competent, qualified staff.
Responsible for signing all notes, agreements, and other instruments made on behalf of the
organization.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:
A bachelor’s degree
Transparent and high integrity leadership skills
Senior nonprofit management, or equivalent experience
Solid, hands-on, budget management skills, including budget preparation, analysis, decision-
making and reporting
Strong organizational abilities including planning, delegating, program development and task
facilitation
Ability to convey a vision of Montana State Parks Foundation’s strategic future to staff, board,
volunteers and donors
Knowledge of marketing, fundraising strategies and donor relations unique to nonprofit sector
Skills to collaborate with and motivate board members and other volunteers
Strong written and oral communication skills, including public speaking
Ability to interface and engage diverse volunteer, constituency and donor groups
Demonstrated ability to oversee and collaborate with staff
ACTUAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
Planning and operation of annual budget.
Establishing employment and administrative policies and procedures for all functions and for the
day-to-day operation of the nonprofit.
Serving as Montana State Parks Foundation’s primary spokesperson to the organization’s
constituents, the media and the general public.
Establish and maintain relationships with various organizations throughout the state and utilize
those relationships to strategically enhance Montana State Parks Foundation’s Mission.
Report to and work closely with the Board of Directors in policy decisions, fundraising and to
increase the statewide visibility of the Montana State Parks Foundation.
Supervise, collaborate with organization staff.
Strategic planning and implementation.
Oversee Board and committee meetings.
Oversee marketing and other communicationsefforts.
Review and approve contracts for services.
Other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors.
