Executive Director Position Description

Date: June 2008
Position Title: Executive Director
Reports To: Board of Directors through the President
FLSA Status: Full-time/Exempt

Summary
Under the direction and oversight of the Board of Directors (the Board), the Executive Director (ED) is responsible for the overall leadership, management, operations, planning, budgeting, development, communications, membership and outreach of the Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota (PTCM). The ED reports directly to the President of the PTCM.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Subject to the direction and oversight of the Board and consistent with the Articles, Bylaws and policies of the PTCM, the ED is responsible for the day-to-day leadership, management and administration of all PTCM programs and activities, as well as all its financial, human, and other supporting resources. The ED also assists and supports the PTCM officers and directors in the performance of their duties, and performs such other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the President, the Board or its Executive Committee. The ED implements the policies established by the Board; assists in the formulation of these policies; causes them to be documented in the Policy Manual; leads the articulation of the PTCM’s mission; assists in the development and achievement of long range plans; and prepares annual budgets and work plans for Board approval.

The ED is responsible for maintaining, organizing and preserving all PTCM records, including but not limited to, financial, project, land, personnel and time records. Subject to Board review and approval, the ED prepares annual workplans consistent with the Strategic Plan and an organizational calendar. The ED makes regular progress reports to the President and the Board for all PTCM programs and projects and advises the President and the Board of significant issues as they arise.

Specific Responsibilities and Authorities
Subject to the direction and oversight of the Board and under the supervision of the President, the ED has the following specific duties and responsibilities:

• Leadership. Provides leadership that enables PTCM to continue its mission of acquiring, protecting and enhancing critical lands for the public's enjoyment now and in the future; keeps programming on task with respect to evolving mission, goals, strategies and objectives; and develops and maintains good relationships with Board; assures that meetings are effective and move the organizational mission forward;

• Strategic Planning and Policy Development. Articulates a vision for the future of the PTCM and its mission and programs; looks to and plans for the future; opens innovative possibilities for aligning changing economic conditions with policy and programming; engages and assists the Board in the development and updating of the PTCM Strategic Plan; assists Board in the development of PTCM policies; organizes, updates and disseminates PTCM Policy Manual; and insures that all programs, projects and activities of PTCM are carried out in accordance with established policies and the current strategic plan;

• Development and Fundraising. Establishes a development strategy to implement the goal of a stable funding source for the PTCM and raises the budgeted amount for operations through membership; annual gifts; legacy gifts; corporate, foundation and major donor contributions; and special events;

• Program Management. Manages and directs all PTCM programs and activities, including but not limited to annual work planning, allocating human and financial resources, monitoring progress, proactively identifying and dealing with opportunities and obstacles; and measuring and reporting accomplishments;

• Financial Management. Oversees all accounting functions including those necessary for auditing, budgeting, financial analysis, capital asset and property management and payroll in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and all other applicable rules and guidelines; and manages PTCM budget/endowment to maximize earnings;

• Human Resources Management. Handles all aspects of human resource management for employees, including but not limited to annual performance reviews, motivation, hiring, discipline and termination; communicates a positive attitude; serves as a catalyst for action and encourages employees to try new things and to take calculated risks; provides honest feedback; minimizes tension and defensiveness; creates an environment for success; mentors employees; builds group cohesiveness; encourages cooperation; fosters and practices good communication, recognizes and rewards individuals and team accomplishments and contributions; shares success and rewards; positively manages stress and conflict; and commits to ongoing learning;

• Government and Legislative Relations. Directs PTCM government relations and legislative programs and activities; keeps current on legislative and other issues that affect PTCM; maintains good relationships with MNDNR divisions of Parks and Recreation and Trails and Waterways, as well as other state and local organizations that have an interest in Minnesota’s parks and trails;

• Land Acquisition. Under the oversight and direction of the Land Acquisition Committee, ensures that all land acquisition projects are carried out promptly, professionally and cost-effectively as provided by the land Acquisition Manual; maximizes the effective use of land acquisition funds by advising the Land Acquisition Committee on project priorities and issues; identifies important land acquisition projects; implements a land acquisition prioritization process to address new and evolving issues; and helps recruit volunteer project managers and legal assistance;

• Communications. Leads and manages the external communications efforts of the PTCM so as to increase the visibility of PTCM with the public and increase strategic media exposure; works with staff and volunteers to plan PTCM outings and workshops; recruits volunteers to help as needed for outings, events, committees and special projects; increases and strengthen partnerships with others to promote the park and trail system; actively seeks opportunities to participate in and speak at events and display PTCM materials; and works with and monitor affiliated groups in support of the mission of each organization so as to maintain good relationships to ensure the highest level of cooperation; and

• Membership. Leads and manages PTCM membership development efforts; prepares and implements a plan for significantly increasing membership; maintains records for membership records; keeps members informed of issues affecting PTCM; and builds and maintains good member relations.

Core Competencies
To perform effectively in this position, the individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Job Knowledge. Understands and keeps current on the technical aspects of managing a nonprofit organization; the duties and responsibilities of the position; and the land acquisition, development, policy and outreach mission of the organization;

• Organizational Management. Familiar with the basic principles of managing people and organizations;

• Financial Management. Understands how to use effective systems of internal controls to account for and report all receipts and expenditures of funds; knows how to read standard financial reports such as profit and loss statements and balance sheets;

• Leadership and Initiative. Thinks strategically; able to create and communicate a vision of the future and motivate people toward its realization; provides strong leadership and strategic planning both internally and externally; displays initiative in developing action plans and resolving problems as they occur; has strong interpersonal skills and abilities; can organize and deploy resources to effectively achieve organizational goals and objectives;

• Development and Fundraising. Familiar with fundraising and development for nonprofit organizations; and

• Communications. Has strong writing and speaking skills; able to communicates effectively with multiple internal and external audiences with varying backgrounds and interests; can clearly and succinctly present and analyze issues and potential actions orally and in writing;

Education and/or Experience
The ED must possess the knowledge, skills and qualities described above as a result of formal education or at least five years experience in nonprofit or related operational and financial management, business, government, legal, land conservation or preservation or related areas.

To Apply
Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, contact information for three references, and salary requirements via e-mail to PTCMN.search@gmail.com, with "ED Search Committee" in the subject line.  The application deadline is August 4, 2008.

Download the Parks & Trails Council Executive Director Position Description as a PDF