About WildEarth Guardians
WildEarth Guardians, often referred to as “Guardians,” exists to promote a future of ecological balance and justice where communities and the Wild in all its forms are protected from exploitation, sacrifice, disconnection, and overdevelopment as informed by Indigenous world views, ecological science, and democratic land management practices. Core to its identity is a belief that all species have intrinsic value and, as such, have rights to clean air and water, as well as accessible and protected public lands. Guardians believes that the dynamism of land and waters is key to the resilience of nature and people in our climate-constrained present and future.
Guardians’ unwavering dedication to conservation, advocacy, and legal initiatives aims to catalyze positive change in environmental policies and decision-making at state and federal levels in the Western U.S. The organization's team of passionate professionals works collaboratively to engage communities, inspire public awareness, and drive transformative actions that protect and restore nature.
As some examples, Guardians fights to: keep fossil fuels in the ground to reduce air, water, and climate pollution across the West; protect the undeveloped areas of the Greater Chaco Landscape from fracking; keep and expand protections for grizzly bears, wolves, and other imperiled plant and animal species; protect old growth forests and restore wildness to forests scarred by exploitation and mismanagement; protect and enforce federal and state environmental laws; and promote wildlife coexistence ethics and policies in key states while building support for such policies on federal lands across the West. To learn more about Guardians’ work visit their Action Center at https://wildearthguardians.org/guardians-in-action/.
Guardians believes that social and environmental justice are deeply intertwined, and that it can and should do more to create a more diverse, equitable, inclusive, and just organization and world. Guardians is committed to deepening its work to partner with frontline communities who are disproportionately harmed by existing systems to build power for environmental, social, and economic justice. By forging alliances with other conservation groups, government agencies, Tribes, and concerned citizens, Guardians leverages collective efforts to ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.
For more information on Guardians, please visit https://wildearthguardians.org/. Explore Guardians’ annual reports at https://wildearthguardians.org/about-us/annual-reports/
The Opportunity
Guardians is seeking a bold, experienced, and visionary Executive Director (ED) to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for the organization. The ED will work closely with the Board of Directors, an executive team, staff members, partners, and supporters to advance Guardians’ conservation objectives and ensure the organization's long-term sustainability.
Key responsibilities of the ED include, but are not limited to:
- Lead overall strategic, operational, financial, and managerial responsibility for Guardians including oversight of an annual operating budget of ~$5 million and a team of four direct reports and ~40 total staff.
- The ED is required to visit, lead, supervise, and inspire Guardians staff based throughout the intermountain west including Santa Fe NM, Denver CO, Portland OR, Missoula MT, Boise ID, and Tucson AZ.
- Cultivate new and diverse sources of revenue by creatively and strategically expanding and deepening the Guardians’ donor base through a genuine and relational approach to development.
- Oversee the financial planning and performance metrics for the continued success and credibility of Guardians; maintain sound financial practices and collaborate with the Finance team and Board to develop budgets, financial forecasts, and ensure fiscal responsibility.
- Serve as an ambassador and advocate, compellingly representing Guardians at events, media engagements, and community activities that raise the profile, awareness of, and required funding for the organization.
- Work with the Board and staff to integrate the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice within the organization itself as well as into the framework with which Guardians approaches its external work and partnerships.
- Build on past successes by working closely with the Deputy Director on the implementation of the current transformational 2-year strategic plan with measurable outcomes and attainable goals that sets Guardians up for even greater impact.
- Collaboratively lead future strategic planning efforts to develop Guardians long-term impact.
- Work closely with the Chair and Executive Committee to maximize efforts of Board members; work with the Board to identify and recruit new Board members who will add a diversity of perspectives and skill sets to the Board and whose talents, interests, and commitment will help to further Guardians’ mission.
Candidate Profile
While it is understood that no candidate will offer every desired skill, quality, and characteristic, the following competencies offer a detailed, aspirational view of the ideal candidate profile:
A Passion for the Mission
This leader will:
- Embody the ethos of Guardians, which strives to protect the vulnerable and voiceless; take bold, calculated risks; and tackle some of the most difficult and pressing conservation challenges in the Western U.S.
- Demonstrate an understanding of, commitment to, and passion for environmental policy, legal advocacy, and conservation issues in the Western U.S.
- Have a rich understanding of and belief in the power of celebrating and advancing the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) at all levels, internally and externally.
- Approach the work with the mindset of a curious, continual learner with an adaptable style, and a genuine openness to constructive input from the Staff, Board, donors, partners, and other constituents.
An Effective Revenue Builder & Fundraiser
This leader will:
- Be an inspirational leader with the ability to enthusiastically convey the importance of Guardians’ work to existing and potential new funding sources including foundations and major donors.
- Bring significant experience developing and implementing fundraising strategies to secure funding and support the organization's financial health and growth.
A Compelling Ambassador & Relationship Builder
This leader will:
- Have the ability to serve as the public face of Guardians, communicating the organization's mission, goals, and accomplishments with clarity and passion; and have the ability to inspire trust and confidence in and continually amplify Guardians’ brand and reputation.
- Bring experience building and maintaining strategic alliances with culturally diverse constituents internally and externally.
- Bring experience understanding and effectively navigating the nuances of regional, state, and local landscapes as they relate to Guardians’ work with entities at the level of government agencies, Tribal nations and Indigenous-led organizations and communities, and frontline grassroots organizations.
- Be a strong collaborator with a supportive, open-minded, and respectful style and an ability to work with a diverse range of personalities, while bringing a genuine interest in building trust-based relationships and a high degree of cultural competence and emotional intelligence.
A Strategic & Innovative Leader
This leader will:
- Be a systems thinker, able to implement, and refine as needed, the current 2-year strategic plan and lead the development of future strategic plans; possess the ability to deploy resources effectively and efficiently to achieve impact.
- Provide innovative and forward-looking leadership to ensure Guardians remains at the forefront of the conservation movement and environmental protection.
- Be a creative, solutions-oriented thinker, nimble and responsive to emerging challenges and opportunities.
A Strong Leader of Operations & Culture
This leader will:
- Bring experience overseeing all aspects of organizational operations, including finance, programs, campaigns, legal initiatives, fundraising, and administration.
- Respect the expertise of staff and cultivate areas for power sharing and staff autonomy in partnership with senior leadership.
- Identify areas for growth and be willing to deploy the resources needed to support professional development and/or growth of infrastructure across departments and personnel.
- Maintain strong relationships with the Board of Directors, keeping them informed about organizational activities and performance. Ideally with experience working in partnership to manage Board growth and development.
- Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability throughout the organization while managing conflict with care and diplomacy.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary for the role is currently anticipated to range from $160,000 - $180,000, commensurate with experience. Guardians offers a generous benefits package which includes 100% medical and dental premiums, short-term & long-term disability and AD&D, 403(b) retirement plan and a 3% employer match after one year, 14 paid holidays, vacation and sick paid leave.
WildEarth Guardians is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants.
Contact
Koya Partners, the executive search firm that specializes in mission-driven search, has been exclusively retained for this engagement. To express interest in this role please submit your materials by filling out our Talent Profile or email Amber Gomes, Managing Associate, directly at [email protected]. All inquiries and discussions will be considered strictly confidential.
Koya Partners is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.
About Koya Partners
Koya Partners, a part of DSG Global, is a leading executive search and strategic advising firm dedicated to connecting exceptionally talented people with mission-driven clients. Our founding philosophy—The Right Person in the Right Place Can Change the World—guides our work as we partner with nonprofits & NGOs, institutions of higher education, responsible businesses, and social enterprises in local communities and around the world.
For more information about Koya Partners, visit https://diversifiedsearchgroup.com/koya-partners/.