Education & Youth Development

Executive Director

Greater Newark Conservancy is searching for an Executive Director to lead the organization to the next level!

Greater Newark Conservancy fosters collaboration in our community at the intersection of environmental, food, and racial justice to promote the health and well being of Newark residents. Our programs work to reverse the long history of systemic racism to improve social determinants of health by expanding access to green spaces, nutritious food, wellness education, and youth development.

The Executive Director (ED) assumes primary leadership responsibility in five interrelated areas critical to the success of the Greater Newark Conservancy:

1. Definition and interpretation of the organization’s mission;
2. Development of the organizational capacities necessary to the mission;
3. Development of programs in fulfillment of the mission;
4. Effective implementation of those programs; and
5. Promotion of the goals and strategies of the organization among its key constituencies.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Champion the Mission

The Executive Director’s most important responsibility is ensuring consistent adherence to the mission and underlying values of the organization.

• In partnership with the Board of Directors, the ED will periodically review the mission, and will reassess programs, policies, and practices to ensure the alignment of the organization’s endeavors with its mission.
• The ED will provide for a common understanding among the organization’s key constituents of the meaning and implications of the mission and its underlying values.

Maintain an Appropriate Organizational Structure

The ED will define key administrative functions required for the effective operation of the organization. The ED will:

• Maintain a defined organizational structure that clearly specifies supervisory relationships among staff.
• Maintain direct supervision of “back office” administrative functions, including but not limited to business management, legal, development, and operations and maintenance. Specific duties include but are not limited to the following:
• Develop and manage budget, oversee cash flow management and capital expenditure.
• Oversee contractual obligations and approve providers of professional services.
• In consultation with the Board of Directors, approve grant applications, terms and conditions of grant awards, and provide for fulfillment of grant obligations.
• Oversee staff functions necessary to a robust fundraising program.
• Provide for a safe and functional work environment for all employees and programs, and for the proper maintenance of facilities and equipment.

Develop Programs and Oversee Their Implementation

The ED assumes primary responsibility for providing a complement of programs designed to deliver upon the mission of the organization and to augment the role of the organization within the community. The ED will:

• Assess regularly the scope and success of existing programs and recommend changes to the Board.
• Work with Board, staff, and community partners to explore strategic opportunities that would serve the mission and complement or enhance existing programs.
• Coordinate the search for and procurement of funds in support of new and existing programming.

Supervise Key Staff and Functions

The ED will:

• Have primary responsibility for all functions of the organization, ensuring the ethical, fair, and appropriate employment of its staff at every level.
• Foster effective and collegial relations among staff.
• Maintain appropriate policies and ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local employment regulations and requirements.
• Have primary responsibility for hiring, reviewing, and firing of all staff of the organization.
• Provide for job descriptions of all staff with supervisory responsibilities.
• Provide for professional development opportunities to bolster interpersonal and managerial skills among staff.
• Maintain a system of regular performance review, and approve all recommendations for promotion, reassignment, or dismissal.
• Ensure fair compensation for all employees.
• Provide for periodic third-party reviews to align compensation with peer organizations.
• Commit to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in all staffing processes.

Lead Constituent Relations

The ED has primary responsibility for maintaining beneficial relationships with the Board of Directors, staff, funders, government entities, community partners, and volunteers. The ED will:

• Maintain an open and effective relationship with the Board of Directors, reporting to the Board on all significant matters of policy and program.
• Ensure appropriate staff support for all committees and meetings of the Board of Directors.
• Serve as the organization’s primary contact for government agencies, or will delegate such responsibility to appropriate staff.
• Provide appropriate opportunity and supervision for volunteers, and will ensure appropriate recognition for their services.
• Promote favorable relations and visibility among all communities of interest to the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS

Nonprofit Management

• Minimum 5 years’ experience with management responsibilities in a nonprofit organization with a budget of at least $1 million and a staff of 6
• Track record of successful organizational change and/or results-driven institutional advancement.
• Understanding of the management requirements of a successful volunteer program
• Experience with nonprofit governance and compliance issues
• Demonstrated ability to interact professionally with Board and staff members who have diverse professional skills and perspectives
• Functional skills: fiscal management, human resources practices, use of innovative technologies, facilities management

Mission Alignment

• Passion for or experience working at the intersection of environmental, food, and social justice to improve social determinants of health
• Proven strategic planning record
• Demonstrated commitment to human rights, social justice, inclusion, and diversity
• Passion for or experience promoting environmental sustainability and urban agriculture
• Knowledge of or experience with collective impact organizational models that promote collaboration

Leadership Style

• Inspires and motivates all constituents in support of mission
• Encourages teamwork, collaboration, staff development, and effective delegation
• Demonstrates insightful problem solving

Program Development

• Experience managing, developing, and launching mission-appropriate programs
• Experience with effective outcome measurement of current and potential programs

Community Engagement/External Communications

• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with advocacy and public policy work in Newark and NJ state government
• Proven ability to raise the visibility of the organization as a spokesperson and strong communicator through multiple modes and media
• Excellent writing skills
• Demonstrated history of building and maintaining community-based partnerships and collaborations and convening public events
• Experience developing effective communications and marketing strategies
• Ability to identify systemic barriers and create innovative solutions to achieve systems-level change

Development

• Experience developing a sustainable business model with secure and diverse revenue streams
• Ability to accurately forecast revenue projections from new and ongoing funding sources
• Demonstrated success in creating effective development systems that engage individual donors, foundations, corporations, and government
• Experience identifying, securing, and managing government grants and contracts, as well as corporate sponsorship partnerships.
• Ability to identify revenue-generating opportunities through potential partnerships
• Demonstrated success at motivating all Board and staff as fundraisers and ambassadors

COMPENSATION

The successful candidate will be offered a competitive compensation package.

Salary: USD  $140,000 – $160,000/year*

Starting salary depends upon qualifications and experience.*

LOCATION

Newark, NJ

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants should reply with a resume and cover letter that references their experience in relation to the qualifications listed in the job description. No phone inquiries will be accepted. All inquiries and resumes should be submitted via email to [email protected].

The Conservancy provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment in accordance with all applicable equal employment opportunity affirmative action laws, directives, and regulations of federal, state, and local governing bodies or agencies thereof. The Conservancy does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, physical disability, age, or marital status.