Executive Director
Lead Central Conservation at a pivotal moment. The Driftless Region, La Crosse, WI.
Open position. Download the full 10-page position description as a PDF (10 MB).
Executive Director
Lead Central Conservation at a pivotal moment
Central Conservation seeks an accomplished, driven, thoughtful, entrepreneurial leader to take the organization forward: one poised for growth and capable of creating lasting impact in the conservation movement.
Location
La Crosse, Wisconsin
Reports to
Board of Directors
Salary range
$110,000 to $120,000
Team
15 full-time staff and about 100 AmeriCorps members
Annual revenue
$3M
Search partner
Orion Search Group
The organization
About Central Conservation
Central Conservation is a La Crosse, Wisconsin, nonprofit conservation agency that aims to unify the conservation movement by empowering a constellation of environmental organizations working to care for our Earth.
As the parent organization of WisCorps (the Wisconsin Conservation Corps) and The Nature Place, Central Conservation believes the future depends on collective action. Every acre restored, trail built, young child inspired, and connection formed through a personal relationship with the land relies on our ability to provide opportunities for stewardship.
Central Conservation’s services build the infrastructure and provide the dedicated administrative support that makes this work possible. By sharing resources and strengthening operational support, Central Conservation helps conservation partners work more efficiently and keeps the organizations we care about, and the people doing this work, one step closer to the future we all envision.
Central Conservation employs 15 full-time staff, about 100 AmeriCorps members, and several part-time employees and volunteers, with $3M in annual revenue.
WisCorps members and staff at a team gathering
The opportunity
Unify the conservation movement
Reporting to a Board of Directors, the new Executive Director will provide visionary leadership toward furthering the organization’s role as a champion for and steward of the conservation movement in the Driftless Region and beyond.
A WisCorps crew member on a forest project
The role
For people. For land.
Central Conservation’s new leader is an outstanding listener, quick learner, excellent communicator, and relationship builder. They have a natural ability to learn the key drivers of their stakeholders as well as the internal challenges and opportunities of their employees.
The Executive Director will bring an innovative and creative eye to the organization’s core functions while responding to an evolving landscape for the conservation movement. They will drive a strategic, mission-focused approach to ensure financial sustainability, develop new funding opportunities, support a talented team, and oversee fiscal management, fundraising, strategic planning, program development, partnership expansion, and community outreach.
As the public face of Central Conservation, the Executive Director will cultivate and steward relationships with government agencies, businesses, donors, foundations, and other partners. By fostering a positive culture and supporting staff growth, they will ensure Central Conservation remains one of the best places to work in Wisconsin.
Key accountabilities
What you will lead
Stakeholder relations
- Serve as the face of Central Conservation, nurturing relationships with stakeholders and partners and promoting conservation throughout the Driftless Region and beyond
- Represent Central Conservation among regional and national organizations committed to conservation
- Navigate the sometimes contrary objectives of the broad range of stakeholders in the conservation movement
- Work with staff on strategies that grow the organization’s awareness and reputation and serve its mission
- Share the story of conservation in the Driftless Region and how Central Conservation can keep serving the region
Team leadership
- Keep the organization a vibrant and open place to work: practice active listening and collaboration, bring a service-oriented mindset, keep an open door, and seek new ideas from employees, stakeholders, and clients
- Promote mutual accountability for staff performance, with data informing intuition
Strategic leadership
- Articulate the strategic vision authentically and compellingly to the board, staff, and stakeholders
- Provide the leadership and framework to develop, revise, and implement strategic goals in line with the mission
- Lead short- and long-range financial planning with the Board of Directors and staff
Board relations
- Partner with the volunteer Board of Directors on the board’s agenda, strategy, and oversight
- Work with the board to improve policy and ensure proper governance
The ideal candidate
Who we are looking for
Thoughtful leader
A humble, self-aware, and driven leader who expects their team to be superior to them in their areas of specialty and takes full responsibility for their actions. They rely on the expertise around them, listen to internal and external stakeholders, and are decisive when needed. They bring high standards, accountability, and unimpeachable integrity.
Excellent communicator
A leading voice for conservation who fosters clear, honest communication with the organization’s stakeholders and the community, and is skilled with the media and in advocating with government.
Proven collaborator
Central Conservation is part of a network of allied organizations raising the profile and health of the conservation movement. The next leader will build on these relationships and work collaboratively with external partners.
Skilled manager
Proven at managing complex organizational dynamics and systems, stewarding finances, and managing a budget and P&L. They have led through change, developed talent, and built an employee-centered culture.
Adept and willing fundraiser
Funding for conservation organizations is always shifting. The next leader will nurture creativity and innovation to secure the organization’s financial future and be a strong partner to the development team.
Qualifications
Passionate about conservation
- Passion for the conservation movement, national service, and youth and young adult development
- At least 5 years of professional leadership experience, including general management of an organization or a significant division
- The emotional intelligence to nurture a healthy workplace that promotes hospitality, creativity, engagement, inclusion, and accountability
- Experience as the external face of an organization
- Experience managing through change
- Experience building and aligning an organization to a vision for innovation and growth
- Strong stakeholder relationship skills
- Competency in fundraising and fluency in all facets of advancement
- Competency in strategic planning and executing detailed annual business plans
- Thorough understanding of nonprofit financial planning, budgeting, cash flow management, and public financing
- Federal grants experience is a plus
Compensation
$110,000 to $120,000 a year
The targeted salary range depends on qualifications. Central Conservation also offers a competitive benefits package, including health insurance and retirement benefits.
How to apply. Central Conservation has retained Orion Search Group to conduct the search. For more information, contact Joel Bergstrom at Orion Search Group: (952) 345-1006 or joelb@orionsearchgroup.com.
Download
Get the full position description
The complete position description as a PDF.
Frequently asked questions
What does Central Conservation do?
We provide shared administrative infrastructure, strategic leadership, and operational support to conservation organizations. That includes HR and payroll, communications and fundraising, accounting and reporting, and insurance and compliance.
What are Central Conservation’s divisions?
WisCorps, a conservation corps serving the Upper Midwest, and The Nature Place, a nature-focused community center in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
Is my donation tax-deductible?
Central Conservation, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 27-0774779). Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law.
How can I support Central Conservation?
Give online through our donation page, or contact us to talk about other ways to help.
Are you hiring?
Open roles are listed on our Careers page.
Where are you located?
789 Myrick Park Drive, La Crosse, WI 54601.