TEATOWN LAKE RESERVATION
Position Description
Executive Director
Teatown Lake Reservation, the largest private nature preserve and regional environmental education center in Westchester County, New York, seeks a dynamic Executive Director to provide vision and leadership. Located in the Lower Hudson Valley in the Towns of Yorktown, Cortlandt, and New Castle, Teatown Lake Reservation's mission is to conserve open space and educate and engage the regional community.
The Organization
Teatown Lake Reservation (Teatown) is widely respected for its role in environmental education, land protection and nature conservation. With 875 acres, Teatown's priorities are education of young people and adults, land conservation and regional collaboration. Each year over 28,000 people attend educational programming, visit the Nature Center, hike our trails, or tour Wildflower Island, a two-acre island sanctuary on Teatown Lake. Wildflower Island is home to over 230 native and endangered species of wildflowers. Our Nature Center is a source of wildlife knowledge and home to a variety of amphibians, birds of prey, mammals and reptiles.
Teatown's educators offer adult, family and children's programs to over 18,000 participants annually, including nearly 9,000 school children and 700 summer day campers. Annually, over 10,000 hikers traverse Teatown's 15 miles of scenic trails that span abundant fields, mixed forests, lakes, streams, swamps and meadows. Teatown also conducts three annual celebrations: Hudson Hills and Highlands Fall Festival; Nature-friendly Plant Sale; and Hudson River EagleFest.
In addition, Teatown is rapidly developing a reputation as the Hudson Hills and Highlands' foremost environmental organization, providing conservation leadership to this bioregion which encompasses most of Westchester and Putnam Counties, and parts of Dutchess, Orange and Rockland Counties. Teatown takes an active role in state, county and community efforts to protect open space and natural areas. We provide assistance to civic leaders in crafting practical solutions to environmental issues and help landowners and residents become more nature knowledgeable and friendly.
This work is accomplished with a capable and stable staff of 30 full and part-time employees and an annual operating budget of approximately $2 million. Teatown maintains an endowment of approximately$2 million. The volunteer network is strong, and the Board members are enthusiastically and appropriately engaged. The Advisory Board provides input and acts as additional eyes and ears of the community. For additional information about Teatown's programs, activities and more, please visit www.teatown.org [1].
The Position
Reporting to the Board Chair, the Executive Director serves as the Chief Executive Officer and leader of the organization. S/he will help envision responsible growth to maximize the impact of the organization and will oversee all programs, fundraising, development, staff/volunteers, administration, operations and finance.
Responsibilities include:
partnership with the Board in formulating organizational vision and strategy and leadership to accomplish the mission and goals.
acting as the organization's chief fundraiser;
inspiration, engagement and further development of staff and volunteers;
demonstration and assurance of integrity throughout the organization;
creation, facilitation and management of regional environmental partnerships and collaborations;
serving as chief storyteller and relationship builder in the region, operating as Teatown's public face and growing relationships with members, civic leaders, donors, potential contributors, media, conservation professionals, governmental agencies and the public. Articulation of a compelling vision to a variety of audiences in order to create enthusiastic support for Teatown throughout the area;
oversight and expansion of environmental education opportunities for all ages into the broader community, stewardship of the 875-acre nature preserve and leadership in regional conservation efforts;
Qualifications
Strategic thinking and collaborative leadership with solid ability to execute;
Readiness to take Teatown to the next level, significantly enhancing its value, influence and impact;
Passionate and persuasive leadership to enlist board members, staff, volunteers, members and others to achieve the mission;
Demonstrated ability to raise funds from a variety of sources, especially with major donors, corporations and foundations, ability to deliver a compelling message, and a strong commitment to reach a broad philanthropic community;
Knowledge of and commitment to environmental education and land stewardship/management;
Significant experience in strategic planning, financial management, marketing and communications, and staff management including hiring, performance planning/evaluation and coaching;
Strong communication skills including awareness of and openness to using new media;
Demonstrated success working with boards of directors.
Personal Characteristics
Entrepreneurial spirit;
Strong leadership, management and team-building skills including the ability to motivate, align efforts, set goals, delegate and monitor effectiveness;
Ability to inspire, nurture and develop the experienced professional staff;
Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills;
Ability to work effectively with a wide variety of people at all levels;
Integrity, good judgment, and a sense of humor;
Public presence and energy;
Passion, passion, passion.
To Apply
Please send resume, cover letter and salary history to Susan Egmont, Egmont Associates, at segmont@egmontassociates.com [2].