Executive Director

Dunwoody Nature Center; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Dunwoody Nature Center seeks an Executive Director to lead the nonprofit, steward the park, and advance environmental education. You will work with the Board to set strategy, oversee staff, budgeting, fundraising, and community partnerships in Dunwoody, near Atlanta.

The role requires on-site presence, strong collaboration with civic partners, and a track record of growing mission impact while ensuring sustainable operations.

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience in a nonprofit or mission-driven org.
• Proven fundraising and donor relations success.
• Experience managing staff, budgets, and operations.
• Strong communication, leadership, and strategic planning skills.
• Ability to work with boards, donors, officials, and community stakeholders.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead implementation of mission, vision, and strategic plan.
• Align resources and initiatives for community impact.
• Recruit, develop, and manage a high-performing team.
• Foster an accountable, mission-driven culture.
• Maintain strong partnership with the Board.
• Oversee annual budget and financial stewardship.
• Lead fundraising, donor engagement, and grants.
• Engage with City of Dunwoody and community partners.
• Oversee environmental education programs and park stewardship.

Skills

Senior leadership

Fundraising

Staff management

Communication

Strategic planning

Board collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Position: Executive Director (Full-Time, Exempt)
Reports To: Board of Directors
Supervises: Nature Center Staff

ABOUT THE DUNWOODY NATURE CENTER

We are a non-profit organization that operates within a 22-acre park through a long-term lease with the City of Dunwoody. The staff of eight employees work closely with a volunteer Board of Directors to safeguard the organization’s mission of connecting people of all ages to nature through hands-on environmental education.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Executive Director serves as the chief executive officer of the Dunwoody Nature Center, providing strategic, operational, financial, and community leadership. Working closely with the Board of Directors, the Executive Director advances the Center’s mission of environmental education, conservation, stewardship, and community engagement while ensuring long-term organizational sustainability.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership

• Lead implementation of the organization's mission, vision, and strategic plan.
• Align resources, goals, and initiatives to maximize community impact and sustainability.

Staff Leadership

• Recruit, develop, and manage a high-performing team.
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, mission-driven organizational culture.

Board Relations & Governance

• Maintain a strong partnership with the Board.
• Support governance, strategy development, policy implementation, and informed decision-making.

Financial & Organizational Management

• Develop and manage the annual budget.
• Ensure financial stewardship, compliance, risk management, and effective organizational operations.

Fundraising & Development

• Lead fundraising efforts, donor engagement, grant development, and revenue diversification.
• Partner with the Board and stakeholders to secure resources supporting the Center’s mission.

Community & Government Relations

• Serve as the Center’s primary spokesperson and ambassador.
• Build relationships with donors, community leaders, volunteers, businesses, and the City of Dunwoody.

Programs & Park Stewardship

• Oversee environmental education programs, events, and conservation initiatives.
• Ensure effective stewardship and enhancement of Dunwoody Park.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Senior leadership experience in a nonprofit or mission-driven organization.
• Proven fundraising and relationship-building success.
• Experience managing staff, budgets, and organizational operations.
• Strong communication, leadership, and strategic planning skills.
• Ability to work effectively with boards, donors, public officials, and community stakeholders.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.

Preferred

• Executive Director or comparable leadership experience.
• Background in environmental education, conservation, parks, or nature-focused organizations.
• Experience partnering with local government and leading organizational growth or change.

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Success will be evaluated based on:

• Achievement of strategic goals
• Financial sustainability
• Fundraising effectiveness
• Staff leadership and organizational health
• Program quality and mission impact
• Board, community, and City of Dunwoody relationships
• Stewardship of Dunwoody Park
• Compliance and operational effectiveness

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The position requires a consistent physical presence on site and in the community. The hours are M-F 8:30 - 5:00 p.m., plus nights and weekends, as needed.

The Nature Center offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience.

The position requires the ability to walk the trails of the Nature Center, stand, and occassionally lift up to 50 lbs.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

Dunwoody Nature Center is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business need.