Executive Director

Movement Education Outdoors; Providence (RI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Movement Education Outdoors in Providence, Rhode Island, seeks an Executive Director to provide strategic and operational leadership, advancing the organization’s mission through outdoor education, partnerships, and stewardship.

The role leads programs, operations, finances, fundraising, staff, board engagement, and community relations to ensure safe, inclusive, and impactful offerings while positioning MEO for growth.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership experience in nonprofit management, education, youth development, outdoor programming, or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Lead MEO's fundraising strategy by cultivating relationships with donors, foundations, corporate partners, and public funders.
• Identify and pursue diversified revenue opportunities to support long-term financial sustainability.
• Partner with the Board of Directors to support donor cultivation, fundraising initiatives, and stewardship.
• Provide executive oversight of programs and ensure appropriate systems, staffing, and resources support safe, effective, and high-quality operations.
• Oversee maintenance, safety, and stewardship of facilities, vehicles, vessels, and equipment to ensure compliance with regulations and program delivery needs.
• Coordinate with property managers and service providers to support facility maintenance and operational needs.
• Oversee organizational risk management by ensuring emergency action plans, safety protocols, and required staff training are implemented and reviewed.
• Establish organizational goals and performance measures, monitor progress, and evaluate outcomes.
• The Executive Director may lead special projects and additional responsibilities as assigned by the Board.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor relations

Leadership

Job description

Position: Executive Director Reports To: Board of Directors Status: Full-time, Exempt Location: Providence, Rhode Island This position is open until filled. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the posting may close at any time once a qualified candidate pool is identified.

The Executive Director provides strategic and operational leadership for Movement Education Outdoors (MEO) to advance the organization's mission through high-quality outdoor education, community partnerships, and organizational stewardship. The Executive Director is responsible for organizational sustainability, program and operational oversight, financial stewardship, fundraising, staff leadership, board engagement, and community relationships, ensuring MEO delivers safe, inclusive, and impactful programs while positioning the organization for growth and long-term sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

Lead MEO's fundraising strategy by cultivating relationships with donors, foundations, corporate partners, and public funders.

Identify and pursue diversified revenue opportunities to support long-term financial sustainability.

Partner with the Board of Directors to support donor cultivation, fundraising initiatives, and stewardship.

Program & Operational Leadership

Provide executive oversight of programs and ensure appropriate systems, staffing, and resources support safe, effective, and high-quality operations.

Oversee the maintenance, safety, and stewardship of MEO facilities, vehicles, vessels, and equipment to ensure compliance with applicable regulations, preventative maintenance plans, and program delivery needs.

Coordinate with property managers and service providers to support facility maintenance and operational needs.

Oversee organizational risk management by ensuring emergency action plans, safety protocols, and required staff training are implemented and regularly reviewed.

Establish organizational goals and performance measures, monitor progress, and evaluate program and organizational outcomes to support continuous improvement and informed decision-making.

In support of a small, mission-driven organization, the Executive Director may perform direct operational duties as needed to ensure effective program delivery and organizational success.

Community Partnerships & External Relations

Build and sustain collaborative relationships with community leaders, funders, educational institutions, and partner organizations.

Develop and maintain strategic partnerships that advance outdoor education, aquaculture, and marine science initiatives.

Represent MEO at community meetings, school events, and regional partnerships to strengthen organizational visibility and community impact.

Engage with community stakeholders to remain informed about the needs of marginalized youth, families, and communities.

Serve as an ambassador for MEO's mission by representing the organization's values, programs, and community impact with external stakeholders.

Oversee the organization's administrative and financial operations, including budgeting, financial reporting, payroll, bookkeeping, grants administration, and partner agreements.

Ensure sound fiscal management through budgeting, forecasting, cash flow oversight, and responsible resource allocation.

Prepare financial and organizational reports for the Board of Directors and other key stakeholders.

Ensure compliance with applicable legal, financial, employment, grant, safety, and risk management requirements.

Board Governance

Serve as the primary liaison to the Board of Directors, fostering effective communication and supporting strong governance practices.

Partner with the Board to develop the strategic plan and lead implementation of organizational priorities.

Support the Board in fulfilling its governance responsibilities by preparing meeting materials, providing regular organizational updates, and informing strategic decision-making.

People Leadership & Organizational Culture

Recruit, supervise, mentor, and evaluate staff while fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and mission-driven organizational culture.

Ensure staff have the resources, training, and professional development needed to succeed.

Ensure staff complete required training and maintain compliance with organizational policies, including child abuse prevention, mandated reporting, and other safety requirements.

Promote a positive workplace culture grounded in equity, collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning.

Additional Responsibilities

The Executive Director may lead special projects, assume additional responsibilities, and perform other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors to support the evolving needs and priorities of the organization.

Required Leadership Competencies

The Executive Director demonstrates the following competencies to effectively lead MEO, advance its mission, and foster a collaborative and inclusive organizational culture:

Collaboration & Relationship Building Builds and sustains meaningful relationships within MEO and with external partners, community organizations, funders, and stakeholders to advance organizational goals and community impact.

Communication & Influence Communicates clearly and authentically, listens actively, and inspires trust, alignment, and commitment among staff, Board members, partners, and the broader community.

Inclusion & Cultural Competence Demonstrates a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging by valuing diverse perspectives, recognizing individual strengths, and fostering an environment where all people feel respected and supported.

Critical Thinking & Decision Making Uses sound judgment, data, organizational priorities, and community needs to make thoughtful decisions and navigate complex challenges.

Developing Self & Others Invests in continuous learning and supports the growth, development, and success of staff, volunteers, partners, and program participants.

Emotional Intelligence & Resilience Demonstrates self-awareness, adaptability, and the ability to manage emotions, navigate challenges, and respond thoughtfully in dynamic environments.

Preferred Qualifications

Demonstrated leadership experience in nonprofit management, education, youth development, outdoor programming, or a related field.

Experience with fundraising, grant management, and building community partnerships.

Experience supervising staff and fostering collaborative organizational culture.

Strong understanding of equity, inclusion, and community-centered programming.

Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic, mission-driven environment.

Experience with budgeting, financial oversight, and organizational planning.

Familiarity with marine science, aquaculture, outdoor education, or similar experiential learning environments is preferred.

Movement Education Outdoors is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace where people of all backgrounds are valued and supported.

MEO is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and strongly encourages applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including those who are historically underrepresented in outdoor education and nonprofit leadership. We recognize that people bring valuable skills and experiences through many different pathways and encourage you to apply even if you do not meet every qualification listed.