Executive Director

Southern Arizona Legal Aid Inc.; United States; Remote; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading conservation organization seeks an inaugural Executive Director to make an impactful contribution to preserving native wildlife and plants. The role involves strategic leadership, operational management, and collaborative work with Board Trustees to drive conservation initiatives across the U.S. Ideal candidates should possess extensive experience in nonprofit leadership and a strong passion for environmental conservation.

Qualifications

• 7-10 years in foundation or nonprofit management, 3 years in senior leadership.
• 3 years of direct experience in conservation efforts.
• Knowledge of philanthropic processes and effective organizational management.

Responsibilities

• Shape strategy and lead implementation for conservation efforts.
• Manage operations of legacy properties and ongoing projects.
• Identify new opportunities for advancing the Foundations’ mission.

Skills

Strategic Grant Allocation

Project Management

Collaboration

Communication

Leadership

Job description

The WDH Foundations are seeking an inaugural Executive Director to help lead the next phase of the organizations’ shared mission to preserve, protect, and enhance native wildlife and plants in the United States. Willis Dean Hadley, who was deeply committed to conservation and habitat enhancement for native plants and wildlife, created the WDH Foundation-C3 and WDH Foundation-C4 organizations with a combined endowment of approximately $130 million to realize his vision. With the support of highly engaged Board leadership, this new role offers an exciting opportunity for a collaborative leader to make a meaningful contribution to conservation efforts in the United States.

The role involves shaping strategy and leading the implementation and operations of both Foundations, working collaboratively with Board Trustees to:

1. Manage operations of legacy properties in Missouri and California, along with other ongoing projects.
2. Identify new opportunities to advance the Foundations’ mission and impact in conservation.
3. Strengthen organizational infrastructure and grant-making processes.

The Executive Director must stay informed of conservation issues and emerging trends in the philanthropic conservation sector, identifying key issues relevant to the Foundations’ work. The role requires providing day-to-day leadership over current projects and properties. The ideal candidate will be a skilled communicator, highly motivated, self-directed, collaborative, and passionate about environmental conservation. Expertise in foundation and nonprofit management, strategic grant allocation, and project management will complement the financial, real estate, legal, and other areas of Board expertise to drive new initiatives and ongoing operations.

The Foundations currently have no employees and will engage the successful applicant to advise on employment options. While legacy properties are managed in Northern California and St. Louis, MO, the Executive Director can be based anywhere in the U.S., working mostly virtually with periodic travel as needed.

The ideal candidate will be an experienced and intelligent leader with exceptional communication skills, initiative, accountability, and a collaborative approach. Required qualifications include:

• 7–10 years of professional experience in foundation or nonprofit management, including at least 3 years in senior leadership and 2 years in startup or mission-driven venture development.
• A strong passion for conservation and environmental issues, with at least 3 years of direct experience supporting conservation efforts.
• Knowledge of philanthropic and grant-making processes, including funding evaluation and impact monitoring.
• Ability to evaluate and improve existing projects.
• Effective organization management skills and experience working with boards.
• Experience managing consultants, vendors, and contractors in conservation-related projects.
• Understanding of policy, legal, and regulatory compliance, with a commitment to professional integrity.