Executive Director

Please send a resume and cover letter including salary requirements to info@madisonriverfoundation.org.

The Madison River Foundation is a fast growing, non-profit that preserves, protects, and enhances the Madison River through advocacy, on the ground projects, and education. 

The Executive Director (ED) is responsible for leading the Madison River Foundation as it relates to the strategic direction and overall management of the organization. The ED serves to establish and implement policy in coordination with the board. The ED is expected to identify and implement short- and long-term strategic goals, and to be accountable to the Board of Directors for achieving those goals. Additionally, the ED coordinates with existing leadership to shape the future evolution of the Foundation, including its programs and acquisitions. 

Experience Desired:

• 3-5+ years of non-profit experience
• 3-5+ years of advocacy experience on local, state, and federal issues
• 5+ years of broad fundraising experience
• 5+ years of grant writing experience
• 5+ years of project management (nonprofit, campaign, corporate, etc.)
• 5+ years of hiring and managing staff and creating a positive work environment 
• 3+ years of managing an operating budget
• 3+ years of board relations experience

Staff and Board Leadership  

• Serves as staff liaison to the Board of Directors, including preparing materials for meetings, staffing Board committees, and assisting with special projects.
• Leads a team of conservation professionals and administrative personnel.  
• Recruits, trains, motivates, and evaluates staff.  
• Ensures professional development opportunities for staff to increase their effectiveness and keep them informed of new developments in their respective fields. 
• Creates a positive working environment. 

Planning

• Assists the Board in setting the organization’s strategic direction through the development and implementation of an annual operating plan which includes a fundraising plan, advocacy plan, outreach and communications plan, and conservation project plan.  
• Works with staff and the Board to establish goals and strategies. 
• Coordinates staff to develop annual work plans.  
• Monitors trends and organizational capabilities to ensure the strategic plan is current and accurate.  
• Monitors, tracks, and reports progress toward plan benchmarks. 

Advocacy

• Identifies priority areas for MRF to focus its policy and advocacy efforts that will make the greatest impact. From this process, develop a policy and advocacy agenda.
• Develops and leads implementation of local, state, and federal level advocacy strategies.
• Works with staff to formulate, coordinate, and integrate the policy and advocacy strategy with the communications strategy.  
• Builds strategic partnerships with organizations that will assist in meeting desired policy agenda outcomes.
• Develops strategic alliances with key elected officials, groups, and others. Attends public and private meetings involving all issues that impact the river.
• Advises all agencies, commissions, and elected officials on legislation affecting MRF.

Fundraising and Resource Development 

• Cultivates and stewards major donor prospects including individuals, corporations, and private family foundations.  
• Maintains a portfolio of individual major gift prospects and donors.  
• Supports gift solicitations by Board and staff members.  
• Supports the Board in the cultivation of major donors.  
• Provides staff support and direction to Board fundraising committees.  
• Researches, locates, and applies for appropriate grants.  
• Leads fundraising and annual campaigns. 

Conservation 

• Ensures that the organization achieves its conservation mission in a highly strategic and focused manner.  
• Builds and nurtures relationships with landowners, key stakeholders, and agency partners.
• Develops and assists in the development of conservation plans that guide future work. 

Community Outreach and Education 

• Oversees all communications and outreach efforts.  
• Oversees the creation and production of all communications materials, including newsletters, marketing materials, and news releases.  
• Establishes and maintains strong, positive working relationships with a wide range of partners and stakeholders.  
• Represents the Foundation to a variety of audiences, including volunteers, members, government agencies and officials, community leaders, and other partners.
• Communicates the Foundation’s vision and exemplifies its core values. 

Desired Qualifications

• Passion for protecting Montana's most well-known river
• Experience working in Montana conservation, nonprofits, government or politics 
• Established relationships with policy makers 
• Interest and knowledge in fly-fishing and Montana outdoors