Posted on September 9, 2012

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Executive Director

About the Organization

Founded in 1982, Bat Conservation International (BCI) is the only conservation organization dedicated exclusively to global bat conservation. BCI’s mission is to conserve the world’s bats and their ecosystems to ensure a healthy planet. With 30 years of success, 10,000 members and over 12,000 electronic supporters from over 60 countries, and an emerging collaborative partnership with bat conservationists, researchers, and educators around the world, BCI is uniquely positioned to raise awareness about bat conservation issues, catalyze partnerships to engage on priority threats, and leverage resources and other critical support for collaborative conservation projects. With invaluable insights from global advisors, colleagues and partners, the 30-member team based in Austin, Texas, and Washington, DC, works to maximize BCI’s mission impact.

BCI envisions a world in which bats are valued for their intrinsic worth, as well as the benefits which they provide, and are allowed to coexist with humans. With over 1,250 species, bats are the second most diverse group of mammals in the world and inhabit every continent except Antarctica. Bats consume vast quantities of nocturnal insects, pollinate hundreds of species of tropical plants, and disperse seeds that help regenerate forests. Despite the important roles they play in nature and the benefits they provide to humans, bats are often misunderstood and overlooked by conservation organizations. BCI is embarking on a new strategic plan to guide the organization’s work to maximize mission impact by achieving measurable benefits for bats. In implementing that strategic plan, BCI aims to do the following:

• Scale up the organization, expanding its funding base, building its team, and communicating its vision and goals widely to external stakeholders and the public.
• Work with partners to identify, prioritize, and conserve ‘Important Bat Areas’ of the world.
• Build capacity and promote the development of networks for regional bat conservation efforts.
• Develop and grow BCI’s international programs and collaborate with partner organizations to achieve BCI’s goals.
• Build and maintain a strong team of experienced and talented staff and coordinate all staff efforts in alignment with BCI’s strategic goals.
• Develop evidence-based solutions to bat-human conflict.
• Develop strong policy recommendations and advocate for bat conservation legislation.
• Incorporate bats in conservation plans at all levels.
• Respond rapidly and effectively to bat conservation crises.
• Empower the next generation of conservationists through scholarships and grants.
• Ultimately, prevent the extinction of any bat species.

BCI collaborates with partners from governments, industry, academia, and other conservation organizations to fulfill its mission and reach its goals. For more information, please visit www.batcon.org.

Executive Director

Bat Conservation International seeks an innovative, experienced, and dedicated Executive Director to lead BCI to its next level of programmatic, financial, and organizational success. The Executive Director will build on BCI’s achievements to date by facilitating expansion of its programs, leveraging and fostering partnerships to achieve measurable results in bat conservation, significantly increasing BCI’s revenue and membership, and providing leadership in developing the organization’s staff and Board of Directors. The successful candidate will have the passion, tenacity, and leadership skills necessary to guide the organization as it grows and evolves to implement and support bat conservation efforts around the world. It is the Board’s expectation that the Executive Director will move the organization toward a strong operational presence in Washington, DC. The structure and timeline for establishing this presence will be determined by the Executive Director in consultation with BCI’s Board.

This is a high-profile opportunity for a dynamic conservation professional with the ability to scale up the organization, expand its funding base, manage senior level staff, and communicate BCI’s vision and goals to external partners, stakeholders, and the public. The Executive Director will work to achieve BCI’s goals in collaboration with the BCI Board of Directors, staff, and external partners. The Executive Director will report to the Board of Directors.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

The Executive Director will perform the following and other duties as assigned:

Program Oversight and Strategy

• Effectively and passionately articulate and implement BCI’s conservation goals and strategic plan, working closely with the board and staff to align programs with strategic priorities.
• Oversee all programs and operations of the organization, ensuring that all activities are consistent with BCI’s mission, appropriate goals and objectives are established for all programs, and expectations are met or exceeded.
• Ensure that BCI remains science-based, working closely with scientists and wildlife experts in government agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector.
• Oversee the design and implementation of national and international outreach and advocacy strategies to improve public policies related to bat conservation.
• Develop and maintain a working knowledge of significant developments and trends in bat biology, management, and conservation.

External Relations

• Represent and promote BCI externally to funders, partners, and the public.
• Raise the profile and visibility of BCI and build creative and enduring alliances by expanding awareness of BCI’s program achievements and building on the organization’s reputation as a credible and accessible resource.
• Work with the BCI Board and staff development team to create and execute a diversified fundraising plan to significantly increase revenue from various sources, including major donors, foundations, multilateral organizations, governmental entities, and membership. Work closely with the development staff to develop new relationships with funders and deepen existing ones.

Organizational Management

• Lead and motivate staff to achieve BCI’s maximum potential by promoting an organizational culture and structure that fosters communication, collaboration, teamwork, and trust.
• Provide leadership, direction, and support for all staff and directly supervise senior staff.
• The Executive Director will be expected to build and sustain among BCI’s staff a culture of common purpose toward achieving BCI’s mission.
• Cultivate and sustain a productive and mutually supportive relationship with the Board of Directors.
• Assist in the identification and recruitment of additional strong board members.
• Work with the Board Treasurer, Board Finance Committee, and Director of Finance to prepare annual budgets for review and approval by the board.
• Ensure that BCI maintains official records and documents—financial and otherwise—in compliance with current laws and regulations, that adequate funds are available for BCI to carry out its programs, and that the organization operates within budget guidelines.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will have the following minimum qualifications:

• 7+ years of experience in a relevant leadership role required, experience in nonprofit management and board relations strongly preferred
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship management skills with the ability to attract funders and partners by communicating a compelling and inspired sense of purpose
• A strong working knowledge of current wildlife conservation issues and trends, as well as significant experience in wildlife conservation and/or ecosystem services
• Experience achieving results in public policy through outreach and advocacy preferred
• Experience implementing conservation initiatives and partnerships internationally highly desirable
• A strong reputation and network among conservation organizations and leaders in the nonprofit, government, and for-profit sectors highly desirable
• Team-building skills and a collaborative leadership style with the ability to empower and inspire staff and encourage staff development, as well as the capacity to enforce accountability and learn the strengths and weaknesses of a team in order to position teams for success
• A proven track record of hiring and retaining top-notch staff
• Willingness and ability to work closely and constructively with the Board of Directors and contribute to board development
• A high level of diplomacy and pragmatism and the ability to collaborate with a wide range of individuals, organizations, and agencies at the regional, national, and international level
• Strong writing and external communication skills, including public speaking
• Experience driving and managing institutional growth or change preferred
• Demonstrated success in fundraising, working with diverse funding sources, and leading capital campaigns preferred
• Commitment to and passion for BCI’s mission, vision, and values
• Initiative, creativity, an entrepreneurial spirit, and an engaging and energetic demeanor
• Willingness to travel nationally and internationally
• Foreign language skills a plus
• Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree in a relevant field preferred

Compensation and Location

BCI offers an excellent benefits package and a competitive salary that is commensurate with experience. This position will be located in Washington, DC. It is expected that the Executive Director will spend significant time in Austin on organizational management and transitional issues as needed.

Application Instructions

To Apply

To be considered for this position, interested candidates must follow the link below to submit a resume, cover letter, and salary requirements. CEA Recruiting is assisting BCI with this search. Please direct all applications and inquiries to CEA Recruiting. This position will remain open until filled.

http://www.ceaconsulting.com/what/position_details.aspx?client=CEA&jobId=205

Bat Conservation International is an equal opportunity employer.

CEA Recruiting works with leading environmental nonprofits, foundations, and businesses to recruit top talent and design effective organizational staffing strategies. For more information, visit www.cearecruiting.com.