Co-Executive Director: Development & Operations

Position Description

The Co-Executive Director will lead development, finance, human resources,  and operations of WMG in partnership with the programmatic-focused Co-Executive Director and co-founder, Lisa Shipek. The Co-Executive Director will bring their unique talents and passions to fulfill WMG’s mission, vision, and strategic goals. 

The Co-ED will contribute to a growth mindset fostering a WMG culture with shared learning, curiosity, and gratitude. They will prioritize continuing to learn from and engage with people of all ages and backgrounds including including Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Latinx, and LGBTQA+ communities.

The Co-Executive Directors will each have lead roles, advisory roles, and shared roles, as outlined below. The Development and Operations Co-ED’s most important responsibilities are: 1) development, 2) finance, and 3) human resources, and these will be their strength areas. This is an in-person position based in Tucson, Arizona primarily at the Watershed Management Group Living Lab & Learning Center campus and reporting to the WMG Board of Directors. 

Job Requirements

• Interest and support of WMG’s mission and vision.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and ability to engage with diverse communities and build relationships built on trust and understanding
• Excellent communication and conflict resolution skills.
• 5-10+ years of experience in fundraising – including annual planning, donor development, foundation proposals, grant writing, legacy giving, capital campaigns.
• 5-10+ years of experience in human resources – including overseeing grievance procedures, onboarding employees, managing performance evaluations and performance improvement plans, conflict resolution, staff development, and supervising direct reports.
• 5-10+ years of experience in non-profit financial management – including developing and managing budgets, creating cash flow budgets, grant reporting and invoicing, and creating and analyzing financial reports.
• Be friendly, people-oriented, a good conversationalist, and a good listener.
• Be a team player that brings a proactive, constructive attitude to the group with high emotional intelligence to resolve conflicts.
• Ability to work both independently and as a team in a demanding work environment.
• Ability to work evening and weekend hours as needed for special events.
• An understanding of environmental issues of the Sonoran Desert.
• College degree and/or certifications in business, fundraising, finance, human resources, or related fields.

Routine Duties & Responsibilities

Development 

• Build long-term relationships with foundations and businesses for sustainable funding including submitting proposals and sharing impact.
• Oversee annual fundraising campaigns ensuring necessary resources to meet our strategic program and annual budget goals, raising $550,000+ annually.
• Be a lead fundraiser for the organization, making regular solicitations of donors, foundations, and business sponsors contributing to annual dollars raised and increasing giving annually.
• Create meaningful connections with WMG donors through regular and engaging communication, personal contact, and occasional visits.
• Oversee and take the lead on major donor development and legacy giving, including maintaining existing donor relationships, developing new ones, and working with contract fundraising partner Freewill.
• Be the primary staff person working with the board development committee.
• Oversee donor and volunteer appreciation.
• Play a lead role in developing WMG’s strategic plans and planning annual retreats. 

Financial Management

• Co-lead annual budget and long-term financial planning and trend analysis in coordination with the Co-Executive Director.
• Oversee and analyze monthly and quarterly financial report preparation and analysis in coordination with the staff Directors & Managers and the Board of Director’s Finance Committee. Mentor staff in financial management.
• Facilitate annual reviews, audits, and periodic updates to internal accounting practices.
• Ensure that adequate funds are available to permit the organization to carry out its work, including securing revenue, maintaining cash flow, and developing a cash reserve.

Human Resources  

• Oversee staffing of development, finance, and operations working with Directors and Managers to recruit, onboard, mentor, and evaluate performance of personnel.
• Lead human resources including updating and renewing benefits, reviewing policies, planning staff development trainings, facilitating and resolving personnel issues.
• Co-organize and facilitate monthly leadership team meetings.
• Oversee grievance procedures for staff and volunteers. 

Facilities

• Ensure the Living Lab is a safe, beautiful, and inclusive space, for staff, visitors, and groups that rent the space.
• Develop resources to fund new capital projects and ongoing maintenance costs of the Living Lab.
• Ensure the Living Lab fulfills its functional and inspiring demonstration of a hydro-local campus and regenerative desert living.
• Coordinate with Living Lab Education program staff on facilities care and educational activities.

Public Relations

• Be one of the primary spokespersons for WMG at events and for media coverage.
• Attend board meetings and prepare for meetings working with the committee chairs. Help recruit, onboard, and appreciate board members.
• Attend WMG events for networking and to elevate the reputation of WMG in the community.
• Build partnerships with other organizations and institutions.

Preferred Experience

• Bilingual speaker and writer, fluent in English and Spanish
• 3+ years experience in facilities management, including overseeing buildings and landscape care and upkeep, safety, and overseeing events and rentals.