JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
SAN MATEO COUNTY PARKS FOUNDATION
San Mateo County, California
OVERVIEW
The Board of Directors of the San Mateo County Parks Foundation (the Foundation) seeks a dynamic, strategic leader and communicator with a demonstrated commitment to promoting and preserving parks and the environment. This position is the perfect opportunity for someone who enjoys and excels at growing small organizations and taking them to a new level of excellence. The new Executive Director will secure additional financial resources, educate the public on the importance of parks, and cultivate strong, thriving relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including the Board, donors, and partners.
ABOUT SAN MATEO COUNTY PARKS FOUNDATION
The San Mateo County Parks Foundation was established in 1998 to provide additional financial support for the recreational, environmental and educational programs and projects of the San Mateo County Department of Parks. The mission of the Foundation is to inspire people to care for, learn about, and enjoy San Mateo’s parks. The Foundation is committed to conserving and improving the quality of the County Parks for current and future generations to enjoy.
In partnership with the San Mateo County Department of Parks, the Foundation raises funds to support projects, programs and volunteers to benefit parks and visitors. The Foundation seeks grants and contributions from individuals, foundations and businesses. Since it’s inception the Foundation has funded more than 30 projects or programs and raised millions of dollars for the San Mateo County Parks. The Foundation has a well-established annual campaign, with many long-time loyal donors who have supported it for more than 15 years. The Foundation has an active and successful Facebook page, with over 1,200 followers and an e-news list of similar size.
Some of the 20 San Mateo County Parks that the Foundation works to support include the new Devil’s Slide Trail, Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, Sawyer Camp Trail, Memorial Park, Edgewood Preserve and San Bruno Mountain. A full list of San Mateo County Parks can be found at http://parks.smcgov.org/county-parks.
The Foundation does not manage projects directly. The San Mateo County Department of Parks is responsible for the design, permitting, contracting, implementation and maintenance of the projects. For more information about the Foundation, visit the website at www.supportparks.org.
The Foundation is currently governed by a Board of 8 members and has a staff of 1.5 with a recently approved budget of approximately $600,000 for operations and funding for County Parks.
ORGANIZATIONAL PRIORITIES
The Foundation Board, staff and key stakeholders recently reviewed its current status and the near term opportunities and challenges to its work. The organization is positioned to grow significantly to raise additional dollars for County Parks and the incoming Executive Director will be charged with leading the Board and staff in setting specific strategies to reach these objectives. The following organizational priorities have been set by the Board:
Assess the Foundation’s infrastructure (staff, systems, policies) and re-position the organization for a period of steady growth;
Expand fundraising efforts with specific goals to diversify income streams through a major donor campaign, local corporate giving and revenue generating programs;
Work with the Board of Directors to increase the number of members and to clarify roles, responsibilities, and expectations;
Increase awareness of San Mateo’s County Parks and the Foundation’s role in raising money to support them;
Collaborate closely with San Mateo County Parks Department and with the local Friends of Parks groups and other parks-related organizations;
Participate in legislative efforts that will increase funding to San Mateo County Parks.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Executive Director serves as Chief Executive Officer responsible to the Board of Directors for the effective management of the organization. The Executive Director:
Engages with the Board of Directors in active fundraising to generate revenue that meets or exceeds each year’s budget amounts
Recommends to the Board an annual budget and an annual work plan in line with the Foundation’s strategic vision; provides regular reports on finances and programs to the Board
Serves as the public face and lead voice for the organization
Assures that the organization’s programs and projects are consistently of the highest quality
Supports the work of the Board of Directors, and is involved in developing and growing the Board to achieve its priorities
Ensures sound fiscal and programmatic operations of the organization
Recruits, supervises, and evaluates staff, volunteers, and interns
Develops and maintains strong, well-grounded relationships with the Foundation’s partners and collaborating organizations
CANDIDATE PROFILE
Required Qualifications
A passion for the out-of-doors and a demonstrated commitment to promoting, protecting, expanding, and preserving park lands
A strong track record in raising funds from diverse sources for nonprofit organizations; keen awareness of funding opportunities; and understanding and ability to expand the Foundation’s donor base
Executive-level leadership skills, including the ability to think and plan strategically, create an organizational vision, and execute the vision by bringing together the financial and human resources necessary for success
Experience in growing a nonprofit organization, and sustaining that growth, using proven business models and strategies
Previous success in building a culture of teamwork and collaboration to bring local government, nonprofits, businesses, and groups together to benefit San Mateo County Parks
A minimum of 5-7 years experience in upper-level organizational management with strong experience and success in strategic planning, operational, fiscal, and program oversight and developing and supporting volunteers
Knowledge of County Parks and how they operate
Strategic networking skills; ability to build and maintain strong relationships and position the Foundation successfully with funders and other providers as a leader in the field
Excellent verbal and written communications skills, including public speaking and use of electronic media; ability to represent the Foundation to the public and advocate on its behalf
Experience in supporting and developing excellent working relationships with the Board of Directors; ability to engage and motivate them to achieve organizational goals
Masters degree preferred in the natural sciences, public administration/policy, business, or related fields
SALARY & BENEFITS
This position is based in San Mateo County and the starting annual salary range is $90,000 – $100,000. The Foundation offers an excellent benefit package.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Yeager and Carlson LLC has been retained by the Foundation to conduct the candidate search. Applicants should send their resumes and cover letters describing their qualifications and interest in the position to foundation@yeagerandcarlson.com
The application deadline is August 2, 2015.