Executive Director

About the Organization

We are proud to be one of northern Michigan’s most impactful non-profit organizations – we are small but mighty, highly efficient, and endlessly passionate. Our vision is to lead communities toward healthy waters and wildlife for the future of Michigan and the Great Lakes Our mission is to restore and revitalize rivers and habitats in northern Michigan through active community partnerships, focusing on sustained, boots-on-the ground solutions for a healthy, resilient Great Lakes Region.

Since 1968, Conservation Resource Alliance has been the go-to group for large-scale conservation work across a 4-million-acre service area spanning from Ludington to Mackinac. Our signature River Care program supports the aesthetic and economic values of northern Michigan’s most vital waterways. Powered by local people, we address physical problems threatening rivers and watersheds. Our projects connect fragmented streams, reduce erosion, and enhance instream and wetland habitats. CRA’s staff and local partners will replace undersized stream crossings with a modern timber bridge, remove an aging dam, or construct low-impact river access. By systematically addressing the worst issues first, we aim to restore connected rivers, from stem to stern. This improves water quality and fosters the resiliency of critical watersheds across Michigan’s northwestern Lower Peninsula, securing a healthy future for the Great Lakes. In the corridors and lands surrounding the streams, we work with landowners and agencies to reforest critical lands with native trees and shrubs through our Wild Roots program and assist landowners in improving wildlife habitat. CRA’s work is Boots-onthe-Ground and always based on sound conservation science and respect for landowner priorities! Learn more at: https://www.rivercare.org/project-status/active/
 

At CRA, we are… 

Firmly Based in Science - We make decisions based on the best science and an understanding of resource needs. We are apolitical; we seek balanced solutions that work for ecosystems and communities.

Results-Oriented - Our professional and multidisciplinary team focuses on high leverage strategy and community impact. We know how to build teams and solve problems on the ground.

Agile - We track and respond to new opportunities and changing circumstances. We are focused yet flexible.

Collaborative - We seek out diverse partners and perspectives and make room for new voices. We value teamwork and strive to include all who want to help fulfill our mission.

Trustworthy - We communicate openly and honestly and treat each other with respect. We are ethical reliable, and we follow through on our commitments.
 

About the Position

Building on our strong regional reputation and 55 years of high-impact conservation work, CRA’s Board is preparing the organization for the next chapter. We are well respected across the Great Lakes and beyond, and the new Leader will inherit relationships and successes built on solid trust, deep collaboration, and cutting-edge conservation science.  Position Profile Brochure

The new Executive Director will join a highly respected, ambitious, and top-performing team. Our employee group takes pride in quality work, efficiency, and the highest ethics, compassion, and appreciation for the precious natural resources that depend on our care. Senior project managers and accounting staff have two decades or more of service, and we are continually adding bright new talent. CRA employees care about each other and enjoy solving problems and celebrating successes in a casual, fun, atmosphere. Nine employees currently work from our Traverse City location and one works from Grand Rapids. We all travel region-wide, with relationships and projects from Chicago to the Mackinac Bridge. The team is cohesive and confident, highly aware of individual strengths and weaknesses, and tuned in to what CRA does best and where our involvement should focus for the most significant impact.

Key responsibilities include:

• Works with the Development Director to prepare, implement, and monitor annual and longer term Development Plans 
• Develops and manages relationships with major donors, including individuals, foundations, and  government agencies  
• Secures and configures resources to meet the Annual and Strategic priorities of the organization 
•  Engages staff in designing change and making critical decisions for the organization 
• Supports operations of the Board through agenda planning, board member recruitment,  leadership, and training in consultation with Board leadership  
• Ensures CRA’s stakeholders, volunteers, landowners, partner organizations, and funders always  have the ear of the organization and have opportunities for input  
• Recruits, coaches and mentors staff 
• Builds meaningful partnerships with individuals at management and staff levels 
• Grant management and Implements financial management system, including internal controls and financial policies 
• Fosters empowerment, accountability, and personal growth among staff  
• Designs a programmatic strategy to achieve CRA’s goals, leads strategic business planning and  annual work planning 
• Forms and cultivates partnerships critical to implementing CRA’s program priorities; builds  alliances around key opportunities and threats 
• Creates a shared understanding of CRA’s values, goals, and niche among board and staff 
• Positions CRA as an effective conservation leader  
• Communicates CRA’s values, goals, and niche to regional communities and to state, tribal, Great  Lakes, and national partners  
• Maintains visibility with federal and state legislators, working collaboratively with regional organizations
• Serves as CRA representative or spokesperson as appropriate  
• Leads or collaborates with partners to present or facilitate sessions at key conferences and  meetings  
• Oversees and approves annual and other budgets and is responsible for operating within those 
• Oversees and approves CRA’s legal reviews/actions and insurance systems  

About You

The ideal candidate for this position is passionate about science and the environment, a demonstrated leader, and excited about putting their communication skills, financial acumen, fundraising skills and project management expertise to use supporting the regional ecosystem.

Additional Information

CRA’s work environment offers flexibility and support for efficient work at the office, on travel, and in remote workspaces. This full-time position offers benefits including group health insurance, SIMPLE IRA with employer matching, combined paid time off, paid holidays, Flex time, a Section 125 Flexible Spending Account plan for pre-tax payments of insurance premiums, medical expense reimbursements, dependent care reimbursements, and an incentive compensation plan.

Link to the profile: https://www.rivercare.org/employment/executive-director/

Applications are requested by March 10th, 2024.