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Executive Director

Employer
Great Outdoors Colorado
Location
Denver, Colorado
Salary
Salary range for the position: $160,000-$205,000
Closing date
Aug 17, 2021

View more

Focus Areas
Environment
Job Function
Executive / Senior Management
Position Type
Full Time
Degree Level
Bachelors
Willingness to Travel
up to 25%
Experience Level
Executive

Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) uses a portion of Colorado Lottery proceeds to protect and enhance Colorado’s parks, trails, wildlife, rivers, and open spaces in all 64 counties. It awards competitive grants to local governments, land trusts, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and makes investments directly through CPW. Created by voters in 1992, GOCO is governed by a 17-member board that is appointed by the governor and uses no tax dollars. GOCO’s staff is comprised of 22 full-time employees who serve the people of Colorado. 

GOCO's work is guided by its 2020 strategic plan rooted in these values:

  • Resource conservation | We value strategic land conservation and resource protection work.
  • Outdoor stewardship | We support sustainability of and improvements to the state's natural and recreational resources.
  • Community vitality | We invest in conservation and outdoor recreation efforts that support communities and quality of life.
  • Equitable access | We partner with communities to break down barriers to the outdoors.
  • Youth connections | We support projects and programs that help children and families get outside more often and experience the benefits of doing so.

For more information, please visit GOCO.org.

The Great Outdoors Colorado board is pleased to announce an exciting job opportunity for an Executive Director to join the dynamic organization in Denver, Colorado. This is a full-time (40 hours/week), exempt position. 

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Executive Director provides strategic leadership for GOCO, implementing a vision for the organization that furthers its long-term role as a key outdoors partner in Colorado. They enhance and maintain relationships with key constituents across the state including state agency leaders; state, county, and municipal elected officials; industry leaders; grant applicants and grantees; nonprofit partners; funding partners; and community members.

The Executive Director also leads key public policy and public affairs activities and serves as GOCO’s primary spokesperson locally, regionally, and nationally in addition to providing operational leadership and overseeing all aspects of GOCO’s operations. Lastly, the Executive Director works closely and strategically with the GOCO board, identifying strategy and policy issues to be addressed by the board and developing recommendations on those topics.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP

  • Work with the GOCO board to establish and execute the vision/mission and strategic plans.
  • Maintain clear strategic goals.
  • Ensure operations align with goals and mission.
  • Consistently display integrity and model GOCO’s values.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS & COMMUNICATION

  • Serve as GOCO’s primary point of contact for external constituents.
  • Serve as GOCO’s primary spokesperson to the media, elected and appointed officials, grantees, the public, agencies, and organizations.
  • Establish and maintain strong and cooperative relationships with the state legislature, governor’s office, state agencies, local governments, recreation districts, conservation non-profit organizations, funders, and other key partners and organizations.
  • Develop and implement GOCO’s positions on legislative and policy matters affecting the organization and its partners in consultation with the GOCO board.

PROGRAMS

  • Provide leadership in developing and implementing competitive grant programs that are relevant, efficient, community-centered, and high quality.
  • Build a strong relationship with Colorado Parks and Wildlife in the development and implementation of programs and projects funded through GOCO investments.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with grantees and program partners.

OPERATIONS

  • Oversee administration of GOCO’s operations and finances, including development and tracking of budgets, an annual financial audit, personnel, grants management, fund management, and employee benefits.
  • Work with staff and the finance committee to prepare annual operating and grant budgets; ensure GOCO operates within budget guidelines.
  • Jointly, with the board chair and secretary, conduct official correspondence and, with designated officers, execute legal documents.

TEAM DEVELOPMENT & MANAGEMENT

  • Provide inspirational leadership and management for a highly qualified staff, assuring a culture that promotes excellence, continuous improvement, shared leadership, and collaboration.
  • Ensure sound human resource and management practices and policies are in place, including regular goal-setting, performance evaluation, and staff development and training.
  • Encourage team development crossing disciplines to build cohesion, and directly manage and mentor the leadership team.

BOARD RELATIONS

  • Serve as the primary contact for the GOCO board while providing appropriate opportunities for staff to interact with board members.
  • Keep the board fully informed on the condition of the organization and all important influencing factors.
  • Work with the board chair and executive committee to ensure effective governance.
  • Orient new board members.

GOCO INTERNAL VALUES

  • Strategy: Fit your work within GOCO’s overarching strategy and execute programs and projects against it, consistently evaluating results and communicating insights to help inform the organization’s evolving direction.
  • Diversity: Foster, cultivate, and preserve a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  • Respect: Treat others in a positive manner with recognition and appreciation for their distinct value, opinions, and contributions.
  • Accountability: Take responsibility for your individual and team work to advance GOCO’s vision and priorities.
  • Organizational Citizenship: Create and participate in a culture that fosters growth, engagement, support, and success.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

  • A bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university.
  • Minimum of seven years of management experience; the ability to build, mentor, and coach a team of direct and indirect reports and peers in the area of grantmaking.
  • Demonstrated experience and leadership in managing strategic priorities to advance an organization's mission and goals.
  • The ability to communicate clearly and succinctly through spoken and written communications. Comfortable making presentations to small and large groups.
  • A commitment to furthering GOCO’s mission and a demonstrated knowledge of and interest in outdoor parks/recreation and/or community development.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of Colorado’s geography and communities.
  • Experience working with boards and commissions (preferably government boards and commissions).

PREFERRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE:

  • Energetic, flexible, collaborative, and proactive; an organizational leader who can positively and productively impact strategic initiatives.
  • Innovative thinker with a track record for translating strategic thinking into action plans and measurable results.
  • Excellent judgment and creative problem-solving skills, including negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
  • Professionalism and confidence to gain the credibility and respect of board and staff members.

LOCATION REQUIREMENTS & OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

  • Location GOCO’s headquarters office in Denver
  • Other requirements:
    • Willingness and ability to travel. Expect approximately 30 overnight stays per year. GOCO provides transportation, provides accommodations, and covers the cost of food and other reasonable expenses.
    • Willingness to attend weekend and evening meetings, workshops, conferences, and events in Colorado (and occasionally outside of Colorado).
    • Valid driver’s license.
    • Physical demands may involve lifting materials and equipment, including but not limited to event and office supplies, up to 25 pounds; occasional work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.

COMPENSATION:

  • Starting salary is based on education, experience, skills, and other job-related factors.
    • Salary range for the position: $160,000-$205,000
  • Bonus eligibility: Position is eligible to earn one-time bonuses after six months of employment for achieving significant business objectives as determined by the GOCO board.

BENEFITS:

APPLICATION PROCESS AND TIMELINES:

Interested candidates should submit a resume, letter of interest, and contact information for up to three references to applicant@goco.org.

All applications must be received no later than 4:00 p.m. on Monday, August 16, 2021 to be considered. Applications will be kept in confidence. Please note, however, that finalists will be publicly announced.

Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and others who identify as nonwhite, people with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community are encouraged to apply for this role. 

Great Outdoors Colorado is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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