[Pollinator] Search for CEO American Forests

Ladadams at aol.com Ladadams at aol.com
Thu Apr 29 10:21:38 PDT 2010


Please distribute widely.
 
 
Position  Specification**** 

For 

 

Search For  A 

Chief  Executive Officer 
 

The  Organization               American Forests (AF) is the oldest 
nonprofit citizens’ conservation  organization in the United  States. Founded in 
1875, the organization  helped create the nation’s conservation movement, as 
well as the National Park  and National Forest systems. American Forests 
educates citizens about the  importance of rural and urban forests – and 
advocates strongly for the planting  of new trees. Since 1990, its efforts have 
resulted in the planting 30 million  new trees.   
The CEO of American Forests will build  on the organization’s 135-year 
heritage of committed, responsible, and  successful advocacy and programs 
providing clarity of mission. He/ she will  drive engagement with conservation 
stakeholders and firmly establish AF as a  leader in the conservation field. To 
continue its mission and achieve its  financial goals, the organization 
must maximize its support from individuals,  corporations, foundations, and 
government agencies – at a time when resources  are severely limited. 
Therefore, it is critical that American Forests raise awareness and build support  
beyond its core group of supporters.  
Located in Washington, DC, American Forests has an annual operating  budget 
of $5 million and 20 FTE. 
Website:                                     http:// 
_www.americanforests.org_ (http://www.americanforests.org/)  
Opportunities &  
Priorities:                      Some of the priorities the new CEO of 
American Forests should be prepared to  undertake include: 
·        Quickly  re-establish AF as an industry leader in the conservation 
field; a resource to  be called upon, quoted, etc. 
·        Establish  staffing standards for peak performance and excellence, 
including clear  financial reporting processes. 
·        Introduce  modern management discipline and accountability to the  
organization. 
·        Work with the  Board to evaluate AF’s mission and strategic focus. 
·        Develop plans  to augment the membership, development and public 
relations  efforts. 
·        Differentiate  AF from other like organizations. 
·        Initiate  focused marketing/awareness campaigns, including 
website, American Forests  Magazine and other communications materials.  
·        With the  Board Chair, develop Board of Directors plan to include 
appropriate roles to  engage existing (relatively new) members and identify 
new Board  prospects. 
 

The Position 
Title:                               Chief Executive Officer 
Location:                       Washington,  DC  area 
Reporting  
Relationship:                The CEO will report to the  Board of Directors 
of American Forests. He/she will manage a $5 million budget  and 20 FTE.  
Primary  
Responsibilities:          As the chief salaried executive of the 
organization, the CEO will oversee all day to day operations and staff  while 
maintaining liaison with the Board. In addition, he/she  will: 
·        Provide  overall guidance for the development and administration 
of AF’s strategic  direction and initiatives. 
·        Be a strong  advocate for the organization. Develop public 
recognition of American Forests  while advancing and articulating the vision.
·        Work closely  with the Board to develop specific programs, 
budgets, and policies and ensure  that they are properly implemented. 
·        Build the  organization’s financial, administrative, creative and 
HR  resources. 
·        Develop and  nurture strong mutually beneficial partnerships with 
other organizations. Build  relationships of value with leaders in all 
sectors. 
·        As the Chief  Development Officer for American Forests, he/she  
will 
-          Lead the  strategic development of campaigns and programs. 
-          Cultivate and  maintain positive and productive relationships 
with people and organizations  interested in supporting American Forests. 
-          Create new  opportunities to ensure that all major gift 
prospects are identified and  cultivated. 
-          Develop  comprehensive strategies that will increase the 
opportunity for  giving. 
·        Leverage off  AF’s position (being at the right place at the right 
time) to re-brand the  organization and take it to the next level. 
·        Hire,  develop, and train staff to best support AF’s services and  
programs. 
·        Be an  effective ambassador for American Forests. 
·        Keep the  Board fully informed on the operations of the 
organization and about any  emerging issues that can significantly impact American  
Forests. 
·        Develop plan  to reach AF goal of planting 100 million trees by  
2020. 
·        Accomplish  all duties with the highest standards of excellence 
and integrity   



The Candidate 
Education:                     Prime candidates should have a Bachelors 
degree. An advanced degree,  and/or professional certifications in a relevant 
field are preferred. Experience  in not-for-profit management is also 
attractive but not mandatory.   
Core  
Competencies: 
·        Credible;  walk-in presence; established leadership skills. 
·        Proven  operational and administrative skills; (“can make the 
trains run on time”);  ability to manage to goals. 
·        An  appreciation of the environmental, social, and economic values 
of healthy forest  ecosystems. 
·        Proven record  of fund raising and development. 
·        Strong  understanding of public relations. 
·        Proven record  of developing successful membership programs. 
·        A  relationship and consensus builder with established people  
skills. 
·        Entrepreneurial; marketing oriented; thinks of new  directions. 
Experience &  
Qualification:               Prime candidates should have a minimum of 15+ 
years work experience with  at least 5 in an executive management position 
as President or senior operations  officer (COO, SVP, etc.). In  addition, 
he/she should be/have: 
·        Established  leader figure; should be a recognized, “hands-on, 
results oriented” leader who  can provide motivation, vision, and inspiration 
at all levels to achieve  success. 
·        Proven  strategic thinker; able to anticipate challenges and 
trends that can impact the  organization. 
·        Track record  of building an organization’s credibility, public 
image, staff, and revenues.   
·        Able to drive  major fundraising; he/she should be an experienced 
advocate, able to build  enthusiasm for the organization. 
·        Strong  business and financial acumen; able to make prudent, 
action-driven decisions.  Can effectively prioritize; adept at dealing with a 
variety of  agendas/issues. 
·        An  appreciation for environmental issues and a passion for 
conservation.  Able to lead AF to become “the world  class organization in the 
field.” 
·        A strong and  effective communicator; will be listened to even by 
those who disagree. A good  listener; comfortable easy rapport with all. 
·        An  understanding of not-for-profit organizations and working with 
volunteer Boards.  A “servant leader” mentality.  
·        A team  builder and facilitator; encourages collaboration and 
accountability among  staff.  Able to work across various  organizations 
including industry, conservation, activists, and  government. 
·        Experience in  Board development. 
·        Technologically fluent. 
Personal  
Characteristics: 
·        Dynamic, high  energy, positive and enthusiastic.   
·        Operates with  the highest level of integrity and ethical  
behavior. 
·        Innovative;  able to approach difficult problems from multiple 
directions and promote new  ideas. 
·        Ability to  gracefully take charge and easily collaborate with the 
 Board. 
·        An executive  of stature; will be respected in his/her profession 
and beyond; will have  instant credibility with the Board, staff, and  
stakeholders. 
·        An  entrepreneurial, creative manager; able to further invigorate 
the organization.   
 

Compensation                     A competitive compensation  package in the 
$200,000+ range with typical perquisites will be negotiated with  prime 
candidates. 
 

Contacts 
Zara Sulayman  
or   
Leonard  Pfeiffer 

1319 F Street,  NW 
Suite 800 
Washington, DC  20004 
Tel: 202-737-6327  (x24) 
Fax: 202-737-1875 
Email: _zrsulayman at pfeiffercompany.com_ 
(mailto:zrsulayman at pfeiffercompany.com)  
****This statement describes the general  nature and level of work to be 
performed by individuals assigned to this  classification. This is not 
intended to be an exhaustive list of all  responsibilities and duties required of 
personnel so  classified.
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