Gulf Islands BC

Position: Executive Director
Organization: Mayne Island Conservancy
Location: willing to move to Mayne Island, Gulf Islands BC
Type: Full time (35-hour week), Permanent

Compensation:

• $100,000 per annum, plus:
• Comprehensive and competitive benefits package
• 4 weeks paid vacation leave per year to start
• 7 days paid family/health leave per year
• Paid professional development opportunities

Application Deadline is February 21, 2025 @ 11:59 p.m.

Summary

The Executive Director is the chief executive officer, reporting to the Board of Directors. The position is responsible for the successful management of the Mayne Island Conservancy, including: managing operations, developing and overseeing work plans and programs, implementing its Land Protection Program, providing leadership and direction to staff, ensuring Conservancy programs and activities are aligned with strategic goals and purposes, managing and reporting on financial activity, ensuring compliance with legal, statutory and policy requirements, managing the Conservancy’s assets and reputation, and building positive relations with the local community, Indigenous governments, landholders, governmental agencies and donors.

The successful candidate will demonstrate strong leadership skills and will have experience managing staff, finances, and programs in the non-profit sector. They will have experience in creating, funding, and managing projects, a good knowledge of the species and ecosystems of the region, and of land protection/conservation tools. The candidate will be a strong communicator, with a passion for conservation, and a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, and continuous learning.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years’ relevant experience in managing people and organizations, preferably in the non-profit sector;
• Graduation from a post secondary institution within an applicable field of study (e.g. Biology, Geography, Ecological Restoration, etc.), and demonstrated relevant land protection experience, preferably in a non-profit/land trust environment;
• Significant experience managing finances and budgets, and working with partners and interest groups;
• Knowledge of private land protection tools, such as conservation covenants, land acquisition, the Ecological Gifts Program, and legislative tools.

The Mayne Island Community

Mayne Island is known as SḴŦAḴ in SENĆOŦEN, the language of the W̱SÁNEĆ Nations whose traditional territory encompasses the island and who have stewarded these lands and waters since time immemorial. It is a 21 sq. km. island within the Southern Gulf Islands of British Columbia, with a population of over 1,300 residents. The island community is part of the Islands Trust, as well as the Capital Regional District. The Conservancy is one of a number of non-profit organizations which provide programs that benefit the island community. SḴŦAḴ | Mayne Island is known for its vibrant shorelines, agricultural landscapes and forested settings.

The Mayne Island Conservancy

The Mayne Island Conservancy has been providing programs to promote conservation, protect ecologically important lands, and restore the diverse terrestrial ecosystems of the island since 2003. It also operates programs related to the island’s marine and nearshore ecosystems. Just under 11% of the island is currently protected through a combination of national park, regional park, community park and conservation designated lands. Over the next eight years the Conservancy has set a goal of conserving 30% of SḴŦAḴ | Mayne Island.

Apply

Please submit a resume, list of references and cover letter that demonstrate how the candidate meets the qualifications and competencies in the job description. Applications should be addressed to the Board of Directors and sent to applications@mayneconservancy.ca, with subject line “Executive Director Application”. Please mention you saw this at GoodWork.ca.

Must have a valid BC driver’s licence and be willing to live on SḴŦAḴ | Mayne Island.

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More information:

Relationship to the Board of Directors

The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors:

• Participates as a non-voting member of the Board of Directors, and is an ex-officio member of all Board committees;
• Provides progress reports to the Board;
• Provides advice and recommendations to the Board on staffing requirements, new programs, funding strategies, and funding sources;
• Recommends to the Board policies, standards and practices;

Program Management and Implementation

• Tracks organizational budgets;
• Oversees program creation, design and evaluation;
• Works with staff, the Board of Directors, and volunteers tio implement programs;
• Implements the Land Protection Program
• Initiates and oversees legal and partner negotiations related to land acquisitions, covenant and stewardship agreements.

Fundraising

• Consults with the Board’s Fundraising Committee;
• Initiates and nurtures relationships with potential funding agencies, donors, and foundations, and creates innovative ways of promoting the Conservancy to potential funders;
• Consults with granting agencies and foundations about program concepts and eligibility;
• Contributes to grant writing in collaboration with staff;
• Works with grant providers and other groups to identify funding strategies;
• Maintains active relationships with other conservation groups and land trusts to mutually support collective interests in projects and joint fundraising opportunities;
• With staff, writes progress and evaluation reports to funding organizations.

Policy and Planning

• Works wih the Board and staff in creating organizational goals, policies, and strategic and annual work plans;
• In conjunction with the Board, tracks progress on and updates strategic plans, annual work plans, and programs;
• Periodically reviews policies and makes recommendations for amendments to the Governance Committee.

Supervision

• Acts as liaison between staff and the Board;
• Creates job descriptions, job postings, and hires new permanent staff;
• Orients new staff (governance, health & safety policies, lines of authority, etc.);
• Updates benefit programs;
• Writes and oversees contracts for services;
• Establishes work plans and performance agreements as required, and undertakes timely evaluation of staff performance;
• Creates opportunities for the professional development of staff.

Administration

• Creates budgets in collaboration with staff and the Treasurer;
• Liaises with and directs legal support and other professional services;
• Approves expenditures for capital items and materials up to the limits assigned by the Board;
• Ensures efficient operation and maintenance of Conservancy assets;
• Enters into contracts with third parties to deliver relevant projects on Mayne Island and the surrounding region.

Communications

• Works with the Communications Committee to create annual communications and awareness plans;
• Promotes Conservancy programs, campaigns, events and products;
• Creates newsletter and website materials, press releases, and other announcements;
• Maintains a network of government, non-profit and private contacts.
• Represents the interests and positions of the Conservancy when attending public events, presentations and media inquiries.

Research

• Attends workshops, contacts and corresponds with experts, undertakes research, and compiles materials required to further the purposes of the Conservancy;
• Keeps apprised of ways to improve efficiency in areas of Board governance/fiduciary responsibility and policy measures.

Partnerships

• Establishes and maintains memberships in various organizations;
• Collaborates with partner organizations in regional and broader projects;
• Collaborates with indigenous organizations on joint initiatives;
• Represents the Conservancy on Board approved advocacy groups.