Chief Executive Officer

Company: Washington Trails Association
Location: Seattle
Posted on: April 10, 2021

Job Description:

Washington Trails Association has a unique opportunity for a strategic leader who is passionate about creating mission-driven, high-impact organizations where people and programs thrive. WTA's Director of Business Operations is responsible for guiding financial and operational strategies, managing annual budgets and work plans, and directing a strong six-person team to advance the organization's business functions - finance and accounting; human resources; information technology; administration. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Director of Business Operations is a core member of the leadership team, helping to shape organizational strategy and impact, and is the key liaison to the Board of Directors for finance and operations. WTA's next Director of Business Operations will be an experienced leader with a demonstrated ability to think strategically, take initiative, and manage organizations through growth and change. They will embrace continuous improvement and be highly motivated to enhance policies, practices and systems to meet the needs of our growing statewide organization with 50 employees and $6 million budget. Beyond a personal commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, we are looking for candidates who are motivated to integrate equity and inclusion best practices into WTA's organizational operations. People who have personal experience in historically marginalized and excluded communities are especially encouraged to apply. ABOUT WASHINGTON TRAILS ASSOCIATION Washington is home to extraordinary hiking destinations, including desert dunes, wild beaches, tranquil mountain tops and raging rivers. Washington is also home to a community of people who are passionate about exploring and protecting these places. This constituency-our members and supporters-is key to the future of trails in Washington. Washington Trails Association (WTA) is the nation's largest state-based hiking and trails organization. Powered by hikers for more than 50 years, we help our community of 25,000 members, 5,000 volunteers and more than 100,000 online constituents to discover, preserve and protect trails and public lands. WTA's strength is in our community and our future success depends on fostering an inclusive organization and hiking community, where everyone feels welcome and represented. For more information about WTA's work, please visit our website HERE. VISION Trails for everyone, forever. MISSION Mobilizing hikers and everyone who loves the outdoors to explore, steward and champion trails and public lands. We are committed to: --- Fostering an inclusive hiking community, where people of all identities are represented and feel welcome; --- Cultivating an inclusive culture and environment at WTA where staff, volunteers and program participants of all identities feel valued; and --- Advancing equitable access to trails so that barriers don't stand in the way of people getting outside. To learn more about WTA's commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, please visit our website HERE. We believe Washington's trail system and its hiking community must grow and evolve along with new generations of trail users, while honoring all the ways that people hike based on their history and identities (including but not limited to, race, ethnicity, gender identity, class, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, age, ability and background). WTA has a responsibility to ensure all people have equitable opportunities to experience trails and discover hiking. WTA'S COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION Photo by Jason Prater Forever. We are working to reverse the trends we've seen in recent years by enhancing Washington's robust and diverse network of trails - in remote places, within easy reach of population centers, and close to home. Because the challenges and solutions for remote trails are very different from those for urban trails, we've organized our work around three campaigns: Lost Trails Found, Trails Rebooted and the Trail Next Door, each working on an important piece of Washington's trail system. Trails for Everyone, Forever For Everyone. We know that social inequities impact all aspects of our lives, including connection to the outdoors, and that significant barriers have prevented many people from hiking. We believe everyone should have the opportunity to experience the many benefits of hiking and nature. Still in the planning stages, WTA's fourth campaign, Trails for Everyone, works to break down the barriers people face in experiencing Washington's natural wonders and to create new opportunities for people to discover the joys of hiking. Photo by Britt L-- WTA's vision of trails for everyone, forever is the north star that will guide our work over the next five years. Bringing together all of WTA's functions - communications, engagement, trail maintenance, advocacy, partnerships and leadership development - our new programmatic campaigns will ensure that Washington's trails stand the test of time and that everyone has connections to the outdoors, from backyard adventures to backcountry explorations. Faced with booming demand and decades of underinvestment, the challenges facing Washington's trails are significant, but we believe our hiking community can lead the way to a sustainable trail system. Our four coordinated Trails for Everyone, Forever campaigns mobilize our community and amplify its impact by providing focused opportunities to give back and speak up to ensure Washington's trails go the distance and are enjoyed by all. Trails for forever. THE OPPORTUNITY The Director of Business Operations position is an exciting opportunity for a motivated and strategic leader to play a key role in guiding WTA through a period of rapid growth as the organization implements new programmatic campaigns to achieve our vision of trails for everyone, forever. Photo by Erika Haugen-Goodman WTA's next Director of Business Operations will steer our growth through development of multi-year financial and operational strategies, as well as annual budgets and work plans, and will spearhead efforts to strengthen policies, processes and systems that enhance organizational impact. In 2021, WTA is a 50-person, $6 million organization with expectations to grow to $7-8 million annually within 3-5 years. The full-time, exempt Director of Business Operations leads a six-person team to deliver WTA's four business functions - finance and accounting; human resources; technology; administration - and is a core member of the leadership team, reporting to the Chief Executive Officer. --- Leads business and financial strategy and planning on initiatives impacting organizational health. --- Manages a six-person business operations team with an emphasis on leadership development; results-oriented performance; diversity, equity and inclusion; and crossfunctional collaboration. --- Collaborates with other leadership team members in strategic planning. Evaluates impact of new opportunities for WTA (e.g., earned revenue, program expansion, strategic partnerships) ensuring that investments align with financial strategy and business plans. --- Coordinates the Board of Directors' finance committee; effectively communicates and presents critical financial and operational matters at board meetings and retreats. --- Collaborates with other leadership team members to integrate equity best practices into operations and build a more inclusive and equitable organization. --- Represents WTA externally with community and business partners as necessary, particularly in banking, insurance, vendor and lease negotiations. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Finance & Accounting Human Resources, Administration and Information Technology --- Leads the process of financial analysis, forecasting, cash flow management, and budgeting, including working with the leadership team on annual and project budgets. --- Oversees the organization's human resources function, including employee recruitment and retention, employee relations, performance management, and HR policies and practices. Supervises HR Manager and human resource consultants. --- Guides planning process to build strategic roadmap for infrastructure, systems and tools that streamlines operations and allows the organization to scale. --- Proactively encourages a culture of inclusion where candidates and employees of all identities excel. --- Partners with the Leadership Team to advance WTA's workplace culture and build staff morale, especially through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. --- Promotes a culture of excellence that values learning and continuous improvement. Photo by GoatPackin --- Analyzes and presents financial data in an accurate and timely manner and clearly communicates monthly and annual financial statements. --- Oversees accounting system and processes, month and year-end financial closeout process, financial reconciliation, annual audit and filing of annual tax returns. Supervises Accountant. IDEAL CANDIDATE Photo by Ashley Swanson This is a full-time salaried position requiring some evenings and weekends for activities such as Board and Committee meetings. The salary range qualifications and experience. WTA offers a generous benefits package including medical, dental, vision, retirement, disability, transportation, paid leave (holiday, vacation, sick). The organization's offices are located in Seattle's historic Pioneer Square neighborhood. COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS The successful candidate will be an excellent manager of people and teams. They will be adept at setting priorities and making decisions and passionate about team and professional development. The successful candidate will be personally motivated to integrate equity best practices into business operations and committed to playing a key role on WTA's leadership team to create an inclusive culture. Demonstrated experience advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in organizations preferred. The successful candidate will be familiar with nonprofit finance and accounting and demonstrate an astute understanding of how to support operations in missiondriven organizations. While preferred, direct nonprofit experience is not a prerequisite. First and foremost, we seek candidates who are passionate about our vision and mission and committed to building an equitable organization and outdoor community. We are looking for an accomplished change management leader excited to help organizations and employees thrive through growth. They will be enthusiastic about fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement. And they will model accountability and adaptability, and embrace initiative and innovation. The successful candidate will be a results-oriented strategic thinker with a proven track-record of operational management that spans a range of business functions--finance and accounting; human resources; technology; administration--and have at least three years experience in a leadership role. The successful candidate's approach to leadership and interpersonal relationships will build trust and encourage collaboration. They will have a demonstrated ability to work effectively with people of all backgrounds and identities. HOW TO APPLYCOMMITMENT TO EQUITY Washington Trails Association is committed to advancing equity through our work and becoming a more inclusive organization. People of color and others with underrepresented identities (including but not limited to: gender identity, class, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, age, ability and background) are strongly encouraged to apply. WTA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, gender identity, marital status, military status, national origin, political ideology, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking or any other characteristic protected by law. Design by Duong Le Please email a resume and cover letter to In your cover letter, please describe how your experience, interests and values are a fit with WTA and the Director of Business Operations position. Applications received by February 22, 2021 at 5pm Pacific time will be given full consideration, but candidates will be considered as they apply. Early applications are strongly encouraged! Questions regarding this opportunity are welcomed and can be directed to Jen Crofton, BrunswikSt. Phone: (206) 701-0697 (ext. 1) Button 2:

Keywords: Washington Trails Association, Seattle , Chief Executive Officer, Executive , Seattle, Washington