Executive Director

OverviewNOTE: This position is based in Richmond, VA.VCN is the partnership of over 160 environmental orgs working together to protect Virginia’s natural resources. VCN works to build capacity and long-term power for our partners and the movement through shared resources and training. VCN is a facilitator of strategic action, a resource for Network Partners statewide, and a constant conservation presence in Virginia’s Capitol. Playing a unique role in Virginia’s conservation community, VCN helps the community speak with one coordinated voice.VCN’s Network Partners work on a wide range of issues including the cleaning up of the Chesapeake Bay, coastal resiliency, protecting wildlife habitat, increasing access to parks and trails, making our communities more walkable and bikeable, achieving 100% clean energy, fighting new fossil fuel infrastructure, ensuring environmental justice, and more. Given the diverse work of our partners organizations, VCN organizes its programs into four main categories: Healthy Rivers, Clean Energy and Climate, Land Conservation, and Land Use and Transportation.ResponsibilitiesFundraisingAct as the primary fundraiser for the organization. Build relationships with and raise money from VCN’s existing foundation funders and help grow the support from new foundationsBottomline VCN Annual Dues renewal. Maintain relationships with VCN Network partners to ensure VCN is a responsive partnership worth their annual investmentMaintain and build up an individual giving program through annual individual giving mailing, online giving, and one on one meetingsNetworkerMaintain VCN’s status as the hub for the conservation community in VA by developing and maintaining authentic relationships with Network Partners, seeking regular feedback, and making adjustments to core services as neededWork with staff to host three main annual events for partners – VCN Annual Meeting & Partner Retreat, Legislative Preview, and Conservation Lobby DayOrganize and run the VCN Directors table – bringing together the executive directors of the staffed partnersWork with staff to actively recruit new partners to VCN throughout outreach, one on one meetings and annual mailingFiscal & Organizational ComplianceDevelop, in concert with the BOD, the organization’s annual budget (currently $1.3 million). Maintain fiscal responsibility of the organization throughout the year through responsible budget and cashflow managementEnsure VCN meets annual federal and state compliance and reporting requirements. Ensure proper tracking of state and federal lobbying expensesMaintain the financial health of the organization by striving to add to the organization's financial reserve annuallyStaff Management & Organizational CultureProvide day-to-day management and support to VCN’s director team (4 direct reports)Run regular internal staff, program team and leadership team meetings as well as an annual staff retreat focused primarily on team buildingAs needed, bottom line recruitment, hiring, onboarding and training of new staff membersEnsure VCN is building a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplaceLeading Voice for VCN & VA’s Conservation CommunityRaise the visibility and credibility of VCN as a go-to organization for the Governor’s office and key agencies through regular meetings and communication with the Secretary of Historic & Natural Resources, Conservation Agency Directors, and other policy makersBe a spokesperson for Virginia’s environment, for VCN and for its Network Partners including speaking engagements in front of a few dozen to a few hundred attendeesBuild relationships with strategic allies outside of the VCN network in the clean energy, agriculture, housing, and justice sectorsStrategic Campaign FacilitatorWork with the VCN program team to shepherd VCN Partners through the annual Our Common Agenda Briefing Book processLead and participate in high-level, strategic, decision-making meetings to advance priority campaignsWhen there is a disagreement within the VCN Network, work to de-escalate disagreements behind closed doors through one-on-one and facilitated group discussions as neededRepresent VCN on key steering committees (and coalitions)Liaison toBOD - Work with the board chair to organize board meetings through agenda, materials ahead of time for review and feedbackWork with board to recruit a diverse board that reflects the demographics of Virginia and to provide an inclusive environment for participation and engagementAbout YouRelationship Builder - You love engaging with all types of people. You’re just as comfortable talking to a Governor as you are a volunteer community member. You can connect with a rural community leader just as easily as a youth climate advocate. You understand that working in a diverse movement means bringing together people with all different experiences, cultures & perspectives. You thrive on getting to know people’s stories and helping people see each other's perspectivesIntersectional Environmentalist - You are passionate about protecting the environment. You see the intersection of water quality, land use, climate change, energy, and wildlife. You recognize and are excited that VCN’s partnership works on everything from public transportation access to oyster restoration; scaling our clean energy commitments to connecting wildlife corridorsBehind the Scenes Leader - You know that the work that happens to prepare a big meeting is just as important as the meeting itself. You are a proven project manager and love to pull together a purposeful agenda that makes progress on strategic conversations. You don’t mind being in the limelight when the moment is right but, your first instinct is to lift up the voices of others through programs and eventsComfortable with Conflict - You understand that many of the biggest environmental problems of our day come with conflict. You have experience addressing conflict head-on while bringing down the temperature of disagreements. You are a mediator that looks to solve big problems with actionPragmatic, Optimistic Change Maker - You have experience making change and are a visionary. You know we’re up against huge challenges. You use the success of past wins to drive future optimism that, if we work together, we can make more change possible. You recognize that progress can come in both inches and yards. You lead with joy, celebration and continued momentumStrategic Campaigner - You recognize that our movement is a jigsaw puzzle and it requires all of the pieces to be successful - policy, advocacy, grassroots, legal, communications, and education. You’re able to step back and see future alignment and future gaps. You simultaneously focus on executing tried and true campaign tactics while not being afraid to try new things. You grow ideas at the speed of trust. You value organizing and have a keen political eyeMentor, Trainer, Recruiter - You know that the best leaders are those that build the strongest team. You have a track record of recruiting people to be a part of what you’re doing.You have a knack for finding the best people to join you, putting them into positions where they thrive and helping them realize their full potentialEquity-Centered Approach - You recognize that low-income people, Black people, Indigenous people, and people of color have disproportionately shouldered the burden of pollution in our communities. You have a proven track record working on diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice at an organizational level. You strive to build a movement and organization that reflects the demographics of the Commonwealth, ensuring the protection of natural resources for everyone and a sustainable future for all communities.QualificationsS10+ years exp in non-profit, advocacy, and / or public policyExp leading strategy and the execution for advocacy, grassroots organizing, campaigning, and/or community outreach on issues such as clean water, recurrent flooding, climate change, clean energy, wildlife, transportation, public health, and/or social justiceProven track record of bringing a diverse set of individuals together through coalition coordination, multi-stakeholder facilitation, and/or strategic campaign developmentExp building relationships with policymakers and/or government staff at the local, state, or federal levelExp and commitment to work with individuals with different racial, ethnic, socio-economic, cultural, geographic, and religious backgrounds. Candidates must be committed to VCN’s goals around diversity, equity, inclusion, and justiceExp with staff management, managing a budget, and fundraising from individuals and foundationsThis is a full-time, salaried position based in Richmond, VA. The position reports to VCN’s BOD and is viewed as a leadership position within the broader environmental movement in Virginia. The position requires working outside of the typical business days a few times a month and regularly when the General Assembly is in session. This position includes travel throughout the state, on average, 2 - 5 days a month for partner meetings, conferences, and retreats. A driver's license is required, but owning a car is not. VCN offers a hybrid work option outside of the General Assembly session.Salary range is $115,000 - 125,000PTO: 20 days of vacation, 5 sick and wellness days for physical and mental health, 14 paid holidaysEmployer contribution of 100% of monthly premium cost towards a healthcare plan, including dental and vision coverage (50% for spouses, domestic partners & dependents)4% employer match towards a 503b account12 weeks of paid parental leave for birth or adoptionCommuter benefit up to $150 / month$50 / month cell phone reimbursementAnnual allotment towards professional developmentThis search is led by NRG Consulting. #J-18808-Ljbffr

Created: 2025-10-09