Executive Director

Fairfax, VA, United States

VCI seeks a remotely-based executive director to lead its mission and programs to benefit both the natural world and human communities.The executive director reports to a highly committed board of directors and will bring vision, significant leadership and management skills, and a track record of impact and success. This visionary leader will have at least ten years of outstanding and relevant leadership experience and possess considerable knowledge of the climate threat and solutions. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of the climate field, be familiar with conservation and restoration strategies for nature, and be highly skilled interpersonally. This individual will grasp the essential role of human relationships as the bedrock of social change while also moving toward measurable impacts, and will be able to inspire, manage and work collaboratively with staff, board, and allied partners.

Areas of Responsibility

Guide and lead the annual planning and production of up to six US-based leadership retreats annually, bringing a strong focus on igniting outcomes and action.

In collaboration with the VCI board of directors, identify strategies for accelerating nature-based climate solutions that VCI's retreats can help advance and amplify. Oversee development of key milestones and deliverables to the board and anchor donor.

Manage a small and dynamic team of people and external consultants handling logistics, programming, operations, communications and impact evaluation.

Support the design, development, and implementation of innovative retreat formats and programming, including collaborating with experienced facilitators and retreat designers.

Work closely with an external evaluation and impact team to set metrics and monitor progress, supporting an internal culture of learning.

Engage in ongoing analysis and discussion at all levels to identify cutting-edge opportunities for leadership retreats and gatherings that might ignite more action in support of mitigation, adaptation, and nature-based sequestration of greenhouse gases.

Brief and maintain a relationship with The Volgenau Foundation, the sole and generous supporter of the initiative, providing updates on key developments, impacts and challenges.

Demonstrate a strong commitment to racial, socio-economic, and gender diversity in recruitment of VCI staff, consultants, and retreat participants.

Attend and help co-host at least three retreats annually.

Prepare periodic memos and reports on impacts and outcomes.

Coordinate meetings, communications, and deliverables across team members and internal and external program stakeholders.

Provide a leadership model that taps knowledge sharing and analysis and nurtures deeper relationship building and experiential learning.

Help develop and oversee a grants program to ensure effective follow up on initiatives that emerge from retreats. Ensure alignment with VCI's objectives and implement monitoring and evaluation to track progress and impact.

Ensure fiscal oversight and management of the annual budget.

Skills/Experience

The ideal candidate will possess many of the experiences and qualifications described below but need not possess them all to be considered:

At least ten years of significant leadership experience in the field of climate solutions and/or conservation & restoration of nature within the United States.

Demonstrated vision, leadership, interpersonal and management skills; familiarity with key levers for change, including policy, finance, movement building, and advocacy.

A capacity to “hold the whole” assessing emergent opportunities for protection and restoration of nature and natural working lands as one key pathway for making a difference on climate change and related goals of increased societal equity, biodiversity, water and food security, and defense of democracy.

Familiarity with highly participatory retreat and group dynamics and formats.

A demonstrated track record and commitment to working well with diverse teams of leaders, maintaining a sense of humor while working under pressure.

Ability to adapt to shifting conditions and unexpected threats and opportunities for climate action.

A spirit of inquiry and a firm commitment to taking positive action at a time of growing resignation and despair over our climate future.

Experience with program evaluation and the ability to monitor outcomes.

Demonstrated experience in financial and budget oversight.

Superior interpersonal and communications skills with the ability to motivate and inspire diverse staff to meet personal and organizational goals and objectives.

PREFERRED PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

A sense of humility, humor and gratitude

Important life experience spent outdoors and with nature, whether rural or urban

Innate propensity to credit and affirm others

High tolerance for uncertainty and shifting planetary conditions

IMPORTANT CONTEXT: This program is deeply committed to creating the space for reflection, intuitive understanding, and the recognition that change is more likely to come through those who are deeply bonded and working in trusted relationships. The programming seeks to unleash new wisdom, courage, and hope. The ideal candidate will exemplify these characteristics and commitments – bringing a strong analytic understanding of climate solutions and an equally strong recognition that the arts, intuition, connection to nature, and inspiration are key to action. This person will be able to work with people across the political spectrum and across all sectors of climate action, from frontline community organizers and youth leaders to scientists, business leaders, farmers and policy experts.

WORKING CONDITIONS: Remote, flexible, supportive, fast-paced

START DATE: As soon as possible (job notice posted March 11, 2024)

The salary range for this position is $185,000 - $225,000 annually with an anticipated starting salary dependent upon the qualifications and experience of the hired candidate. In addition, VCI offers a comprehensive benefits package including, generous coverage for medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, parental leave, life and disability insurance, and bereavement leave. Additionally, employees receive 401K matching up to 4%.

How to Apply

We are accepting rolling applications and will begin interviews as soon as top tier candidates are identified. We sincerely regret that we are unable to respond to all candidates who apply and will only be in touch if we are interested in further contact and information. Please send a cover letter stating your interest, qualifications, and a resume to [email protected] All applications must include a letter of interest and a resume. This position will remain open until filled. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply at their earliest convenience. Applications will be screened on an ongoing basis.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: At the Volgenau Climate Initiative, we care about each other and know that each employee has a whole life that includes time outside of work. We celebrate the diversity of our team members, recognizing that each individual brings unique strengths and perspectives to our mission. We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and respected, regardless of race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, or any other characteristic. Join us in shaping a brighter future for our planet, where everyone's voice is heard and valued.

VCI’s mission is to unleash bold and novel approaches to addressing the climate emergency and related crises and to help secure meaningful and measurable outcomes and impacts from our retreats and programs.

Programs

The Volgenau Climate Initiative (VCI) is a ten-year leadership program designed to support and spark more innovation, determination, and breakthrough actions to address the rapidly worsening climate crisis, primarily in the United States. VCI convenes groups of diverse and talented leaders dedicated to advancing a range of nature-based climate solutions that support mitigation,resilience, biodiversity, and equity on natural, working and urban lands and waters. Our remotely-based and talented team designs and organizes nature-based convenings that help leaders step back, assess strategic priorities, and form deep and trusted bonds to facilitate ongoing collaboration, and strategic initiatives designed for real world impact. Leaders come together to try out untested ideas, examine failures, assess risks, and build shared visions and action agendas.

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