Executive Director

Executive Director

WEco seeks a skilled and enthusiastic Executive Director to join our collaborative team. The Executive Director is responsible for strategic direction and overall leadership of the organization. They will serve as the public face of the organization and work to collaboratively advance WEco's mission. The Executive Director will guide all programs and lead all fundraising activities.

The Executive Director reports to and collaborates with a committed, supportive, and engaged volunteer Board of Trustees to shape the future of the organization and its programs. They work to ensure WEco's financial integrity and supervise the organization's staff and contract personnel.

The Executive Director must uphold the organization's 24-year reputation as a trusted, independent and nonpartisan source of information and education on water for all Coloradans. It is critical that the Executive Director establish strong working relationships and cooperative partnerships with the full array of stakeholders across the state and maintain a working knowledge of significant developments and trends in the field of Colorado water.

The ideal candidate brings extensive experience in nonprofit leadership, shares our passion and enthusiasm for the future of water, and recognizes the value of our policy-neutral approach to building a water-aware Colorado and informing decision making and civic engagement at all levels. They enjoy connecting with people, create inspiration around mission and vision, and lead through innovation and excellence.

This is an exciting opportunity for a talented and dedicated professional to make a significant impact on Colorado's water sector.

Qualifications and Responsibilities

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 5-10 years of professional experience in a leadership position in education, media, public affairs. Preference given for experience in a water related organization.
• Financial management skills, including experience with budget preparation and fiscal oversight.
• Proven experience successfully managing professional staff.
• Experience working for and collaborating with a volunteer Board of Directors.
• Experience crafting and building support for a long-term strategic vision, and overseeing human and financial resources to carry out that vision.
• Demonstrated history of collaborative leadership and ability to build effective partnerships.
• A proven track record in fundraising and development, cultivating major donors and ensuring foundation, government and business philanthropic support is preferred.

Skills, Qualities and Abilities

• A strong belief in WEco's mission of advancing a sustainable water future for Colorado through growing public awareness, informing decisions, and equipping and empowering leaders.
• Embraces a policy-neutral approach to education and information programs.
• Strong background knowledge of Colorado's water resources management and policy.
• Highly self-motivated, hard-working and enthusiastic in the pursuit of excellence, and can work well under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to engage and work effectively with a broad set of individuals and interest groups.
• Excellent written and verbal communicator with a strong public presence – articulate, optimistic and energetic – with an ability to motivate and inspire people to action.

Leadership Competencies

Leadership competencies are skills and behaviors that lead to successful performance for leaders. WEco is looking for a candidate that is both visionary and action-oriented, composed under pressure and approachable, and politically and interpersonally savvy. Critical management skills of working with a team to set clear priorities, motivate, and provide accountability are critical to the success of the selected Executive Director. The selected candidate should be strategic in focus, managing expectations through vision, purpose and, most importantly, integrity. These leadership competencies reflect WEco's important core values.

Physical Requirements

Job duties include a general office environment, spent sitting and operating a computer and other office machinery. Events supported by this position may require the transportation of equipment and supplies. Must be able to occasionally lift up to 40 pounds, for moving or transporting outreach materials and other needs.

Benefits

Compensation and Accountability This is a full-time salaried, exempt position with competitive benefits, including paid time off; 75% employer paid health, vision, dental, and life insurance; plus 4% employer contributions to a retirement plan. Salary range $100,000-$120,000, commensurate with background and experience. Following an introductory training period, we offer a hybrid work environment facilitating both remote and in-office opportunities with flex time. The WEco office is located in The Shop building on the CSU Spur campus at 4777 National Western Drive, Denver, CO 80216.

How to Apply

To Apply Email a cover letter, resume, and at least two professional references to View email address on click.appcast.io and include "Executive Director" in the email subject line. Applicants will be notified prior to contacting references. Applications open until the position is filled. Equal Opportunity Water Education Colorado is dedicated to the principles of equal employment opportunity. WEco prohibits unlawful discrimination against applicants or employees on the basis of age, race, sex, gender, color, religion, national origin, disability, military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by applicable state or local law.