Executive Director

Executive Director

The Executive Director serves as the chief executive of the Colorado Association for Viticulture & Enology (CAVE), providing strategic leadership and operational oversight for Colorado's statewide grape growing and wine industry organization.

This role is responsible for advancing CAVE's mission to support and unify Colorado's wine industry through advocacy, education, marketing, stakeholder engagement, and signature statewide programs and events. The Executive Director serves as the primary voice and representative of the organization and the industry, working across public, private, and nonprofit sectors to strengthen the long-term viability and recognition of Colorado wine. The Executive Director is charged with positioning Colorado as a premier U.S. wine region, elevating the industry's visibility, competitiveness, and influence through proactive leadership, collaboration, and advocacy. The Executive Director reports directly to the Board of Directors and is responsible for executing the organization's strategic priorities, ensuring financial sustainability, and leading a high-performing team in delivering impactful programs. This is a hands-on leadership role that combines strategic direction with direct execution of key programs and relationships.

Core Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Organizational Direction

• Lead execution and ongoing refinement of CAVE's strategic plan in partnership with the Board of Directors
• Provide executive-level vision for CAVE's role in advancing Colorado's wine industry toward recognition as a premier U.S. wine region, with clear statewide goals and metrics. Identify emerging opportunities, risks, and industry trends and translate them into actionable initiatives
• Ensure alignment of programs, events, and advocacy with long-term organizational goals
• Serve as the chief spokesperson for CAVE and Colorado wine at the state and national level
• Develop and champion a long-term Colorado wine industry roadmap (e.g., 5–10 years) in partnership with the Board and key stakeholders.

Industry Advocacy & External Relations

• Represent CAVE and the Colorado wine industry in legislative, regulatory, and policy environments
• Build and maintain strong relationships with growers, wineries, allied trade partners, tourism organizations, educational institutions, and state agencies
• Convene stakeholders to foster alignment on industry priorities and initiatives
• Advance CAVE's role as the unified voice of Colorado viticulture and enology
• Serve as a visible statewide and national leader for Colorado wine, building CAVE's reputation as the go-to voice and convener for Colorado viticulture and enology.

Program Leadership & Signature Events

• Provide executive oversight for existing CAVE core programs and signature initiatives, including:
• Colorado Mountain Winefest
• VinCO Trade Conference
• Colorado Cru statewide wine initiative
• Barrel Into Spring and related industry programming
• Strategically expand and/or alter CAVE's core programs and signature initiatives to align with the CO wine industry needs and consumer trends.
• Ensure that Colorado Mountain Winefest, VinCO, Colorado Cru, and other programs explicitly advance Colorado's positioning as a premier wine region (e.g., trade engagement, media visibility, industry education).
• Use signature events as platforms to attract national trade, media, and key partners into the Colorado wine ecosystem.
• Ensure program design reflects industry needs, financial sustainability, and strategic impact
• Guide evolution of events and initiatives to remain relevant, high-quality, and mission-driven
• Oversee amateur winemaker competition and workshop Lead innovation in consumer engagement, trade education, and statewide wine identity (e.g., new formats, digital initiatives, partnerships) to expand reach and influence.

Organizational & Financial Management

• Oversee organizational budgeting, forecasting, and long-term financial planning
• Ensure responsible stewardship of membership revenue, sponsorships, grants, and earned income
• Maintain effective operational systems, policies, and procedures
• Approve and oversee contracts, vendor relationships, and key organizational agreements
• Ensure compliance with nonprofit governance and reporting requirements

Revenue Development & Partnerships

• Lead organizational strategy for sponsorships, partnerships, grants, and membership growth
• Cultivate and maintain high-value relationships across corporate, agricultural, and tourism sectors
• Expand diversified revenue streams to support long-term sustainability
• Collaborate with Board leadership on fundraising strategy and major partnership development

Marketing, Communications & Industry Promotion

• Oversee statewide marketing, branding, and communications strategy for CAVE and affiliated programs
• Position Colorado wine as a distinct, high-quality, and emerging wine region
• Ensure consistent messaging across consumer, trade, media, and stakeholder audiences
• Guide public relations, storytelling, and promotional initiatives supporting industry growth

Board Partnership & Governance

• Serve as primary staff liaison to the Board of Directors
• Provide clear, timely reporting on financial, operational, and programmatic performance
• Support board governance, engagement, and strategic decision-making
• Work collaboratively with board leadership to advance organizational priorities
• Ensure that Board-approved strategic priorities, including positioning Colorado as a premier wine region, are translated into annual plans, metrics, and performance goals for the organization.

Team Leadership & Organizational Culture

• Lead recruitment, development, and retention of staff and contractors
• Foster a mission-driven, collaborative, and accountable organizational culture
• Ensure effective delegation, performance management, and operational execution
• Promote professional growth and organizational excellence across all functions

Key Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience in nonprofit leadership, agriculture, business, communications, or related field
• 7+ years of progressive executive or senior leadership experience
• Demonstrated experience in at least several of the following:
• Nonprofit or association management
• Agricultural or wine industry leadership
• Large-scale event or experiential program management
• Public policy, advocacy, or government relations
• Revenue generation, sponsorships, or fundraising
• Strong understanding of stakeholder-driven industries and coalition-building
• Proven ability to lead complex, multi-stakeholder organizations

Core Competencies

• Strategic leadership and long-term visioning
• Executive presence and public representation
• Relationship-building across diverse sectors
• Financial and organizational stewardship
• Strong communication and negotiation skills
• Ability to manage complexity and competing priorities
• Adaptability in a fast-paced, evolving environment

Work Environment & Expectations

• This role requires periodic evening, weekend, and travel commitments, particularly during major events and stakeholder engagement activities
• This role requires regular in-state travel to vineyard and winery sites, regional events, and stakeholder meetings to maintain a strong on-the-ground industry presence. This includes all regions with significant vineyard and winery operations across the state.
• The Executive Director operates in a high-visibility role representing a statewide industry
• Collaboration, flexibility, discretion, and professionalism are essential
• The Executive Director is expected to operate proactively, scanning for opportunities and risks and engaging stakeholders before issues become crises.