Interim Executive Director

Westminster Woods Interim ExecutiveDirector Job DescriptionUpdated 11/2/26 Organization: Westminster Woods Camp and Conference CenterPosition Title: Interim Executive DirectorPosition Type: Full timeCompensation: $80,000 - $100,000/yrSchedule: Significant on-site presence expected, particularly during the initial stabilization period. Some evening or weekend work may occasionally be required for significant events, emergencies, or Board activities, with schedule flexibility elsewhere in the week as appropriate.Position Duration: This is an interim role with a duration of 12-18 months. The board and the employee will meet and may mutually agree to extend this position based on the organization’s needs, financial trajectory, and future operating plan.Benefits: Medical, dental, 4 weeks vacation, 12 paid holidays, and 6 sick days per year.On-site Housing: Free, private, on-site housing (including utilities) is available for the duration of employment, if needed. Housing is not ADA compliant, but reasonable accommodations can be made upon request. About Westminster WoodsFounded in 1946, Westminster Woods is a nonprofit Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) camp and conference center in Occidental, California. Our mission is to provide a sanctuary for drawing closer to Christ, nurture spiritual reflection and growth, encourage stewardship of our natural resources through ecological education and action, and strengthen relationships with one another and our diverse communities. Westminster Woods fulfills its mission through environmental education and character-development programs for school-age children, summer and weekend camps, guest group rentals, retreats, and challenge course activities. Position OverviewWestminster Woods is seeking an Interim Executive Director to provide hands-on leadership during a critical period of financial stabilization, operational transition, and organizational assessment. Initial Priorities: Stabilization and Operational Leadership Assume day-to-day executive leadership and serve as the primary point of operational accountability. Establish a visible, trusted on-site leadership presence and build relationships with staff through listening, regular communication, and direct engagement. Rapidly learn the organization's financial position, programs, staffing, systems, contractual obligations, and immediate risks. Ensure continuity of essential administrative functions, including payroll, HR administration, benefits, compliance, licensing, and other critical operations during current staff transitions. Partner closely with the Board and financial resources to develop a 2027 budget, oversee cash flow, accounts payable, payroll, financial reporting, and other immediate financial priorities. Assess staffing needs, responsibilities, hours, reporting relationships, and organizational structure, and make recommendations for changes where needed. Hire and onboard an operations/administrative leader or other critical roles identified through the assessment. Provide direct management, coaching, and accountability for staff through a period of significant organizational change. Serve as the final executive escalation point for significant operational issues and emergencies. Ensure appropriate legal, safety, employment, insurance, risk-management, and regulatory requirements are addressed. Organizational Assessment and Sustainability Assess staffing, roles, workflows, systems, culture, communication, and decision‑making, identifying opportunities to simplify operations and improve accountability. Evaluate the sustainability of Westminster Woods' primary lines of business, including School Programs, Guest Services, summer programming, retreats, and challenge course activities. Work with School Programs leadership to develop a staffing and operating model that balances program quality, safety, contractual commitments, employee sustainability, and financial viability. Work with Guest Services leadership to grow and optimize guest group revenue and property utilization, including opportunities to operate complementary programs simultaneously. Develop recommendations regarding Summer 2027 and future programming. Strengthen financial processes, controls, documentation, reporting, and accountability while translating financial realities into operational priorities. Identify the organizational capabilities, leadership roles, staffing structures, and systems necessary for longer-term sustainability. Help rebuild healthy working relationships among staff, the Board, and other stakeholders and foster a culture of accountability, transparency, collaboration, and respect. Board Partnership and External Relationships Serve as the primary liaison between staff and the Board, translating Board direction into operational action while elevating relevant staff perspectives and needs. Work closely with the Executive Committee during the stabilization period and provide the Board with timely, candid assessments of organizational conditions, risks, opportunities, and decisions requiring Board involvement. Help clarify appropriate roles and decision‑making authority between Board and staff and, as operations stabilize, help transition the Board from its current hands‑on operational role back toward a governing‑board role. Support fundraising, donor stewardship, financing efforts, and stakeholder communications in collaboration with the Board. Nurture key relationships with the Presbyteries, Synod, church partners, schools, guest groups, donors, community partners, and other Westminster Woods stakeholders. Support planning for Westminster Woods' longer‑term leadership structure and eventual transition from interim leadership. Phased Expectations and Measures of Progress Essential operational, administrative, payroll, and financial functions are stable, appropriately controlled, and clearly owned. Staff have clear leadership, reporting relationships, priorities, and expectations. Critical operational knowledge is documented and transferred during staff transitions. Immediate staffing and organizational gaps are identified and addressed. The Board has timely, reliable financial and operational information for decision‑making. Opportunities and constraints within School Programs, Guest Services, and other revenue‑producing operations are assessed. The Board and Interim Executive Director have a clearer view of the organizational structure, systems, staffing, and leadership needed for Westminster Woods' next phase. Desired Characteristics and Experience Experience leading organizations or teams through transition, restructuring, financial pressure, or organizational change. Strong operational instincts and willingness to engage directly in day-to-day issues when necessary. Experience supervising staff, establishing accountability, and navigating organizational change. Ability to assess an organization before prescribing solutions and distinguish urgent stabilization from longer‑term organizational development. Comfort operating with uncertainty, incomplete information, and changing priorities. Strong financial and business judgment, including experience with budgets, cash‑flow constraints, financial controls, and revenue considerations. Experience collaborating with a Board of Directors and communicating effectively with a range of stakeholders. Ability to build trust while making difficult decisions and holding people accountable. Experience in nonprofit leadership, organizational development, administration, fundraising, or related areas. Familiarity with camp, retreat, outdoor education, hospitality, or other mission‑driven program operations is beneficial but not required. Ability to provide leadership consistent with the mission and values of Westminster Woods and work effectively within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) environment. This position requires significant on-site presence, particularly during the initial stabilization and assessment period. Some evening or weekend participation may occasionally be required for significant events, emergencies, or Board activities, with flexibility elsewhere in the schedule as appropriate. Westminster Woods is a rustic camp, and portions of the property are accessible by maintained but unpaved trails. Some trails are steep, and some buildings are not ADA accessible. Reasonable accommodations will be made in accordance with applicable law. Nature of the Interim RoleThis is an interim leadership position during an extraordinary period in Westminster Woods' history. The Board and Interim Executive Director recognize that the organization's financial position, program plans, staffing needs, and leadership requirements may change significantly during the term.The Board and Interim Executive Director will maintain an active partnership, regularly reassessing priorities, capacity, hours, and the appropriate duration and scope of the role as Westminster Woods moves from immediate stabilization toward a sustainable future. #J-18808-Ljbffr Westminster Woods Camp and Conference Center