Executive Director

Organization Overview

Friends of Rookery Bay and Rookery Bay Research Reserve are tightly linked, but each has its own role. In short, the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, under the management of the State of Florda Department of Environmental Protection, focuses on research, education, and conservation, while Friends of Rookery Bay focuses on community building and fundraising. Both organizations are committed to protecting Southwest Florida’s coastal environment for generations to come.

Friends of Rookery Bay (FORB) is a 501 c3 non-profit organization that exists to support Reserve staff in addressing many challenges in managing our coastal lands and waters. We connect people to Southwest Florida’s coastal environment through an active volunteer recruitment program, outreach efforts, advocacy, and fundraising activities.

Through these efforts, FORB provides vital monetary and in-kind support for Reserve programs, operations, and capital improvements. Our members and donors enable us to be a reliable partner to the Reserve and an advocate for preservation and coastal protection.

For more information, please visit our website at: Who We Are | Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve.

Position Overview

Reporting to the Board of Directors, this position is responsible for providing overall leadership and strategic direction to all service, operational and business functions of (FORB) to assure a continued level of growth in donation, the retention of top talent, an excellent level of customer satisfaction and a superior image in the organization and community.

Key Responsibilities

Manage Board relationships and activities to facilitate organizational governance and fiduciary responsibility

• Work with the board to implement strategic planning and goal setting processes.
• Assist Governance Committee in board development and onboarding of new members.
• Draft board meeting agenda for review by president.
• Review board meeting minutes and offer corrections.
• Maintain corporate documents.
• Coordinate intra-board communications. Assist board committees and attend when necessary.

Manage FORB-Rookery Bay research Reserve Relationship (private/public sector relationship)

• Manage unrestricted and restricted contributions, fee-based programs, grants and other funding sources serving as a fiscal agent for RBNERR.
• Participate in training programs and certifications; ensure FORB staff and contractors attend applicable training programs and maintain required certifications.
• Attend planning sessions to develop FORB strategies in support of RBNERR activities.
• Lead FORB efforts and manage staff in support of RBNERR education, conservation, research and professional training programs and activities.
• Provide special assistance as requested by RBNERR, including hurricane preparation and cleanup.

Provide Development Oversight

• Build and coordinate with the board the development program.
• Oversee fundraising programs and activities.
• Cultivate members, donors and sponsors. Assist Development Committee cultivating potential donors; initiate contact when appropriate.
• Identify appropriate grants that complement FORB/RBNERR’s mission; apply, manage, track and submit reports.
• Maintain current and create new scholarships, endowments and other investment opportunities for FORB and RBNERR through donor contributions and legacy gifts.

Financial Management

• Coordinate budget process with RBNERR manager and staff.
• Draft annual budget with Finance Committee for review by the board.
• Coordinate and control accounting of FORB and RBNERRR activities.
• Assist in the annual financial audit process.
• Assist treasurer in preparing financial reports for the board.

Organizational/Operations Management

• Manage compliance with Citizen Support Organization agreement, IRS rules and State record-keeping requirements.
• Create and maintain organizational policies and procedures.
• Interact with RBNERR director and staff and convey to Executive Committee any and all relevant conversations.
• Assist Board Secretary in archiving records.
• Maintain electronic record keeping, backup and storage.
• Work with Governance Committee to manage governing documents.
• Maintain document retention and destruction policy.
• Responsible for Human Resources (HR), hire, train, negotiate and manage contractual and employment agreements; re-evaluate performance annually; maintain compliance with local, state and federal HR regulations.

Manage Outreach and Advocacy efforts

• Serve as the spokesperson for FORB.
• Coordinate public relations, email campaigns and press releases.
• Coordinate creation of specified marketing materials (annual report, annual appeal, membership brochure, development resources).
• Oversee website and social media.
• Oversee annual advertising campaigns with contracted ad agency.
• Promote and maintain relationships and conduct formal outreach programs with related organizations, agencies, communities, and groups.
• Maintain strategic contacts with community leaders.
• Communicate with federal elected officials per direction of the National Estuarine Research Reserve Association (NERRA).

Manager Members/Volunteers

• Assist RBNERR’s Volunteer Coordinator recruiting new volunteers.
• Train and coordinate volunteers in FORB activities.
• Manage FORB’s membership program and Work with the Membership Committee to develop strategies to retain and build membership.

Manage special events

• Coordinate planning, promotion and execution of events with FORB’s Event Logistics Coordinator, including but not limited to Art Receptions, Donor/Volunteer Appreciation Receptions, Classic Car Show, Bash for the Bay, Members’ Night and other mutually agreed upon events. Assist event committees and contract staff in planning and operation.
• Assists event committees in evaluating each event and determining ROI.

Program Management and related activities

• Coordinate Eco-Tour program with contractor and work with the Eco-Tour Committee and Program Manager to develop strategies and promotions.
• Oversee ELC visitor services in coordination with RBNERR Volunteer and Visitor Services Manager.
• Oversee RBNERR and FORB customer service.
• Oversee the art gallery and art exhibitions.
• Supervise Customer Service Manager overseeing the Nature Store.
• Supervise the Program Manager overseeing the adopt-a-sea-turtle-nest program, adopt-an-animal program, tribute brick program, facility rentals, birthday parties and any additional FORB activities.

Candidate Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business management, public administration, non-profit management, or related area of study; Master’s degree preferred.
• 5 years of executive-level non-profit experience; experience in an environmental sciences environment is strongly preferred. For-profit experience coupled with experience from an environmental sciences environment will be considered.
• 5 years of experience managing others.
• Direct experience managing or executing on fundraising/donor activities.
• Experience in the key areas of strategic planning and execution, program management, board management, financial oversight, policy development, change management and people leadership.
• Experience managing building and managing community/externally facing relationships.

Candidate Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Requirements

• Exceptional communication and presentation skills across multiple stakeholders, whether it be an employee, high-net worth donor, or member of the public. Experience and/or comfort speaking at large events.
• Approachable, friendly, engaging and confident disposition.
• Demonstrated ability to monitor multiple priorities and complex organizational challenges or projects.
• Ability to develop, communicate and execute long-term strategic objectives.
• Ability to create a work environment and culture that attracts, retains and engages top talent.
• Skill in analyzing data to recognize issues and/or trends in order to address/adjust.
• Ability to be flexible by adapting actions to facilitate the most productive work environment.
• Experience managing conflict effectively, with demonstrated effective organizational change management ability.