Mzuri Wildlife Foundation
Responsibilities
Leadership & Strategic Planning
- Develop and implement Mzuri's mission, vision, and strategic goals. Provide strong leadership to the Board and volunteers to ensure alignment with Mzuri’s long-term objectives.
- Ensure program excellence through consistent monitoring, evaluating and strengthening of Mzuri’s programs and initiatives.
- Develop and implement strategic growth plans in collaboration with the Board.
- Manage and direct administrative staff and contractors as needed for gala and other activities.
Fundraising & Communications
- Develop and execute effective fundraising strategies to secure the financial resources required to sustain and grow Mzuri’s programs and operations.
- Cultivate relationships with individual donors, corporations, and other potential funding sources to support programs and initiatives. Primary focus is major gift fundraising.
- Work closely with individual board members to guide and assist their fundraising efforts.
- Manage annual fundraising gala and other events under the direction of the Board.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with prospective donors, community partners, local and national hunting groups, nonprofits, and other stakeholders. Represent Mzuri at public events, conferences, and meetings to enhance Mzuri’s visibility, including Safari Club International Convention, Dallas Safari Club Convention, and Mzuri Safari Club meetings.
- Implement a comprehensive communications plan that includes newsletters, website, social media presence, email, and other external relations, to promote Mzuri’s work and impact.
Board Governance and Support
- Provide support to the Board of Directors, including planning and preparing for board and committee meetings, facilitating board discussions, and ensuring compliance with governance policies and procedures.
- Actively engage and energize board members and build their involvement in Mzuri’s mission.
- Facilitate the recruitment and development of effective board and committee members.
Financial Management
- Manage financial operations, including budgeting, financial reporting, banking, and accounting.
- Manage assets and investments, ensuring responsible and sustainable financial practices.
Operations
- Manage Mzuri’s grant making process, including reviewing grant applications, conducting due diligence, and assisting Grants Committee with funding recommendations for Board review. Collect and analyze data to measure grant impact and effectiveness and to inform decision-making and program improvements.
- Develop working relationships with grantees and provide support as needed.
- Ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and best practices in the philanthropic sector. Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, including tax filings, reporting, and governance standards. Stay up-to-date on issues relevant to Mzuri.
- Manage office including the maintenance of an up-to-date constituent database and digital filing system. Execute other office management functions as needed.
The Executive Director must be thoroughly committed to Mzuri’s mission, programs and activities. The successful candidate will have proven leadership, coaching, and relationship management experience. Concrete demonstrable experience and other qualifications include:
- 10 years of experience in senior management; track record of effectively leading an organization; ability to point to specific examples of having developed and operationalized strategies that have taken an organization to the next stage of growth.
- Success working with a Board of Directors and cultivating new board member relationships.
- Successful track record in major gift fundraising required.
- Strong track record in event management as well as individual, corporate, foundation, and other fund development strategies necessary.
- Strong marketing skills.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills; a persuasive and passionate communicator with excellent interpersonal and multidisciplinary project skills.
- Action-oriented, entrepreneurial, adaptable, and innovative approach to business planning.
- Ability to work effectively in collaboration with diverse groups of people.
- Passion, idealism, integrity, positive attitude, mission-driven, and self-directed.
- California residency is helpful although not required.
Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter explaining their qualifications, salary requirements and interest in the position to Holly Garrison, Executive Director, at holly.garrison@mzuri.org.
No calls please.