Capital Trees is seeking a passionate, driven, creative, and visionary professional as its new Full-Time Executive Director.

Capital Trees is an urban greening organization. We create and advocate for public landscapes that build and create community and enhance health outcomes for all populations. Operating in the City of Richmond, Virginia and founded in 2010, we are a non-profit organization committed to strengthening the connections between people and nature. Our projects include the 14th Street Corridor, Great Shiplock Park, The Low Line and the Low Line Green. We have raised and invested close to $2.1 million in these projects over the last decade.

We believe that through public/private partnerships, we can increase equitable opportunities for all our citizens to engage with accessible, environmentally-stable, safe green places throughout the city.  We are proud to work closely with the City of Richmond and private and public funders to ensure our work continues to strengthen our natural environment and our public policy around green infrastructure.

Capital Trees currently has a part-time Executive Director, a full-time Program and Outreach Coordinator and a part-time Administrative Director.  This position will be the first full-time Executive Director for the organization.

We are seeking a candidate who is passionate about our mission.  The ideal candidate is someone who can work independently, can inspire others to invest in and support our work and can articulate and present our case before funders, government and civic leaders and other current and future stakeholders.

This Executive Director will balance many responsibilities, wear many hats and be able to navigate among diverse constituencies effectively. Strong verbal and written skills are a must. 

Strategic thinking, planning and guidance are key components to this position. The organization is poised to grow and pursue new opportunities and this Executive Director will be charged with leading this next phase with confidence and organizational acuity.

The Board seeks a candidate who demonstrates: 

• Expertise in fundraising and a familiarity with the donor community, including grant writing, annual giving, capital campaigns and corporate solicitation
• Experience working with public/private organizations
• An ability to relate effectively with different constituencies
• Strategic planning experience
• Administration experience
• Commitment to the environment and public green space
• Project management experience
• Skills in diplomacy, collaboration and establishing strong networks with peers

The E.D. reports directly to the Chair of the Board of Trustees (the Board) and will work closely with the Board to implement the strategic goals and long-term direction of the organization.   The E.D. will have primary responsibility for the operational management, programs and execution of mission. 

As Capital Trees is still a small organization, the E.D. will also need to have a generalist skill set, performing many of the management functions him/herself. 

Primary Responsibilities

• Donor engagement and stewardship
• Plan and execute day-to-day operations of the organization including management of staff and establishing policies and procedures for the employment and administrative functions of Capital Trees
• Establish and maintain relationships with organizations that strategically complement Capital Trees’ mission
• Maintain a close working relationship with the Board and its committees; seek their counsel and support in policy decisions, fundraising, and programming; work with the Board to increase the overall visibility and public profile of Capital Trees.
• Review and approve contracts for services
• Strategic planning and implementation
• Budget preparation and day to day fiscal management
• Other duties as assigned by the Board 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The E.D. will be thoroughly committed to the Capital Trees mission. All candidates should have proven leadership, coaching, and relationship management experience. The successful candidate will possess a blend of the following demonstrable skills, experiences, and other qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree
• 5+ years in senior non-profit management
• Proven leadership with a reputation for high integrity 
• A successful history of fundraising and donor relations
• Experience with budget preparation, management, analysis, sound fiscal decision making and clear reporting
• Strong organizational abilities including planning, delegating, program development and implementation
• Skills to support, engage and collaborate with and motivate Board members and other volunteers
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Strong public speaking ability
• Experience working effectively with the media, including social media
• Cultural competence
• Experience with donor databases
• Experience with Microsoft Office and QuickBooks

Compensation

This position offers a starting salary of $65,000.00.

Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to:

Molly Anderson, Chair
Search Committee
Capital Trees
200 South Third Street
Richmond, VA 23219

OR, electronically to:
Molly Anderson at: [email protected] 

Competitive candidates will be interviewed by phone, and in person by the Search Committee before a final decision is made. The Board will make the final decision on the hire. The review and interview process will begin as qualified candidates are identified.  All submissions should be made no later February 8, 2021. 

Specific inquiries can be made to:
Molly Anderson, Chair, Search Committee at: [email protected]

Please visit the Capital Trees website for more information about the organization:  www.capitaltrees.org

All submissions and inquiries will be held in strict confidence.