Chief Operating Officer

Chief Operating Officer

 

April 11, 2022

 

 

The Western Landowners Alliance (WLA) was founded in 2012 by landowners and managers to

increase the wellbeing of working lands in the American West and the living communities, including

human and wildlife, that depend on them. Our mission is to advance policies and practices that

sustain working lands, connected landscapes and native species.

 

Since its inception, WLA has experienced consistent growth. The board and executive director

(ED) are looking for a seasoned, strategic, and process-minded Chief Operating Officer (COO) with

experience scaling an organization and leading a team of diverse, talented, high-performing

individuals. The COO must be a leader who is able to help others at WLA deliver measurable, cost-effective results that make the vision a reality. Importantly, the successful COO will have the skills,

sensitivity, and personal confidence to tap into the power and creativity that each member of the

team brings to this mission.

 

This is an exciting opportunity for the right person to make a significant, positive impact on behalf

of land, people and wildlife.

 

Reporting to ED, the COO will lead all internal operations and will have the following

responsibilities:

 

·         Serve as the internal leader of the organization:

·         Working in partnership with the ED and leadership team, participate in the strategic planning process and translate organizational strategy into actionable goals and annual work plans for performance and growth.

·         Oversee and manage a high-performing senior leadership team and play an active role in attracting, retaining and developing a best-in-class staff.

·         Lead a performance management process that measures and evaluates progress against goals for the organization.

·         Provide for all staff a strong day-to-day leadership presence, including oversight and

coordination across program, development and administrative functions.

·         Maintain continuous lines of communication, keeping the Executive Director informed of all critical issues.

·         Oversee finance and administrative functions:

·         Retain and oversee appropriate administrative, human resource, accounting and

bookkeeping staff, IT and contracted services.

·         Develop and manage organizational budget and project grant budgets.

·         Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting to the board and ED.

·         Provide for legal and financial compliance, including annual audit and 990 filing, state and federal business and charitable registrations, human resource compliance, and lobbying compliance and reporting.

·         Provide for effective and efficient internal communications, project management, data sharing and data storage systems.

 

Key Qualifications

 

The successful candidate will have a strong track record in organizational management, including

non-profit managerial experience. Additional requirements include:

·         A team builder with exceptional capacity for managing and leading people, capacity to enforce accountability and the interest in and ability to develop and empower top-notch leaders.

·         High level of business acumen including successful P&L management and the ability to balance the delivery of programs against the realities of a budget.

·         Experience with the full range of business functions and systems, including strategic planning, budgeting, business analysis, finance, information systems, human resources and marketing.

·         A collaborative and strategic thinker with the flexibility to adapt within a growing organization and dynamic external environment.

·         Ability to effectively build organization and staff capacity, developing a top-notch workforce and the processes that ensure the organization runs smoothly.

·         Understanding of non-profit fundraising and grant management, and ability to integrate program design, delivery, reporting and communications to support effective fundraising.

·         Solid educational background—undergraduate degree required; MBA or similar advanced degree in business, non-profit management or related field highly desired.

·         5-10 years successful senior leadership experience.

·         Excellent communication and presentation skills.

 

 

This is a remote position. WLA seeks a candidate based in the American West and within reasonable proximity to a major airport as some travel will be required.

Competitive salary commensurate with experience.

Please send cover letters and resumes to info@westernlandowners.org.