Executive Director

POSITION OVERVIEW AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation seeks an experienced and collaborative Executive Director to provide professional leadership and management. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will spearhead the Laguna Foundation's role as a lead conservation organization for the Laguna watershed, moving the organization forward with strategic clarity, financial strength, and authentic community partnership and connection.

The Executive Director must be an exceptional leader who combines nonprofit management expertise with a genuine passion for people and the environment—someone who is equally comfortable cultivating major donors, guiding a team of dedicated staff, deepening partnerships with Indigenous communities, and advocating for the organization and the wider watershed among diverse constituencies.

The Executive Director will serve as the primary ambassador for the Laguna Foundation, maintaining relationships with key partners, donors, policymakers, Tribes, and other community stakeholders while overseeing the implementation of the organization’s strategic plan and restoration plans.

Strategic Leadership and Planning

• Provide visionary leadership in setting organizational priorities and direction in alignment with the Laguna Foundation's mission
• Collaborate with the staff and the Board of Directors to implement and update the organization’s
• strategic plans, restoration plans, programmatic priorities, and associated work plans
• Foster a culture of cooperation, open communication, and passion for the Foundation's vision and mission
• Continue to build a collaborative framework with agencies and other partners enabling the implementation of large-scale restoration and conservation projects

Financial Management and Operations

• Develop organizational capacity and financial sustainability as programmatic opportunities grow, with effective internal controls that are monitored and updated regularly
• Oversee an organizational structure that supports program objectives and internal capacity, including staffing, technology, finances, facilities, and communications
• Work with staff and the Board of Directors to prepare annual budgets and establish accountability standards for grant and budget tracking
• Direct financial activities, including oversight of bookkeeping, accounting, grant budgets, and expenditures
• Present annual budgets and quarterly financial reports to the Board of Directors
• Engage with the Treasurer and Board of Directors in financial planning and revenue diversification strategies to help build organizational capacity

Staff and Human Resources Management

• Collaborate with the Director of Administration to ensure the recruitment, hiring, and retention of a high-performing, mission-aligned team; provide overall leadership, support, and accountability across all departments
• Coordinate with and lead department Directors to ensure staffing, roles, and workflows effectively support program delivery and organizational goals
• Collaborate with the Directors Team to develop, implement, and continuously improve human resources policies and procedures, including onboarding, training, performance management, and professional development
• Foster a cohesive, fair, and equitable organizational culture to help ensure that staff support, communication, and team development is aligned with organizational goals and objectives
• Ensure organizational compliance with all applicable employment laws and regulations in partnership with the Director of Administration and other Department directors, consulting legal counsel as needed

Fundraising and Development

• Collaborate with the Board and staff to direct and co-create fundraising strategies in support of primary objectives, including core projects, endowments, campaigns, and annual budget needs
• Cultivate and steward relationships with individual donors, institutional funders, and foundation partners
• Lead and/or collaborate on funding proposals and grant applications to secure financial resources for programs and projects
• Raise the visibility of the organization through sustainable marketing campaigns aimed at corporations and the public
• Collaborate with the Board and others to expand public awareness of the Laguna Foundation's programs and community value

Public Messaging, Partnerships, and Advocacy

• Serve as the primary ambassador and visible leader of the Laguna Foundation.
• Advance the Laguna Foundation’s goals and initiatives with government agencies, partners, Tribes, funders, community organizations, and the public
• Represent the Laguna Foundation at public functions and make effective public presentations
• Build and maintain relationships with local and state lawmakers, county and state policymakers, task forces, advisory committees, and funding bodies
• Position the Laguna Foundation as a vital and effective environmental education and stewardship organization in Sonoma County and beyond