Blue Sky Center is searching for an Executive Director to help scale our impact as we enter the next phase of our organization’s life. This is an opportunity to bring your creative leadership and passion for rural economic development to the Cuyama Valley!
We are looking for a natural leader who thrives in a rural environment with demonstrated commitment and passion for social, economic and/or environmental justice.
After eight years of maturation, Blue Sky Center is ready to expand the impact of our work both locally and nationally and invites a leader who understands the value of equitable stewardship in the development of rural economies. We are at an unprecedented moment of opportunity to become a leading rural economic development organization in our nation and are looking forward to meeting the leader who has the vision and grit to pursue the resources and partnerships to drive our purpose.
With physical assets and human resources being most essential to Blue Sky Center’s capacity for impact, every contribution to our organization makes a personal, tangible difference to our day-to-day work. We invite you to learn more about us via the 2021 Annual Report on our website. Grants support most of our programs and we aim to design our earned revenue ventures (hospitality, facility rental, and social enterprises) to cover all operating expenses in the future.
Responsibilities:
The Executive Director will be responsible for providing the vision and voice to drive growth & sustainability of current programs, establish Blue Sky Center as a model of economic and cultural resilience for rural communities, and build new vision and programs to elevate the Cuyama Valley.
This position is right for you if you are:
Self-directed and able drive multiple projects at once
Patient and believe asset-based economic development is the cornerstone of community resilience.
Resourceful and able to adapt while maintaining a celebratory culture.
Primary Responsibilities:
Developing and pursuing diverse fundraising strategies, including grant opportunities, donors relations, and earned revenue.
Build partnerships that position Blue Sky Center as a national rural economic development leader.
Direct and actively support staff and community partners and their work toward projects that support Blue Sky Center’s evolving strategic plan and community identified priorities.
Coordinate with the Creative Projects Director, Ventures Manager, and Land Steward, to develop annual aims, policies, and metrics of success toward programmatic goals for the organization.
Actively develop healthy board policies for board management and recruitment; provide background and guidance on organizational needs and opportunities to Blue Sky’s Board of Directors and Blue Sky Ambassadors.
Participate — and when possible take a leadership role — in regional, state and/or national networks or coalitions to meet strategic priorities.
Take part and lead presentations throughout the country to passionately convey the interdependence between resilience and inclusivity as it relates to community and economic development.
Supervise and manage staff, interns and volunteers, including holding regular check-ins to establish goals, guiding staff with project-specific work, and performing annual staff reviews and professional development plans.
Work with Communications Circle to create annual communications calendars. Create as needed programmatic, outreach, and marketing materials, i.e. websites, e-blasts, articles, videos, annual report, impact reports.
Must-Have Qualifications:
Demonstrated non-profit fundraising experience
Board management and community facilitation experience
English & Spanish Proficiency
Clear communicator
Dynamic problem solver
Demonstrated resilient and positive leadership
Must be living in or willing to relocate to Cuyama
Desired Qualifications:
Experience with Sociocratic governance models
Rural Economic Development work experience
Experience with social enterprise management
Remuneration:
Starting salary of $55,000, annually adjustable by approval of Board of Directors
Eligible for performance/annual bonus as determined by Board of Directors
Personal employer-provided health insurance coverage
$2,000 annual professional development fund for use on direct expenses (conference fees, travel, meals, etc.)
Flexible professional development period of 30 paid days per year
15 paid vacation days per year, 10 paid sick days per year
Additionally, 10 paid days off for Federal Holidays and ~12 paid days off for Blue Sky closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Break
How to Apply:
Submit a letter of interest and resumé/CV as a PDF to hello@blueskycenter.org and we’ll be in touch! There is no deadline; this position is open until filled.
Executive Director
Blue Sky Center
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