Muskoka Heritage Foundation and Muskoka Heritage Trust

Position Description

Position Title: Executive Director of Muskoka Heritage Foundation and
Muskoka Heritage Trust
Reports To: Boards of Directors of the Muskoka Heritage Foundation and Muskoka Heritage Trust
Located: Bracebridge, Ontario
Contract Position: March 2012 to March 2013 with possibility of extenion

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

The Muskoka Heritage Foundation (MHF) is a federally incorporated non-profit charitable organization founded in 1987. Its members and affiliates are dedicated to the protection and enhancement of Muskoka’s natural, cultural and built heritage. Overseen by a board of directors elected by its member’s, the organization undertakes initiatives in land and water stewardship, area re-naturalization, cultural heritage projects and public recognition awards among other activities. MHF is an affiliate of the Muskoka Watershed Council and the umbrella organization for the Muskoka Heritage Trust. MHF also maintains relationships both formal and informal with various organizations whose objectives complement those of MHF.

The Muskoka Heritage Trust (MHT) is a federally incorporated charitable trust established by the Muskoka Heritage Foundation specifically for the purpose of preserving Muskoka’s heritage assets, including significant natural lands. MHT assists landowners in the protection of their land in perpetuity by either accepting the land as a donation to be managed as a Nature Reserve by the Trust or negotiating a conservation easement agreement that allows the landowner to retain ownership but places restrictions on development of that land. MHT maintains a separate operating board elected by the Board of Directors of the Muskoka Heritage Foundation. The Muskoka Heritage Trust is an integral operating element of the Muskoka Heritage Foundation

Additionally, MHF and the District Municipality of Muskoka have jointly established the Muskoka Watershed Council (MWC) to champion watershed health. The MHF provides administrative and office space support to Watershed Council and collaborates with MWC on watershed health and stewardship based initiatives.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The ED, in partnership with highly engaged and committed Boards, will provide inspiring leadership, strategic direction and guidance to fulfill MHF’s and MHT’s missions and ensure that the organizations have the financial and human resources they need to deliver on their missions. The ED reports directly to the Boards of Directors.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Management and Operations
• Work in partnership with the Boards and staff, to develop annual operating plans and operating budgets that support the missions and MHF’s and MHT’s long-term Strategic Plans
• Work in partnership with the program staff and the resident staff of the Muskoka Watershed Council to ensure excellence in both program delivery and program evolution, to meet the changing needs of the program areas.
• Hire, motivate, mentor, and evaluate staff; foster a positive and strong organizational culture that helps attract and retain competent, successful staff and volunteers who are committed to the missions o MHF, MHT and MWC
• Develop and maintain internal financial controls, work with staff and the Boards to manage expenses and meet fundraising targets.
• Oversee the organizations’ information technology needs and functionality as they pertain to program, fundraising, stakeholder interface and business operations

Fundraising and Managing External Relationships
• Work in partnership with the Boards, to provide strategic and practical leadership on major fundraising efforts from initiation, through cultivation and stewardship. Lead efforts in acquiring sponsorships, donations, grants and major gifts from foundations, individuals and corporations.
• Initiate, cultivate and sustain relationships with a wide variety of constituents which include past, current and potential donors, foundations and government sources and local business and community partners to develop long-term sustainable funding sources for the organization.
• Establish MHF and/or MHT as a giving priority with major donors in the community
• Meet fundraising objectives of strategic plan via the means outlined above and in alignment with MHF/MHT/MWC objectives and purpose

Leadership and Strategy
• Communicate the organizations’ visions and missions with clarity and passion
• Lead the ongoing growth and development of the MHF and MHT
• Cultivate strong relationships with MHF Board members, MHT Board members and with members and staff of the Muskoka Watershed Council.
• Be a prominent and proactive advocate and spokesperson for MHF and MHT in the community.
• Work in partnership with the Board, and lead the ongoing development and implementation of MHF’s Strategic Plan and guide development of an annual business plan to support the achievement of the Strategic Plan.

REQUIREMENTS:

The incumbent will demonstrate:
• Commitment to environmental conservation and to the missions of MHF, MHT and MWC and successful collaboration with a volunteer Boards of Directors
• Strong leadership and management skills – demonstrated leadership experience in visioning, planning, budgeting, managing, and proven ability to grow an organization from human capital, program and budget perspectives in a not-for –profit organization
• Experience in the management and oversight of land trust activities
• Experience in the recruitment, organization and motivation of volunteers
• Prior success in business development and fundraising; successful experience building sustainable sources of revenue through a variety of means including, but not limited to, individual and corporate donors, foundation grants, sponsorships, coordinating fundraising events and government support
• Business and financial acumen – Experience overseeing budgets, financial analysis and evaluation of programs by which to build and maintain fiscally strong organizations; significant experience in technology-based and other business systems required to ensure an optimal level of efficiency at the MHF office.
• Excellent communication skills – strong listening, speaking, presentation and writing skills; the ability to represent MHF and MHT with clarity and passion; demonstrated ability to communicate effectively to audiences of all sizes.

Please submit your resume to admin@muskokaheritage.org or mail to 11B Taylor Road, Bracebridge, ON P1L 1T8 by January 31, 2012.  Only successful applicants will be notified.