Executive Director Job Announcement

Founded in 1989, the Backcountry Bicycle Trails Club (BBTC) creates and protects sustainable mountain biking opportunities in Washington State. The BBTC is one of the largest and most active mountain biking organizations in the United States with over 1000 active volunteers and 3 staff people including the Executive Director, Volunteer Director and Project Manager and an annual budget of $350,000.

The BBTC is governed by a board of seven, four of whom joined the board in November 2007.

This is a unique and exciting time in the BBTC's history. The organization is poised for growth and expects to strengthen its infrastructure in order to effectively oversee more and larger projects. The BBTC's primary area of focus is advocacy: working with land managers to protect and develop mountain biking opportunities. The BBTC's most prominent project is Colonnade, a unique urban mountain biking park under the I-5 freeway between the Eastlake and Capitol Hill neighborhoods. This project has received both local and national media attention and is serving as a model for other similar efforts nationally. In addition, in December 2007, the BBTC received $150,000 from King County to design and build a new mountain bike course at Duthie Hill Park on the Sammamish Plateau.

In order to succeed in this phase of its growth, the BBTC is seeking a passionate and energetic Executive Director to provide leadership as the organization embarks on this exciting phase of its life.

Primary Responsibilities

Fund Development

• Engage, educate and support the Board to diversify, stabilize and increase funding for the organization
• Research funding sources; develop realistic, ambitious fundraising plans; meet with donors; and write funding proposals to increase the funds of the organization
• Successfully involve the board and others in fundraising.
• Establish positive relationships with government, foundation and corporate funders
• Cultivate and solicit major donors to ensure development of a strong and growing funding base

Program Planning

• Plan, implement and evaluate the BBTC's programs
• Ensure that the programs and services offered by the BBTC contribute to its mission and reflect the priorities of the Board
• Monitor the day-to-day delivery of programs to maintain or improve quality
• Oversee the planning, implementation, execution and evaluation of special projects

Human Resources

• Determine staffing requirements
• Implement human resources policies, procedures and practices, including the development of job descriptions for all staff
• Establish and maintain a positive, healthy and safe work environment in accordance with all appropriate legislation and regulations
• Recruit, interview and select staff that have the right technical and personal abilities to help further the BBTC’s mission
• Ensure all staff and volunteers receive an orientation to the organization and that appropriate training is provided
• Implement a performance evaluation process for all staff which includes monitoring the performance of staff on an on-going basis and conducting an annual performance review
• Coach and mentor staff as appropriate to improve performance
• Discipline and/or terminate staff when necessary using appropriate techniques

Financial Management

• Work with the staff and Board to create a comprehensive budget.
• Approve expenditures within the authority delegated by the Board
• Develop financial best practices and manage the organization's funds using those practices.
• Administer the funds of the organization according to the approved budget and monitor the monthly cash flow of the organization
• Provide the Board with monthly financial reports
• Ensure that the BBTC complies with all federal state and local laws regarding employment and tax withholding

Community Relations/Advocacy

• Communicate with stakeholders to keep them informed of the BBTC's work
• Establish strong working relationships and collaborative arrangements with community groups, funders, politicians, land managers and other organizations to help achieve the goals of the organization
• Create and implement strategic marketing plan to expand the BBTC's reach
• Represent the BBTC at community activities to enhance the organization's community profile
• Act as a spokesperson for the organization

Board Relations

• Participate with the Board of Directors in developing and implementing a strategic plan
• Identify, assess and inform the Board of Directors of internal and external issues that affect the organization
• Foster effective teamwork between the Board and the Executive Director and between the Executive Director and the staff
• Conduct official correspondence on behalf of or with the Board, as appropriate
• Sustain and manage innovation

Operational Planning and Management

• Strengthen the BBTC's internal operations
• Develop an operational plan that incorporates goals and objectives that are aligned with the strategic plan
• Oversee the efficient and effective day-to-day operation of the organization
• Draft policies for the approval of the Board and prepare procedures to implement the organizational policies; review existing policies on an annual basis and recommend changes to the Board as appropriate

Risk Management

• Identify and evaluate the risks to the BBTC's staff and volunteers, finances, goodwill and image and implement measures to control risks
• Ensure that the Board of Directors and the organization carries appropriate and adequate insurance coverage
• Ensure that the Board and staff understand the terms, conditions and limitation of the insurance coverage

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years experience in nonprofit management
• Proven success in fund development including individual and corporate giving and grant writing
• Ability to be flexible, versatile and/or tolerant in a changing work environment while maintaining effectiveness and efficiency
• Excellent communication skills including speaking, listening and writing in a clear, thorough and timely manner
• Ability to develop new ways to improve operations of the BBTC and to create new opportunities
• Ability to determine strategies to move the organization forward, set goals, create and implement action plans and evaluate the process and results
• Commitment to the BBTC's mission

Compensation

$50,000-$60,000 DOE plus a benefits package including health insurance, paid vacation, holidays and sick pay.

To Apply

Submit a resume and cover letter to Barbara Green at Barbara@bbtc.org.