Job Description
About the Organization:
The Conservation Finance Network (CFN) advances land and resource conservation by cultivating a network that expands the use and replication of innovative and effective funding and financing strategies. We support a vibrant community of practice across the nonprofit, public, philanthropic, and private sectors that share and incorporate best practices in conservation finance. We achieve our mission through four strategies: convening practitioners through various training and networking events;connecting practitioners with information, tools, and best practices and with each other; coaching practitioners in best practices, including through partnerships such as those with the U.S. Forest Service’s Cooperative Forestry Program and the Department of Defense’s Sentinel Landscapes Partnership; and catalyzingdevelopment of the conservation finance field and replication of innovations within it. Since its founding in 2007, CFN has evolved into a vibrant network and go-to resource hub for thousands of practitioners across the country seeking to deploy effective and innovative funding and financing strategies. The Executive Director will help refine and implement a new strategic vision that emphasizes the continued growth and evolution of the CFN, strengthening participation and belonging in the network, enhancing the visibility and accessibility of opportunities across the movement and amplifying the stories and impact of the network and its members.
Position Summary:
The Executive Director will have overall strategic and operational responsibility for CFN’s staff, programs, expansion, and execution of its mission. With the support of experienced staff and a robust steering committee, they will be responsible for developing deep knowledge of the field, core programs, operations, partnerships, network stakeholders, fundraising plans, and strategic growth opportunities. By building a growing network of public, private, and nonprofit professionals through practitioner convenings, intensive training, and the dissemination of relevant knowledge, the Executive Director will oversee the program to increase people’s capacity to find practical solutions to address challenges of resource conservation.
Primary Responsibilities
•
Leadership: Provide executive leadership that ensures the organization is aligned on strategic priorities and that staff are focused on effectively delivering programs and resources to achieve our strategic goals. With input from CFN’s Steering Committee, refine and implement CFN’s new multi-year strategic vision. With staff team, develop implementation plan for priority goals and actions including projected timelines and budget needed for growth.
•
Fundraising: Develop and implement a fundraising plan for an annual budget of $600,000-$850,000. Address the need to strategically increase revenue generating and fundraising activities to sustain existing program operations and achieve future strategic growth. Recruit non-monetary in-kind contributions that support program implementation.
•
Coalition Building: Actively engage and energize CFN Steering Committee members, network stakeholders, Boot Camp alumni, partner organizations, and funders to motivate their participation in and support of the CFN community of practice.
•
Supervision: Lead, coach, develop, and motivate a team of staff members to effectively achieve the CFN strategic vision.
•
Oversight of Program Activities: Responsible for guiding the staff team on implementation of the program, including all training and network activities. Where possible, identify partnerships for collaboration and new projects that advance the strategic vision.
•
Oversight of Finances & Budgeting: In close coordination with Multiplier, manage all aspects of the budget and actual income and expenditures to produce financial reports for funders and the Steering Committee in a timely fashion.
•
Thought Leadership: Proactively stay apprised of new and innovative land conservation finance techniques. Build a credible and authoritative voice on trends and developments across the field and engage in public forums and speaking opportunities to advance thought leadership and CFN mission objectives.
•
Communication: Share regular updates with appropriate Multiplier staff, CFN Steering Committee, and other network partners. Provide oversight of external communications with broader field through bi-monthly e-newsletter, blog posts and dissemination of CFN and partners information resources.
The Ideal Candidate
You have superb interpersonal and communication skills, an entrepreneurial spirit, enthusiasm for sharing a vision, are comfortable with uncertainty, and have the ability to think strategically and creatively to build a case for financial support. You are adept at managing budgets and programs to advance organizational goals and have a passion for helping land and resource conservation practitioners envision and pursue new pathways for funding and financing their efforts. You are willing to travel to events and meetings throughout the year to achieve program and fundraising goals (up to 25% travel). The ideal candidate will be a person of high energy and integrity with the ability to bring humor, curiosity, joy, and humility to further a positive team dynamic and community culture.Specific Experience Requested:
- We recognize that each applicant for this role will bring unique skills, knowledge, experiences, and background to this position, lending their flair to the trajectory of the Executive Director role. We welcome diverse experiences and perspectives in our applicant pool, and will be looking for candidates who possess many, but not necessarily all, of the following qualifications and experience:
- Bachelor's degree in environmental studies, business, finance, or related discipline.
- Master's degree related to financial solutions to environmental problems and at least five years of experience in non-profit program leadership.
- Successful track record with recruiting multi-year six-figure grants.
- Successful track record in executing strategic planning processes.
- Demonstrated experience with high profile workshop and conference facilitation.
- Demonstrated experience building and maintaining strategic partnerships, and relationship-based business development.
- Demonstrated experience managing a robust industry association or collaborative across public, private, nonprofit, philanthropic, and academic entities.
- Expert understanding of current issues and knowledge of leading organizations and practitioners.
- Excellent and tactful interpersonal and written/verbal communication including facilitation.
- Superb organization skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to exercise sound and independent judgement while maintaining confidentiality as appropriate.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, major webinar platforms such as Zoom, Teams and/or Adobe Connect, and social media platforms.
- Ability to sit and stand for long periods of time.
- Ability to problem solve, make decisions, and supervise staff.
Compensation & Application
Compensation: CFN provides a comprehensive compensation package, including competitive salary ($150k annual salary), excellent medical and dental benefits, retirement savings, and generous vacation and sick leave policy.
How to Apply: To apply, please visit our Applicant Portal. Applications will be accepted until position is filled. Priority will be given to applications received on or before Sunday, August 9, 2026. Please include a cover letter in your application materials describing your relevant experience and qualifications. We respectfully request no follow-up calls or emails.
CFN is an independent operating project of the nonprofit umbrella organization, Multiplier, a nationally recognized nonprofit with a growing portfolio of innovative initiatives that conserve and protect a sustainable and resilient world (www.multiplier.org)
Multiplier and CFN are committed to creating an inclusive, equitable, and accessible application process for all candidates. We recognize that the traditional hiring process can create barriers. If we can support your participation in the job application or interview process by providing specific assistance or accommodation, please reach out to . Requests for accommodations are confidential and will not impact your candidacy.
Originally posted on Himalayas
