Executive Director Responsibilities/Qualifications
November 2000

• General Responsibilities of the Executive Director
  • Major Functions and Accountabilities
• General Description of Duties
• Essential Functions of the Executive Director
• Knowledge and Skills of the Executive Director
• Minimum Qualifications of the Executive Director

General Responsibilities of the Executive Director

Manager:

• Oversees operations of the South Dakota Parks and Wildlife Foundation
• Implements the goals and objectives of the Foundation’s Strategic Plan
• (Manages human resources of the Foundation)

• Manages financial and physical resources including land owned by the Foundation

Leader:

• Advises the Board of Directors of the Foundation
• Advocates/promotes Foundation and stakeholder change related to the mission of the Foundation
• Supports motivation of volunteers (employees) in organization products/programs and operations

Information Source:

• Ensures staff and Board have sufficient and up-to-date information
• Looks to the future for change opportunities
• Interfaces between Board and volunteers (employees)
• Interfaces between Foundation, agencies and community

Decision Maker:

• Formulates policies and planning recommendations to the Board of Directors
• Decides or guides courses of action in operations by volunteers (employees)

Board Development:

• Assists in the selection and evaluation of Board members
• Makes recommendations, supports Board during orientation and evaluation
• Supports Board’s evaluation of Executive Director

Major Functions and Accountabilities

Board Administration And Support

• Supports operations and administration of Board by advising and informing Board members, interfacing between Board and staff, and supporting Boards evaluation of Executive Director.

Program, Product And Service Delivery

• Oversees design, marketing, promotion, delivery and quality of programs, products and services.

Financial, Tax, Risk And Facilities Management

• Recommends yearly budget for Board approval and prudently manages the Foundation’s resources within those budget guidelines according to current laws and regulations.

Human Resources Management

• Effectively manages the human resources of the Foundation according to authorized personnel policies and procedures that fully conform to current laws and regulations.

Community And Public Relations

• Assures the Foundation and its mission, programs, products and services are consistently presented in strong, positive image to relevant stakeholders.

Fundraising

• Oversees fundraising planning and implementation, including identifying resource requirements, researching funding sources, establishing strategies to approach potential donors, submitting proposals and administrating fundraising records and documentation.

General Description of Duties

• Implement, manage and maintain the goals and objectives of the Board of Directors as defined in the Strategic Plan adopted by the Foundation.
• Promotes the functions of the Parks and Wildlife Foundation through public appearances, publicity releases and strategic marketing plans.
• Develops and implements a regional (national) program to promote corporate, public and private funding to Game, Fish and Parks activities and specific strategic plan elements.
• Develops a marketing plan for the solicitation and generation of private funding and donations that will assist in enhancing and conserving South Dakota’s natural habitats, and wildlife and fish resources.
• Serves as a liaison between the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks and the South Dakota Parks and Wildlife Foundation Board Members.
• Manage the Foundation responsibilities for ongoing projects associated with the development of parks and wildlife habitat areas.

Essential Functions of the Executive Director

• Administers, coordinates and implements managerial and administrative functions including the development of policies, procedures, rules and regulations.
• Assists the Board of directors in organizational and Strategic planning and development.
• Serves as staff support to fulfill Board actions and directives, Strategic Plan elements and Game, Fish and Parks activities, as directed.
• Manages land holdings including the leases and contracts associated with the land.
• Coordinates activities of the Foundation with other groups, agencies and organizations as necessary to assure the effective operation of programs.
• Researches various public and private funding sources and prepares proposals for traditional and non-traditional funding from private foundations, corporations, businesses, special interest groups and private citizens.
• Serves as the liaison between the Board of Directors of the Parks and Wildlife Foundation and the Department of Game, Fish and Parks.
• Reviews projects with Department staff to determine funding needs, activities and priorities.
• Assists the Department staff and private advisory groups with event planning activities, budgets and programming.
• Coordinates program activities with Game, Fish and Parks staff to include data processing to design and modify accounting and reporting systems.
• Provides accountability and audit trails for grants and other donations.
• Negotiates funding proposals, bequests, planned giving and other sources that may be in cash, property or donations of labor, materials or supplies.
• Make presentations to civic, professional and social groups to explain program direction, funding needs and participation.

Knowledge and Skills of the Executive Director

• Knowledge of concepts and theories applicable to the management of public and government sector agencies and programs, including program development and administration, and fundraising principles and practices.
• Knowledge of management information systems and legal constrains upon the development of a foundations programs.
• Knowledge of wildlife and/or natural resource systems, programs and activities.
• Ability to effectively manage and prioritize multiple projects.
• Ability to work independently.
• Skilled in the operations and administration of a foundation or other non-profit organization or other programs and activities.
• Skilled in oral and written communications including negotiations.
• Skilled in public speaking and presentations.
• Skilled in the operation of generally accepted computer software related to business and/or government management systems including Internet related activities.

Minimum Qualifications of the Executive Director

• Any combination of training and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in public administration, business, political science, natural sciences program administration or a closely related field.
• Three years of professional work experience in management level business, public administration, wildlife habitat or parks program administration.
• Willingness to travel extensively both in and out-of-state.