Regional Director, Southeast

JOB TITLE: Regional Director, Southeast

POSITION CLASSIFICATION: Senior Director

SALARY BAND: B

REPORTS TO: Vice President of Regional Programs
LOCATION: Flexible in the following states: Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee

About American Rivers

American Rivers is a national conservation organization working to make every river clean and healthy for people and wildlife. We combine evidence-based solutions with enduring partnerships to safeguard the 4.4 million miles of rivers and streams that are essential to our nation’s clean drinking water, extraordinary wildlife, and the strength of our communities. For more than 50 years, our staff, supporters, and partners have been driven by a common belief: Life Depends on Rivers.

The beauty of rivers is that they connect all people and communities – including within our organization. The life experiences, knowledge, innovation, and talent that different people bring to our work provides perspectives, experiences, and competencies which are critical to our effectiveness in protecting wild rivers, restoring damaged rivers, and conserving clean water for people and nature.

JOB SUMMARY
The Southeast Regional Director (classified as a Senior Director level position within American Rivers) will join a dynamic team at American Rivers working across the country and will lead the regional team working to restore and protect rivers of the Southeast through advocacy for clean water and healthy rivers and implementation of on the ground restoration projects (e.g., floodplain restoration and dam removal). This individual’s responsibilities include managing staff, fundraising for the organization, managing projects and advocacy with coalition partners, and raising the profile of American Rivers.

The Regional Director will serve as the primary manager of the Southeast regional work being implemented by the American Rivers team. The Regional Director will also serve as the primary spokesperson for the region on behalf of American Rivers. The Regional Director must be an excellent verbal and written communicator and content creator, maintain required reports, and be the lead fundraiser in the region. The Regional Director must also be a proven conservation professional capable of advancing advocacy and project work in the Region. The position will report to the Vice President of Regional Programs. In addition to responsibilities associated with leading the Southeast region, the Regional Director will be an active member of the national Conservation team working with conservation strategy program directors to implement strategies associated with American Rivers’ strategic plan goals.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• MANAGEMENT AND REGIONAL STRATEGY: Lead, supervise, and develop a high-performing, geographically-distributed regional team that includes experienced staff and people managers, through effective mentorship, fostering a culture of trust, and incorporating organizational values. Develop and implement a cohesive regional strategy that aligns staff capacity and resources with American Rivers’ priorities.
• PROJECTS & ADVOCACY: Managing Southeast-related project and advocacy work with local partners and national program staff,
• PLANNING AND BUDGET: Supporting the creation and execution of regional workplans based on the American Rivers strategic plan, including some administrative tasks, such as budget tracking and active management,
• FUNDRAISING: Serve as the lead fundraiser for the Southeast region, accountable for developing and executing a regional fundraising strategy that includes both individual and institutional donors in partnership with the Development team that achieves agreed-upon annual and multi-year revenue goals.
• PARTNERSHIPS: Building and tending relationships at the local, state, regional, and federal level with conservation agencies and organizations, community leaders, funders, regulators, businesses, and elected decision-makers,
• COMMUNICATIONS: Building the reputation of American Rivers in the region in a way that advances the entire river conservation movement,
• COORDINATION: Ensuring solid coordination across the organization, including with national and regional programs, and administrative and fundraising departments,
• VOLUNTEERS: Cultivating and supporting a regional River Council of donors and supporters.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Commitment to American Rivers core values
• Demonstrated, successful experience in the following areas: partnership building and collaboration, fundraising, verbal and written communications, project creation and implementation, program and budget planning, administration, and staff management
• Requires a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience
• Experience with grants management and fundraising from individuals, foundations, and government programs
• Experience with direct or indirect lobbying, or electoral or advocacy campaigns.

The successful candidate must be a self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities and deadlines. They will have the ability to make decisions based on evidence and stakeholder feedback; listen, lead, and mentor a team; exercise discretion; exhibit political astuteness and good judgment. They should be able to forge connections with others to build trust and inspire enthusiasm in their endeavors. They must also have a strong commitment to working well with and supporting the voices of community leaders and have a desire to work with people across all political spectrums. Knowledge of multi-benefit river management, floodplains, urban rivers, pollution prevention, river restoration, and/or dam removal issues are strongly recommended.

Candidates who are unsure if they meet all minimum qualifications or who have transferrable skills and experience beyond the conservation sector are encouraged to apply.

LOCATION 

Remote location flexible in Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee. Regular travel within and outside the region expected.

COMPENSATION 
American Rivers offers marketable compensation that reflects the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate. The salary range for this position is $126,000 - $154,000 annually depending upon qualifications and experience. We provide a comprehensive Total Rewards package to our full-time, regular employees, including:

• Health and Wellness: Medical, dental, vision, long-term and short-term disability, and life insurance.
• Financial Security: After one year of service, American Rivers begins contributing a 3% employer contribution. There is no vesting schedule for employer contributions as employees are 100% vested upon participation.
• Time Off: Four weeks of paid leave, eleven paid holidays, three floating holidays, and sick leave.

At American Rivers, we are committed to supporting our employee’s well-being, professional growth, and financial security, ensuring they can thrive both at work and in life.

COMMUNITY AND OPPORTUNITY

• At American Rivers, our core values drive everything we do – we Lead with Collaboration and Trust, Infuse Equity and Justice, Deliver Results, and Ensure Staff and Volunteers Thrive. We are committed to fostering a workplace where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to make a difference.

• Our culture prioritizes work-life thriving through Focus Fridays (no internal meetings), professional development opportunities, a home office stipend and our comprehensive leave policies, including sabbatical leave (every seven years) and paid parental leave (six weeks w/ one year of service).

• We also ensure leadership stays connected to staff needs through an internal advisory group, fostering open communication and continuous improvement.

• At American Rivers, our people are our strength, and we are dedicated to building a thriving, inclusive workplace where everyone can grow and contribute to our mission.

American Rivers is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request reasonable accommodation, please contact the Human Resources department at 202-243-7040 or recruitment@americanrivers.org. Please note that one week’s advance notice is preferred.