Endangered Wolf Center · Missouri · posted today
About the Endangered Wolf Center In 1971 naturalist Marlin Perkins and his wife, Carol, founded the Endangered Wolf Center in Eureka, Missouri, to address the serious plight of wolves at risk of extinction. Today we work to preserve and protect Mexican wolves, American red wolves and other wild canids. Through carefully managed breeding programs, inspiring educational programs and innovative methods for introducing releasable wolves into their native habitats, the Endangered Wolf Center set out to change the fate of endangered canids. And for more than 50 years, we’ve been doing just that. Today, our nonprofit organization is considered the cornerstone of wolf conservation in America. In fact, every Mexican wolf in the wild can trace his or her roots back to the Endangered Wolf Center. Position Summary The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors and is responsible for the Center’s mission, programs, finances, people and public voice. The board expects the role to divide roughly in half: about half of the time on external work (fundraising, donor and partner relationships, and public advocacy) and about half on internal leadership (operations, finance, staff, animal care, science and education). Key Responsibilities Fundraising and Revenue Generation • Lead the Center’s fundraising efforts alongside the Director of Development and steward major donors, foundations, corporate partners and government funders. • Manage staff to grow and maintain a diversified funding base through major gifts, planned giving, grants, sponsorships, memberships, animal adoptions, events, tours, facility rentals and the gift shop. • Build and carry out a multi-year development plan with annual revenue targets approved by the board, and report progress against those targets at board meetings. • Prepare board members to serve as effective fundraising ambassadors and partner with them on giving and introductions. • Prepare and manage the annual budget, maintain financial controls and reserves, and ensure grant and donor-restriction compliance. Conservation, Science and Research • Steward the Center’s role in managed breeding and recovery of Mexican wolves, red wolves and other species, in close partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the AZA, and SAFE programs or Survival Plans. • Represent the Center at recovery and planning tables and build relationships with landowners and community partners. • Ensure the highest standards of animal welfare and maintain AZA accreditation and all required permits. Education and Public Engagement • Expand the reach and revenue of education programs for children, families, schools and adults, in person and online. • Serve as the Center’s lead spokesperson and shape public understanding of wolves, coexistence and recovery. • Oversee marketing, communications and brand so the Center’s story supports fundraising. Organization and People • Lead, develop and retain a committed staff and volunteer corps, and build a culture of accountability, safety and care. • Manage risk, legal and regulatory compliance, including the rules governing the care of endangered species and work around large carnivores. • Oversee facilities, equipment and capital planning for the site. Board Partnership • Keep the board fully informed through regular financial, fundraising and program reports, and carry out the strategic plan with the board. • Support board recruitment, committees and governance, and attend board meetings as a non-voting member. Experience Required • A bachelor’s degree in conservation biology, nonprofit management, business or a related field is preferred. • A demonstrated record of successful fundraising, including major gifts, grants and corporate partnerships, and of growing revenue. • Experience managing budgets, staff and volunteers, and working effectively with a board of directors. • Excellent written and spoken communication, including comfort speaking to donors, media and young audiences. Experience Preferred • Experience in an AZA-accredited institution or with SAFE or Species Survival Plans. • Senior leadership experience, in a nonprofit zoo, aquarium, wildlife organization, museum or science education setting. • Knowledge of endangered species recovery and the Endangered Species Act, or the ability to learn them quickly and credibly. The Endangered Wolf Center is an equal opportunity employer.
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