Executive Director (The Theodore Payne Foundation)

Our friends at the Theodore Payne Foundation (TPF) are seeking an outstanding leader to continue and expand the organization’s success in inspiring and educating Southern Californians about the beauty and ecological benefits of California native plants.

TO APPLY:

Please click “Apply For This Job” on this page to fill out the application. Note that a cover letter, resume, and 3 references are all required. All application materials must be received by November 1, 2024.

THE THEODORE PAYNE FOUNDATION

Theodore Payne made important contributions to the effort to reintroduce California native plants to the region. He advocated for native plants and their propagation and use in landscaping. At the end of his life in 1960, he was still operating his retail nursery on Los Feliz Avenue near the Los Angeles River.

The Theodore Payne Foundation began at that time as a continuation of his work, eventually moving to its current twenty-two-acre campus in Sun Valley, a community in the City of Los Angeles. Well into the 2000s, the Foundation was operated by an all-volunteer board of directors and flourished as a strong grass roots organization. Transitioning to a staff-led operation began in the mid-2000s and, by 2016, total revenues crested $1.5M under the direction of the Foundation’s first full time Executive Director.

The arrival of the pandemic was a challenge to which the TPF team responded by quickly transitioning plant sales to online ordering. Plant production and sales nearly doubled in the years that followed. At the same time, the organizational structure was refined, online interface completely revamped, educational outreach expanded, and working relationships developed with outside organizations and local government. By 2024, revenues had grown to over $3.0M, with contributed funds remaining at approximately 30% of the total.

The focus of the board of directors evolved as well. While an explicit restatement of the Foundation’s mission awaits a new strategic plan, the board reinforced its commitment to the ecological and aesthetic benefits of cultivating native plants – conserving water and other natural resources; providing critical habitat for wildlife; honoring sense of place; and creating landscapes that enhance the quality of life for people throughout the Los Angeles Basin.

The board has also embraced the notion that the Foundation cannot fully execute its mission solely with internal plant production and robust public education programs and must, therefore, seek to influence the policies of decision makers. Providing education, as well as growing and selling native plants, will remain core activities, but TPF is now ready to pivot outwards to engage with landscape industry leaders and public officials across the region.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The challenge, and opportunity, to a new Executive Director will be to maintain the core operations of the Foundation while building new capacity to engage with and influence those with leverage over future choices in shaping the regional environment. It will mean growing beyond a financial structure that relies on earned income to becoming an effective fund-raising organization. In a word, the future of the Foundation will be found in relationships.

Therefore, the primary quality of the next Executive Director of the Theodore Payne Foundation will be visionary leadership as expressed in active engagement with decision makers and donors while extending our message of native plants as vital habitat. The Director’s expertise will be in management of a sophisticated and growing operation including a staff of more than 20 and a large volunteer base. Horticultural knowledge and a grounding in biological science will continue to be an asset, as will the ability to inspire and expand the diverse community that TPF serves. One of the first major responsibilities of the next Executive Director will be to lead a new strategic planning process.

JOB DUTIES AND REQUIREMENTS

The Executive Director, reporting to the board of directors, is responsible for accomplishing the strategic goals of the Theodore Payne Foundation and fulfilling its historic mission: The Theodore Payne Foundation inspires and educates Southern Californians about the beauty and ecological benefits of California native plant landscapes.

Primary Duties

1. In collaboration with the board of directors, staff team, and external constituencies and partners, creates and executes a strategic plan that guides future growth and investment in support of the mission. Periodic assessment of progress toward goals and as-required revision of plans is a continuing priority.

2. Works with Board President, Treasurer, Finance Committee and staff team to establish and execute the annual budget, and effectively manage financial resources.

3. Serves as the organization’s leading spokesperson and ambassador, and works with staff to develop and execute an annual marketing and communications plan.

4. Builds relationships and communications with elected officials, public agency heads, landscape industry leaders and other regional policy-makers to foster increased utilization of native plants and recognition of their vital contributions to water conservation goals, creating habitat, and enhancing quality of life in the region.

5. Ensures the continued growth and mission-effectiveness of plant production and distribution programs to fulfill both mission and earned income goals.

6. Works with the senior management team to ensure strong productivity and morale, a safe and welcoming work environment, and compliance with city, state and county requirements. Recruiting and retaining an outstanding staff team through development of competitive compensation and benefits, effective staff support and communications, and career development opportunities is an ongoing priority. Supporting the organization’s outstanding volunteer team is equally important.

7. Responsible for creating a strong development program that includes major gifts, membership, and grants, as well as partnerships leading to funding support.

8. Responsible for ensuring that education programs, professional training, and public events prioritize increase utilization and appreciation of native plants.

9. Expands reach of the organization to serve new communities and the full diversity of the region.

10. Provides effective stewardship and care for the 22-acre TPF campus, including ongoing maintenance, effective use of contractors, and new development in accordance with strategic goals.

11. Develops a strong working partnership with the TPF Board of Directors and supports board development and fundraising goals.

Position Requirements

1. Five years or more experience in successfully leading an organization or large team, preferably in a non-profit setting. Demonstrated ability to provide visionary, strategic leadership is essential.

2. A college degree in biology, horticulture, conservation, environmental studies, museum studies, education, administration or related fields. A graduate degree is preferred.

3. A strong knowledge of environmental and conservation issues, and a passion for work that addresses current environmental challenges.

4. Knowledge of California native plants is preferred, but a capacity and enthusiasm for acquiring a reasonable baseline of native plant knowledge is also acceptable.

5. Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, including a demonstrated ability to lead teams and build relationships in diverse settings and communities. Strong listening skills are essential.

6. Outstanding skills in public communications, including speaking to large groups and effective writing for large and diverse audiences.

7. Fundraising experience, including work with donors, grant-making foundations and agencies, and members.

8. Experience in financial management, preferably in non-profit setting.

9. Commitment to expanding the reach of the organization to serve new communities and the full diversity of the region.

10. Good organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple activities with changing priorities simultaneously.

11. Experience in management of earned income programs, including online sales and marketing.

COMPENSATION

The salary range for the position is $125,000 - $165,000, annually. Benefits include health and dental insurance, 401k plan with employer match, and vacation/sick/holiday paid time-off.

Last updated on Sep 10, 2024