President

The President must have a genuine passion for outdoor recreation, a strong conservation ethic, the ability to envision a strategy for the future, experience developing and maintaining a powerful network that will increase American Hiking's visibility and funding, and the skills to work with a wide range of people, organizations, corporate sponsors, and agencies. The position will be based in Silver Spring, MD and reports to the Board of Directors.

Specifically, the President will: 

* Work with Board, staff, and outside advisors to develop short and long-term objectives, strategic plans and overall direction to the organization
* Develop and oversee new, innovative partnerships and programs to meet strategic plan goals.
* Oversee and monitor the financial operations and investments of American Hiking consistent with the approved budget and standard financial management policies and practices. Ensure a financial audit is conducted.
* Manage, oversee and play a major role in all of American Hiking's fund-raising programs.
* Ensure a development plan exists with the Board's concurrence to meet and sustain the goals and objectives of the organization's budget.
* Oversee other income-generating activities, including merchandise sales, special events, advertising, and unrelated business income.
* Foster a team approach to ensure American Hiking capitalizes on the strengths and creativeness of the organization's employees. Work with staff to develop and meet clear, attainable annual objectives for each program area, consistent with American Hiking' mission, strategic plan, and budget.
* Directly supervise staff, interns and contractors as indicated by the current organizational chart.
* Ensure the organization adapts to a changing environment and seeks new opportunities to strengthen the organization.
* Ensure an effective internal communications plan exists and is implemented so that critical information is provided to the Board of Directors and staff.
* Represent the interests and policies of American Hiking before a wide range of audiences, including federal and state agencies, legislators, members, supporters, the media, corporations, and the general public. May participate in a number of advisory or regulatory committees to represent the interests of American Hiking and the hiking community.
* Ensure an effective external communications plan exists and is implemented with particular focus on enhancing the volunteers' and partners' awareness of American Hiking mission and programs. 

Qualifications 

The President of American Hiking must be a leader with vision and a proven track record of success, particularly in the areas of fundraising, fiscal management, staff and program management, and the ability to work with multiple partners. American Hiking will seek a candidate with a strong passion for outdoor recreation and conservation, and with proven leadership and management skills.

The ideal candidate will bring the following professional experience and personal qualities: 

*  Minimum of eight years increasingly responsible professional management experience is required, including the administration, leadership and personnel management of a nonprofit organization or a substantial nonprofit program. 
* Significant experience in supervision, working with Boards of Directors, and working on environmental/natural resource issues with a variety of public agencies.
* Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of staff and the general public.
* Demonstrated experience and success in nonprofit fundraising. 
* Working knowledge of hiking, backpacking, and/or federal/state recreational and environmental programs.
* Ability to be an effective national voice for American Hiking and its mission, with the media, Congress, the Administration and general public audiences.
* Ability to coordinate work assignments in order to produce quality results within established deadlines.
* Ability to work effectively with other staff, volunteers, donors, a Board of Directors, funding entities, the general public, and representatives of outside agencies, organizations and businesses.
* Willingness to travel; requires visits to trail locations which may be in primitive settings. 
* Bachelor's degree in natural resources, outdoor recreation, association management, business, public administration or related field. Master's degree preferred.