President and Chief Executive Officer

PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (CEO)

Job Description and Qualifications 

Organizational Profile: 

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers seeks to ensure North America’s outdoor heritage of hunting and fishing in a natural setting through education and work on behalf of our wild public lands, waters, and wildlife. We are a North American nonprofit organization with chapters throughout Canada and the United States. 

Now, more than ever before, we need wild lands: places that offer solitude and challenge to rekindle the fire at the heart of the human soul. BHA is a nonpartisan group of hunters and anglers who are standing up for these places, public access, and the outdoor opportunities they represent. We are North America’s leading hunting and angling organization dedicated to conserving our legacy of public lands, waters, and wildlife and the traditions they sustain. 

Position Description: 

The CEO plays a key role in growing and strengthening the organization. Reporting to the North American Board of Directors, they are the face of the organization, creating partnerships and strategic opportunities, leading on fundraising development, maintaining a strong organizational reputation, providing a clear vision to staff, chapters, members and the public, and supporting a positive work environment to ensure the sustainability, health, and success of the organization. 

The CEO is accountable for and in charge of overseeing BHA’s strategy, programs, operations, fiscal management, and human resources including: 

Programs/Strategy (35%) 

• Leading the implementation of BHA’s strategic plan, annual operational plans, evaluation, and reporting in partnership with the leadership team
• Overseeing the development of long-term work plans to achieve the desired outcomes and linking daily work to a long-term vision and the strategic plan
• Overseeing program and campaign design and development, communications, media relations, and chapter leader engagement 
• Representing BHA across North America maintaining a solid reputation that strengthens the organization and its programs 
• Ensuring BHA is an influential presence in the community and with governmental agencies 
• Overseeing and building relationships and strategic partnerships within the outdoor and conservation community 
• Supporting policy development in collaboration with the VP of Policy and Government Relations and the Board
• Maintaining and applying a working knowledge of significant developments, trends, and best practices in the field of hunting, fishing, and conservation, as well as in funding and operations. 

 People and Operations (25%) 

• Providing inspirational leadership and direction to staff, chapter leaders, and ensuring the continued development and management of a professional and efficient organization 
• Cultivating a strong and transparent working relationship with the Board and providing appropriate regular reporting to ensure open communication about the measurement of financial, programmatic, and impact performance against stated milestones and goals
• Being accountable for all operational aspects of the organization 
• Adhering to all legal obligations of the organization 
• Overseeing ongoing risk assessment and reporting 
• Overseeing efficient administration 
• Overseeing compliance with personnel management policies and procedures 
• Maintaining and strengthening relationships between staff, board members, and chapter leaders
• Providing leadership and management direction to staff to ensure all departments are appropriately supported 
• Supporting team development and positive organizational culture 
• Retaining a diverse, highly qualified staff and volunteers by providing clear expectations, constructive feedback, coaching, growth, and personal development opportunities 
• Informing board members in a timely way on the condition of the organization and the important factors impacting BHA 
• Ensuring the Board is supported and providing assistance with board meetings
• Serving as ex officio member of board committees and supporting all other board and staff team workgroups 

 Fundraising and Fiscal Accountability (35%) 

• Ensuring BHA maintains a solid and diversified financial foundation, overseeing and being accountable for the creation and implementation of a robust fundraising development plan to meet or exceed strategic goals and objectives 
• Leading on major donor/funder development while overseeing regular donor stewardship, fundraising, and membership growth with the support of the Fundraising Committee Chair
• Leading and supporting the communications team in innovative approaches to build our reach and brand awareness in the North American market 
• Leading and supporting membership growth and engagement 
• Overseeing and being accountable for the development and tracking of the annual operational budget in collaboration with the senior leadership team and Finance Committee Chair

 Evaluation and Professional Development (5%) 

• Undertaking regular professional development to strengthen knowledge and skills that support the organization and professional growth
• Participating in program and operations evaluations and shared learning across all departments and the Board 
• Participating in an annual performance evaluation process and completing agreed upon annual objectives and performance measures in a timely manner 
• Maintaining transparency and accountability to the Board and staff by reporting regularly on progress towards objectives and performance measures 

Qualities and Qualifications 

Qualities 

• Authentic, strong, inspiring leader 
• Big-picture, strategic thinker 
• Aware of hunting, fishing, and conservation trends affecting the organization 
• Able to direct and manage people, multi-task, and meet deadlines 
• Good listener, mentor, and coach 
• Able to understand all elements of the role and have experience in leadership and growth of an organization
• Quick learner who is efficient and effective at developing and implementing ideas. 
• Able to write and implement plans 
• Able to present and represent the organization, telling our story with the community, members, chapters, major donors, stakeholders etc. 
• Able to mobilize and connect people and create partnerships 
• Strong problem-solver and able to adapt to changing organizational and sectoral contexts 
• Self-aware and able to work and manage their strengths and weaknesses 
• Ability to motivate and engage the grassroots membership while growing and building a respected, professional organization 
• Have a passion for the cause and understand the role of hunters and anglers in conservation 

Qualifications 

• A bachelor’s degree is required. A master’s degree is preferred  
• Have a minimum of 10 years experience working in an executive or director-level position within the non-profit or public sector 
• Excellent written, oral, and public speaking skills 
• Experienced in campaign planning, government relations, strategic communications, and membership building 
• Experienced at financial management, budgeting, and fundraising
• Experienced in public speaking and managing press/media relations 
• Experience leading teams of 50+ people and a sound knowledge of human resource management 
• Passion for leading, mentoring, and empowering others 
• Understand and drive the organization’s long-term goals 
• Committed to ensuring hunting, fishing and conservation are inclusive of all people
• Experience in developing and maintaining strong working relationships with a board of directors and systems for sharing information that enables BHA’s North American Board to effectively carry out its governance role 
• Experience and success in motivating, recruiting, developing, retaining, and mentoring high performance, mission-driven, and results-oriented teams 
• Able to travel frequently for fundraising, chapter engagement, and relationship building 

 

Starting Salary: $150,000 - $180,000 commensurate with experience

Benefits: BHA is headquartered in Missoula, Montana. We offer a stimulating and fun work environment, health insurance and 401K plan match, generous leave package including additional time off for backcountry adventures, and discounts with BHA corporate partners.

Location: The successful candidate will preferably live in or be willing to relocate to Montana, however remote options may be considered.  

Application: To apply send cover letter and resume to hiring committee at [email protected] with the subject line “CEO Application.” 

Timeline: Applicants will be accepted through September 13th or until the position is filled. Applicant review will begin September 14th. 

Please attach your cover letter and resume as one .pdf document. The application cover letter should outline both your interest in and qualifications for this position.  

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers believes that public land and access to hunting and angling opportunities should be accessible to everyone. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, race, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or disability.