Executive Director Position

Home Executive Director Position
Title: Executive Director
Reports To: BNT President and Council

About The Bahamas National Trust

The Bahamas National Trust (BNT) was created by an Act of Parliament in 1959 to build and manage the national park system of The Bahamas. Possibly the only non-governmental organization in the world charged with such a responsibility, the BNT works daily to conserve and protect the natural resources of The Bahamas through stewardship and education for present and future generations. There are currently 32 National Parks managed by the BNT with more than 2 million acres of marine and terrestrial areas protected. The BNT’s three strategic priorities are: Parks, Science, and Education. Supported by several thousand individual members, the BNT has a budget of approximately $6M, 80 staff and is governed by a 29-person Council.

Leadership Transition

For the first time in 15 years the BNT is undertaking the leadership transition of its chief executive. This change presents an enormous opportunity for a new leader to shape a visionary future for the BNT while continuing to strengthen day-to-day operations across departments. In this context, the new Executive Director will be expected to build on the significant achievements of their predecessor with strategic priorities including:

  • Significantly expanding BNT membership and park visitorship.
  • Increasing revenue through operations, philanthropic, and public sector support.
  • Protecting more natural areas and continuing to work with local communities to drive positive conservation impact.

Position Overview

The Executive Director (ED) is the principal executive of the BNT; they develop and safeguard the vision and mission of the organization. The ED builds relationships and liaises with key public and private, and internal stakeholders such as the Council and the leadership team to manage the BNT’s strategic direction. This position collaborates with multiple departmental heads to lead the execution of a tactical roadmap for achieving the organizational goals and objectives.

As the caretaker of the National Park System of the Bahamas, the ED is the highly visible face of the BNT leading an ambitious conservation and Protected Area management agenda. This person will continue to strengthen the profile and reputation of the organization so that it is recognized as a leading local and regional conservation and National Park management organization.

The ED acts as a voice for the environment in the context of Parks, Science, and environmental Education in The Bahamas and will have a strong focus on philanthropic and community engagement as well as government relations.

Primary Responsibilities

  1.  The ED is the Chief Executive Officer of the BNT reporting to the President of The Bahamas National Trust for the effective and strategic management and operation of the Bahamas National Trust and oversight of all staff.
  2.  Responsible for setting BNT’s strategic direction ensuring that National Parks are managed effectively maintaining their ecological integrity.
  3.  Responsible for ensuring financial growth and balancing BNT’s annual budget.
  4.  Serve on the Executive Committee, and on all other Standing Committees of the BNT Council as an Ex Officio member.
  5. Responsible for BNT’s Fundraising strategy to increase the annual budget necessary to achieve effective management of the Protected Areas.
  6. Responsible for maintaining strong public, private and government relations including the Government of The Bahamas and multilateral funding agencies.

Requirements

  1. Seven plus years of experience with organizational management and strategic planning at a leadership level.
  2. Extensive experience with strategic planning, demonstrated fiscal responsibility, and effectiveness in managing internal & external relationships at a nonprofit organization.
  3. Nonprofit experience preferred but candidates with relevant for-profit backgrounds and authentic mission alignment welcome.
  4. Experience identifying organizational challenges and acting decisively and effectively to address them.
  5. Broad experience in planning, budgeting, managing, and working with a Board of Directors.
  6. Ability to Travel: The ED will be expected to maintain a robust domestic travel schedule related to the national park system. International travel is also anticipated for partnership building and in the demonstration of the BNT’s regional and global conservation leadership.
  7. Demonstrated ability to build and nourish community and government relationships.
  8. Proven track record of growing an organization and enhancing its reputation, including experience raising philanthropic support.
  9. Visionary leader with a strong understanding of the business, community relations, marketing, operational, revenue, and international aspects of an organization like the BNT.
  10. Well-developed managerial, operations, decision-making, planning, organizational, problem-resolution, interpersonal and leadership skills
  11. Experience as a public advocate who can clearly articulate a mission and vision to diverse stakeholder groups.
  12. Solid knowledge of nonprofit accounting principles and financial procedures.
  13. Exceptional interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, including public speaking.
  14. Outstanding leadership, networking, and motivational skills.
  15. Must be an innovative, systems, and analytical thinker with initiative, passion, and empathy.

Compensation

  • Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and in line with NGO industry standards.
  • Benefits: Health Insurance, Pension Plan, Use of a BNT vehicle, Annual Vacation Leave of 20 Working Days.

Application Instructions & Deadline

If you are interested in being considered for this search, please email your cover letter and resume in confidence to BNT@bahamasexecutivesearch.com. Candidates will be evaluated on a rolling basis with a placement goal of Fall 2022.

Disclaimers & Confidentiality

The BNT is conducting a global search. Bahamian candidates are strongly preferred (whether currently living in-country or abroad).

The BNT is an equal opportunity employer considering qualified candidates without regard to race, religion, color, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, pregnancy, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

As a statutory agency created by the Government of The Bahamas, the BNT and its ED are intentionally non-political and non-partisan.

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality privy only to the Council’s formal search process.