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Regional Director, Great Lakes
American Rivers
Great Lakes, North Chicago, IL, USA
USD 102,600-140k / year
Posted on May 21, 2025
Classification: Senior Director
Department: Conservation
Wage Category: Exempt
Location: Flexible in the following states: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, & Wisconsin
ABOUT AMERICAN RIVERS
American Rivers is championing a national effort to protect and restore all rivers, from remote mountain
streams to urban waterways. Healthy rivers provide people and nature with clean, abundant water and
natural habitat. For 50 years, American Rivers staff, supporters, and partners have shared a common
belief: Life Depends on Rivers℠.
The beauty of rivers is that they connect all people and communities – including within our organization.
The life experiences, knowledge, innovation, and talent that different people bring to our work provide
perspectives, experiences, and competencies that are critical to our effectiveness in protecting wild rivers,
restoring damaged rivers, and conserving clean water for people and nature.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Great Lakes Regional Director (“Director”) will lead the regional team working to restore and protect
rivers of the region through advocacy for clean water, healthy rivers and implementation of on the ground
restoration (e.g., floodplain restoration and dam removal). This individual’s responsibilities include
managing staff, fundraising for the organization, managing projects and advocacy with coalition partners,
and raising the profile of American Rivers.
The Director will join a dynamic team at American Rivers working across the country and serve as the
primary manager of the Great Lakes regional work being implemented by the American Rivers’ team. The
Director will also be the primary spokesperson for the region on behalf of American Rivers. The Director
must be an excellent verbal and written communicator and content creator, maintain required reports, and
be the lead fundraiser in the region. The Director must also be a proven conservation professional
capable of advancing advocacy and project work in the Region. The position will report to the Senior Vice
President for Conservation and will be an active member of the national Conservation team working with
national programs to implement strategies to reach American Rivers aspirational goals.
PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES
• MANAGEMENT & STRATEGY: Building the regional team, including managing, mentorship,
developing, and evaluating programs, projects, and members of the regional team. Developing a
cohesive strategy for impact in the region to protect and restore rivers, including identifying
emerging challenges and opportunities.
• PROJECTS & ADVOCACY: Managing Great Lakes-related project and advocacy work with local
partners and national program staff,
• PLANNING AND BUDGET: Supporting the creation and execution of regional workplans based
on the American Rivers’ strategic plan, including some administrative tasks, such as budget
management,
• FUNDRAISING: Helping draft, lead, and execute fundraising strategies, including donor
cultivation and prospecting, in consultation with the development team,
• PARTNERSHIPS: Building and tending relationships at the local, state, regional, and federal level
with conservation agencies and organizations, community leaders, funders, regulators,
businesses, and elected decision-makers,
• COMMUNICATIONS: Building the reputation of American Rivers in the region in a way that
advances the entire river conservation movement,
• COORDINATION: Ensuring solid coordination across the organization, including with national
and regional programs, and administrative and fundraising departments,
• VOLUNTEERS: Cultivating and supporting a regional river council of donors and supporters.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
• Commitment to American Rivers core values,
• Requires demonstrated, successful experience in the following areas: partnership building and
collaboration, fundraising, verbal and written communications, project creation and
implementation, program and budget planning and administration, and staff management,
• Requires a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience,
• Experience with grants management and fundraising from individuals, foundations, and
government programs
• Experience with direct, indirect lobbying, or electoral campaigns.
The successful candidate must be a self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced environment with
competing priorities and deadlines. They will have the ability to make decisions based on evidence
and stakeholder feedback; listen, lead, and mentor a team; exercise discretion; exhibit political
astuteness and good judgment. They should be able to forge connections with others to build trust
and inspire enthusiasm in their endeavors. They must also have a strong commitment to working well
with and supporting the voices of community leaders and have a desire to work with people across all
political spectrums. Knowledge of multi-benefit river management, floodplains, urban rivers, pollution
prevention, river restoration, and/or dam removal issues are strongly recommended.
Candidates who are unsure if they meet all minimum qualifications or who have transferrable skills and
experience beyond the conservation sector are encouraged to apply.
LOCATION
Location flexible in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, or Wisconsin
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The salary range for this position is $102,600-$140,000 annually depending upon qualifications and
experience.
COMMUNITY AND OPPORTUNITY
Our community’s core values motivate us to Lead with Collaboration, Equity and Trust, Deliver Results,
and Ensure Staff and Volunteers Thrive. American Rivers offers staff professional development and
training opportunities, engages in equitable hiring and retention practices, participates in transparency
reports, provides “no meetings” weeks, and Summer Fridays.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Apply through BambooHR. Please include a Cover Letter with your submission.
American Rivers is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to
apply.