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Coalition Director, Ohio River
National Wildlife Federation
Annapolis, MD, USA
Posted on Feb 12, 2025
Founded in 1936, the National Wildlife Federation has grown into America's largest and most trusted grassroots conservation organization with 52 state/territorial affiliates and more than six million members and supporters, including hunters, anglers, gardeners, birders, hikers, campers, paddlers, and outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and stripes. The mission of the National Wildlife Federation is to unite all Americans to ensure wildlife and people thrive in our rapidly changing world. We advance this mission through programming focused on conserving wildlife, restoring habitats and waterways, expanding outdoor opportunities, connecting children with nature, advancing environmental justice, and addressing the causes and consequences of climate change.
The National Wildlife Federation believes that in order to save wildlife and ourselves, we need to ensure that everyone in America has clean air and water, safe communities, easy and equitable access to the daily benefits of nature, and protection from the ravages of climate change. These basic needs, equally necessary and urgent for all people, are foundational to bringing the conservation movement and ethos into the 21st century.
The National Wildlife Federation is seeking a Coalition Director to launch a new coalition focused on the 14-state Ohio River Basin to champion regional restoration and clean water priorities. The Coalition Director will work to build and leverage the collective power across the region to elevate Ohio River restoration as a national priority to spark a robust investment that benefits the environment, economy, and people—especially those most impacted by pollution and environmental harm. The position will report to the Great Lakes Regional Executive Director and will collaborate with regional and national colleagues, NWF affiliates, and partner organizations/agencies.
Principal Duties (major areas of responsibility):
- Establish New Coalition - Building on the collaborative work that has been undertaken over the last 5+ years, lead a process to formalize the coalition structure, including initial governance and decision-making frameworks.
- Provide Program Leadership – Lead a collaborative process to develop the Coalition’s strategic plan; work with the Coalition's Steering Committee, staff, and member organizations to develop annual priorities and work plans; serve as key spokesperson for the Coalition.
- Develop and Implement Fundraising Strategies – Collaborate with NWF Regional Executive Directors, Philanthropy colleagues, and the Steering Committee to identify and implement innovative and sustainable ways to raise funds to support Coalition goals; conduct donor stewardship and outreach and prepare funding proposals and reports. Increase the current coalition budget of approx. $620,000 to $1.5M over the next three years.
- Manage Annual Budget – With operations and finance staff, develop and manage annual Coalition budget; report on Coalition’s financial health to Steering Committee and other key stakeholders; implement budget controls to meet financial targets.
- Build Coalition Team – Lead an interregional group of NWF staff for the Coalition in partnership with the Regional Executive Directors for the Mid-Atlantic and Great Lakes Regional Centers, and National Advocacy Center. The Coalition Director will manage the work of other contractors/consultants as required; and create an initial staffing plan for the Coalition. It is anticipated that the Coalition Director will manage additional Coalition staff in the near future and will then approve annual work plans and conduct staff performance reviews; foster a positive, productive, and collaborative working environment allowing staff to function as a highly integrated and effective team.
- Ensure Coalition Effectiveness – Coordinate Coalition activities throughout the Ohio River Basin; work with Coalition Steering Committee, state lead organizations, and other partners to foster robust involvement in restoration issues; integrate all aspects of Coalition campaigns (regional, national, political, policy); guide the growth of the Coalition’s membership and member engagement; set agendas for, facilitates and supports Coalition meetings and committees. In the near future, the Coalition Director will oversee the planning and implementation of Coalition member convenings and Capitol Hill Lobby Day.
Qualifications and Experience:
- Minimum 8-10 years of professional experience or equivalent working with nonprofit organizations and in building organizational capacity; familiarity with water resources management, environmental justice, and experience working with Tribal & Indigenous partners. Ohio River policy experience is a plus.
- Successful track record in staff management; advocacy; campaign development; grassroots organizing, major donor, foundation/grant, and corporate fundraising.
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate and create trust-based relationships with relevant stakeholders across a complex system; experience working with coalitions and with a diversity of partners.
- Strong strategic planning and program implementation skills; proven ability to conceive and execute programs with clear objectives, measurable outcomes, and deliverables.
- Exceptional interpersonal and conflict management skills.
- Demonstrated ability to use good judgment to make quick decisions in a rapidly changing political landscape.
- Self-starter with the ability to work efficiently, independently and with attention to detail.
- Compelling presentation, verbal and written communications skills; organizing and presenting thoughts coherently and confidently in front of groups of all sizes; experience acting as a spokesperson with the media.
NWF Values:
Your actions are expected to reflect the staff values of the National Wildlife Federation: collaboration, mindfulness, empowerment, inclusivity, and mission focus. Your competencies should include:
- Being motivated by values of equity and responsibility to those most marginalized
- Consistently bringing a high level of empathy and social skills to work and interpersonal interactions
- Being committed to deepening an environmental justice approach in policy priorities, program development and partner engagement
- Actively seeks feedback, direction, and guidance from all team members and keeps staff informed of decisions that impact them
- Being dedicated to advancing NWF’s internal equity transformation and compelling partners and allies to incorporate equity into their work
- Passion for and commitment to NWF's mission
Applicants are invited to learn more about National Wildlife Federation’s required equity competencies at https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers.
Travel Requirements:
Considerable travel will be required; anticipate 5-10 days every month, 15-20 nights per year. Additionally, this role may require some weekend and after-hours work.
Location and Work Mode:
The Ohio River Basin spans multiple regions at the National Wildlife Federation and the Coalition Director is expected to collaborate across multiple staff teams and with affiliates and other external partners. The location of this position is flexible within the Basin, with a preference for proximity to the NWF Great Lakes Regional Center office in Ann Arbor, MI, the Mid-Atlantic Regional Center office in Annapolis, MD or along the mainstem of the Ohio River in IN, KY, OH, PA or WV.
The National Wildlife Federation is committed to a flexible and empowered work environment with an authentic community of care for all staff. In this position, the employee may work in the office, in a hybrid manner, or completely remotely, to be decided jointly with their supervisor in the final stages of the interview process. For more information on Work Modes, please review the benefits section of our careers page: https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers
Physical Requirements of the Job:
Remaining in a normal seated or standing position for extended periods; reaching and grasping by extending hand(s) or arm(s); dexterity to manipulate objects with fingers, for example, using a keyboard; communication skills using the spoken word; ability to see and hear within normal parameters; ability to move about the workspace. This involves mobility and the capability to carry materials weighing up to several pounds (such as a laptop computer or tablet and project supplies).
Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this position with reasonable accommodation. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis.
Please Note:
This job description sets forth the job’s principal duties, responsibilities, and requirements; it should not be construed as an exhaustive statement, however. Unless they begin with the word “may,” the Essential Duties and Responsibilities described above are “essential functions” of the job, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Compensation and Benefits:
The salary range for this position is $105,000-$115,000 per year, commensurate with experience.
We are proud of our designation by Mogul as a Top 100 Workplace with the Best Benefits, and by Forbes as one of America’s best small employers! We value work-life balance and a family-friendly atmosphere with flexible scheduling. We want you to be able to integrate work and personal life with attention to your self-care, so that your work schedule is not depleting. We offer benefits so you feel restored and fueled through the day and week.
We offer these supports to help manage your mental, emotional, and physical health:
- Paid time off: Vacation that starts off at three weeks accrual based on a full-time schedule, unlimited wellbeing (this time can be used for physical, spiritual, emotional, cultural, religious or financial wellbeing for yourself, a partner, or family member – including pets), and 11 holidays
- We close down for a paid winter break between December 25 to January 1 to recognize end of-year stress, and time for reflection, rejuvenation, and spending time with family.
- Up to 16 weeks of fully paid Family and Medical Leave
- Low-cost health, dental, and vision insurance options – all outpatient mental health is covered at in-network rates
- Therapist available at no cost
- Pet insurance and discount perk program
- Annual wellbeing allowance
In addition to your salary, we offer the following supports to your personal finances:
- Retirement plan with immediate match and vesting
- Annual year end retirement contribution
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Adoption and Surrogacy assistance
- Pet adoption stipend
- Student Loan management
Applicants are invited to learn more about National Wildlife Federation’s benefits package at https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers.
Application:
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Candidates should submit a cover letter and resume.
For more information on our recruiting process, please review our Careers page: https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers
We strive to increase diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ) in all elements of our work and with our partners to support the interdependent needs of wildlife and people in a rapidly changing world. We recruit, employ, train compensate, and promote regardless of race, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity (including gender nonconformity and status as a transgender individual), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, genetic information, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Applicants are invited to learn more about National Wildlife Federation’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion at nwf.org/equity.
We recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job, therefore our job descriptions are guidelines, not hard and fast rules. Your experience, which may include paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work, helps build the competencies and knowledge that translates to our openings. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of excellence. Therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions.
Please let us know if you require accommodations during the application or interview process by reaching us at hrhelp@nwf.org or 703-438-6244.
If selected for this position, a background check will be conducted.