Executive Director - Groundwork Buffalo (Buffalo)

Groundwork Buffalo will be a local affiliate of the Groundwork USA Network – independent, not-for-profit, environmental businesses called Groundwork Trusts working with communities in conjunction with the National Parks Service and the Environmental Protection Agency to improve their environment, economy and quality of life through local action by getting local people, business, government and other organizations involved in practical projects.

Groundwork Buffalo is seeking to hire the organization’s first Executive Director to establish baseline fund-raising, programming, board development, budgets, financial systems, and staffing. A key part of these organizational development activities, will be the successful launch of a vacant lot reclamation and management strategy within the city of Buffalo, with a primary focus in the Mid-City (Near East Side) and MLK Neighborhoods.

The Groundwork Buffalo steering committee was established in December 2006 as a partnership between multiple greening organizations in the city of Buffalo, and will be launching operations in the beginning of 2010. The Executive Director will report directly to the Groundwork Buffalo Board of Directors and will be able to draw from the expertise of the Board of Directors as well as a national network of Groundwork Trusts that have been bringing positive changes to their communities for many years.

The Groundwork Buffalo Steering Committee has completed a feasibility study for the organization that outlines a variety of vacant property reclamation programs and policies that will facilitate neighborhood stabilization and land acquisition, disposition and reclamation. It will be the Executive Director’s charge to attract or create the resources, programs and systems to implement that plan. The Director will be responsible for implementing the task agreement with the National Parks Service to launch Groundwork Buffalo and will work very closely with key stakeholders: the City of Buffalo, the local community, affiliated greening organizations, local nonprofits, funders, and financial institutions to ensure successful execution of the mission.

The Executive Director will be responsible for managing the operations of Groundwork Buffalo, including managing an office, fundraising and development, overseeing financial and program management, making regular progress reports and complying with grant reporting requirements, hiring and managing staff, and setting the strategic direction of the organization.

Prior Work Experience
Candidates should have at least five years of relevant experience, including work in nonprofit management, local government, and/ or community development.

Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in related field, master’s degree preferred
• Demonstrated success in grant seeking, proposal writing, fund raising, and development
• Comfortable working with a board of directors and familiarity with non-profit setting
• Demonstrated management experience, including staff supervision and financial management/reporting
• Proven capacity to work with senior level corporate, philanthropic and public sector officials
• Leadership skills and ability to develop program vision
• Proven ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
• Project management experience
• Volunteer management experience
• Comfortable speaking in community forums and facilitating relationships among various sectors
• Ability to manage multiple agendas and operate effectively
• Strong interest in urban regeneration
• Exceptional interpersonal, written and oral communication skills
• Good organizational abilities; ability to work independently
• Proficiency with word processing, spreadsheets, PowerPoint, and internet communications
• Preference will be giving to candidates with familiarity City of Buffalo local government and civic institutions

Location
The position will be located in Buffalo, New York.

Background
Groundwork organizations’ purpose is to build sustainable communities through joint environmental action thereby empowering people, creating better places, and helping to bring about prosperity. The Groundwork USA network is built on partnership and linked together by the Groundwork USA national office, with support from the Environmental Protection Agency Brownfields Program and the National Park Service Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program. Projects and activities are organized into six program areas as part of our integrated approach to community rejuvenation: land, brownfields, education, business, youth, and communities.

As both convener and implementer, a Groundwork Buffalo (GWB), with representation from existing greening and environmental organizations, has the prospect of adding much value to the process of reclaiming underutilized and neglected open space throughout the city. The reality of resource limitations, however, should be neither overlooked nor understated. It will be crucial for GWB, and its partner agencies to tailor their efforts to communities where their work can have a substantial and sustainable impact. By leveraging and connecting existing assets, greening efforts can serve as more than active and passive recreation spaces, but can serve as catalysts for community involvement and anchors for future investment.

To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to e-mail listed above or to:
Groundwork Buffalo
c/o LISC
700 Main St, 3rd Floor
Buffalo, NY 14202

Applications will be accepted until position is filled.