Executive Director

About Downtown Greens

We are a non-profit community greenspace founded in 1995. We currently manage nearly 60 acres of protected land in the Fredericksburg, VA area and lead critical education efforts for kids and adults on a number of topics related to nature, food, gardening, and more.

Our Mission: To enhance the well-being of our community, by connecting people with nature through education and the preservation of greenspaces.

Our Vision: ?One day, we will live in a world where the community feels a deep connection with each other, nature, and the food they eat.

Our Values:

• Sustainability- We are intentional in the use of all resources and mindful of how our actions impact the community and the world.
• Inclusion - We honor diversity by respecting the innate worth of all persons, cultures, and abilities. We are stronger because of the varied contributions of all.
• Stewardship – We accept responsibility to care for the land and to educate and encourage the community to become active contributors to a healthy environment.
• Optimism – We believe in our community, and the ability to bring change for the better through our actions, words, and intentions.
• Service – We dedicate ourselves to creating opportunities for the advancement of the community.

To be considered, you must submit a resume and cover letter to admin@downtowngreens.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Position Summary

The Executive Director leads the organization in advancing its mission while ensuring alignment with its vision, values, and strategic goals. This role provides overall leadership and long-term planning, directs fundraising and donor stewardship efforts, supervises and supports staff leadership, and collaborates closely with the Board of Directors to establish and execute organizational priorities and initiatives. The Executive Director reports directly to the Board of Directors and is accountable for the effective management and sustainability of the organization.

Primary Responsibilities

The Executive Director has four primary responsibilities that are as follows:

- Works with board and staff to ensure that the mission is fulfilled through programs, strategic planning and community outreach.

• Responsible for realizing DTG’s mission, values, and vision by translating the mission into actionable goals.
• Advise board on strategic planning and decision-making; assess and report on program effectiveness; and adapt services to community and organizational needs
• Serve as principal liaison between DTG BoD and staff, providing timely, relevant, and accurate information on DTG operations, finances, and administration to facilitate BoD decision-making while translating BoD decisions and guidance into actionable goals for the staff.

-Maintains sufficient resources in conjunction with the board to ensure the financial health of the organization.

• Cultivates and maintains positive, strategic, and impactful relationships with a diverse range of funders, including individual and corporate donors, local government agencies, and community and private foundations.
• Responsible for generating and maintaining revenue through grants, sponsorships, development, and related strategies to meet board-defined financial goals.
• Responsible for the fiscal integrity and management of Downtown Greens in a positive financial position. This will include submission to the Board of Directors a proposed annual budget and monthly financial statements, which accurately reflect the financial condition of the organization.

- Oversees and implements appropriate resources to ensure that the operations of the organization are appropriate.

• Responsible for maintaining an inclusive, high-performance staff and culture consistent with DTG’s mission, values, and vision.
• Accountable for ensuring the organization adheres to legal, regulatory, and other related compliance standards.
• Sign all notes, agreements, and other instruments made and entered into and on behalf of the organization, unless otherwise noted.

- Serves as an effective ambassador for Downtown Greens.

• Builds productive partnerships with community organizations, government agencies, and stakeholders.
• Maintains positive public visibility and reputation for DTG.
• Effectively communicates DTG's mission and impact to diverse audiences.

Specific Responsibilities

• Report to the Board President and work closely with the Board of Directors to advance DTG’s mission, strategic priorities, governance practices, fiscal health, fundraising capacity, and public visibility.
• In coordination with the Board, lead fundraising strategy and execution, including individual giving, major donor cultivation, donor stewardship, grants, sponsorships, events, earned revenue, and other revenue streams.
• Advise and support the Board in policy development, strategic planning, financial oversight, committee work, and organizational accountability.
• Serve as DTG’s chief executive, leading day-to-day operations, strategic plan implementation, staff management, program execution, financial management, fundraising, communications, and community relationships.
• Hire, supervise, support, evaluate, and, when necessary, relieve staff while fostering a collaborative, accountable, mission-focused, and healthy organizational culture.
• Develop, manage, and monitor the annual budget in partnership with the Board Treasurer, ensuring sound financial controls, responsible stewardship, and clear financial reporting.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, reporting requirements, donor restrictions, employment practices, insurance needs, internal policies, contracts, agreements, permits, and delegated authorities.
• Serve as DTG’s primary public representative and spokesperson to constituents, partners, donors, the media, public officials, and the broader Fredericksburg community.
• Oversee marketing, communications, and storytelling.
• Review, improve, and maintain administrative, financial, employment, programmatic, safety, and operational procedures necessary for effective nonprofit management.
• Provide timely, accurate, and useful reports to the Board on finances, fundraising, programs, operations, risks, opportunities, staff capacity, and strategic progress.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors, consistent with the Executive Director’s role, DTG’s mission, and Board-approved priorities.

Recommended Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree minimum or 4 years relevant work experience; previous work experience or education related to the environment and/or education preferred
• Five or more years leadership/managerial experience, preferably in a non-profit environment, with a demonstrated ability to oversee and collaborate with staff.
• Demonstrated financial management skills, including budget preparation, analysis, decision making, grant writing, and reporting.
• High level strategic thinking and planning. Ability to envision and convey the organization’s strategic future to the staff, board, volunteers and donors.
• Strong fundraising experience, excellent donor relations skills, and understanding of the funding community.
• Working knowledge of current challenges and opportunities in the non-profit sector
• Ability to effectively communicate the organization’s mission to donors, local and state government, volunteers, and the overall community.
• A history of successfully generating new revenue streams and improving financial results.
• Previous success in establishing relationships with individuals and organizations including funders, donors, partner agencies, and local government.
• Solid organizational abilities, including planning, delegating, program development and task facilitation.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Strong public speaking ability.
• Strong work ethic and interpersonal skills.

Work Schedule and Compensation

This is a full-time position (35 hours per week) with a flexible, self-determined schedule. Most hours are expected to be completed during normal business hours, with some evenings and weekends required for events, meetings, and other work-related functions. Telework is available for a portion of the schedule.

Annual salary is $60,000 and includes professional development opportunities and paid time off.

How To Apply

To be considered, you must submit a resume and cover letter to admin@downtowngreens.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

All applicants will be required to complete a criminal background check and must be authorized to work in the United States.

We encourage candidates who may not meet every qualification listed to apply. If you’re excited about this role and believe you can contribute, we’d love to hear from you.