Executive Director

About the Organization
 Founded in 1982, Bat Conservation International (BCI) is the only conservation organization dedicated 
 exclusively to global bat conservation. BCI’s mission is to conserve the world’s bats and their ecosystems to 
 ensure a healthy planet. With 30 years of success, 10,000 members and over 12,000 electronic supporters 
 from over 60 countries, and an emerging collaborative partnership with bat conservationists, researchers,
 and educators around the world, BCI is uniquely positioned to raise awareness about bat conservation 
 issues, catalyze partnerships to engage on priority threats, and leverage resources and other critical 
 support for collaborative conservation projects. With invaluable insights from global advisors, colleagues 
 and partners, the 30-member team based in Austin, Texas, and Washington, DC, works to maximize BCI’s 
 mission impact. 
 BCI envisions a world in which bats are valued for their intrinsic worth, as well as the benefits which they 
 provide, and are allowed to coexist with humans. With over 1,250 species, bats are the second most diverse 
 group of mammals in the world and inhabit every continent except Antarctica. Bats consume vast 
 quantities of nocturnal insects, pollinate hundreds of species of tropical plants, and disperse seeds that help 
 regenerate forests. Despite the important roles they play in nature and the benefits they provide to 
 humans, bats are often misunderstood and overlooked by conservation organizations. BCI is embarking on
 a new strategic plan to guide the organization’s work to maximize mission impact by achieving measurable 
 benefits for bats. In implementing that strategic plan, BCI aims to do the following:
 * Scale up the organization, expanding its funding base, building its team, and communicating its 
 vision and goals widely to external stakeholders and the public.
 * Work with partners to identify, prioritize, and conserve ‘Important Bat Areas’ of the world.
 * Build capacity and promote the development of networks for regional bat conservation efforts.
 * Develop and grow BCI’s international programs and collaborate with partner organizations to 
 achieve BCI’s goals.
 * Build and maintain a strong team of experienced and talented staff and coordinate all staff efforts 
 in alignment with BCI’s strategic goals.
 * Develop evidence-based solutions to bat-human conflict.
 * Develop strong policy recommendations and advocate for bat conservation legislation.
 * Incorporate bats in conservation plans at all levels.
 * Respond rapidly and effectively to bat conservation crises.
 * Empower the next generation of conservationists through scholarships and grants.
 * Ultimately, prevent the extinction of any bat species.
 BCI collaborates with partners from governments, industry, academia, and other conservation 
 organizations to fulfill its mission and reach its goals. For more information, please visit www.batcon.org.
 Executive Director
 Bat Conservation International seeks an innovative, experienced, and dedicated Executive Director to lead 
 BCI to its next level of programmatic, financial, and organizational success. The Executive Director will build 
 on BCI’s achievements to date by facilitating expansion of its programs, leveraging and fostering 
 partnerships to achieve measurable results in bat conservation, significantly increasing BCI’s revenue and 
 membership, and providing leadership in developing the organization’s staff and Board of Directors. The
 successful candidate will have the passion, tenacity, and leadership skills necessary to guide the organization as it grows and evolves to implement and support bat conservation efforts around the world. 
 It is the Board’s expectation that the Executive Director will move the organization toward a strong 
 operational presence in Washington, DC. The structure and timeline for establishing this presence will be 
 determined by the Executive Director in consultation with BCI’s Board. 
 This is a high-profile opportunity for a dynamic conservation professional with the ability to scale up the 
 organization, expand its funding base, manage senior level staff, and communicate BCI’s vision and goals to 
 external partners, stakeholders, and the public. The Executive Director will work to achieve BCI’s goals in 
 collaboration with the BCI Board of Directors, staff, and external partners. The Executive Director will report 
 to the Board of Directors.
 Primary Duties and Responsibilities
 The Executive Director will perform the following and other duties as assigned:
 Program Oversight and Strategy
 * Effectively and passionately articulate and implement BCI’s conservation goals and strategic plan, 
 working closely with the board and staff to align programs with strategic priorities.
 * Oversee all programs and operations of the organization, ensuring that all activities are consistent 
 with BCI’s mission, appropriate goals and objectives are established for all programs, and 
 expectations are met or exceeded.
 * Ensure that BCI remains science-based, working closely with scientists and wildlife experts in 
 government agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector.
 * Oversee the design and implementation of national and international outreach and advocacy 
 strategies to improve public policies related to bat conservation.
 * Develop and maintain a working knowledge of significant developments and trends in bat biology, 
 management, and conservation.
 External Relations
 * Represent and promote BCI externally to funders, partners, and the public.
 * Raise the profile and visibility of BCI and build creative and enduring alliances by expanding
 awareness of BCI’s program achievements and building on the organization’s reputation as a 
 credible and accessible resource.
 * Work with the BCI Board and staff development team to create and execute a diversified 
 fundraising plan to significantly increase revenue from various sources, including major donors, 
 foundations, multilateral organizations, governmental entities, and membership. Work closely with 
 the development staff to develop new relationships with funders and deepen existing ones.
 Organizational Management
 * Lead and motivate staff to achieve BCI’s maximum potential by promoting an organizational culture 
 and structure that fosters communication, collaboration, teamwork, and trust.
 * Provide leadership, direction, and support for all staff and directly supervise senior staff.
 * The Executive Director will be expected to build and sustain among BCI’s staff a culture of common 
 purpose toward achieving BCI’s mission. 
 * Cultivate and sustain a productive and mutually supportive relationship with the Board of Directors.
 * Assist in the identification and recruitment of additional strong board members.
 * Work with the Board Treasurer, Board Finance Committee, and Director of Finance to prepare 
 annual budgets for review and approval by the board.
 * Ensure that BCI maintains official records and documents—financial and otherwise—in compliance 
 with current laws and regulations, that adequate funds are available for BCI to carry out its 
 programs, and that the organization operates within budget guidelines.Qualifications
 The successful candidate will have the following minimum qualifications:
 * 7+ years of experience in a relevant leadership role required, experience in nonprofit management 
 and board relations strongly preferred
 * Excellent interpersonal and relationship management skills with the ability to attract funders and 
 partners by communicating a compelling and inspired sense of purpose
 * A strong working knowledge of current wildlife conservation issues and trends, as well as significant 
 experience in wildlife conservation and/or ecosystem services
 * Experience achieving results in public policy through outreach and advocacy preferred
 * Experience implementing conservation initiatives and partnerships internationally highly desirable
 * A strong reputation and network among conservation organizations and leaders in the nonprofit, 
 government, and for-profit sectors highly desirable
 * Team-building skills and a collaborative leadership style with the ability to empower and inspire 
 staff and encourage staff development, as well as the capacity to enforce accountability and learn 
 the strengths and weaknesses of a team in order to position teams for success
 * A proven track record of hiring and retaining top-notch staff
 * Willingness and ability to work closely and constructively with the Board of Directors and 
 contribute to board development
 * A high level of diplomacy and pragmatism and the ability to collaborate with a wide range of 
 individuals, organizations, and agencies at the regional, national, and international level
 * Strong writing and external communication skills, including public speaking 
 * Experience driving and managing institutional growth or change preferred
 * Demonstrated success in fundraising, working with diverse funding sources, and leading capital 
 campaigns preferred
 * Commitment to and passion for BCI’s mission, vision, and values
 * Initiative, creativity, an entrepreneurial spirit, and an engaging and energetic demeanor
 * Willingness to travel nationally and internationally
 * Foreign language skills a plus
 * Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree in a relevant field preferred
 Compensation and Location
 BCI offers an excellent benefits package and a competitive salary that is commensurate with experience.
 This position will be located in Washington, DC. It is expected that the Executive Director will spend 
 significant time in Austin on organizational management and transitional issues as needed.

To Apply
 To be considered for this position, interested candidates must follow the link below to submit a resume, 
 cover letter, and salary requirements. CEA Recruiting is assisting BCI with this search. Please direct all 
 applications and inquiries to CEA Recruiting. This position will remain open until filled.
 http://www.ceaconsulting.com/what/position_details.aspx*client=CEA&jobId=205
 Bat Conservation International is an equal opportunity employer.