Executive Director

Company Description 

Keystone Science School (“KSS”) is a leading-class provider of year-round outdoor, camp based educational programs. Throughout the school year, KSS attracts students from schools in Summit County and the Denver Metro area to learn about the natural world through a variety of overnight or day field trips. Over the summer, students in Grades K-12 make lifelong memories of fun, discovery, and adventure through one- or two-week sessions of age-appropriate activities and excursions. KSS proudly launched its popular Girls in STEM program in early 2015. Many programs at KSS operate on a sliding fee scale with the goal of serving as many low- and moderate-income families as possible.

In 2013, the School became an independent nonprofit organization and since that time, KSS has grown to an approximately $3 million operating budget, funded by tuition fees, grants, and donations, and established a small endowment. KSS employs a talented team of approximately 20 full-time staff, outdoor education instructors and seasonal summer camp staff members. KSS is governed by a 10-15 member board of directors who are deeply committed to the sustainability of the organization and fulfillment of its mission. In 2019, KSS built a new administrative and classroom building and a new instructor cabin, having completed a $3.9 million campaign. In 2022, KSS adapted its JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion) statement and appointed a commission of board and staff to lead this important work.

Key Selection Criteria

The ideal candidate will also demonstrate, through successful past experience:

• Ability to develop, execute, and evaluate strategic and business plans for nonprofit organizations and initiatives;
• Ability to implement and oversee an enterprise risk management system/process aligned with the strategic and business plans
• Ability to fundraise through relationship-building with philanthropic partners and direct asks of major gift donors;
• Ability to lead major capital campaigns and associated construction projects;
• Ability to manage and mobilize a nonprofit board of directors;
• Ability to manage and mentor a team of senior staff;
• Ability to articulate an advanced understanding of and personal commitment to issues related to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion;
• Ability to set, control, and report approximately $2 million or more in annual operating budgets;
• Ability to communicate with the public and advocate the importance of nature, experiential education, and youth development;
• Ability to build and sustain partnerships with schools, government, and community leaders;
• Ability to think big and creatively about what’s possible, to craft and articulate an inspiring vision, and to motivate others to achieve ambitious goals.

Scope and Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities include the following:

Strategic Leadership

• In partnership with the board, craft a compelling vision for the future of KSS and inspire staff and stakeholders toward the achievement of its ambitions aims;
• Lead the development, approval, and implementation of a new three- to -five-year strategic plan with key objectives, and timelines for their completion, clearly spelled out;
• In support of the strategic plan, lead the development and execution of a master plan and corresponding campaign to ensure KSS has the facilities and resources to achieve its objectives;
• Continually manage strategic priorities and articulate these to both internal and external audiences;
• Develop and gain approval of annual goals in partnership with the Leadership Team and measure and report on annual goals monthly;
• Ensure the mission and vision are clearly articulated and incorporated into all aspects of KSS programming, culture, and operations;
• Champion the JEDI statement and support the JEDI commission in creating a more just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive organization;

Board Development

• In partnership with the Governance Committee Chairperson, maintain a diverse and dynamic cadre of members;
• Fundraise with board members to support overall fundraising targets and donor development;
• In partnership with the Board Chairperson, facilitate engaging, insightful, and efficient meetings and reports.

Staff Management

• Guide, mentor, and support Leadership Team members to maximize each individual’s potential and contribution;
• Monitor Leadership Team performance by setting goals, establishing evaluation criteria, and conducting annual reviews;
• Manage and support the Director of Human Resources and Equity in cultivating a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and a commitment to quality;
• Ensure KSS as a workplace is accountable to best practices, policies, and procedures.
• Provide leadership and direction to ensure that health, safety and environment protection requirements are met for both staff and campers.

Resource Development

• As the primary fundraiser for individual giving at KSS, personally seek major gift donations (over $5,000) to support the annual fund, endowment fund, and scholarship funds in cooperation with the Director of Development;
• The Executive Director will also ensure the integrity of all land and capital assets. When necessary, will lead fundraising and capital campaign efforts to assure the upkeep of the campus facilities, services and buildings.
• Develop and lead major capital construction campaigns and the capital construction projects with the assistance of the Board and select members of the leadership team;
• Manage and support the Director of Development in ensuring annual fundraising targets are met;
• Manage and support the Director of Marketing and Strategic Partnership in ensuring annual tuition and ancillary income targets are met;
• Develop and maintain relationships with funders (individuals, foundations, corporations);
• Build rapport and strengthen reputation of KSS with community leaders and organizations.

Financial Management

• Develop and gain approval of a sustainable budget and manage it throughout the year, including regular updates to the board;
• Manage and support the Director of Finance in ensuring financial literacy of staff and training in budgeting protocols;
• Ensure an annual audit or review of KSS’s financial statements is completed, accurate, and reviewed by the board;
• Provide financial data to board members and external audiences to ensure transparency;
• Propose and gain approval for annual surplus reinvestment (if applicable) to build reserve funds and ensure the long-term financial health of the organization.

Risk Management

• In partnership with the Director of Education and Board of Directors, oversee and approve risk management policies and procedures;
• Participate in regular scenarios to test and improve KSS’s ability to react in emergencies;
• Ensure KSS risk management policies and procedures are compliant with state and federal standards to maintain safety of staff, students, and teachers.

Personal / Professional Attributes

• Passionate about outdoor education and the transformational impact of camp experiences on the lives of children
• Strategic, visionary, and a big-picture thinker combined with a willingness to roll up sleeves and get hands dirty
• A clear communicator with a transparent leadership style and approachable demeanor
• Business savvy, entrepreneurial, and a creative problem-solver
• Authentically enthusiastic and unendingly optimistic, even when faced with adversity
• A person of unwavering personal integrity with ethics beyond reproach.

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $150,000 - $190,000 annually.  Actual salaries will vary and may be above or below the range based on various factors including but not limited to experience, education, training, and performance.

KSS provides a comprehensive benefits plan including employer-sponsored medical and dental benefits, employer-paid life insurance and disability benefits, paid vacation, paid sick leave, and paid holidays and employees may participate in the 401k retirement plan. Benefit eligibility varies depending on your employment status and the number of hours you are regularly scheduled to work.