Executive Director

Position Description

The Executive Director is the chief executive of Dodge Nature Center and Preschool, responsible for providing visionary leadership and strategic direction. This role ensures the organization fulfills its mission of delivering exceptional environmental education and nature experiences across multiple properties, facilities, programs, and community spaces—while fostering a unified “One Dodge” culture among a diverse community of staff, partners, and stakeholders.

This is a unique opportunity to assume leadership of a well established nonprofit with a strong community and national reputation, a track record of innovation and growth, a healthy balance sheet and endowment, and a dedicated, talented team.

The next Executive Director will join Dodge at an exciting inflection point in the organization’s history. Having recently completed a comprehensive fundraising campaign, the Executive Director will lead Dodge into its next chapter of impact and excellence.

Location

The Executive Director is a full-time onsite position requiring flexibility to work from Dodge’s properties in West St. Paul and Cottage Grove.

Key Relationships

The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors and oversees a leadership team of seven direct reports and a total staff of roughly 50 employees.

Dodge Nature Center and Preschool has exclusively retained CohenTaylor Executive Search Services to conduct this search. See the full Position Profile here.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategic Planning

• Lead the ongoing development and implementation of the strategic plan and guide the organization toward long-term success.
• Ensure alignment of all programs, initiatives, and community engagement efforts.
• Continue to grow outreach through a welcoming, and equitable environment for all staff, visitors, volunteers, and community members.

Financial Oversight & Fundraising

• Ensure financial health and sustainability through sound fiscal management, budgeting, and financial planning.
• Accountable for fundraising initiatives, including donor cultivation, grant development, corporate partnerships, and capital/endowment campaigns, in collaboration with the Development Director.
• Oversee earned revenue streams and diversify funding sources to maintain long-term stability.

Operations & Program Management

• Oversee management of multiple properties, ensuring proper maintenance, safety, and accessibility.
• Ensure high-quality programming, including preschool, environmental education, summer camps, and community engagement initiatives.
• Provide leadership and oversight of all policies, procedures, and operational efficiencies.

Staff Leadership & Organizational Culture

• Recruit, retain, and support a high-performing team, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.
• Promote professional development and continuous learning among staff, including cultivating staff to engage nationally as role models in the nature center and nature-based education industry.
• Uphold a culture of accountability, inclusivity, and innovation.

Community Engagement & Public Relations

• Serve as the primary spokesperson for Dodge Nature Center and Preschool, representing the organization to stakeholders, media, and the boarder community.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with donors, government agencies, businesses, and community partners.
• Advocate for environmental education and the importance of nature-based learning.

Board & Governance Relations

• Serve as the primary liaison between the board and staff, ensuring transparency, communication, and engagement.
• Provide the board with timely and accurate information to support decision-making and strategic oversight.
• Assist in board development, committee engagement, and governance best practices.

Qualifications

The ideal Executive Director candidate is deeply passionate about Dodge Nature Center and Preschool’s mission, and brings over 10 years of senior nonprofit leadership experience—ideally in environmental education, conservation, or nature-based learning.

They are a strategic thinker and executor, a compelling organizational ambassador, a teambuilder and developer, and an effective manager of complex operations.

While no one individual will possess all of the criteria below, the ideal candidate exhibits many of the following professional and personal abilities, attributes, and experiences:

• An experienced nonprofit executive with a track record of leading complex, multi-site organizations offering diverse programs; with proven expertise leading organizational change and transformation initiatives
• A visionary and strategic leader with the ability to align stakeholders around shared goals and implement structures for effective execution; with the ability to use metrics to monitor progress, drive accountability, and inform decision-making across all levels
• An operationally adept leader equipped to provide strategic oversight while empowering senior staff to take ownership, lead with confidence, and be accountable for programmatic execution across all sites
• A charismatic and inspirational communicator with demonstrated success building trust and managing relationships at all levels, both internally and externally
• A people-centered and visible leader known for developing and empowering teams, leading with transparency, integrity and authenticity, and fostering a healthy, unified organizational culture
• A proven fundraiser and revenue strategist with the ability to identify, secure, and cultivate resources from both philanthropic and earned revenue streams
• A financially savvy leader experienced in overseeing multifaceted budgets, including operating and capital funds
• An individual with experience reporting to and/or serving on a nonprofit Board of Directors; skilled in board development and governance
• A leader dedicated to fostering a welcoming, inclusive culture where everyone feels a sense of belonging
• A Bachelor’s degree in Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred

Compensation & Benefits

The targeted compensation range for this role is $130,000 – $160,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications. Dodge Nature Center and Preschool offers full-time employees a benefits plan that includes health and dental insurance, 403b retirement plan with 5% employer match, and paid-time-off (PTO).

How to Apply

Dodge Nature Center and Preschool has exclusively retained CohenTaylor Executive Search Services to conduct this search.

To apply, please send your resume to: [email protected].

Direct inquiries to the email above—all inquiries will remain confidential.

Dodge Nature Center and Preschool is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Prospective employees will receive consideration without discrimination because of race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation/identity, or any other legally protected status.