Job Description

TITLE: Executive Director - Located in Raton, New Mexico

Organizational Overview: Located near Raton, New Mexico, the Whittington Center, America’s Greatest Shooting Destination is a 33,300-acre facility dedicated to ensuring the future of the shooting sports. Whittington Center offers 25 dedicated ranges, plus 17, trap fields, 4, skeet fields, 2, 5 stand ranges and 3 sporting clay courses. The facility is capable of holding local, state, regional, national, and international competitions. Whittington Center offers guided and unguided hunting opportunities, expert firearms training, lodging, cabins and camping, youth and women specific programs, a museum and Pro shop.   

Position Summary: The Executive Director serves as the chief executive officer of the Whittington Center, responsible for implementing the strategic direction as dictated by the Whittington Center Board of Trustees to advance the organization’s mission. As the primary liaison to donors, stakeholders, and Whittington Center members, the executive director is responsible for securing the financial resources for long-term success. The Executive Director is authorized by the Board of Trustees to negotiate contracts, financial instruments, and licensing / permitting obligations of the local, state, and federal authorities.  

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide high-level strategic leadership and develop long-term goals to fulfill the Whittington Center’s mission.
• Provide leadership in developing programs, organizational and financial plans with the Board of Trustees.
• Prepare and submit timely reports to the Board of Trustees and present an executive director’s report during the bi-annual Board of Trustee meeting.
• Implement and conduct plans and policies authorized by the Board of Trustees.
• Ensure clear communication of duties responsibilities, and priorities to all staff members.

Administration:

• Thorough understanding of accounting and budgetary procedures.
• Prepare annual operation budget, accurately monitor performance relative to budget and inform the Board of Trustees on any anticipated variance in a timely manner.
• Supervise director level staff functions, conduct annual performance evaluations, in conjunction with human resources, and manage discipline and termination procedures.
• Thorough understanding relating to pro shop functions, inventory and inventory selections, cost of goods, margin, and inventory turns.
• Ability to obtain status as the Principal Responsible Party of Federal Firearms License, Class Three License and any other necessary licensing. Ensure proper record keeping and transactions internally and externally to the general public.

Program:

• Working knowledge of multiple shooting disciplines and competitive shooting sports.
• Working knowledge of lodging, RV and camping reservations systems and functions
• Ability to interact with match directors, ensuring elevated levels of customer service and managing expectations to remain within budgetary guidelines.
• Serve as the primary point of contact, overseeing all state-based landowner hunting permit applications, associated required conservation initiatives and wildlife management functions.

Maintenance / Operations:

• Manage logging operations, obtain timber sales permits from New Mexico Department of Forestry, negotiate contracts with logging contractor(s)
• Principal point of contact for New Mexico Environment Department Ground Water Discharge Permit.
• Working knowledge of construction processes, ability to communicate with architects, general contractors, and individual construction trades.

Membership / Fundraising:

• Demonstrated success in high-level fundraising and donor relations.
• Demonstrated ability to market Whittington Center membership, both annual and sustaining member levels
• Manage all functions relating to direct mail solicitation and sweepstakes functions.
• Oversee monthly newsletter communications to members stakeholders and the general public.

SCOPE: The Executive Director is an exempt, salaried position that reports to the NRA Whittington Center Chairman of the Board of Trustees or his or her designee. Additionally, this position requires extensive interaction with the public. Exceptional oral, written and people skills are required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Proven experience in nonprofit business management and supervision.
• Exceptional communications, public speaking, and leadership skills.
• Strong strategic thinking with the ability to translate vision into action.
• Deep understanding of and commitment to the Second Amendment, American traditions, and mission of the Whittington Center.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:

• Strong professional and personal integrity, subject to a background check (required pre-employment)
• A flexible schedule is mandatory, often entailing nights and weekends as well as overnight business travel.
• Ability to interact with and communicate with Whittington Center Board of Trustees, NRA Board members and staff at all levels, agency partners, match directors, other stakeholders and the general public to effectively represent the Whittington Center.  
• Exceptional organizational, written, and oral communications and interpersonal skills required.
• hands-on experience with PC systems, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Windows. Experience with standard office equipment.
• Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with frequent interruptions.
• Ability to work independently, under pressure and meet deadlines.

This position is located at the NRA Whittington Center in Raton, New Mexico.

Qualified candidates should visit https://www.nrawc.org/apply to complete application and submit resume.
This position will remain open until filled.

PLEASE NOTE: Selected finalist will be subject to a pre-employment background check.

Resume/inquiries to [email protected]

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