Job Description

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
ARCHBOLD BIOLOGICAL STATION | VENUS, FLORIDA

Archbold's mission is to build and share the scientific knowledge needed to protect the life, lands, and waters of Florida, and beyond.

A biological field station is a scientific resource for field study of the natural environment. Archbold Biological Station, Buck Island Ranch, and the Archbold Reserve (collectively known as ‘Archbold’) lie within the Headwaters of the Everglades in south central Florida. These large natural laboratories form one of the most renowned biological field stations in the world.

Archbold’s research footprint encompasses the ancient scrub habitats of the Lake Wales Ridge; the Avon Park Air Force Range Sentinel Landscape; the vast, open ranchlands of Central Florida; Lake Annie, a pristine, historically significant sinkhole lake; and the many waterways that flow south into Lake Okeechobee and then drain to the coasts, touching the lives of millions of Floridians. These sites are the crucible for Archbold’s innovative place-based science, conservation, and education programs. These draw from a deep history dating back to the Station’s founding by Richard Archbold in 1941. Fire, flora and fauna, water, nutrient cycles: these are the elements that structure life in subtropical Florida at the most fundamental level. And these are also the processes that Archbold scientists have monitored for unbroken decades, as part of their quest to better understand every facet of life within the Headwaters of the Everglades.

Archbold studies and protects these natural wonders, many found nowhere else on Earth, as ecosystems shaped by measurable natural and human processes. Archbold’s scientists think big, engaging with the grand environmental challenges of our times, from climate change and biodiversity conservation to sustainable food production. Archbold is a wellspring of knowledge for this watershed, one of the most important in America, and its scientists stand at the forefront of the fight to build a sustainable future for Florida. Archbold has spearheaded the successful conservation and management of Central Florida’s wild and working lands. Today, Archbold’s science also drives conservation action more broadly by providing long-term data and objective guidance to conservation organizations, land managers, government agencies, and decision-makers in Florida and around the world.

Archbold is characterized by its unique, synergistic profile that integrates science, conservation, land management, and education. As Archbold’s critical relevance to organismic biology and ecosystem science continues to expand on local, national, and global scales, the organization seeks to identify its next Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer. The incoming leader will mark just the third chief executive since 1988 and will enjoy the opportunity to build on a history of stable organizational leadership and dynamic growth.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer is responsible for driving the mission, vision, and overall impact of Archbold. This leader will build Archbold’s resources and advance its reputation through fundraising and external relationship-building, while also shaping organizational culture and providing visionary leadership and guidance to the approximately 70-person team and annual budget of about $11 million. The Executive Director & CEO oversees all operations and activities, and implements policies, programs, and procedures in a manner that is fiscally responsible and consistent with the organization’s values and strategic goals.

This is an ideal opportunity for an entrepreneurial, innovative, forward-thinking, and collaborative leader to help advance Archbold to its next stage of development by expanding its scale and impact.

Required Experience & Education

• Minimum of 10 years of active research and/or management in area of concentration.
• Minimum of 5 years of administrative or management experience in academic, nonprofit, or corporate settings, including development and management of complex budgets and supervision of multiple direct reports.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in natural resources management.
• Extensive experience and competency in scientific writing and successful grant applications.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communications skills, to actively listen, write, and speak eloquently; the ability and experience in communicating with boards, agencies, media, donors, and the public as well as the ability to lead inspirational field trips and walks into nature.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising from individuals, foundations, and/or corporations.
• Ph.D. or equivalent experience in an area of science and/or management relevant to the scientific, conservation, and educational work being done at Archbold.

Diversity Statement (Approved by Archbold Board of Directors, October 2023)

Archbold values the unique perspectives, skills, and experiences of diverse peoples. All scientists, staff, interns and visitors are welcome and appreciated, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual identity, religion, nationality, age, disability, or other aspects of personal identity. We recruit, welcome, and support individuals from historically marginalized groups into our work community, educational, and visitor programs.

Archbold's commitment to nurturing a workplace with a strong sense of community means that we will not be complicit with acts of discrimination against, insensitivity towards, or intolerance of any person or group.

Our goal is to foster an inclusive environment for all our stakeholders as we work together to protect the life, lands, and waters of Florida and beyond.

Download the full position description via the following link:

Archbold has retained the DSG Fundraising & Advancement Practice of the Diversified Search Group to assist in this confidential search process. Inquiries, nominations, and applications (current resumes and cover letters) may be submitted via the following link or directed to the leader of the search team:

Gerard F. Cattie, Jr.
Managing Director and DSG Fundraising & Advancement Practice Leader
Diversified Search Group
The Chrysler Building, 405 Lexington Avenue, 49th Floor, New York, New York 10174
gerard.cattie@divsearch.com | 212.542.2587

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