Friends of Acadia (FOA), a leader within the nonprofit park support community, preserves, protects, and promotes stewardship of the outstanding natural beauty, ecological vitality, and distinctive cultural resources of Acadia National Park and its surrounding communities. As an official partner to the Park, FOA creates and/or funds programs that address critical needs; champions public responsibility for funding and conserving Acadia National Park; and leverages private funds to maximize federal dollars for park projects and operations. A strong partnership among FOA, Acadia National Park, and the surrounding communities is producing groundbreaking progress on key issues affecting Acadia’s future including climate change, visitor experience, and youth engagement.

The next President of FOA will have the ability to create a coherent vision and inspire others to promote that vision; strong communication skills and the ability to work with diverse groups, partners, Board members, donors, volunteers, and communities in a facilitative, non-threatening manner; knowledge of government relations, policy development, and politics; and a proven track record in soliciting and securing major and leadership philanthropic gifts.

This individual will be driven by a love of the outdoors; provide evidence of interest in and commitment to conservation, national parks, or other protected areas; and be committed to preservation and protection of park resources and to the quality of the visitor experience. An understanding of the National Park Service is desirable as well as recognition and understanding of the complementary strengths of Acadia National Park and FOA and how those strengths can be channeled to best effect.

The successful candidate will have effective management skills to supervise a highly capable staff and implement and execute a complex budget; a successful track record of working with a board and development team to plan and execute effective and innovative ways to increase fundraising revenue; experience in implementing a strategic plan, including the ability to define needs and assess which program activities have worked and which may need to be changed, adapted, or eliminated; proven experience working on complex issues in local communities; and proven ability to forge effective partnerships with other organizations/agencies.

Additional qualifications include the ability to create new ways of achieving or exceeding strategic goals; superior analytic ability to lead a process of continuous improvement; capacity to earn the respect and trust of an active, engaged, committed, and empowered Board of Directors; and ability to clearly articulate Acadia National Park needs and FOA’s partnership role to groups ranging from legislators to philanthropists to Board members to non-park supporters. Lobbying experience is highly desirable. The President will live year-round on Mount Desert Island or in nearby communities.

Employment decisions are based on the qualifications of each individual. It is the policy of FOA to recruit and hire for all positions without regard to race or color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry or national origin, or other status protected by law. This policy applies to promotions, training, compensation, and all other conditions related to employment. FOA will make reasonable accommodations for all individuals in accordance with applicable law.

To apply, submit a current resume and letter of introduction to Kittleman & Associates, LLC at https://bit.ly/34uqyo7 (click on the Apply button at the bottom of the page).

For more information about Friends of Acadia, visit https://friendsofacadia.org/ .