TREEPEOPLE
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
TreePeople’s mission is to inspire, engage, and support people to take personal responsibility for the urban environment, making it safe, healthy, fun, and sustainable, and to share our process as a model for the world. Trees need People. People need Trees.
Born in 1973 from the hopes and dreams of a teenager, TreePeople is now one of the largest environmental organizations headquartered in Southern California. We have inspired, engaged, and supported more than three million people to take action for our environment by planting and caring for trees in forests, mountains, parks, and our neighborhoods. Our unique, engaging, and proven model empowers communities to plant a more resilient future and take personal responsibility for greening their neighborhoods. Through our on-the-ground research and educational programs, TreePeople shares knowledge with policymakers, students, educators, and communities around the world.
After fires burn, TreePeople reforests. When schools are covered in concrete, TreePeople creates green schoolyards. When communities experience food insecurity, TreePeople distributes fruit trees. When California is drought-stricken, TreePeople designs solutions to capture rainwater. As the world faces increasing threats from a more hostile climate, TreePeople helps create actionable solutions.
POSITION OVERVIEW
At the helm of TreePeople's mission, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) shoulders the responsibility of advancing environmental resilience while upholding principles of environmental equality. With a robust annual budget of $13 million and a dedicated team of 151 staff members, this leadership role is pivotal in steering TreePeople's transformative agenda toward equitable outcomes. Embracing environmental justice as a core principle, the CEO leads initiatives prioritizing marginalized communities, ensuring that the benefits of environmental stewardship reach all, regardless of socioeconomic status.
The CEO's mandate extends beyond operational oversight to spearhead initiatives that foster inclusive partnerships with diverse stakeholders, including local communities, civic leaders, and environmental advocates. By amplifying the voices of underserved populations and dismantling systemic barriers to environmental access, TreePeople works to address not only ecological challenges but also societal inequalities. Through strategic efforts such as reforestation in fire-affected areas and the creation of green spaces in urban neighborhoods, TreePeople exemplifies its commitment to environmental equality, striving to build a future where all individuals can thrive in harmony with nature.
In navigating TreePeople towards a future defined by environmental sustainability and equity, the CEO prioritizes community engagement and collaboration as key drivers of progress. By championing environmental justice as a fundamental aspect of TreePeople's mission, the CEO ensures that the organization remains steadfast in its commitment to creating a more just and resilient world, where the benefits of nature are shared equitably among all communities.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Organizational Leadership
- Works with the Board of Directors to develop, drive, and implement the organization’s strategic plan, mission, and vision.
- Creates and manages an environment that recruits, retains, and supports quality staff, cultivating a culture of professional growth and leadership building.
- Oversees the recruitment, hiring, and training; ensuring HR policies are updated, upheld, and supported in accordance with the law.
- Serves as the Principal and Chief communicator for business advocacy with various governmental agencies and non-governmental organizations.
- Consistently solicits, incorporates, and implements the input and feedback of all organization members.
- Ensures that all TreePeople business is conducted in compliance with established policies, guidelines, and by-laws, by upholding the highest ethical standards.
- Manages daily operations and implements Board approved policies and programs.
Community Engagement
- Represents TreePeople at local, regional, state, and national meetings and conventions to promote the organization’s mission.
- Develops and maintains a network of peers through regional and national professional organizations.
- Oversees the development and execution of community events recognized by the organization and enhances community-wide visibility and recognition.
- Identifies and recruits both established and emerging business and community leaders to serve as volunteer leaders of the organization; supporting and guiding them to contribute to the organization’s success.
- Develops and maintains strong working relationships with local government officials, Board members, affiliates, and other community leaders to achieve TreePeople’s goals.
Financial Management
- In collaboration with the CFO, develops and manages financial planning, forecasting, and analytical efforts, ensuring alignment with the overall mission, vision, and strategy of TreePeople.
- Responsible for the organization’s financial health, including funding generation and expense management.
- Develops and executes the annual budget and supervises day-to-day fiscal management.
- Develops and executes fundraising strategies that promote the mission and effectively utilize the organization’s financial resources.
Board Administration and Support
- Fosters effective collaboration with the Board of Directors and between the Board and staff.
- Empowers and supports the Board of Directors to fulfill its governance functions. Plans, organizes, and executes Board and executive committee meetings with the Board Chair.
- Identifies, assesses, and informs the Board of Directors of internal and external issues impacting the organization.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., nonprofit management, business administration, social work, or a related discipline). A Master's degree is preferred.
- A minimum of 5 years experience preferred as an Executive Director or higher in a non-profit setting.
- Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively at all organizational levels.
- Demonstrated ability to supervise others, support and evaluate colleagues and reports, and maintain high morale and productivity.
- Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills with the ability to anticipate the organization's and staff's needs.
- Vision for long-range planning, while focusing on the organization‘s day-to-day needs.
- Demonstrated ability to work successfully within complex political environments with a strong understanding of advocacy, coalition building, and the legislative process.
- Experience overseeing a budget of $1M or more.
- Successful track record of managing funding relationships with foundations, donors, or other funding entities.
- Familiarity with the nonprofit sector, including fundraising, grant writing, and donor relations.
- A deep commitment to the mission and core values of TreePeople.
- Knowledge of marketing, communications, public relations, and business management theories, practices, and procedures.
- Proven to be highly motivated, self-directed, results-oriented, and most energized in a fast-paced, multi-tasked environment.
- Extensive knowledge of information technology as applied to business operations and external communications.
- Proven experience in aligning programs founded on the values of social justice, diversity, equity and inclusion and engaging with people from various identities, ages, cultures, and experiences.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Salary is between $180,000-$220,000 with a generous benefits package.
TreePeople is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion or creed, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, age, veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status recognized by federal, state or local law with respect to employment opportunities.
Envision Consulting was retained by TreePeople to conduct the search for their incoming Chief Executive Officer.
Applicants needing accommodation for any part of the application process may contact Envision Consulting at 626.889.7905 to request and arrange for assistance.
