The High Plains Environmental Center (HPEC) seeks an Executive Director to provide strategic and organizational leadership for HPEC and the High Plains Foundation (HPF). Located within Centerra, a 3000-acre master planned community, in Loveland, Colorado, HPEC advances innovative approaches to environmental stewardship, conservation, sustainable land management, education, and community engagement.

The Executive Director leads the organizations’ strategic direction, financial and administrative management, fundraising, staff and organizational development, land stewardship, open-space management, native plant propagation, partnerships, and public engagement. Working closely with the HPEC Board of Directors and HPF Board of Trustees, the Executive Director is responsible for the long-term organizational, financial, and environmental sustainability of HPEC and for strengthening its role as a cultural, environmental, educational, conservation, and recreational resource for Centerra, and Northern Colorado.

High Plains Environmental Center (HPEC) is a non-profit (501c3) and a natural area comprising 76 acres of land, and 3.5 miles of trails surrounding 199 acres of lakes. Under a perpetual lake surface lease, the two reservoirs at the heart of the preserve are protected by HPEC, providing habitat for large numbers of birds within a heavily developed area. HPEC maintains 4 acres of demonstration gardens focused on utilizing native plants to preserve and enhance wildlife habitat. Water conservation is a theme carried through the gardens, as well as cultural themes and features such as indigenous uses of native plants, an heirloom fruit orchard and community garden plots. The main driver of HPEC is a native plant nursery that produces over 150 species of native plants, helping others throughout the front range to replicate our model. HPEC manages open space and native/sustainable landscape areas for other landowners on the Front Range of Colorado.

http://www.suburbitat.org

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Board Governance

• Work with the HPEC and HPF Boards to establish and implement short- and long-term strategic, organizational, financial, and program priorities.
• Support effective Board governance, recruitment, participation, development, and succession.
• Provide the Boards with timely information necessary for informed decision-making, fiduciary oversight, and organizational accountability.
• Lead organizational planning and ensure that programs, operations, partnerships, and resources remain aligned with HPEC’s mission.
• Develop organizational and leadership succession strategies that support long-term continuity and sustainability.

Administration, Finance, Fundraising, and Organizational Management

• Develop and implement annual business, operating, and fundraising plans supporting programs, capital improvements, and organizational priorities.
• Oversee annual budget of 1.5 million dollars, financial management, bookkeeping, endowment management, contracts, office operations, and financial reporting.
• Lead fundraising and resource development through foundation grants, corporate partnerships, individual giving, membership, and other appropriate revenue sources.
• Ensure compliance with applicable nonprofit, financial, employment, contractual, regulatory, and reporting requirements.
• Oversee organizational risk management, insurance coverage, internal controls, policies, and procedures.
• Establish and maintain appropriate human-resource policies and practices, including recruitment, supervision, performance management, professional development, and workplace policies.
• Supervise staff of 10 employees and coordinate seasonal and part-time employees, contractors, subcontractors, consultants, and volunteers.
• Manage and expand revenue-generating land-management contracts, engage qualified vendors and subcontractors as needed, and monitor financial performance and profitability.

HPEC Land Stewardship and Development

• Provide strategic oversight for the design, development, stewardship, and maintenance of approximately 275 acres of HPEC conservation and recreational lands.
• Protect and enhance ecological health, native biodiversity, environmental quality, public access, and visitor experience.
• Oversee capital and site improvements, including facilities, trails, signage, observation areas, plant-propagation facilities, and related infrastructure.
• Integrate conservation, recreation, education, and community engagement in the management and development of HPEC lands.
• Ensure HPEC remains a significant environmental and community amenity for Centerra and a valuable cultural, educational, conservation, and recreational resource for Northern Colorado.

Open Space Management

• Lead and expand HPEC’s open-space-management enterprise serving landowners, developers, homeowners associations, and other partners.
• Oversee the construction, restoration, ecological management, and maintenance of detention ponds, natural areas, and other open spaces.
• Balance landscape aesthetics and public enjoyment with wildlife habitat, native vegetation, biodiversity, and ecological function.
• Monitor ecological health and promote target native plant and animal populations.
• Ensure land-management activities support applicable Centerra Habitat Guidelines and HPEC conservation objectives.
• Manage open-space services as both an environmental stewardship program and a revenue-generating enterprise contributing to HPEC’s financial sustainability.
• Advance HPEC and Centerra as leading, replicable examples of community design, land stewardship, habitat conservation, and sustainable living.

Nursery/Greenhouse Production

• Support nursery staff engaged in the propagation of native plants for landscape and habitat restoration.
• Help promote nursery sales through innovative marketing and outreach.
• Seek opportunities to expand the nursery infrastructure through creative funding – fundraising, public support, and grants.

Partnerships, Education, Communications, and Outreach

• Build and maintain relationships with governmental and nonprofit organizations, schools, community organizations, developers, landowners, funders, residents, and other partners.
• Lead communications that increase awareness of HPEC’s mission, programs, resources, accomplishments, and environmental expertise.
• Support public programs consistent with HPEC’s environmental education, community engagement, sustainability, and conservation mission.
• Represent HPEC through public speaking, teaching, writing, professional engagement, and community outreach.
• Strengthen HPEC’s regional and national visibility as a model for innovative environmental stewardship and sustainable land management.

Leadership and Organizational Culture

The Executive Director is expected to provide collaborative, creative, pragmatic, and mission-driven leadership. The position requires strategic and critical thinking, sound judgment, initiative, integrity, accountability, and the ability to inspire a shared vision while empowering  staff, board members, volunteers, and partners to contribute effectively.

The Executive Director will foster an organizational culture that values innovation, environmental sustainability, collaboration, respect, transparency, accountability, and excellence.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
• Five or more years of managerial and leadership experience in environmental stewardship, conservation, environmental education, nonprofit management, land management, or a related field.
• Experience with the design, development, stewardship, or management of conservation lands, parks, open spaces, botanic gardens, or comparable natural areas.
• Demonstrated experience in nonprofit leadership, budgeting and financial management, fundraising, personnel supervision, contracts, and organizational administration.
• Knowledge of nonprofit governance, regulatory compliance, risk management, human-resource practices, and organizational policies.
• Demonstrated commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable practices.
• Familiarity with the ecosystems, communities, and social environment of Northern Colorado is highly desirable.
• Excellent leadership, organizational, interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to build productive relationships with boards, staff, developers, contractors, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, funders, community partners, and the public.

Note: Responses to job applications will not be sent until after October 15th. Job applications will be accepted until November 15th. The selected candidate will ideally begin in early 2027. The current executive director will provide support to the new director to ensure a successful transition.

Send resume and a brief cover letter to admin@suburbitat.org

Or read full job description and apply here.  https://www.indeed.com/job/executive-director-bcd7ec18b350b3a6