Executive Director

See full job description here.

Location: Western North Carolina (Remote; travel required throughout region)

Position Type: Full-time, grant-funded 1099 independent contractor position with a 3-year term. Compensation is a fixed annual contract amount, paid in regular installments, and is commensurate with experience, with an anticipated annual range of $70,000–$84,000.

Summary

The Executive Director (ED) serves as the chief executive officer of the Outdoor Business Alliance (OBA). This full-time, contract position will lead the organization through a pivotal period of growth and capacity building. The ED will provide strategic and inspirational leadership and consensus building, oversee the development of new regional chapters across Western North Carolina, manage staff and contractors, maintain a regular and detailed communication cadence with the Board Chair and Board of Directors, and ensure OBA’s long-term sustainability through partnerships, funding opportunities, grantwriting, community/member engagement, and fulfilling grant requirements.

In addition, the Executive Director will oversee the day-to-day operations of the organization, including administrative functions, bookkeeping oversight, board communications, committee coordination, event planning, and general nonprofit management. The ED will work closely with the North Carolina Outdoor Economy Office to set feasible goals for continued growth, as well as secure grants and other revenue sources to sustain the position and organization beyond the initial three-year grant period. 

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership & Organizational Development

• Lead OBA’s organizational expansion by designing and implementing a sustainable operating model in three new regional chapters.
• Develop and oversee Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and governance frameworks for regional chapters.
• Drive strategic planning that balances growth, collaboration, and inclusivity across all businesses and communities served by OBA.
• Model transformational and democratic leadership, inspiring a culture of collaboration, transparency, and shared ownership among staff, board, and members.
• Provide operational leadership for OBA, including administrative functions, bookkeeping oversight, board communications, and general nonprofit management.

2. Partnership Building & Advocacy

• Collaborate with the OBA Board & key partners (e.g., Mountain BizWorks, NC Outdoor Economy Office) to serve the interests of the region’s outdoor economy.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with partner organizations, government agencies, and community leaders to leverage opportunities for the region's outdoor industry and ensure the industry's needs are communicated.

• Represent the business community to advocate for policies and initiatives that strengthen the outdoor economy, support outdoor recreation access, and promote healthy public lands.
• Represent OBA at regional and national events, including but not limited to the Outdoor Economy Conferences, Get in Gear Fest, and SOBAN meetings and annual convention.
• Maintain a high level of engagement (ear to the ground) with the national outdoor industry community to help ensure strong brand awareness with key funders/partners (both regional and national) and an understanding of national outdoor economy development trends and best practices.

3. Member Engagement & Program Development

• Champion member engagement through communication, programming, and professional development opportunities.
• Recruit & retain new and existing members, sponsors, and partners to grow the outdoor industry network in WNC.
• Conduct the annual member census; organize and report findings to support regional and national partners and outdoor industry advocacy efforts.
• Support regional managers & committees in producing regularly scheduled facilitated networking events, roundtables, speaker events, and training programs tailored to local needs.
• Foster collaboration and information sharing among outdoor gear manufacturers, retailers, guides, and nonprofits through, for example, round tables, monthly socials, and board meetings.
• Identify opportunities for member companies to increase visibility, sales, and market reach.
• Collaborate with the Board & relevant Board Committees to provide oversight and strategic direction through various marketing channels, including the OBA website, newsletters, and social media. This collaboration will focus on storytelling initiatives that highlight the impact of the outdoor business community and promote the organization.
• Attend and support all monthly board committee meetings.

4. Financial Sustainability & Grant Management

• Oversee the execution and reporting of any and all current and future grants awarded to the organization, and ensure compliance. 
• Work with the Development Coordinator to identify & secure additional funding through sponsorships, grants, and strategic partnerships.
• Expand the organization's financial sustainability through membership growth, strategic partnerships, grants, and exploration of earned-income opportunities. Provide transparent financial oversight and budget management in coordination with the Board Treasurer.
• Collaborate with the Board & Development Coordinator on budgets, grant proposals, and annual fundraising campaigns.
• Present grant progress to the board of directors at monthly board meetings.

5. Board and Team Leadership

• Collaborate closely with the Board of Directors to uphold strong governance, transparent decision-making and accountability.
• Supervise & mentor staff, consultants, regional managers, and volunteers, fostering a cohesive team and supporting professional development.​
• Maintain regular communication & collaboration with the Board and Board Chair, providing monthly updates, quarterly impact reports, and ongoing reporting on key initiatives.
• Work with Board Chair to lead and facilitate an annual strategic development retreat.
• Cultivate a positive organizational culture rooted in respect, inclusion, and shared leadership.