We’re looking for our next

Executive Director

01 The Opportunity

For more than 20 years, Wenatchee Outdoors has invested in building wenatcheeoutdoors.org into one of North Central Washington’s most trusted resources for outdoor recreation. With an extensive collection of local guides, firsthand knowledge, and information that helps people discover and explore our region, the website has become the foundation of an organization dedicated to inspiring, guiding, and connecting our outdoor community.

Now, we’re looking for a leader to help shape what comes next.

Wenatchee Outdoors is entering a pivotal chapter, with an opportunity to build on its established presence while reimagining how the organization engages its community, develops partnerships, and sustains its mission for years to come.

Our next Executive Director will play a central role in that transformation, bringing demonstrated fundraising leadership, strategic thinking, and an entrepreneurial spirit to an organization with a strong foundation and significant room to grow.

This is an opportunity for someone who enjoys building relationships, turning ideas into action, and creating lasting organizational impact. Someone who sees the potential in what Wenatchee Outdoors has already accomplished and is energized by the challenge of what it can become.

02 About Wenatchee Outdoors

Wenatchee Outdoors began in 2005 with a simple idea: connect more people to the extraordinary outdoor opportunities of North Central Washington. What started as a conversation among local outdoor enthusiasts grew into WenatcheeOutdoors.org, a free resource designed to help people discover new places, share experiences, and become advocates for the landscapes they love.

Two decades later, that original vision remains at the heart of our work. Today, Wenatchee Outdoors (WenOut) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a mission to inspire, guide, and connect our outdoor community. Our website features more than 700 locally informed outdoor guides, representing years of contributions from outdoor enthusiasts who know and love this region.

Beyond the website, WenOut has established an important voice in advocating for outdoor access and the responsible use and preservation of our natural spaces. We’re building on that foundation, exploring new ways to bring people together through outings, events, and partnerships that strengthen our outdoor community.

03 Our Next Chapter

For two decades, Wenatchee Outdoors has helped people discover the places that make North Central Washington an extraordinary place to live and explore. Now, we see an opportunity to build on that foundation by strengthening the connections between the people who enjoy, care for, and advocate for those places.

Our next Executive Director will help define what that looks like. From cultivating partnerships with local organizations and outdoor businesses to developing meaningful outings, events, and community initiatives, there’s an opportunity to expand WenOut’s role beyond a trusted information resource into an even more connected and engaged outdoor community.

Realizing that potential requires a sustainable organization. A central priority for our next leader will be developing and executing a comprehensive fundraising strategy that strengthens donor relationships, grows membership, diversifies revenue, and builds the financial resilience needed to support our mission for years to come.

Working closely with the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will establish a clear strategic direction, identify achievable priorities, and translate ideas into measurable results. We’re looking for a leader who brings both vision and the demonstrated experience to turn that vision into action.

The foundation is here. What comes next is an opportunity to help shape it.

04 Executive Director
Responsibilities

Wenatchee Outdoors is seeking an Executive Director with the vision, energy, and skills to further our mission to inspire, guide, and connect our outdoor community. In this strategic position, success will be measured primarily by the organization’s ability to build and sustain diversified revenue streams, strengthen financial resilience, and grow community impact through strategic leadership and partnerships. A motivated, talented leader will develop funding, partnerships, strategies, initiatives, and campaigns to further develop sustainable revenue streams and strengthen the organization. All potential staff, contractors, and volunteers would report to the Executive Director who, in turn, reports to the Wenatchee Outdoors Board of Directors.

A successful candidate will establish a strategic vision, generate revenue through diverse sources, communicate passionately and effectively, work collaboratively, and establish and meet benchmarks. A command of fundraising and grassroots campaigns, strong writing and editing skills, and positive energy are equally important. Key responsibilities include:

1. Fundraising & Development
   1. Develop and implement an annual fundraising plan to increase and diversify revenues, reduce reliance on any single funding source, address recurring memberships, and broaden the stakeholder base
   2. Build and maintain a portfolio of major donors and funding partners through regular cultivation, stewardship, and solicitation activities
   3. Identify and submit grants as part of a comprehensive fundraising strategy
   4. Provide leadership and support to enhance Board efforts to increase revenue and visibility
2. Strategic Leadership & Vision
   1. Develop a 3-5 year strategic plan in collaboration with the Board of Directors
   2. Create, execute, and provide quarterly reporting of annual goals based on the strategic plan
   3. Maintain transparent and proactive communication with the Board of Directors, providing timely updates regarding organizational performance, financial status, fundraising progress, opportunities, and risks
3. Finance & Operations Management
   1. Develop and oversee the annual operating budget and ensure financial integrity by managing fiscal activities and maintaining budget oversight
   2. Provide monthly financial and fundraising dashboards that monitor organizational performance, revenue diversification, cash reserves, and progress toward annual goals
   3. Evaluate and strengthen programs based on mission alignment, community impact, organizational capacity, and financial sustainability while contributing to the organization’s profile and stability
   4. Oversee content management of the website and communications (communicate with members, donors, WenOut community, social media)
   5. Manage staff, contractors, and volunteers tasked with aspects of the organization’s goals and objectives, including performance reviews and annual goal setting as they relate to the organization’s strategic plan
   6. Ensure WenOut complies with relevant laws, regulations, and policies set by the Board
4. Community & Stakeholder Relations
   1. Coordinate with other organizations, clubs, and groups to magnify the collective’s effectiveness through strategic collaboration
   2. Lead efforts with partners and the public to raise WenOut’s profile as an innovator that is devoted to enhancing the wellness of individuals, the community, and the environment

05 Desired Skills & Experience

While we don’t expect every candidate to bring deep experience in every area,  we seek an organizational leader with demonstrated experience in these areas:

• 7–10 years of professional experience, preferably with at least 5 years in the nonprofit sector (including staff experience or active Board of Directors service) OR equivalent experience in a related field demonstrating expertise in strategic planning, donor cultivation, and community engagement
• Demonstrated track record of securing and growing revenue through donor cultivation, sponsorships, grants, memberships, partnerships, or related business development activities.
• Experience with the financial management, strategic planning, board development, and volunteer development of nonprofit organizations
• Demonstrated success in building strategic partnerships and positive relationships, particularly in smaller communities
• Ability to understand nonprofit financial statements, budgets, and key financial performance indicators.
• Passion for the outdoors, outdoor recreation, and protecting outdoor resources
• Willing to work some nights and weekends as needed

Day-to-Day Expectations 

The expectation is that this person lives full-time in the Greater Wenatchee Valley Area even though this is a remote position in that there is no office. In-person meetings are required with donors, partners, contractors, and the board of directors. Daily active communication via email and online tools is expected (Mon-Fri), though time of day is flexible. Except for specific event requirements, work hours are flexible, as long as the work is being done well and on-time. 

06 Compensation, Benefits & How to Apply

Salary & Benefits

• Annual Salary: 70,000–86,000, depending on experience (based on a 40-hour workweek)
• Paid Time Off: 15 days annually (three weeks)
• Paid Holidays: 10 annually
• Flexible Schedule: Flexibility in daily work hours, with occasional evening and weekend commitments
• Remote Work: Work remotely within the Greater Wenatchee Valley, with in-person meetings and community engagement as needed

How to Apply 

Submit a resume and a one-page cover letter expressing your interest in the position and unique qualifications to the board of directors (board@wenatcheeoutdoors.org) with the subject: ‘WenOut Executive Director Application”

We appreciate your interest in Wenatchee Outdoors and look forward to learning how your experience and vision could help shape our next chapter.

Wenatchee Outdoors is a 501(c)3 nonprofit striving to be the trusted hub connecting our outdoor community to information, outings, events, advocacy, and each other. The organization focuses on creating and promoting educational guide content, developing a community of outdoor enthusiasts of all types, and advocating for the preservation and responsible use of our outdoor spaces.