Access Fund is the national advocacy organization that leads and inspires the climbing community toward sustainable access and conservation of the climbing environment. Access Fund represents more than 8 million climbers nationwide in its work to protect and conserve the land, fight for sustainable access, and build a community of inspired advocates.
While Access Fund is the backbone of climbing advocacy, stewardship, and conservation at the national level, Local Climbing Organizations (LCOs) of all sizes get the work done at the local & regional level that climbers see each day. As the capabilities and needs of LCOs continue to evolve, Access Fund is seeking to update our approach to collaborating with and supporting LCOs in a way that helps each of us reach our fullest potential.
The National Affiliate Director provides leadership, oversight and strategic direction for Access Fund’s work to service and support the national network of local climbing organization (LCO) affiliates. The National Affiliate Director works to maximize the impact, capacity and sustainability of the national network of local climbing advocacy and conservation organizations and leaders through start-up and operational consultation; promoting and growing joint membership program; creating and sharing “best practice” resources, content and LCO-focused newsletters and communications; regional LCO networking and educational events, webinars and the annual Climbing Advocacy Conference; and coordination between LCOs and other members of the Program team to support successful execution of projects, and other strategic initiatives. This position also manages Access Fund’s Climbing Conservation Grant Program.
The National Affiliate Director reports to the Executive Director and works in close partnership with colleagues across the organization.
Access Fund maintains its national headquarters in Louisville, Colorado. This position is eligible for remote or hybrid work arrangements; however, a preference will be given to candidates within close proximity to a major market (Denver, Colorado; Portland, Oregon; Seattle, Washington; Salt Lake City, Utah; Chattanooga, Tennessee).
Job Responsibilities:
Strategy and Program Optimization (20%)
Set, oversee and coordinate strategic direction, development and implementation of Access Fund’s LCO support programs
Develop, implement, and manage new benefits for affiliated LCOs based on their needs, fostering a collaborative partnership that supports the shared goals of both LCOs and the Access Fund. Administer recurring (annual) survey and regular check-ins with LCO leaders to keep a pulse on LCO sentiment.
Program Management and LCO Advisory and Consulting (30%)
Manage, secure, renew and update Affiliate partnerships with local climbing organizations around the country to strengthen and deepen the national network
Direct and manage the Joint Membership (JM) program, Access Fund’s membership revenue support program for partnered LCOs
Oversee delivery of LCO member reports and overall program maintenance, development and strategic direction
Work as liaison between LCOs and Membership Team on questions that come through LCOs;
Ensure JM LCOs are fulfilling their commitments as part of the Affiliate / JM agreement
Support and track adherence to nonprofit best practices, while providing leadership development support to volunteers and paid staff of LCOs across the country, in partnership with regional directors, programs staff and other Access Fund staff;
Function as the lead point of contact and support for LCOs, and manage LCO organizational support and capacity building projects;
Special Projects occurring 1-4 times per year (20%)
Direct and implement Access Fund’s quarterly CO-focused webinar program, in partnership with Programs Team and LCO network;
Serve as the lead planner for Access Fund’s annual Climbing Advocacy Conference, the leading conference and networking event for LCOs and climbing advocates in the U.S.;
Manage Access Fund’s annual Climbing Advocacy Awards; coordinate nomination and final awarding process to recognize outstanding climbing advocacy and conservation leaders from the LCO network and wider climbing community;
Serve as the primary manager of the Climbing Conservation Grant Program and other AF grant programs that directly serve LCOs, in partnership with relevant Programs team staff; (2-4x / yr)
Communications and Content Development (15%)
Manage and coordinate delivery of LCO-focused communications, including the Advocate Beta e-newsletter, Affiliate Facebook page, Access Fund’s website-based LCO resources, LCO news and highlights in the Vertical Times newsletter, and other communications;
Manage and create new content for the LCO online resource library.
Provide and edit content for organizational communications such as monthly e-newsletters, social media posts, print publications; occasionally present, host or moderate regional or topical for webinars and conferences.
Reporting, Analysis and Administration (10%)
Support and manage development, monitoring and reporting of LCO data and metrics related to Access Fund work and impacts; and train Programs team on gathering this data
Lead coordination and provide support for AF staff, particularly regional staff, in providing organizational support for LCOs, including organizing regional LCO meetings and calls;
Cross-functional integration with programs and partners (5%)
Partner with Stewardship team and Regional Directors to engage and grow LCO participation and support for Access Fund’s stewardship programs, including the Conservation Team, Adopt a Crag and other initiatives and projects;
Partner with VP of Policy and Government Affairs to connect and grow LCO participation and support for Access Fund’s national policy and government affairs strategy and work;
Encourage LCOs to support local affinity groups and encourage best practices on creating a welcoming climbing community.
Build and maintain relationships with key external partners nationally including local climbing organizations, land managers, major donors, leaders in partner organizations, etc.
Partner with and support marketing and development teams to raise revenue in support of LCO support initiatives and programs.
Qualifications
Six or more years of relevant experience in nonprofits, conservation organizations, local climbing organizations or other outdoor industry associations.
Strategic mindset and strong problem solving skills; ability to analyze data and synthesize information to evaluate tradeoffs and make recommendations that take multiple perspectives into account.
Proactive mindset and ability to be self-sufficient and work independently, while also being able to work highly collaboratively within a team
Able to build productive working relationships with external stakeholders who have a wide range of personalities, experiences and needs; ability to balance service orientation with firmness and objectivity
Comfortable representing Access Fund professionally and diplomatically to a wide variety of people and partners; skilled at meeting with and speaking to groups.
Strong project management skills; able to meet firm deadlines; comfortable with ambiguity
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Proficient with Word/Excel or Google Suite, Gmail, etc.
Preferred Experience and Mindset
Thorough knowledge of and interest in key climbing areas nationwide, the work of Access Fund, national climbing organizations, climbing communities, land managers, and gyms.
Passion for climbing advocacy, conservation, and stewardship
A sense of adventure and a positive attitude, flexibility, adaptability, and creativity.
Passion for enabling and supporting an inclusive climbing community
Essential Job Functions and Requirements
Ability to work a 40 hour week, including sedentary work at a computer.
Regular travel, occasionally on weekends, including travel within the region for projects and meetings and nationally to staff retreats, annual summits, climbing workshops, industry shows, etc. (flex time available for after-hours work and travel)
Visiting climbing areas that often have uneven terrain.
Occasionally setting up and breaking down events, which may involve moving and loading boxes, tables, and tents weighing up to 30 pounds (though accommodations can be made). Ability to host a table for 4+ hours at a time during events.
Willingness to learn new skills, tools, etc; e.g., Salesforce, Slack, SurveyMonkey etc.
Clean driving record and valid driver’s license.
Satisfactory completion of a background check.
Compensation and Benefits
Salary: $68,000 - $76,000/year, Depending on experience/location
Full-Time, Exempt position
Benefits:
Generous time off, including paid holidays, 3 weeks of vacation (accrual increases throughout staff’s tenure), sick time, and flex time for nights and weekends worked.
Medical, dental, vision, and disability insurance, as well as 403(b) retirement participation with a 3% match after one year of employment.
Flexible schedules are available to our employees.
Access to industry pro deals.
Climbing gym discounts, depending on location.
Relocation reimbursement is not available.
To Apply:
To view the job posting in its entirety, please go to accessfund.org/careers. Please send a resume and cover letter describing your professional and personal experience with “National Affiliate Director” in the subject line to employment@accessfund.org no later than Friday, April 25th. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the position may be filled at any time. No phone calls, please.
Access Fund is an equal opportunity employer and provides employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, or disability. We seek to attract a skilled workforce that reflects the diverse demographics of current and future outdoor enthusiasts. At Access Fund, we pride ourselves on the health and happiness of our staff. Together, we are building an organization and an industry where great ideas, born from a diversity of experiences, thrive.