Opportunity at Wild Animal Initiative
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About our mission
Wild Animal Initiative is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to accelerating science that helps wild animals. We are an all-remote organization, collaborating globally to advance this mission. We conduct original research, fund cutting-edge research projects at other institutions, and support the global network of scientists in our field with services and training.
About the position
Wild Animal Initiative seeks three experienced professionals to join our board of directors, offering their strategic guidance and expertise to advance our innovative work in wild animal welfare science. This unique opportunity allows accomplished leaders to shape an emerging field while respecting the autonomy of our dedicated staff team. Specifically, we encourage individuals experienced in non-profit operations and finance to apply.
Our ideal board members will otherwise:
Provide high-level strategic oversight
Offer expert counsel in risk management and governance
Contribute to sustainable growth and financial stewardship, including fundraising initiatives
Serve as ambassadors for our mission
Why your expertise matters
By bringing your perspective to Wild Animal Initiative's board, you will:
Help shape the future of a growing scientific field
Foster a more nuanced, compassionate understanding of wild animal welfare
Guide innovative research that challenges traditional assumptions about nature
Collaborate internationally in a fully-remote environment
Create lasting impact for animals worldwide
Our approach to governance
We value board members who:
Appreciate the distinction between governance and management
Bring strategic insight while empowering staff leadership
Offer proactive guidance grounded in nonprofit governance expertise
Contribute diverse perspectives on how to best approach risk management and organizational growth
We foster a collaborative culture that prizes open-mindedness and intellectual rigor in pursuit of advancing wild animal welfare science. We believe our mission is strengthened by diverse experiences and perspectives. We actively welcome Black, Brown, Indigenous, Latino/a/x, and people of other groups historically underrepresented in leadership roles. We welcome candidates of any religion, age, origin, class, citizenship, parental status, disability status, genetics, veteran status, sexual orientation, and gender. We seek to benefit and share power with everyone at Wild Animal Initiative.
Thank you for considering Wild Animal Initiative. We hope to hear from you!
Requests for accommodation: If you are a qualified individual with a disability, we welcome requests for reasonable accommodations if you are unable or limited in your ability to apply for this opportunity as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting Hiring Manager Emily Sharp at emily.sharp@wildanimalinitiative.org
Location
Remote
Accepting expressions of interest from individuals based in the United States only. To accommodate board members' schedules across U.S. time zones, meetings will typically fall sometime between 11:00 am and 9:00 pm EST
Expression of interest welcomed until
9:00 am EST Monday, January 26, 2025
Expression of interest
Please submit your expression of interest using this form. You are welcome to preview all questions before beginning. We ask that you spend at most one hour preparing your expression of interest.
The form will ask you to provide the following:
Answers to multiple-choice and short-answer replies about your previous work experience, knowledge, achievements, and work interests related to leadership, consultancy, and nonprofit governance.
A 1- to 2-page resume (PDF) concisely describing your educational, professional, and other relevant experiences.
Any questions can be directed to hiring@wildanimalinitiative.org. Please note that our office will be closed from December 18, 2024 - January 1, 2025. We will respond to any questions when we return.
Selection process & timeline
Informal opportunities to learn more:
Starting January 1, we will offer optional Q&A sessions via Zoom with Executive Director Cameron Meyer Shorb for anyone interested in learning more about Wild Animal Initiative before applying. Please register below:
Stage 1 - Initial expression of interest: Expect to hear back within three weeks of the expression of interest window closing, regardless of when you applied.
Stage 2 - Screening call: Candidates who pass the initial screening will have 3–7 days to complete a brief call with a member of our staff, with evaluations taking 2–3 weeks.
Stage 3 - Video interview: Selected candidates will participate in a 45-minute interview with current board members, with topics provided in advance. Interviews typically take place over 1–2 weeks, and evaluations and decision-making take another 4–6 weeks. A second interview may be required, depending on the number of strong candidates.
Reference check: Candidates who successfully pass the interview stage will receive a tentative offer to join the board, contingent on a successful reference check (two references attesting to your suitability for the board).
Expected start date:
March 2025 with your first board meeting scheduled for April 17, 2025
Responsibilities
Core duties and responsibilities:
Mission alignment and strategy:
Understand WAI's mission, programs, and strategic direction
Participate in periodic reviews of organizational strategy and goals
Contribute to discussions ensuring programs align with the mission
Governance and oversight:
Attend and actively participate in quarterly board meetings
Review key materials provided by staff before meetings
Participate in financial oversight, including:
Review of financial statements and budgets prepared by staff
Approval of annual budgets
Ensuring appropriate financial controls are in place
Investment portfolio oversight
Contribute to the board's collective responsibility for:
Risk assessment and management
Legal and ethical compliance
Strategic planning
Leadership support:
Evaluate the Executive Director (ED) through yearly performance reviews
Advise the ED on effective leadership practices for a growing organization
Oversee the firing or hiring of the ED, if necessary
Proactively solicit and respond to staff concerns regarding leadership
Resource development and advocacy:
Leverage personal and professional networks to enhance WAI’s visibility, advocate for its mission, and identify potential contributors (donors, researchers, academic institutional partners, etc.)
If relevant to your expertise: Advise on strategies to secure funding from traditional science funders (e.g., the National Science Foundation)
Actively participate in fundraising efforts, including personally significant annual financial contributions and soliciting donations from others. While the amount is at your discretion, we ask that you consider giving at a leadership level. 100% board participation is required to maintain grant eligibility for some institutional funders.
Organizational culture:
Respect the lived experiences of all contributors to board discussions
Ensure that justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) principles are reflected in decisions and actions
Support an inclusive and ethical organizational environment
Optional Secretary role:
We plan to elect a Secretary from the new members we select. This key role is responsible for maintaining records of board actions and managing meeting documentation and communications. Candidates with the skills and willingness to serve as Secretary would bring especially valuable contributions to our board.
Qualifications
We value diverse backgrounds and perspectives. While we’ve outlined examples of experience that would be relevant to this role, we are open to candidates from a variety of backgrounds. If you believe you can excel in this role, we encourage you to apply.
This role will require you to have the following qualifications:
Commitment to and basic familiarity with WAI’s mission: A strong personal commitment to Wild Animal Initiative's mission and values.
Time and resource commitment: Willingness to dedicate time (5–10 hours per month) and personal resources (e.g., financial contributions and professional networks) to support the organization’s success over the next two-year period (the current duration of a single board term).
Commitment to Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) principles: Demonstrated commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring diverse perspectives are respected and systemic inequities are addressed in decision-making and board dynamics.
Critical decision-making and strategic thinking: Capacity for informed, data-driven decision-making and the ability to assess complex situations, identify risks such as funding shortfalls, and contribute to the organization’s long-term strategic goals.
Communication and advisory skills: Strong communication abilities, providing clear, strategic guidance and feedback while maintaining respect for staff autonomy. Engagement in constructive dialogue and proactive mitigation of concerns.
Fundraising: Experience in fundraising is helpful but not required. More important is your willingness to build and leverage networks on behalf of our organization. We commit to providing you with the necessary information, training, and tools to effectively represent our work and engage in fundraising activities.
Nonprofit governance and financial expertise: Experience in nonprofit governance and financial management, including fiduciary responsibilities, strategic oversight, budgeting, financial reporting, and investment and risk management. This experience is typically demonstrated through leadership roles in nonprofit or for-profit sectors, or consulting experience.
It would be beneficial in the role to have this qualification:
Legal and compliance knowledge: Legal background or expertise to manage legal risks, act as part-time in-house counsel, and ensure the organization meets its regulatory requirements.