Job Announcement - Executive Director

The Recreational Boating Association of Washington (RBAW) is a highly respected member-supported non-profitthat representsthe interests of Washington state boaters. RBAW members include individual boaters, yacht club organizations, and contributing member businesses. RBAW’s mission is to advocate for recreational boaters’ rights and interests, raise awareness and educate boaters and legislators, and preserve and grow boating infrastructure and opportunities for generations to come. 

As a 501c4 advocacy organization, RBAW maintains a healthy legislative agenda each year advocating on behalf of northwest boaters and effectively communicates new and pertinent information to our members throughout the year. RBAW was founded in 1956 to preserve one of the most iconic boating destinations in the world—Sucia Island—from private development. From this bold beginning, RBAW activities now center around advocacy, awareness, and the preservation and growth of boating opportunities while working on behalf of over 250,000 registered boaters and supporting the $9 billion Washington recreational boating industry. 

Over the past few years, RBAW has increased its programmatic scope to address additional bold opportunities, including buying the deteriorating Lakebay Marina and partnering closely with state agencies to secure funding to make this historic infrastructure the “next Sucia Island,” to develop and deliver a safety awareness campaign on Lake Union called MindTheZone, and to secure state funding for mobile wastewater pumpouts for recreational boats on summer weekends in the Puget Sound area.  RBAW has been successful with its strong volunteer leadership and the efforts of its 20-member volunteer Board with select contract employees and is now at an expansion point of finding its next Executive Director. This dynamic individual will enthusiastically raise awareness of the association, identify and implement new revenue streams and lead day-to-day operations in the efficient, scrappy, and professional culture that is RBAW. 

An ideal leader will use their experience and proven track record of success to drive RBAW through this period of growth and opportunity. With the support of an active President and Executive Committee, the Executive Director has a tremendous opportunity to grow the organization’s visibility and membership, geographic presence, and impact across the state, while owning the growth of revenue that will enable RBAW to increase its influence. For the right candidate, the opportunity to create statewide impact and to influence the priorities of RBAW is immense. 

Reporting to the RBAW President (and in close alignment with the other officers), the Executive Director will lead all sales, marketing and operational functions of RBAW; to include marketing campaigns and awareness activities, membership and revenue growth, membership administration and management, event coordination, database and website management and Board and committee support. This staff position will be anadvocate for recreational boating in the state by coordinating and supporting volunteer leaders to further RBAW’s mission and goals. A successful candidate will be passionate about recreational boating and likely have deep knowledge of, or experience with, marine trades, maritime industries or recreation associations. 

Above all, the Executive Director must be highly effective in a leadership role that requires excellent communication and presentation skills, strong interpersonal skills, be technically nimble, proactive, and have a willingness to learn and “roll up their sleeves” to support the organization in large and small ways. 

Objectives of this role 

• Increase the awareness of RBAW throughout the maritime industry, recreation organizations and directly with the recreational boater; be the main spokesperson for RBAW and face of the organization 

• Grow RBAW membership and revenue to include yacht club organizational membership revenue and implement new revenue streams from contributing member maritime and marine trade businesses 

• Develop and cultivate relationships with members, industry organizations, state agencies and the boating community to build trust and provide support and value 

• Run the daily operations of the organization to include membership management and communications, monthly newsletter generation, revenue collections, basic bookkeeping, grant billing and tracking, and process management and improvements 

• Manage to all revenue and expense budgets, to include local and state reimbursement grants and programs 

• Work closely with Board members and committees to assess and address issues affecting the organization 

Responsibilities 

• Create and execute on a focused marketing strategy to expand awareness of the RBAW mission to all Washington state recreational boaters and throughout the maritime industry and marine trades 

• Develop and execute an actionable membersip growth plan across all membership levels (individual, organizational, and contributing business memberships)  

• Ownership of key organizational data including membership database, website, and all electronic communications using membership management software, etc. to ensure current and accurate information 

• Manage logistics for industry, organizational,and marketing events to include annual Legislative Day, annual membership events, partner organization meetings, annual boat show presence, and future membership events 

• Support the Board of Directors, organizational member delegates, and committees with meeting logistics, materials, and action items arising from meetings 

• Manage existing contracts or future staff positions, and support organization’s contract lobbyist  

• Ensure compliance with organizational bylaws 

Preferred qualifications and experience 

• Driving impact outcomes and growing a non-profit or mission-oriented organization 

• Strong experience with managing a membership association, leading, evaluating and implementing membership growth, retention and engagement strategies 

• Strong experience in fundraising and revenue growth 

• Strong experience in using marketing campaigns, social media, industry events and educational materials to increase awareness of the RBAW mission and successes 

• Preferred experiencewith the marine trades, maritime industries, and/or the recreational boating industry 

• Three or more years of organizational management, contract or grant management experience, and high-level volunteer support 

• Experience in managing budgets, basic accounting functions, and proficiency with financial data and reports 

• Aptitude with Microsoft Office products, audio visual tools, membership management databases and website management software such as Wild Apricot, basic bookkeeping using QuickBooks or equivalent 

• Exceptional verbal, written, public speaking and visual communication skills 

• Knowledge of leadership and management principles for nonprofit organizations 

• Entrepreneurial and efficient mindset, with innovative approach to organizational and logistics planning 

• Dynamic and charismatic team player who enjoys being both the first point of contact and “glue” for an organization

 

Work Schedule 

General business hours of Monday through Friday 8am-5pm with flexible schedule adjusted for night and weekend membership events and organizational meetings. This position is remote requiring location in the Puget Sound region with frequent in-person events and meeting attendance required in Seattle and throughout the state.  

Compensation  

This is a full-time exempt staff position with an annual salary of $70,000 - $85,000 depending on experience. Generous paid time off and health benefits. 

Application Process 

Please submit a resume and letter of interest (noting specifically how you heard of the position and any boating or maritime background) to info@rbaw.org. The position will be open until filled. 

 RBAW believes in equal access and opportunity to anyone who qualifies, regardless of sex, race, age, color, religion, mental or physical disability, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression and/or military status. RBAW is an equal opportunity employer who believes every employee has the right to work in surroundings that are free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and does not tolerate any unlawful discrimination or harassment.