About RINLA
The Rhode Island Nursery and Landscape Association (RINLA), founded in 1919, is a 501(c)6 professional trade association that serves the green industry and promotes environmental stewardship, representing a $2.5 billion industry.  RINLA advances the welfare of its members through education, legislative representation, certification, support in the marketing of green industry goods and services, and collaboration with allied interests/associations. RINLA members play a vital and integral role in a sustainable Rhode Island and will continue to explore new territory in sustainable agriculture and livable communities.

For further information, please visit www.rinla.org.

The Position

RINLA is seeking a talented, hands-on, experienced Executive Director with strong leadership skills, a passion for the green industry who can inspire its members, business affiliates, key stake holders and supporters and achieve its goals. The Executive Director is adaptable, collaborative, inclusive, responsive and results driven. The executive must be visible and effective across diverse constituencies such as landscape maintenance, landscape design, landscape contractors, and arborist/tree care businesses, and further grow RINLA’s reputation and impact.

This key leadership role in RINLA provides advice on new opportunities and reports on the progress of current programs to the elected Board of Directors. 

The Executive Director’s multiple responsibilities as outlined in the Job Responsibilities, including implementation of RINLA's strategic plan set forth by the elected Board of Directors. 

The Executive Director works closely with staff to provide leadership and oversight across programs and membership offerings.  The position is responsible for budgets, human resource services, industry advocacy, training and membership support, workforce development programs, grants management, professional development of its members, and recruiting initiatives. 

The Executive Director will encourage networking and collaboration among our members and staff, providing support and resources for them to grow in their fields and lead members to their own innovative ideas and achievements.

RINLA members value a leader with unique points of view and life experiences, and welcomes candidates with a wide range of cultural, personal, and professional backgrounds, life experiences, talents, and skills.

 
The Executive Director reports to an elected Board of Directors, works closely with them to advance the organization’s annual goals, and has several direct reports. This is a hybrid position, will require travel within the State of Rhode Island, and occasional work during evenings and weekends, located in Warwick, RI.

Job Responsibilities:

• This is a full time, calendar year, flexible position with generally 3 days in person in the office, including occasional evening and weekend work.
• Must be available to attend and participate in all RINLA and industry events.
• Serve as the RINLA Board representative in public forums.
• In partnership with the Board, leads the implementation of the RINLA Strategic Plan.
• Provide consistent outreach and contact with multiple industry sectors to advance RINLA programming.
• Use metrics to show progress in annual and multi-year goals
• Critical duties include:
  • Establish the strategy and timeline for successful implementation of the Strategic Plan.
  • Develop a staffing plan and budget to continue current programs to benefit members and attract new members.
  • Elevate the visibility and professional reputation of RINLA as measured by membership growth.
  • Collaborate with the Board, RINLA members and community leaders to enhance the benefit of the organization.
    • Prepare statements for press, outreach and legislative needs.
    • Work creatively and collaboratively with employees and Board members to enhance brand recognition and quality.
    • Demonstrate commitment to the diverse approaches and philosophies of the RINLA member businesses.
    • Effectively sets priorities and delegates staff duties.
    • Ensure accurate record keeping and maintenance of archives
    • Leads and manages staff effectively.
    • Fosters a sense of partnership between the different industry sectors.

Salary range from $70,000 to $80,000,  commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Application instructions

The Rhode Island Nursery and Landscape Association is committed to building a diverse professional community and encourages members of underrepresented groups to apply.  Experience that contributes to the diversity of the industry is appreciated.

When reviewing candidates, we are looking for indicators of a number of core competencies. Prospective candidates must have strong leadership skills, be adaptable, collaborative, inclusive, respectful, responsive and results driven. They must communicate effectively, demonstrate leadership, exhibit professional integrity and ethics, take initiative, value personal and professional development. They will engage with the general membership and Board members as well develop the staff.

If you have strong leadership skills, and if this position speaks to your capabilities, experience and commitment, and  if you want to make a difference in the growth and success of an outstanding association with a great mission and engaged membership, please submit your resume and cover letter with salary expectations and with Executive Director title in the subject line to jobs@kkandp.com.

Qualified candidates will be contacted by phone and/or email. RINLA conducts reference checks for finalists.

RINLA is an EOE/AA employer

Qualifications:

Required

• An undergraduate degree or combination of life experience and education.
• Minimum 3-5 years involvement in a professional or trade association.
• 5+ years of supervisory management experience.
• Experience working collaboratively across multiple disciplines and perspectives in both private and public sectors.
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills.
• Experience using metrics and analytics to help guide decision making.
• Strong budgeting and business management skills and understanding of Profit and Loss statements with the ability to mentor board members.
• Experience with grant writing, development and management.
• Strong project management skills and respect for multiple deadlines.
• Excellent listening skills.
• Bridge building leadership skills, creating common ground of the different business sectors of RINLA’s membership.
• Lead and evaluate goals for RINLA’s strategic plan.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and demonstrated ability to effective public speaking.
• Promote mentorship of staff and members.
• Solutions driven.
• Demonstrated ability of public speaking and effective communication.
• Embrace RINLA’s vision statement, “Rooted in tradition, growing for the future.”

Preferred

• Hold an undergraduate degree in green industry fields.
• Teaching and outreach expertise.
• Experience in an executive leadership role in an industry organization.
• A history of working effectively with a Board of Directors.
• Experience developing, implementing, and evaluating a strategic plan for an organization
• Legislative experience.