Executive Director

Company Description

Discover Life in America (DLiA) is a 501(c)(3) non‑profit organization based in and focused on the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The organization connects communities and scientists to discover, understand, and conserve the natural world, with a strong emphasis on biodiversity research and public engagement. DLiA’s flagship project, the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI), is a pioneering collaboration with the National Park Service to document every species in the park, an estimated 60,000–80,000 forms of life.

Through its scientific research, educational programs, and community‑science volunteer opportunities, DLiA shares discoveries with both scientists and the broader public. Its work has become a global model for biodiversity inventories and conservation collaboration.

The Executive Director is a full-time, hybrid position located in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Gatlinburg, TN), responsible for leading Discover Life in America’s strategy, operations, and community impact. This role oversees program development and delivery, including the ATBI, educational initiatives, and community‑science activities, ensuring alignment with the organization’s mission and goals. The Executive Director manages staff and volunteers, guides fundraising and development efforts, maintains relationships with donors and partners, and oversees budgets, reporting, and compliance.

Daily responsibilities include supervising program execution, coordinating with the National Park Service and research partners, representing DLiA in meetings and public events, and communicating the organization’s work to diverse audiences. The role also involves board engagement, long‑term planning, and organizational development to sustain and expand DLiA’s impact.

• Education. A master’s degree is preferred, particularly in life sciences, nonprofit management, science communication, or a related field that combines scientific understanding with organizational leadership.

• Scientific literacy sufficient to engage credibly with biodiversity, ecology, and related scientific domains.
• Experience leading or managing a nonprofit organization, small enterprise, or similarly complex operation, including personnel supervision, conflict management, root‑cause problem solving, and setting and supporting clear performance expectations.
• A proven ability to manage and support a small, diverse staff team.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated experience communicating scientific concepts to varied audiences.
• A communication style that is candid and direct when appropriate, while consistently grounded in professionalism, respect, and emotional self‑regulation, even in politically charged contexts.
• Demonstrated strategic‑thinking capacity and experience in vision setting, strategic planning, and execution.
• Financial and operational management experience, including comfort operating within evolving and sometimes uncertain funding environments.
• A strong record of developing and sustaining cross‑sector partnerships.
• Documented fundraising experience, including success in securing and managing multiple, diversified funding sources.
• Proficiency with basic office applications and cloud‑based tools for word processing, spreadsheets, data entry, project management, and shared document workflows (e.g., Monday, Microsoft, Google Docs).
• Demonstrated ability to use social media platforms effectively for engagement, marketing, fundraising, and storytelling.
• The physical capacity to perform essential functions of the job, including lifting up to 40 pounds (e.g., field equipment).

• Nonprofit leaders in environmental or conservation organizations.
• Scientists or science communicators with management and fundraising experience.
• Directors of small research institutes, field programs, or place‑based NGOs.
• Professionals with hybrid experience across science, education, and nonprofit leadership.
• Regional awareness (Southern Appalachia) is a strong advantage, though not required.

at 5:00 PM Eastern.

Notice:
Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States; DLiA complies with all state and federal E‑Verify requirements. This position may require the successful completion of a public records check, consistent with applicable state and federal laws.