President/CEO [The Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences, Buffalo, NY]

PRESIDENT/CEO

The Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences

The Current Situation

The Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences (the Society) is a non-profit, regionally-based educational institution dedicated to leveraging its exhibits and collection to improve science literacy. This goal is accomplished through two locations managed by the Society: The Buffalo Museum of Science and Tifft Nature Preserve.

With the completion of its experience master plan in December 2010, the Buffalo Museum of Science team has been pursuing a level of transformative change within the Museum of Science building that has not been seen since the building was first built in 1929. This transformation began in March 2012 with the opening of its first science studio, Explore YOU. Science studios are interactive, hands-on environments with changing content that are aimed to engage visitors in a way relevant to today’s audience. Through successful capital campaign efforts, the Museum has raised $6.1 million against a goal of $7.2 million. As of October 2015, the Museum has updated seven of the eight science studios with the final studio being the enhancement of 4th floor exhibit space focused on Flight and Aerospace and the restoration and renovation of the historic Observatory that has not been open to the public since 1999. This final science studio is anticipated to open in June 2016.

Transformative change has also been accomplished at Tifft Nature Preserve. An active preserve management plan was established in 2009 and the goals of this plan are achieved annually. Sustainable energy has been highlighted through the installation of a geothermal HVAC system and solar panels. In 2014, a new 3,000 square-foot building addition was built to service the demand of public and school group programs. This addition has already proven to be an effective investment and has enabled an increase to its programmatic and outreach efforts. Active planning for storm water management, additional parking, native landscaping, outdoor educational features, aesthetic improvements to the existing building and a new exhibit space are all in the works.

The Society has been building strong momentum under its most recent leadership. With much of its capital program raised and a positive financial outlook, a loyal and supportive Board of Managers, a dedicated and motivated staff, and a mission that inspires curiosity through exploration, the next President and CEO will have an opportunity to grow and lead the organization to attain higher levels of recognition and creative achievement, and remain relevant in a community of robust alternative artistic and cultural activities.

Experience/Qualifications

The Board is seeking dynamic candidates from a variety of settings including (but not limited to) successful entrepreneurial ventures, corporations, high-profile nonprofits, and educational institutions who meet the highest level of these key requirements:

Strong strategic skills – a forward-thinking leader who has the proven ability to creatively exploit new technology and creative strategies to drive business success.

Operational business acumen – appreciates how important operations are to the success and reputation of the institution; possess business and financial experience to ensure healthy financial operations in a customer-focused, high-transaction environment. A true leader – asks the right questions while empowering the team.

An orientation and willingness to be a fundraiser – capacity to build a culture of philanthropy by cultivating corporate sponsors, soliciting major gifts from individuals, stewarding existing donor networks, and building a pipeline of new supporters.

Outstanding leadership and communication skills – proven ability to inspire and lead both internally and externally.

Passion for the mission and focus on the customer – a record of being fully committed to advancing education, particularly STEM – inspiring minds in all sectors of the community.

Active management experience – a history of assembling, developing, motivating, and leading teams of highly-talented individuals.

An advanced degree or equivalent professional experience is preferred.

Additional required qualities and competencies include:

• A minimum of 10 years of executive experience in increasingly responsible leadership positions in a complex organization.
• Creativity and boldness to ensure a compelling visitor experience and nationally recognized programming and engagement in relevant discourse.
• A solid understanding of how to leverage emerging digital technologies and an appreciation of its importance to engaging key audiences. Knowledge of and comfort level with the media is desirable.
• A relationship builder with a high degree of organizational and political sophistication. Innovative and able to think beyond typical sources to identify new funding opportunities and sources of contributed and earned income.
• Proven financial and administrative skills; experience in strategic planning, resource development and allocation, and managing limited resources effectively.
• A skilled, passionate communicator who can represent the Society effectively to a variety of external audiences; able to articulate the mission in a compelling, inspirational way.
• An open-minded, consultative leader with superb listening skills. Open to new ideas, yet firm and decisive when faced with critical situations.
• Superb interpersonal and team-building skills for fostering key internal and external relationships. S/he must possess personal dynamism, able to demonstrate immediate credibility and command the respect of multiple constituencies, both internally and externally. The President and CEO must be articulate and at ease with others, find enjoyment in networking and making friends for the Society and become an active member of the Buffalo Niagara regional community.
• Excellent judgment combined with high emotional intelligence. Ability to work collaboratively and build consensus with a wide range of constituents (i.e., Board, staff, leaders of other organizations and companies, elected officials, foundations, and the general public) to build support and relationships consistent with the mission.
• Successful track record for attracting, developing, empowering, and retaining a high-performing, motivated staff.
• Comfortable and effective in many settings – from creating, nurturing, and building relationships with major donors to providing wise and caring leadership among staff in nuts-and-bolts operations meetings.
• An entrepreneurial spirit with a record of integrity and results.

The Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences is an equal opportunity employer.

Application Process

The Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences has retained

the executive search firm of Korn Ferry to assist in the search.

Please email nominations and applications (resume and cover letter) to:

Naree W.S. Viner, Principal 

Email: buffaloscience@kornferry.com

Requirements