Executive Director of Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center

Goshen College is a Christian liberal arts institution that prepares students to thrive in life, leadership and service. We strive to model an inclusive community committed to transformative justice, peace, and sustainability. A respect and appreciation of the Anabaptist
- Mennonite faith perspective and practices, and a commitment to the mission, vision, core values and community standards of Goshen College, are important for teaching and administrative faculty members.

The Executive Director guides the development of educational and public programming, takes leadership for collaborative strategic planning, budget preparation, long-range financial planning, and master planning at Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center. The Executive Director leads the advancement work for Merry Lea by pursuing diverse funding opportunities, in coordination with Goshen College Advancement and Grants Office. The Executive Director is responsible for the staffing and personnel of Merry Lea and to create a positive work environment.

The Executive Director is Merry Lea’s representative in campus affairs, community relations, and promotion of the center and its programs within the campus community, the faith community, and nationally. The Executive Director reports regularly to the Merry Lea Board of Trustees and is supervised by Goshen College’s Vice President for Academic Affairs. Depending on academic qualifications, the Executive Director may be considered for a faculty appointment in the Goshen College Biology Department.

• Administrative responsibilities:
  • Lead the planning and programming for Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center based on the mission statement and congruent with the mission of Goshen College.
  • Provide leadership for faculty and staff of Merry Lea, including professional development planning and coordinating annual evaluations for all staff.
  • Provide supervision for all team members, with direct supervision of directors and administrative personnel.
  • Lead the preparation of the annual budget for Merry Lea, including income, operations, capital expenditures and development.
  • Serve as ex-officio member of the Merry Lea Board of Trustees and the Rieth Foundation Trust Advisory Committee. Prepare agenda, materials and minutes for these meetings in collaboration with the board chair.
  • Monitor the established annual budget including coordination with Goshen College Office of Finance and Merry Lea Board of Trustees.
  • Gather programmatic data and prepare regular reports for Goshen College and the Merry Lea Board of Trustees, including an annual report to the VPAA.
  • Coordinate vendors that provide service to Merry Lea.
  • Oversee public information releases such as press releases, newsletters and website updates.
• Advancement:
  • Promote the interests of Merry Lea to local, regional and national audiences at professional meetings, donor functions and other venues for constituents.
  • Coordinate with the Vice President of Advancement at Goshen College donor initiatives and capital projects.
  • Coordinate with the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Director of Grants regarding grant proposals and awards.
  • Coordinate with the Merry Lea Board to provide leadership for capital campaigns and other fund-raising activities, both planning and execution.
  • Contact major donors for the Merry Lea annual fund and capital fund.
  • Assist with planning and implementation of Merry Lea donor events.
  • Represent Merry Lea on relevant boards and committees.
• Work closely with the Biology department chair to provide coordination of academic processes with Goshen College, supporting academic innovations, research and teaching at Merry Lea.
• Promote Merry Lea’s academic interest with the campus community through supporting faculty in collaborative teaching, service and research.
• Assist other Goshen College departments with planning for use of Merry Lea’s facilities or instructors.
• Develop partnerships and articulation agreements with other colleges and institutions who are interested in having students and researchers participate in programing at Merry Lea.
• Assist with recruiting faculty and staff for…