Loading...

Executive Director, Gorilla Doctors

University of California, Davis

Davis, California

Job Type Permanent
Salary $99,000 - $196,000 per year
Benefits Full (health, dental, vision, retirement)
Deadline Jul 31, 2025
Experience 7+ years

Gorilla Doctors, a US-based non-profit organization (registered as MGVP, Inc.) that conserves wild eastern gorillas through life-saving veterinary medicine and science using a One Health approach is recruiting a full-time Executive Director to lead the Gorilla Doctors organization, with responsibility for non-profit management, strategic planning, fundraising, board stewardship, human resources, medicine, and science. The position is based at the Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center Director at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Preferred qualifications include a DVM/VMD/BVSc degree, additional advanced degree training (MSc or PhD) in a related field or business, and/or Board certification and 15+ years of leadership experience in wildlife conservation, and/or in non-profit organization structure, management, and operations.  

Additional information: In close coordination with, and supervision of, Chief Veterinary & Scientific, Development, and Communications Officers, the Executive Director shall:

  • Provide overall, global leadership for MGVP, Inc. to ensure timely, high-quality and effective achievement of the organization’s mission; 
  • Supervise and support the Chiefs and the Administrators, ensuring that their work is of highest-achievable quality;
  • Cultivate and maintain relationships and partnerships between the organization and the governmental entities with jurisdiction over eastern gorillas, and with non-governmental organizations focused on gorilla animal and human health and conservation;
  • Ensure full compliance of the organization with all permitting authorities and agencies (regional, national and international), non-profit organization general best practices, and internal organizational rules, protocols and procedures;
  • Raise all necessary funding to ensure the sustained operations of MGVP, Inc.: identify and solicit funding to support Gorilla Doctors, including grant-writing, donor cultivation and stewardship, reporting, and participation in fundraising planning and events;
  • Serve as chief liaison with the MGVP, Inc. Board of Directors and Advisory Council, as appropriate and necessary for gaining the guidance and expert advice of the Boards for the benefit of all aspects of MGVP, Inc;
  • Manage the organizational annual budget, including monthly and annual budget reports from the Administrators of the country-based teams; ensure best financial practices are adhered to by all staff.
HOW TO APPLY

A position description and instructions for applying can be found here. Applications must be submitted to UC Davis and applications received by July 31 will receive first consideration. The position will be open until filled. Questions may be directed to the Gorilla Doctors Executive Director: kvgilardi@ucdavis.edu or kvgilardi@gorilladoctors.org.

When you apply, please indicate that you are responding to the posting on Conservation Job Board.

Category Admin & Leadership, Wildlife
Tags Outreach