Executive Director

• Position Type: Full-Time Exempt (Salaried; 40+ hours/week)
• Schedule: Collaboration across multiple time zones; flexible hours required
• Compensation Range: $100,000 - $125,000 USD;Commensurate with experience and aligned with nonprofit sector standards
• Location: Remote, with some seasonal travel required
• Reports to: IFSABoard of Directors

OUR ORGANIZATION

International Freeskiers & Snowboarders Association (IFSA) is the sanctioning body for big mountain freeride competition in North and South America. IFSA provides a clear progression pathway from early development of junior athletes through adulthood. With input from its members, IFSA sets sanctioning guidelines for event hosting, execution and judging to ensure consistent competitions and represents the needs, interests, and safety of freeride competitors. IFSA pursues every opportunity to enable athletes to compete, learn, train, progress, have fun, and safely achieve their freeriding goals. All decisions and actions shall be made in accordance with the IFSA Mission.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Executive Director (ED) is the senior leader of IFSA and is responsible for guiding the long-term strategic direction, financial sustainability, and global partnerships of the organization. The ED works closely with the Board of Directors; the Director and Manager of Sport, Operations and Partnerships, Brand, and Digital Media to strengthen governance, secure resources, strengthen IFSA’s governance in the future of the industry internationally, and support the continued growth of the freeride ecosystem.

The ED provides leadership across strategy, fundraising, external relations, and organizational development while ensuring strong alignment between board priorities and staff execution. This role is responsible for cultivating high-level partnerships, advancing IFSA’s mission, maintaining non-profit compliance, and ensuring the long term health and stability of the organization.

OUR LEADERSHIP VALUES

The ED serves as a steward of IFSA’s culture and community across multiple countries and stakeholder groups. We seek a leader who understands that strong performance and strong relationships are not competing priorities, but interdependent ones.

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Integrity and ethical judgment in both governance and operational decision-making
• Compassion, active listening, and the ability to build trust and productive relationships among athletes, partners, staff, advisors, and board members
• Sound political judgment across complex, multi-stakeholder environments
• Patience, perseverance, and self-awareness as a leader; ability to manage vision and purpose while maintaining operational discipline, planning accuracy, and collaborative relationships that foster team unity
• Proven ability to mentor staff and guide career development in alignment with IFSA's objectives
• Understanding of competitive sport ecosystem dynamics within the outdoor winter sports and youth/adult competition environment, including athletes, coaches, officials, event organizers, and partners
• Experience leading an organization through periods of dynamic growth - including fluctuating resources, expanding scope, and operational and governance demands

As a cross-regional organization operating across four countries, IFSA values leaders who prioritize team cohesion, clarity of purpose, and transparent communication while honoring regional nuance and cultural differences.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership & Governance

• Lead the development and implementation of IFSA’s multi-year strategic plan in collaboration with the board of directors
• Serve as the primary liaison between the board and staff, ensuring alignment between organizational strategy and day-to-day execution
• Support Board governance practices, committee operations, and policy development
• Represent IFSA in high-profile partnerships, meetings, and industry discussions

Financial Strategy & Sustainability

• Develop and oversee long-term financial plans to ensure organizational sustainability
• Lead fundraising, sponsorship, and grant initiatives, including relationship management with donors, partners, and sponsors
• Supervise annual budget development and financial reporting in collaboration with the Director of Operations and Treasurer of the Board
• Ensure compliance with nonprofit financial and legal obligations

External Relations & Partnership Development

• Serve as the primary spokesperson for IFSA and its mission
• Build relationships with National Snowsport Associations, corporate partners, and global freeride organizations
• Strengthen partnerships that enhance athlete pathways, visibility, and community impact
• Elevate IFSA’s position within the broader snowsports industry

Organizational & Staff Development

• Foster a healthy, collaborative organizational culture grounded in IFSA values
• Oversee staff development, performance management, and succession planning
• Ensure that all directors and employees are supported in delivering their departments’ objectives
• Promote clear communication and cohesion across departments

Fundraising & Advancement

• Lead the development of diversified revenue streams through sponsorships, partnerships, grants, and philanthropic giving
• Work with marketing and communications teams to articulate IFSA’s impact and attract external investment
• Identify and pursue new funding opportunities to expand programs and global initiatives

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship
• Must currently reside in the United States
• Must hold a valid passport and be authorized to travel internationally throughout employment
• Must hold a valid driver’s license
• Must consent to a background check and U.S. Center for SafeSport certification upon offer
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in business, nonprofit management, sport management, law, or related field preferred
• Minimum 5 years of leadership experience in a nonprofit, sports, or outdoor industry organization
• Minimum 3 years working directly with a nonprofit board of directors, including strategic planning contributions and governance-level reporting
• Demonstrated experience leading at least one multi-year strategic plan (3+ year horizon) with measurable objectives and defined performance tracking
• Minimum 3 years of fundraising leadership involving gifts, sponsorships, grants, or donor relationships, with documented responsibility for annual revenue targets of at least $250,000 ($1Mpreferred)
• Minimum 3 years overseeing annual operating budgets of $1M+, including financial reporting, forecasting, and long-term planning
• Minimum 3 years as a primary organizational representative in external meetings, partnership negotiations, or formal reporting to boards and major stakeholders
• Minimum 3 years managing cross-functional or geographically distributed teams, including supervision and performance management

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in snowsports, action sports, or outdoor industries
• Familiarity with athlete development pathways or competition progression systems
• Demonstrated experience leading an organization or department through sustained growth or restructuring, including measurable increases in budget, staff, program scope, or geographic reach, while maintaining operational and governance stability
• Experience managing international or multi-regional partnerships involving distinct governance, legal, or cultural contexts
• Bilingual in English and Spanish, or English and French

BENEFITS

• Flexible remote arrangement with occasional in-person collaboration and on-site presence at events
• Annual home office stipend
• Annual health care stipend
• Paid time off
• Free IFSA membership with associated industry discounts and on-mountain benefits at events

This is a rare opportunity to lead a growing international organization at a pivotal moment: shaping the future of freeride competition, building global partnerships, and working alongside a team that genuinely cares about athletes and community.

Pay: $100,000.00 - $125,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Paid time off

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)
• Passport, Ability to Travel in the US and internationally (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Denver, CO 80281