Riversport in Oklahoma City is the premier water sports and outdoor adventures campus located in the United States. Riversport is an outdoor adventure and recreation center located along the Oklahoma River with diverse experiences at each of its three locations: the Boathouse District east of downtown, Lake Overholser and Lake Hefner. It offers a variety of activities, including whitewater rafting, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and rowing. The facility is also known for its extensive adventure courses, which include a zip line, a high ropes course, a sky trail, and a rock-climbing wall.
Riversport Adventures is part of the larger Boathouse District, which is a hub for water sports and outdoor activities in Oklahoma City. The facility also hosts competitive events, such as rowing regattas and dragon boat races, and offers training opportunities for athletes.
The RIVERSPORT Foundation in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma has a mission to build community through rowing and paddlesports. Their mission is to: inspire excellence, enhance communities, and change lives. 

The foundation's goals include: 

• Engage the community through (youth through seniors) in
  • Rowing
  • Dragon Boat
  • Flat water kayak
  • White water kayak
  • White water canoe slalom
• Training Olympic hopefuls 
• Supporting adaptive athletes 
• Developing a healthier, more active community 

In addition to its core offering, the foundation offers a variety of activities, including:  Stand up paddle boarding, Zip lining, Rock climbing, and Youth outreach programs. 

The foundation is also an official US Olympic and Paralympic Training Site, providing support for Olympic hopefuls training in rowing and canoe/kayak. The OKC National High Performance Center has a major objective of identifying athletes who have the potential to represent the United States at the World Rowing Championships and Olympic Games. The center hosts ID camps throughout the year to assess the ability of potential athletes. 

The foundation is also working to break down financial and cultural barriers for Black urban youth sports culture. They are creating new scholarship opportunities and working with leaders in the Black community to invite youth ages 12 to 18 to learn more about rowing

The RIVERSPORT Foundation has been a catalyst for the development of Oklahoma City’s Boathouse District via a mix of public and private partnerships that began in 2005. In the years since, RIVERSPORT and its partners have created:

• A $100M world-class development on the once-blighted Oklahoma River featuring architecturally-striking boathouses, a centerpiece for OKC Convention and Visitor’s Bureau marketing
• An array of adventure and Olympic sports including rowing, canoe/kayak, surfing, skiing, a bike park, a six-story adventure course, zip lines, climbing, high speed slides and a $45M whitewater center via MAPS 3 funding that attracts visitors from across the nation
• A US Olympic & Paralympic Training Site
• More than $20M in annual economic impact in post-pandemic 2021 with projected annual economic impact of $28.8M by 2029*
• An international racing venue that brings world events to the Oklahoma River, including the 2024 Olympic Team Trials and a 2026 World Championship – the only World Championship to ever be held in Oklahoma City
• Quality of life impact that helps attract and retain a qualified workforce, encourages new business to relocate to Oklahoma City, and provides outreach to Oklahoma City’s underserved youth, disabled athletes, Oklahoma City First Responders, and military veterans

 

Opportunity

The Riversport Foundation has retained Mackenzie Eason to help with the recruitment of their next Executive Director. The new Executive Director will help shepherd Riversport into the next phase by building the next generation of Riversport programming and plan for a post-Olympics to maintain the one-of-a-kind campus for Oklahoma City.

Riversport currently has a staff of forty (40) full-time staff, including the Executive Director, COO, Controller, Assistant Controller. The budget for 2024 includes revenue of approximately $9 million and expenses of $7.9 million. 

RIVERSPORT OKC is a project of the RIVERSPORT Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation that gives people the opportunity to get more out of life through rowing, paddle sports and outdoor recreation. You’ll find RIVERSPORT downtown in the Boathouse District on the Oklahoma River and on the west side of the city at Lake Overholser.

At RIVERSPORT, we believe enjoying the outdoors is at the center of living a healthy, active lifestyle and have developed RIVERSPORT’s rowing, paddling and recreational experiences to get people out of the ordinary and into experiences that are extraordinary.

We also believe fitness and healthy lifestyles should be at the core of everyday life and encourage people from ages 8 to 80 to find a sport, a passion, a pursuit they can continue for a lifetime.
 

Job Duties

The CEO and Executive Director of the Riversport Foundation serves as the chief executive officer of the organization and is responsible for the overall strategic, operational, and financial leadership of the foundation. The CEO and Executive Director will ensure the fulfillment of the foundation's mission to provide world-class recreational, competitive, and experiential opportunities related to outdoor water sports, adventure sports, and other outdoor activities. This leader will work closely with the Board of Directors, staff, community partners, and stakeholders to advance the foundation’s goals and maintain its role as a leading organization in outdoor recreation and community engagement.
Key Responsibilities:
Leadership and Strategy:

• Develop and implement the strategic vision and long-term goals of the Riversport Foundation in collaboration with the Board of Directors.
• Lead, mentor, and inspire a diverse team of staff and volunteers, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and accountability.
• Serve as the primary spokesperson and advocate for the foundation, representing the organization at local, national, and international levels.

Fundraising and Financial Management:

• Oversee the foundation’s financial performance, ensuring the organization’s financial health and sustainability.
• Develop and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies, including donor cultivation, grant writing, corporate sponsorships, and major fundraising events.
• Ensure sound financial practices, including budgeting, financial reporting, and risk management, in alignment with the foundation's goals.

Program Development and Operations:

• Oversee the design, implementation, and evaluation of all programs and services, ensuring they align with the foundation’s mission and serve the needs of the community.
• Drive innovation in program offerings, enhancing the foundation’s impact and reputation as a leader in outdoor recreation and adventure sports.
• Ensure operational efficiency across all departments, including human resources, facilities management, marketing, and public relations.
• Ensure that the Riversport brand is clear and well-executed - in the organization and the community through all our messaging and touchpoints.

Facilities Management:

• Oversee the maintenance, safety, and enhancement of all Riversport Foundation facilities, ensuring they are well-maintained, secure, and aligned with the organization’s standards and goals.
• Develop and implement strategies for facility upgrades, renovations, and new construction projects that support the foundation’s mission and growth.

Strategic Partnerships:

• Identify, cultivate, and maintain strategic partnerships with local, regional, and national organizations, government agencies, and businesses to advance the foundation’s mission.
• Collaborate with partners to develop joint initiatives, programs, and projects that enhance the foundation’s impact and visibility.
• Leverage partnerships to secure additional resources, funding, and opportunities for the foundation’s growth and sustainability.

Community and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including community leaders, government agencies, donors, sponsors, and partner organizations.
• Promote the foundation’s programs and services to a broad audience, increasing visibility and community engagement.
• Collaborate with local and regional organizations to enhance the impact of the foundation’s initiatives and foster partnerships that support mutual goals.

Board Relations:

• Work closely with the Board of Directors to support governance activities, including strategic planning, policy development, and board recruitment.
• Provide regular updates to the board on organizational performance, challenges, and opportunities.
• Serve as a key resource to the board in matters related to the foundation’s mission, strategy, and operations.

Skills and Attributes:

• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into actionable plans.
• Strategic Planner who can work with the Board to set a clear direction for the organization and align employees, partners, and the community with that plan.
  • Ensure all programs have a plan that includes:
    • Vision
    • 3-Year Goals
    • Revenue Model (self-generating or development-based)
    • Resource Plan
    • Long-term engagement with Riversport Community
• Expertise in operational management, including facilities management and project management, with experience overseeing construction projects. Ensure the foundation delivers high-quality programs consistently and scalable.
• Financial acumen with a track record of managing complex budgets. A Deep understanding of the numbers and the story they tell, enabling the board and the organization to achieve its aspirations and weather economic cycles.
• Marketing – Understanding of the importance of brand, messaging consistency, engagement, strategy, and tactics.
• Development – Understanding of how to build a powerful development system.
• Board management, engagement, and communication.
• Emotional Intelligence – able to unite the organization, inspire, and build a high-functioning team.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills with the ability to inspire and motivate others.
• Excellent communication and public speaking abilities.
• Ability to build and maintain strategic partnerships that support organizational goals.
• Passion for outdoor recreation, adventure sports, and community service.
• Ability to work effectively in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.

 

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate for the CEO and Executive Director of the Riversport Foundation is a passionate and visionary leader with a deep appreciation for rowing, paddle sports, and their transformative impact on communities. They bring over a decade of executive leadership experience in nonprofit management, demonstrating comprehensive expertise across fundraising, financial management, strategic planning, and operations. This self-directed, entrepreneurial leader thrives on innovation, with a strong ability to inspire and mentor teams while fostering a culture of collaboration and accountability. They possess excellent communication skills and are comfortable serving as a public spokesperson, representing the foundation with confidence and clarity. The ideal candidate is skilled in actively listening, building coalitions, and forging strategic partnerships that advance the foundation’s mission. They bring robust financial acumen and analytical skills, ensuring sound financial stewardship and sustainable growth. With a demonstrated commitment to community engagement, the candidate is poised to drive the foundation’s success and elevate its role as a leader in outdoor and adventure sports. The ideal candidate is also experienced in working with a board of directors and engaging with diverse stakeholders, making them well-suited to lead the foundation in achieving its mission and long-term goals.


Education:Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Nonprofit Management, Recreation Management, Construction Management, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.

• Experience: Minimum of 10 years of senior leadership experience in nonprofit management with a track record of effective leadership in an outcomes-based organization/program; preferably within outdoor recreation, sports, facilities management, or related fields.

Experience:

• Proven experience in fundraising, financial management, strategic planning, and managing construction projects.
• Demonstrated success in leading and developing high-performing teams.
• Experience working with a board of directors and engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Experience in offering coached athletic/wellness programs to youth and adults.
• Experience in blended revenue generating/nonprofit work is ideal.

 

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