The Women’s Foundation of Arkansas is seeking an Executive Director based in Little Rock, Arkansas to lead the organization. The selected candidate will report to the Board of Directors, and implement the organization’s strategies and goals in alignment with the mission and vision. The candidate will be the face of the organization, representing WFA in the public. The ideal candidate will:
- Have a college degree in a relevant field with 5 or more years of general managerial experience (human resources, operations, financial)
- Demonstrate a strong track record of fundraising and have a wide network within and outside the state
- Possess excellent knowledge of women’s and girls’ issues with a preference for the context for Arkansas
- Be a visionary and strategic thinker
- Have outstanding leadership and communications skills
Minimum qualifications: A bachelor’s degree and at least five years’ experience in a leadership role with demonstrated fundraising experience.
This position offers competitive pay and benefits. Deadline for applications August 29, 2015. Applications (cover letter and resumes) to [email protected].
Continue reading for complete job description.
Job Purpose
The Executive Director will have general supervision over the activities and operations of the Foundation subject to the authority of the Board of Directors. This position will have primary responsibility for establishing short and long term fundraising goals and development of strategies for effectively meeting these goals. The Executive Director shall serve on the Board and attend all meetings without the power to vote and will not be counted in determining quorum.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
The Executive Director will:
Leadership
- Participate with the Board of Directors in developing a vision and strategic plan to guide the organization
- Identify, assess, and inform the Board of Directors of internal and external issues affecting the organization
- Foster effective interaction between the Board and staff
- In partnership with the President of the Board, act as a spokesperson for the organization and represent the organization externally
Fundraising
- Direct all development activities to continually increase charitable contributions, grants, and gifts from individuals, organizations, corporations and foundations
- Work with staff to implement strategies generating revenue to support the organization’s mission and operations
- Oversee research of funding sources, development of fund raising activities, and writing of funding proposals to increase the funds and financial health of the organization
- Cultivate and maintain new and existing donors
Operations
- Develop annual operational plans which reflect the organization’s goals and objectives
- Ensure a high standard of operation of the organization
- Oversee the efficient and effective day-to-day operation of the organization
- Oversee the creation and implementation of organizational policies and procedures
- Maintain confidentiality of sensitive organizational information and data at all times
- Provide support to the Board by preparing meeting agenda, Executive Director’s report and supporting materials
Program planning and management
- Oversee the planning, implementation and evaluation of the organization’s programs and services
- Ensure the organization’s programs and services contribute to its mission and are delivered with the highest possible quality standards
- Oversee the planning, implementation, execution and evaluation of special projects
Human resources
- Determine staffing requirements for organizational management and program delivery
- Oversee the implementation of the human resources policies, procedures and practices including the development of job description for all staff
- Establish an ethical, positive, healthy and safe work environment in accordance with all applicable laws
- Recruit, select, orient and deploy qualified staff approved by the Board
- Provide management oversight for performance management, coaching, discipline, annual reviews and rewards
Financial Management
- Approve expenditures within the authority delegated by the Board
- Ensure proper, transparent bookkeeping and accounting practice
- Administer the funds according to the approved budget and monitor monthly cash flow
- Provide the Board with comprehensive, monthly reports on the revenues and expenditures of the organization
- Ensure the organization complies with all legislation covering taxation and withholding payments
- Work with staff and the Board (Treasurer/Finance Committee) to prepare a comprehensive budget
Community Relations/Advocacy
- Communicate with stakeholders to keep them informed of the work of the organization and to engage them in the organization’s mission
- Establish good working relationships and collaborative arrangements with community groups, founders, politicians, and other organizations to help achieve the goals of the organization
Risk management
- Identify and evaluate the risks to the organization’s people (clients, staff, management, volunteers), property, finances, goodwill, and image and implement measures to control risks
- Ensure the organization carries appropriate and adequate insurance coverage and the Board and staff understand the terms, conditions and limitations of their roles
Qualifications
Education
- University degree in a related field
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Working knowledge of all federal and state legislation applicable to voluntary sector organizations including human resources and financial management/compliance
- Knowledge of current community challenges and opportunities relating to the mission of WFA
- Basic knowledge of project management principles and practices
- Strong oral, written and electronic communications skills
- Experience in working with a Board of Directors
- Experience in conducting fundraising events and activities
- Skills recruitment and management of volunteers
- Proficiency in the use of computers for Word processing, financial management, E-mail and Internet
Other skills and Attributes
The Executive Director should demonstrate competence in some or all of the following:
- Adaptability: Demonstrate a willingness to be flexible, versatile and evolve in a changing environment
- Behave Ethically
- Build Relationships: Establish and maintain positive working relationships with others, both internally and externally
- Communicate Effectively: Speak, listen and write in a clear manner
- Creativity/Innovation: Develop new and unique ways to improve operations of the organization and to create new opportunities
- Focus on Client Needs: Anticipate, understand, and respond to the needs of internal and external clients to meet or exceed their expectations within the organizational parameters
- Foster Teamwork: Work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness
- Lead: Positively influence others to achieve results in the best interest of the organization
- Make Decisions: Assess situations to determine the importance, urgency and risks, and make clear decisions which are timely and in the best interests of the organization
- Organize: Set priorities, develop a work schedule, monitor progress of goals, and track details, data, information and activities
- Plan: Determine strategies to move the organization forward, set goals, create and implement actions plans, and evaluate the process and results
- Solve Problems: Assess problem situations to identify causes, gather and process relevant information, generate possible solutions, and make recommendations and/or resolve the problem
- Think Strategically: Assesses options and actions based on trends and conditions in the environment, and the vision and values of the organization set by the Board
Experience
- 5 or more years of progressive management experience in a voluntary sector organization
- Experience in fundraising and organizational fund development