Company Name: PenMet Foundation
Skill Level: Experienced
Position Type: Executive Director
Description
The Executive Director (ED) is a full‐time position. The ED will collaborate with the Board of Directors and Committees of the Foundation to develop and execute organizational development goals and fundraising plans, which include donor cultivation, membership development, event management, and fundraising initiatives to support the Foundation’s strategic plan. The Executive Director plays a leadership role in organizational development by working closely with the President, Board of Directors and others from the organization’s Advisory Board participating in project‐based planning.
This position is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic leader to work with a strong Board and lead the organization forward in meeting its short‐term goals and building its foundation to assure its long‐term capacity to meet the needs of the community. The Executive Director works directly with and receives primary guidance from the President and the Executive Committee.
About the Foundation
The PenMet Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) non‐profit organization, was established to enhance the general health and well‐being of Washington’s greater Gig Harbor Peninsula and surrounding area by ensuring that all citizens have access to a diversity of recreational, educational and cultural activities in parks across the greater peninsula region. Today, we are recruiting for an Executive Director with the vision and skill to help take the organization forward toward becoming one of the most successful park and community‐oriented initiatives in the region.
Responsibilities include: guiding the development and implementation of the Foundation's strategic plan; designing and implementing fundraising and membership development strategies; identifying and developing opportunities to raise funds from diverse sources; recruiting individuals to serve on the Committees of the Foundation; and working with the Board to develop and implement a communications and marketing strategy.
The Executive Director will also work to develop opportunities to build endowment assets, develop programs, and expand community leadership initiatives. The successful candidate must be entrepreneurial, highly organized, self‐motivated, a team builder, and a strong communicator of the Foundation’s visions.
The Opportunity
Since its founding in May 2006, the day‐to‐day operations of the Foundation have been directed by the organization’s President in coordination with its Board of Directors. Over the past four years, the
Foundation has raised over $1‐million in contributions that have been principally directed to two major projects – Harbor Family Park and the Boundless Playground project at Sehmel Homestead Park.
While young, the Foundation has enjoyed an excellent reputation among those in the community who have been touched by its projects. On the other hand, it remains one of the area’s best‐kept secrets.
The Executive Director will have a demonstrated passion for park‐oriented lands, community/public recreation assets, and the objectives of the Foundation that include the range of environmental, economic, quality of life, and public health benefits of parks, open space, trails, community gardens, and related greenfrastructure. S/he will actively translate that passion into the generation of the revenue needed to ensure the sustainability of the mission both now and in the years to come. S/he will also be action‐oriented, creative, a leader and a manager, and willing to roll up her/his sleeves to “dig in,” both literally and figuratively.
Priorities of the Foundation include:
• Design and implement an organizational infrastructure to ensure that the Foundation has the capacity to deliver programs, services and administrative support efficiently and effectively (e.g., policies and procedures, financial management, human resources, volunteer management, etc.).
• Develop and implement realistic short and long‐term plans for membership programs and raising the funds needed, both earned and contributed, to cover operating expenses.
• Engage internal and external stakeholders across the community to confirm the Foundation’s strategic direction and to identify funding and other strategies that capitalize on strengths, respond to community needs, and to current and future economic realities and opportunities.
• Work with the President and respective Committees to develop annual business plans and budgets to ensure that the identified outcomes are achieved.
• Strengthen existing relationships, collaborations and partnerships and cultivate new ones in order to increase visibility and position the Foundation as the community’s ‘go to’ organization.
• Build and maintain high levels of volunteer engagement and morale; foster a spirit of teamwork among volunteers and other stakeholders; strengthen Board and internal communications and decision‐making; and ensure accountability for results.
• Work in partnership with the Board to establish open and frequent lines of communication to strengthen the board’s ability to govern strategically and effectively, and to engage individuals in the process of attracting financial and other resources.
Responsibilities
• Oversee all program/project activities, including fundraising, asset and property management, and conduct regular program/project evaluations.
• Work closely with President to assure Board will receive information needed to make informed decisions related to program/project activities, including related fundraising initiatives.
• Prepare organizational operation plans, business plans and work plans.
• Work with Board and Committees to ensure that projects meet organizational goals
• Work with the Board and Committees to identify and solicit public and private funding opportunities.
• Oversees resource development initiatives, including fundraising plans for operating support and project‐based development activities in conjunction with the Board; carries out various fundraising activities, including identifying and cultivating funding sources, preparing and submitting funding proposals, and engaging in appropriate follow‐up activities.
• Prepare and/or supervise preparation of grant applications, tracking, and reports.
• Reports directly to President, organizes and participates in Board and committee meetings, prepares Board meeting packages, assists with Board development, and engages Board in long-range planning and implementation to reach organizational goals and objectives.
• Establishes and maintains relationships with donors, volunteers, community leaders, political leaders, policymakers, grassroots organizations, business leaders and community groups and others; and represents the Foundation to the media, civic organizations, and other members of the public and private sectors; and works in coordination with the Communications Committee to develop materials and publications for community outreach.
Qualifications
• Bachelors Degree (minimum) in related field; CRFE or similar professional qualifications desirable.
• 5 years of successful senior management experience within the non‐profit sector, including supervision and management of staff, volunteers, revenue generation and fundraising, strategic and operational planning, budgeting and finances, and delivering high quality programs/services
• 5‐years of demonstrated success raising money and other resources from a variety of sources, including individual donors and grants from local and national foundations, corporations, governments, etc.
• Demonstrated experience designing and building an organization’s administrative infrastructure
• Working knowledge of the theories, practices, principles and techniques of parks, land trusts, conservation and natural areas stewardship
• Experience with the design, implementation and management of multiple projects and larger collaborative, grant‐funded projects
• Demonstrated experience building and nurturing teams, creating coalitions and sustaining effective relationships with board, staff, donors, volunteers, community leaders, political leaders, policymakers, grassroots organizations, business leaders and other stakeholders
• Successful experience developing and providing leadership for a Board of Directors
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite and GiftWorks donor database, or similar applications
Personal characteristics and leadership attributes:
• Honest, dependable and have a history of discernment and sound decision‐making
• Ability to effectively and enthusiastically ask others to donate money and other resources to support a cause for which s/he has great passion
• Ability to articulate a vision and inspire others in the community to embrace, fund and achieve it
• Ability to galvanize people from diverse backgrounds to work together toward common goals
• Self‐motivated, able to work independently, and show creativity and initiative in creating new programs/projects, and alliances for the organization
• Creative, resourceful, well organized and proactive
• Can effectively prioritize and juggle multiple demands without compromising quality
• Ability to develop and maintain relationships with elected officials, policymakers and other people of influence at state and local levels
• Excellent communicator, with demonstrated ability to communicate clearly, openly and regularly with staff, board, customers, funders, and other stakeholders
• Excellent listening and interpersonal skills
Financial Management
• Work with Finance Committee to develop and maintain financial planning policies and principles to insure long‐term fiscal health of organization.
• Work with Finance, Development Committees, and the Board to develop annual operating and program budgets. Regularly monitor budgets to actual.
• Provide oversight and coordination of program and organizational finances and systems.
• Work with the President and Treasure to provide timely and accurate reports to the Board.
• Work with the President, Treasurer and Finance Committee Administration to ensure that financial management systems are appropriate and effective.
Board Development and Relationship:
• Maintain open and regular communication with President and Board.
• Assist Board in cultivation of potential new Board members.
• Work with Board in setting organizational goals, strategic planning, program evaluation, and problem solving.
• Help to ensure that Board members receive adequate orientation and training opportunities.
Compensation
Commensurate with experience with benefits package. Please provide salary requirements and compensation history for the past five years.
To Apply
Qualified candidates must respond by the deadline of November 20, 2009. Send your detailed resume and one writing sample. Include a cover letter that details your fit for the Foundation’s mission and tells why you should be the first Executive Director of the PenMet Foundation. Interviews of selected candidates are expected to begin the week of November 30, 2009.
Contact Information
Submittal by Email only:
Subject Line: Executive Director
Executive Search Committee
c/o Dr. Julie Ann Gustanski, President
PenMet Foundation
5720 144th Street NW, Suite 102
Gig Harbor, WA 98332
E‐mail: jgustanski@penmetfoundation.org
