Executive Director

Reports to: UWNWA Board of Directors

Position Summary: The Executive Director will be a mission-driven, collaborative and innovative leader and manager. Executive Director will serve as the brand ambassador and champion of the United Way of Northwest Arkansas in the community, which includes connecting with a constituency of givers, recipients of services, individuals, associations, agencies, education partners, government, businesses and other institutions. The Executive Director will leverage the power of relationships and networks, working across private, public and corporate sectors to improve conditions in the community. The Executive Director will possess a high level of broad business skills, financial acumen, and strategic management expertise to effectively retool the campaign process to generate resources and financial support for the organization. The Executive Director will be a driver of change, open to technology and new ideas. As chief spokesperson, the Executive Director will ensure that the United Way of Northwest Arkansas, its mission, programs, and services are consistently presented in a positive, collaborative manner.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Community Impact:

·       Responsible for the overall impact of the UWNWA in the community, with emphasis on increasing its capacity to set priorities and measure impact of social change

·       Provide strategic and long-term visioning consistent with the direction set in partnership with the Board of Directors.

·       With the Board of Directors, determine objectives and strategies for meeting goals; allocate resources according to priorities, and leverage all resources available to accomplish associated tasks and anticipated obstacles.

Strategic:

·       Provide vision and strategic insight to the Board for fulfilling the mission of the organization, utilizing input from multiple sources, including external and internal constituents.

·       Ensure that the Board has access to all information needed to carry out its governance responsibilities.

·       Develop an annual business plan to report on progress in achieving goals.

·       Identify new opportunities to build partnerships with a broad and diverse group of external constituents and leverage resources in an effort to maximize impact.

·       Partner with external organizations to encourage the exchange of information and the building of collaborations.

·       Participate in external meetings, councils, forums, etc. to insure we have the most current and relevant information to use in decision-making.

·       Leverage and coordinate resources to ensure strategic alignment in the areas of community impact, resource development, and staff alignment.

·       Serve as the principle resource and support to the Board of Directors and its key committees, while providing input in policy formulation and interpretation.

·       Collaborate with Executive Board Team in the development of an effective and motivated board, and continued engagement by Board members.

Resource Development:

·       Oversee fundraising planning and implementation, including identifying resource requirements, developing innovative future strategies, researching funding sources, establishing an effective process to approaching funders, submitting proposals and grants, and overseeing fundraising records and documentation.

·       With the Board of Directors, work toward campaign growth, fundraising successfully within the traditional campaign and planned giving channels and utilizing newer development methods and opportunities to increase giving.

·       Maintain and foster relationships with current individual and corporate donors, and identify, cultivate and solicit prospective donors and corporate partners to further develop fundraising opportunities.

Organizational Management:

·       Build and lead a high-performing team and ensure all team members are aligned and collaborating to achieve organizational results.

·       Maintain accountability for the operational and fiscal integrity of the organization within policies set by the Board of Directors.

·       With the Executive Board Team, manage organizational spending, monitor budget compliance and mitigate financial risk.

·       Establish the culture and programs to ensure that the organization attracts and retains the talent necessary to successfully carry out its programs and mission

·       Ensure that the organization operates within the financial parameters set by the Board, and that available resources are distributed appropriately

·       Provide the fiscal oversight for the organization’s investments, budgets, and financial reporting

·       Ensures that UWNWA meets legal obligations and complies with membership requirements of United Way Worldwide.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong relationship building and donor cultivation experience with proven results in resource generation. 
• Analytical, problem solving, budget and decision-making skills. 
• Ability to understand multiple issues and determine how they inter-connect. 
• Experience in public policy and/or advocacy.
• Demonstrated leadership and management skills, including the ability to attract, motivate and develop leadership volunteers and staff along with visionary and strategic thinking capabilities.
• Broad knowledge and understanding of human service issues and extensive management experience at the executive senior level.
• Evidence of success in building strong coalitions and working effectively within a culturally diverse region.
• An understanding of individual community interest and regional issues and experience dealing with the concerns of multiple constituents.
• Proven skills as an effective communicator with strong interpersonal skills and unquestionable integrity, with skill to build consensus.
• Passion to make a positive difference in the lives of people and strength to be decisive, compassionate and humble leader who is willing to take strategic risks when appropriate. 
• Strong work ethic and drive for results.   
• Bachelor’s Degree and 5 years of experience in non-profit leadership required.

• TO APPLY: Please send resume and cover letter to Hannah Savage at [email protected].