Executive Director

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Title

Executive Director

Reports To

United Ways of Georgia Board of Directors

Summary

The Executive Director will report to and work collaboratively with the Board of Directors in advancing the mission of the United Ways of Georgia (UWGA). The Executive Director will be responsible for managing the operation of the United Ways of Georgia within the guidelines of the annual budget to ensure a balanced operation. The Executive Director is responsible for generating resources for the association and to benefit the statewide network of local United Ways. The Executive Director will help create and advance a strategic plan and be responsible for its implementation, as well as developing and managing United for ALICE (a data project focused on raising awareness of the growing number of working Georgians who struggle to make ends meet). In addition, this role will work with the Board of Directors and committees to develop and manage the public policy priorities and activities as well as facilitate 211 becoming a program with statewide coverage.

Local United Ways of Georgia are the first customers, stakeholders, priority, and focus of this position. As the statewide association Executive Director serving local United Way organizations, this position will be responsible for providing our members with high quality member support and will enhance their work with the ultimate goals of increasing organizational capacity and community impact across Georgia. This role ultimately supports local United Ways so they can do what they do best: making an impact by uniting and leading in their community with an enhanced lens for inclusivity and diversity. We will know success when we are able to scale impact through collective advocacy, fundraising, and partnership building.

Employee Expectations

UWGA is synonymous with charitable service and strives to positively impact the issues people care most about in our community. All UWGA staff are critical to our work and expected to present the best image of our organization as they represent United Way in our community. Staff are expected to accept their responsibilities, adhere to acceptable principles in matters of personal conduct and exhibit a high degree of personal integrity at all times.

Position Requirements & Qualifications

• Qualified candidates with a strong management, fundraising, and public policy background are encouraged to apply.
• At least 10 years of management experience in a senior leadership position.
• Preferred understanding of, and deep experience and relationships in, public policy/advocacy in Georgia, the Georgia corporate arena and, preferably, knowledge and/or experience with United Way at the local, state, or national level.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including strong public speaking skills. Demonstrate ability to translate policy language and data to help others see the impact of the work in the UWGA communities.
• Proven skills as an effective communicator with strong interpersonal skills and unquestionable integrity, with skill to build consensus.
• Strong relationship-building and experience diversifying revenues to support the core functions of the organization
• Demonstrated leadership and management skills, including the ability to attract, motivate and develop leadership volunteers and staff along with visionary and strategic thinking capabilities.
• Evidence of success in building strong coalitions and leading statewide membership organizations to a common agenda and collaborative strategies to support the goals of membership
• Bachelor's Degree required; Master’s Degree preferred.

This job description is intended to convey the essential functions of this position, and it is not intended to be an exhaustive list of skills, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with the position.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Strategic Direction for UWGA

• Work with Board and staff to develop long term objectives and strategies;
• 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;
• Direct all resources of the organization to advance the strategic plan adopted by the Board of Directors;
• 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 ensure the organization has the most current and relevant information to use in decision-making.

Leadership

• Advance the mission and image of the organization by serving as the chief representative to internal and external stakeholders, including the Board, staff, advocacy campaign partners, funders, and the media;
• Represent the interests of UWGA through advocacy efforts designed to educate corporate and government representatives on community needs;
• Communicate in ways that moves large and small groups to action;
• Champion innovative approaches towards increased collaboration and impact of the UWGA network

ALICE Program Execution

• Develop and manage United for ALICE, which will include creating and supporting committees with oversight and input from the Board. These committees will help ensure the project leads to the analysis of gaps in programs and the effectiveness of programs, as well as insight and action with funding, legislation, and more.

Development and Marketing

• Identify and develop new partnerships and potential revenue generation opportunities for UWGA
• Seek new financial support to put UWGA and the network of local United Ways in a position to drive resources back to strategically aligned needs in local communities
• Position the United Way network in Georgia as a partner of choice for public and private funders to invest in community impact and engagement
• Ensure the organization is meeting its expectations and deliverables for all outside funders
• Cultivate relationships with members of the Board to enhance financial support for UWGA both among individuals on the board and the organizations they represent
• Collaborate to create strong marketing around focus areas of our work.
• Be a storyteller for our association, our goals, and our successes.

Governance

• Provide direct staff support to Committees and report regularly to the Board on the activities of the organization and progress toward meeting annual plan goals and strategic objectives;
• Ensure Board members are kept informed of matters and developments that warrant their attention and best practices on organizational management and leadership;
• Identify issues and policies that require the action of the Board;
• Ensure that UWGA is administered in accordance with current policies and procedures.
• Develop Board meetings that allow the members to provide the opportunity for strategic discussion on organizational imperatives.

Administrative and Management

• Establish the culture and programs to ensure 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 fiscal oversight for the organization’s investments, budgets, and financial reporting;
• Ensures that UWGA meets legal obligations and complies with membership requirements of United Way Worldwide.
• Develop and maintain a system that will provide thorough and continuous documentation of the administration of UWGA.
• Coordinate UWGA, Board, Committee, and other group meetings via Zoom/in person and provide technology support

Relationship Building

• Relationship Management and Member Services: Drive the organizational focus on support to local United Ways and their communities and balance a diverse member group with different community needs, perspectives, and priorities. Nurture relationships across the UWGA community. Develop and maintain strong relationships with government agencies, legislators, local and statewide partners, policy makers, advocates, and statewide organizations that will help further UWGA’s mission.
• Political Astuteness: Understand and operate effectively within the political environment of the United Way movement, state and federal governments, and UWGA community. Have a deep knowledge of the political framework especially for issues aligned with the mission of UWGA members. Help advance public policy and advocacy efforts for the state, along with the Board of Directors and United Ways in Georgia.
• Development and Investment of Resources: Understand the development and investment of resources required for statewide impact, particularly with ALICE and workforce enhancement, and develop a comprehensive approach to pursue public and private resources to meet those needs.

Traits & Distinguishing Characteristics

• Fundraising/Grant Writing
• Statewide Leadership
• Strategic Thinking and Vision
• Communications Expertise
• Opportunity Development
• Problem-Solving and Decision-Making
• Achievement Oriented
• Integrity and Flexibility

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Much of the work of this position is completed while sitting at a desk, using a computer and phone. Requires talking, hearing, and visual acuity sufficient to perform these major functions.

• Occasionally includes reaching above shoulder heights, below the waist or lifting up to 25 pounds for office equipment, supplies, and materials.

Status

Exempt (Salaried)

Location

Candidate must be located or willing to relocate to Georgia.

Compensation Package value (including benefits and bonus structure):

$70,000 - $100,000 based on experience

Candidates are invited to submit a cover letter and resume to:

Kristen Luck at kluck@uwce.org with the subject line: UWGA Executive Search

Application Deadline:

May 25, 2023