Position: Executive Director [full-time, 12 months]
Reports to: The Board of Directors
Direct Reports: Staff Assistant, Interns
Headquarters: State College, PA
Organization
Founded in 1991, Leadership Centre County [LEADERSHIP] is a 501 (c)(3) Corporation dedicated to the development of qualified leaders within the community. LEADERSHIP is the premier community catalyst for preparing and connecting leaders who strengthen the community. It provides educational and social programs to individuals who live or work locally, cultivating leadership skills for the benefit of the nonprofit, private, and public sectors of Centre County. The LEADERSHIP experience has an immediate, positive effect on the participants, their organizations, and the community at large. The program’s value is evidenced as graduates become leaders, enter, and remain in positions of responsibility in Centre County and beyond. Over the past 27 years, more than 1,000 graduates have benefited from participation in the program while making significant contributions to the betterment of the Centre County, Pennsylvania community.
General Position Summary
LEADERSHIP seeks dynamic applicants for the Executive Director’s position who are: passionate about relevant community leadership training, effective in communicating directly and respectfully, and principled in their work ethic. The Executive Director (ED) administers, coordinates, implements, and facilitates all aspects of LEADERSHIP with support and direction from the Board of Directors (BOD). This role provides substantial opportunities for both vision and execution. The ED will partner with various community members and leaders to deliver a best-in-class and comprehensive education experience and networking environment. The responsibilities and duties of the ED are varied and may change at any time based on the needs of the community and the directives of the BOD. This is a full-time position, with occasional evenings and weekends as required.
Areas of Responsibility
Management: Exercise executive management over the daily functions of LEADERSHIP, including proper implementation, control, and interpretation of policies, procedures, and bylaws as developed and approved by the Board of Directors. Ensure the financial health of the organization.
Programming: Oversee all facets of LEADERSHIP’s programs and events to be thoroughly researched, planned, executed, and evaluated. Ensure that all programs and events are relevant and current with community issues and that LEADERSHIP objectives are met with exceeding satisfaction.
Marketing/Communications: Manage and oversee a comprehensive marketing and public relations process that: promotes LEADERSHIP; serves the alumni; attracts new members and donors/sponsors; and supports committee initiatives. Develop and maintain effective communications, reflective of the values of LEADERSHIP, with the BOD, relevant committees, active program participants, and the community.
Development/Relationships: Strategically lead staff and volunteers to institutionalize a culture of philanthropy and fund development within the community. Cultivate and nurture relationships and align partners with the organization’s financial needs. Ensure the organization’s corporate culture, systems, and procedures support fund development.
Essential Duties/Responsibilities
● Represent LEADERSHIP, its programs, brand, and overall community presence, and participate in all LEADERSHIP events.
● Oversee community outreach and improved branding initiatives.
● Engage, or direct the engagement of the services of independent contractors as needed.
● Plan and coordinate meetings of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee.
● Oversee all day-to-day financial aspects of the organization.
● Prepare the organization’s comprehensive budget for the subsequent fiscal year.
● Recruit, supervise, and evaluate staff, volunteers, and interns.
● Ensure the timely and accurate submission of all tax, legal, and administrative paperwork required by law.
● Maintain timely and effective communication with the Board of Directors and Executive Committee.
● Assure that the long and short-term public relations strategies are effectively integrated into committee objectives.
● Make presentations to community organizations and network with representatives of community service organizations.
● Refresh efforts to obtain and maintain strong community connections and trusteeship processes proactively.
● Coordinate effective marketing and public relations initiatives to include but not limited to online and web presence, production of publications, newsletters, and press releases.
● Oversee strategic direction for the year-long LEADERSHIP program.
● Ensure all programs are relevant and current with community issues and leadership research.
● Facilitate networking among the board, alumni, class members, and the community.
● Remain current on local and national community leadership programming relevant to LEADERSHIP’S mission, bringing those ideas to the organization.
● Oversee the Recruitment and Selection Committee to coordinate applicant recruiting and selection.
● Implement and provide oversight to the development/fundraising goals of the Board of Directors and the organization within the community.
● Lead the design, implementation, and evaluation of organizational strategic plans developed by the Board of Directors.
● Engage and leverage Alumni, partners, high-contributing stakeholders, and viable prospects to become involved in LEADERSHIP initiatives.
● Cultivate new relationships while maintaining and growing existing relationships with sponsors and donors.
● Prepare, develop, and analyze all fundraising plans and ensure compliance with all organization strategies.
● Monitor all fundraising activities and research various projects to prepare projections for revenue.
Qualifications
The position requires a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent knowledge) plus a minimum of three years of relevant experience. In addition, the following are not required but will be given strong consideration.
● Experience in program design, execution, and evaluation.
● Knowledge of facilitating groups and related processes.
● Familiarity of typical small business operations, including budgets and fiscal planning.
● Strong interpersonal and professional relationships skills and abilities.
● Knowledge of the community’s issues and resources.
● Understanding and appreciation of stewardship and development.
● Experienced leadership knowledge, skills, and abilities.
● History of providing successful supervision.
● Excellent problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
● Effective communication skills, both verbal and written.
● Experience working with volunteers and a board of directors, or similar group experience
● Record of professional development, including service on other non-profit boards.
● Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, similar software, and online tools.
● Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends.
● Ability to drive and possession of a valid Pennsylvania driver’s license.
● Ability to lift items up to 50 pounds.
Interested parties may apply by emailing a cover letter and resume to: lcc@leadershipcentrecounty.org
Please direct all questions and requests for additional information to the Executive Director Search Committee, which can be reached at the email address above.
Candidate review will begin on August 11, 2023. The deadline for applications is August 26, 2023.
Contact: Board of Directors Chair, Bruce Ellis
Phone: 814 238-5559
Email: lcc@leadershipcentrecounty.org