Executive Director

The Executive Director will report to and work collaboratively with the Board of Directors in advancing the mission of the United Way of Virginia (UWVA). The Executive Director will be responsible for managing the operation of the United Way of Virginia within the guidelines of the annual budget to ensure a balanced operation. The Executive Director will focus on public policy advocacy, state-level partnerships, organizing statewide efforts, and fundraising. The Executive Director is responsible for advocating for the association to benefit the statewide network of local United Ways. The Executive Director will help create and advance a strategic direction and be responsible for its implementation, as well as supporting United for ALICE (a data project focused on raising awareness of the growing number of working Virginians who struggle to make ends meet).

Local United Ways in Virginia 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 members with high quality member support and will enhance their work with the ultimate goals of increasing organizational capacity and community impact across Virginia. 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.

Core Competencies:
• Government/Legislative Advocacy
• Strategic Thinking and Communications
• Statewide Leadership
• Problem-Solving and Decision-Making
• Financial Management
• Resource and Partnership Development
• Integrity and Flexibility

Responsibilities

Strategic Direction for UWVA
• 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 a strategic direction;
• 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 UWVA through advocacy efforts designed to educate corporate and government representatives on community needs;
• Communicate in a manner that moves large and small groups to action;
• Champion innovative approaches towards increased collaboration and impact of the UWVA network.

Development and Marketing
• Identify and develop new partnerships and potential revenue generation opportunities for UWVA;
• Seek new financial support to put UWVA and the network of local United Way in a position to drive resources back to strategically aligned needs in local communities;
• Position the United Way network in Virginia as a partner of choice for public and private funders to invest for 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 UWVA 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 with particular attention to the relationship with United Way Worldwide;
• Ensure that UWVA 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 the fiscal oversight for the organization’s investments, budgets, and financial reporting;
• Ensures that UWVA meets legal obligations and complies with membership requirements of United Way Worldwide;
• Develop and maintain a system which will provide thorough and continuous documentation of the administration of UWVA;
• Coordinate UWVA, Board, Committee, and other group meetings via Zoom/in person.

Relationship Building
• Relationship Management and Member Services: Drive the organizational focus on support to local United Way and their communities and balance a diverse member-group with different community needs, perspectives, and priorities. Nurture relationships across the UWVA community. Develop and maintain strong relationships with government agencies, legislators, local and statewide partners, policy makers, advocates, and statewide organizations that will help further UWVA’s mission;
• Political Astuteness: Understand and operate effectively within the political environment of the United Way movement, state and federal governments, and UWVA community. Have a deep knowledge of the political framework especially for issues aligned with the mission of UWVA members. Help advance public policy and advocacy efforts for the state, along with the Board of Directors and United Way in Virginia;
• 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.

Qualifications:
1. Qualified candidates with a strong management, fundraising and public policy background are encouraged to apply.
2. At least 10 years of management experience in a senior leadership position preferred.
3. Exceptional understanding of, and deep experience and relationships in, public policy/advocacy in Virginia, the Virginia corporate arena and, preferably, knowledge and/or experience with United Way at the local, state, or national level.
4. 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 UWVA communities.
5. Proven skills as an effective communicator with strong interpersonal skills and unquestionable integrity, with skill to build consensus.
6. Strong relationship building and experience diversifying revenues to support the core functions of the organization
7. Demonstrated leadership and management skills, including the ability to attract, motivate and develop leadership volunteers and staff along with visionary and strategic thinking capabilities.
8. 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
9. 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.

Location: Candidate must be located in or willing to relocate to Virginia.

Salary: We are committed to fairness, transparency, and equity in our compensation practices. We offer a competitive salary range of $75,000 to $100,000 commensurate with experience and qualifications. Please note the salary offered will be adjusted within this range based on the cost of living and market rates in the region where the successful candidate will be based.

Candidates are invited to submit a cover letter and resume by email to: Steven S Kast, Search Committee Chair-United Way of Virginia with the subject line: UWVA Executive Search. Email stevenkast008@gmail.com

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Open until filled