Executive Director for Lakes Area United Way

Lakes Area United Way (LAUW) unites people, resources and ideas to enhance lives in the Lakes Area.Our Board of Directors is seeking LAUW’s next Executive Director to lead the organization and continue our positive momentum and purpose, and to grow our future impact within the communities we serve. 

At LAUW, we have refreshed our strategy and operations to succeed in the evolving nonprofit world. The organization has an energetic and skilled team who are excited to build on this momentum from our office in Brainerd, Minnesota.

Salary Range:  $60,000 - $70,000

General Position Summary:

Lakes Area United Way (LAUW) is seeking a visionary and motivated individual to lead our organization’s fundraising efforts, community engagement, administrative activities and daily operations. If you are a dynamic relationship-builder who believes in strengthening community ownership and connecting donors to people and organizations by creating opportunities for engagement, LAUW could be the place for you to grow your career and have a positive impact on people throughout our Lakes Area communities across Crow Wing, Cass, and Aitkin Counties.

With oversight from the Board of Directors, the President/CEO works collaboratively with private, public, corporate and governmental organizations to advance the organization and fulfill our purpose – to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of our community.

Key Responsibilities:

Community Involvement and Impact

• Be the face, voice and heart of LAUW across our community.
• Work closely with key stakeholders to develop a vision, strategies and goals to improve lives within our community, emphasizing LAUW’s key focus areas.
• Develop, cultivate and maintain relationships with key leaders and groups across the nonprofit, corporate and government sectors.
• Embrace active community leadership and involvement in community planning activities with organizations such as city and county governments, chambers of commerce and area public schools.
• Be a catalyst for LAUW to serve and unite the community as a convener, facilitator and collaborator among nonprofits, industry and government.
• Develop key metrics and indicators to assess LAUW and partner agency progress in meeting strategic objectives and community needs.

Organizational Leadership

• With the highest integrity, oversee the organization’s operational and fiscal activities, including budgets and audits, and comply with policies set by the Board of Directors.
• Develop and deliver on organizational goals, including strategies for successful fundraising and engagement.
• Build and lead high-performing, collaborative teams, including direct supervision and coaching of staff.
• Model and promote a culture of fundraising and innovation.
• Assure compliance with all United Way member requirements, IRS reporting, state and local reporting and all other applicable regulatory requirements.
• Maintain or exceed the ethical standards of United Way Worldwide.

Board Relations

• Reports to the Board of Directors,  leads Director orientation, and facilitates/leads Board development.
• Prepare and submit annual budget for approval; administer/implement the approved budget.
• Provide regular updates, including at Board meetings, on:
  • Progress toward the objectives and measures of LAUW strategies
  • Agency financial performance
  • Impact of partner nonprofits
  • Trends affecting community needs, fundraising and operations
  • Bylaws and policy interpretation/questions

Resource Development

• Provide leadership and coordination of all fundraising activities, including annual workplace and individual campaigns, fundraising events, corporate sponsorships, grants, and donations.
• Act as the primary contact for LAUW with local businesses, industries, and individual donors.
• Identify, cultivate and solicit prospective donors and key leaders of new corporate partners.
• Identify and pursue grant funding opportunities, and ensure compliance with performance and reporting requirements for awarded funds.
• Leverage personal and professional contacts and relationships into fundraising opportunities.
• Embrace stewardship, accountability and recognition of community and donor support.

Partner Nonprofit Relations

• Engage with partner nonprofit organizations to promote mutual success with LAUW.
• Monitor performance metrics of financial allocations and compliance with United Way requirements, initiating partner nonprofit reviews when necessary.
• Facilitate collaboration and joint planning among partner agencies.

Education/Experience:

• A minimum of two years in an organizational leadership position is required.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, social services, education, administration or another relevant field is preferred.
• Significant experience with charitable nonprofits in paid staff and/or volunteer roles.
• Ability to engage with diverse constituencies ranging from nonprofit clients, nonprofit representatives and volunteers/donors to community and corporate leaders.
• Ability to effectively oversee the planning and execution of major fundraising efforts, donor engagement programs and related events.
• Experience with the United Way model and partner nonprofits is preferred.

Skills:

• Knowledge of principles and practices of fundraising is required.
• Creative ability to “tell the story, connect the dots and inspire others” is required.
• Strong oral, presentation and written communication skills are required.
• Budget development and organizational management experience are required.
• Strong supervision and leadership skills are required.
• Ability to effectively communicate with diverse constituencies, facilitate discussions and lead problem-solving efforts.
• Demonstrated proficiency in stakeholder and relationship management.
• Strong experience as a convener and facilitator of diverse constituencies on critical community issues.
• Outstanding collaboration skills.
• Excellent organizational skills, including strategic planning, establishing organizational objectives and creating performance standards/metrics.
• High energy level with excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to simultaneously manage multiple complex projects.
• Ability to inspire commitment among staff, volunteers and donors.
• Willingness and ability to work side-by-side with staff and volunteers to complete projects.

UNITED WAY CORE COMPETENCIES FOR ALL STAFF

• Mission-Focused: Catalyze others’ commitment to mission to create real social change that leads to better lives and healthier communities.  This drives their performance and professional motivations.
• Relationship-Oriented: Understands that people come before process and is astute in cultivating and managing relationships toward a common goal.
• Collaborator: understands the roles and contributions of all sectors of the community and can mobilize resources (financial and human) through meaningful engagement.
• Results-Driven: Dedicated to shared and measurable goals for the common good; creating, resourcing, scaling, and leveraging strategies and innovations for broad investment and impact.
• Brand Steward: Steward of the brand and understands his/her role in growing and protecting the reputation and results of the greater network.

Ready to become part of our mission? Join LAUW - where your ideas and actions make a difference.

In an effort to model equitable hiring practices, LAUW strives to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. The determination of this range includes various factors not limited to skill set level, experience and training, and licensure and certifications. Compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is $60,000 - $70,000/year. 

At LAUW, we recognize the richness that diversity brings. We strive to create a work culture where all belong and collaborate with local businesses, partner agencies, and community organizations in building more inclusive communities. We embrace and encourage our employees’ differences that make our employees unique. As an equal opportunity employer, we want to empower all our teammates to succeed and grow. Please let us know if you require accommodation at any point during the recruitment process. We will be happy to assist.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, ethnicity, ancestry, color, sex, religion, creed, age, national origin, citizenship status, disability, pregnancy, medical condition, military and veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation or perceived sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, and gender expression, familial status, political affiliation, genetic information, or any other legally protected status or characteristics.

LAUW provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.

LAUW offers of employment are contingent upon the ability to complete a background investigation successfully. Background investigation components can vary depending on specific job criteria. LAUW will consider employment-qualified applicants with arrests and conviction records in accordance with all local regulations and ordinances.