YWCA of Fargo-Moorhead

YWCA Cass Clay Job Description

Position: Executive Director Classification: Exempt Reports To: YWCA Board of Directors Prepared By: YWCA Board Search Committee Date Prepared: December 17, 2007

Purpose of Position: Date Reviewed: Responsible for the overall administration and December 18, 2007, Board of Directors leadership of the YWCA Cass Clay including business operations, fund development, public relations, programs, facilities, board relations, and human resources.

Direct Reports: Approval: A Child’s World Center Director Associate Executive Director Director of Programs Finance Director

Essential Duties:

Management/Leadership:  Working through staff, ensure that program content and delivery meets/exceeds set standards.  Provide clear and concise communications that engage and motivate employees toward desired goals.  Ensure employee development, competence and knowledge in their respective areas, including latest trends and innovations.  Ensure personnel policies and legal employment practices are administered.  Maximize opportunities for teamwork and recognition and provide compensation that is commensurate with the market.

Fiscal Management/Fund Development:  Formulate and administer all major policies and procedures for the organization and ensure compliance with funding sources and regulatory requirements.  Oversee analysis and strategy development of the annual budgets assuring adequate financing for current operating needs and long term goals and sound fiscal record keeping and reporting.  Responsible for the development and implementation of a comprehensive fundraising plan that meets or exceeds fundraising goals and actively seeks new funding sources in these area:  Annual events  Annual giving  Capital Campaigns  Endowment Fund  Grants  Membership

12/17/07 Public Relations:  Achieve and maintain a positive visible community image through effective communication of the YWCA’s mission.  Maximize personal interactions with members, major donors and community leaders.  Serve as primary liaison for all media relations.  Represent the YWCA in appropriate community groups. Maintain sound relationships with other community agencies and leaders.  Coordinate representation of the YWCA to city, county, state and federal legislative bodies. Serve as an advocate on behalf of YWCA clients to these bodies.

Mission and Vision Driven Association:  Ensure that all YWCA programs, partnerships, and initiatives address the needs of our community and are aligned with our mission of empowering women and eliminating racism.  Develop and facilitate an active planning process, ensuring that a long-range strategic plan is adopted and that it achieves its mission in an appropriate and timely manner and allows for annual evaluation.  Promote organization and community change related to agency mission (interfacing between board and staff and agency and community) and maintain a climate that attracts, maintains and motivates top quality professionals and volunteers and fosters community allies.  Work with the YWCA of the USA and the Greater Heartland Region to ensure our local association is in compliance with and/or informed of national/regional standards. (Affiliation requirements, advocacy, customer focus/membership, global connections and hallmark programs – Economic Empowerment of Women and Racial Justice)

Facilities Management:  Ensure all YWCA facilities and systems are properly maintained and oversee all major capital additions or improvements.  Through direct reports ensure the day-to-day operations of the facilities are meeting standards.  Negotiate vendor contracts.  Ensure cleanliness, security and safety of facilities.

Board Relations/Governance:  Ensure that the Board of Directors is effectively organized and that a system of Board development is established (recruitment, orientation, and assessment) to obtain members who support the YWCA mission.  Support board members in their role on committees, advisory work groups and fund raising.  Initiate and assist in developing policy recommendations and in setting priorities.  Inform the board and board chair regularly on the condition of the organization and news of accomplishments and information on challenges that includes options for solutions.  Ensure an environment that stimulates positive interaction among board members and between board and staff that in turn stimulates the highest level of contributions to increasing the organizations community relationships, reputation and financial health.

12/17/07 Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required, the physical demands and the work environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

1. Bachelor’s degree required, graduate degree preferred, in one or more of the following fields: Public administration, human services (social work, counseling), or business. 2. Experience within a mission driven, not-for-profit environment and an understanding of board/staff relationships. Previous experience in this arena as an assistant, associate or executive director is desirable. 3. Demonstrated experience with women’s issues and women’s programming, especially in areas for which the YWCA has public policy positions (e.g. elimination of racism and sexism, child care, domestic violence, economic empowerment, human rights, etc.) 4. Demonstrated knowledge of financial management and fund development experience, including negotiation and major donor cultivation. 5. Ability to maintain composure and flexibility during times of crisis. 6. Strong commitment to results, including the ability to overcome barriers. 7. Strong leadership skills, including the ability to problem solve, prioritize, delegate, build effective relationships, and be flexible; all with integrity. 8. Demonstrated experience in employee development, including recruitment, retention, team building, motivation, empowerment and recognition. 9. Proven ability to relate to people of all ages, races, abilities, lifestyles and socio-economic backgrounds. 10. Proven ability to communicate orally and in writing. 11. Public relations skills, including public speaking and media relations. 12. Working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and Outlook), databases, and Internet. 13. Ability to travel locally, regionally and nationally. 14. Must have a valid driver’s license.

Physical Requirements:

1. While performing the duties of this position, the employee will use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands or arms. Operation of the following equipment is required: telephone, computer, copy machine, and facsimile. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move objects up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Employee: I have reviewed this job description and received a copy for my personal use.

Signature: ______Date: ______

12/17/07