After a dozen years of operation, with steadily increased grant making, fundraising and programmatic impact, the community foundation for the Commonwealth’s fastest growing town is seeking an Executive Director (ED), the WCF board announced.
During a period of unprecedented population, residential and commercial growth in the community, combined with increased demographic changes, this part-
time position offers the opportunity for more than full time impact in WCF’s core areas of focus: education, health, arts and the environment. In partnership with an active and engaged 16 member board, the next ED will be the face of the foremost philanthropy in this dynamic and diverse community, and will shape its impact at a critical time.
Position Description: The ED is responsible, under the Board’s direction, for the strategic growth and ongoing operations of the Foundation, in support of the WCF mission. This includes strategic planning concerning areas of WCF’s community awareness and involvement (visibility), ensuring impact through grant-making and other programs (impact), fundraising (development), and conducting core administrative functions (operations).
Responsibilities
I. Visibility
A. Serve as a spokesperson for WCF, its principal representative at events, and its main point of contact;
B. Actively educate community leaders and members on WCF’s mission and initiatives;
C. Identify, track, and coordinate WCF’s attendance at community meetings and participation in community efforts concerning issues of key concern; and
D. Proactively identify and keep the Board informed of opportunities for increased WCF visibility or risk of negative perception.
II. Impact
A. Maintain communication and liaison with community stakeholders;
B. Effectively communicate with the community through multiple channels about WCF’s mission and programs;
C. Maintain an awareness of community needs as they relate to WCF’s goals and mission and proactively keep Board informed of these needs;
D. Identify creative and collaborative opportunities for addressing these needs with partner organizations; and
E. Identify and implement metrics for quantifying the effectiveness of WCF programs, and take the lead in assessing the effectiveness of WCF programs with the intent of ensuring the efficient use of WCF resources.
III. Development
A. Serve as principal development advisor to the Board and work with the Development Committee in its efforts to expand WCF’s financial resources;
B. Assist Development Committee to craft and implement solicitation and cultivation plans;
C. Assist Development Committee and Watertown Helps Out (WHO) Committee with special events, fundraising campaigns and activities, including the annual appeal;
D. Build and maintain relationships with existing donors and nurture them to increase contributions; Actively identify and develop additional individual, business and foundation funding sources; and
E. In conjunction with the Development Committee, prepare grant applications.
IV. Operations
A. Oversee, in conjunction with the Grants Committee, all WCF grant making activities, including scheduling grant making cycles, assisting applicants and prospective applicants, coordinating reviews of applications and ensuring grant recipients’ compliance with WCF grant acceptance policies;
B. Maintain, on the Office365 site, WCF’s organizational calendar of board and committee meetings; and ensure timely preparation and distribution of all meeting agendas and minutes;
C. Conduct efficient electronic recordkeeping of all WCF materials such as internal operating policies and documents, grant-making records, financial records and documentation of WCF programs. Advise Board of need for updating or revision;
D. In conjunction with the Treasurer and the Finance and Investment Committee, ensure that all financial records and documents are kept current, maintained, and accessible, and that financial filings are timely made;
E. Oversee coordination of volunteers, including long-term task-specific volunteers;
F. Ensure that the Board is timely notified of significant financial, budgetary, operational or regulatory issues;
G. In conjunction with the Executive Committee, ensure development of efficient board meeting agendas; and
H. Provide quarterly summary of ED activity to the Board with a focus on value to the Foundation and to the community.
Characteristics
Candidates should have energy and enthusiasm, coupled with mature judgment and absolute integrity, and a history of community engagement. The Executive Director should demonstrate competence in the following:
- Adaptability: Demonstrate a willingness to be flexible, versatile and/or tolerant in a changing environment while maintaining effectiveness and efficiency, including the willingness to work evenings and on weekends when necessary;
- Build Relationships: Establish and maintain positive working relationships with others, both internally (with Board members) and externally (community members and volunteers), to achieve the goals of the Foundation;
- Communicate Effectively: Speak, listen and write in a clear, thorough and timely manner using appropriate and efficient communication tools and techniques;
- Creativity/Innovation: Develop efficient and creative ways to improve the operations of the Foundation, to execute Foundation programs and initiatives, and support the growth of the Foundation;
- Plan: Determine strategies to move the Foundation forward, set goals, create and implement actions plans, and evaluate the process and results;
- Organize: Leverage technology to manage and maintain communications, documentation and streamline the activities of the Foundation; and
- Think Strategically: Assess initiatives and actions based on trends and conditions in the community, and the mission and resources of the Foundation. Qualifications and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree required
- Proficiency with online document management tools such as Microsoft 365
- Demonstrated knowledge of the nonprofit sector and familiarity with philanthropy
- Work experience in an environment that relies heavily on electronic communication and document management strongly preferred
Terms:
- This is a part-time, 1/3 position.
- Salary is $24,000-$27,000 per year depending on experience.
- The ED reports to the co-presidents of the WCF Board.
To Apply:
Please send resume and one page cover letter to execdirsearch@watertownfoundation.org