Executive Director

Job Title: Executive Director

Location: Gig Harbor, WA

Position Reports to: The Board of Directors

Position Type: Paid – Full-Time

About Us:

Established in 2011, The Permission to Start Dreaming Foundation has experienced tremendous growth and greatly expanded its outreach to veterans and first responders in the Pacific Northwest. Throughout its existence, the foundation has sought out and supported the efforts of local organizations that offer alternative solutions to helping veterans and their families readjust to life after service. We have also developed our own strength-based programs with monthly peer to peer support meetings to regularly attend to the needs of our veterans, first-responders, and their spouses.

In addition, we have delivered mind, body and spirit workshops, courage & leadership summits, and are one of only ten national entities providing veterans and first responders the opportunity to attend Warrior PATHH, a Post-Traumatic Growth training program that offers transformative struggle to strength development.

Our commitment to finding answers and programs for the long journey of healing from the invisible wounds of war and service-related injuries is resolute. Our events directly connect our surrounding communities in support of this mission. By getting involved, you are joining the thousands of compassionate allies and citizens who want to offer hope and help for those who serve our nation and our community.

About the Role:

We are seeking a talented Executive Director to join our team and lead the Permission to Start Dreaming Foundation into a new season of growth as we pursue some exciting expansion of our outreach and services. In this role, you will partner closely with our Board of Directors and Founding Director in the development and execution of all Foundation operational strategy and lead our mission driven team. This position will provide you with an opportunity to do highly impactful work owning our overall business plan, growth initiatives, coaching & mentorship of our talented Foundation staff, overseeing core programs, and being the driving force behind a major capital campaign.

This individual will bring a multifaceted skillset to the Foundation with advanced experience in the non-profit space, subject matter expertise with compliance across State & Federal requirements, close partnerships with grantors, and a highly collaborative approach in ensuring Board directives are achieved.

Overview of Role Responsibilities:

Leadership & Management:

· Actively engage and energize partnering organizations, funders, sponsors, event committees, alumni, board members, volunteers, and the community.

· Ensure organizational excellence by rigorously managing and evaluating programs across various domains including administration, fundraising, communications, finance, marketing, and development.

· Support the development and maintenance of a healthy, strong board of directors, facilitating their involvement in strategic direction for ongoing operations and future growth and success.

· Lead, coach, develop, and retain the management team, overseeing performance management, reward and recognition, recruiting and retention, and disciplinary actions.

· Provide recommendations and implement resources and timelines to achieve strategic goals effectively.

Communication & Fundraising:

· Actively lead the Foundation in developing, assessing, and implementing capital and/or endowment campaigns, as needed, in collaboration with the Founding Director.

· Utilize external/community presence and relationships to identify and pursue new opportunities for partnership, sponsorship, and sustainable growth.

· Enhance and streamline all forms of communication, both internally and externally.

· Provide comprehensive oversight and review of grant management processes.

· Expand, implement, and oversee existing and new fundraising initiatives and projects.

Strategic Planning & Financial Accountability:

· Cultivate and nurture relationships/partnerships with funders, politicians, and community leaders to facilitate expansion and positive growth.

· Oversee and manage the current strategic business plan while designing and implementing a healthy growth plan.

· Responsible for budget management, implementation, and oversight in collaboration with the Foundation Treasurer.

· Ensure compliance with all federal and state financial reporting requirements, including reconciliation and payments, as well as management of accounting and bookkeeping contractors.

· Build partnerships in new markets, establishing new relationships while fostering existing ones.

Required Skills & Professional Experience:

· Bachelor’s degree from an accredited University required, Master’s degree in business administration, leadership, or other relevant field strongly preferred.

· 5+ years of leadership experience within organizations pursuing large scale growth initiatives, preference for leadership experience focused on veteran or first responder issues.

· Expert level management capabilities with practical application for a nonprofit organization, highly capable of solving challenging business problems with decisive, data driven, thoughtful techniques.

· Inspiring people leadership skills; highly capable of building and motivating teams through coaching and mentorship, well adept at performance management, conflict resolution, and culture initiatives.

· Excellent communicator capable of gaining buy-in from key stakeholders at all levels and influencing positive outcomes while being inclusive of a wide range of perspectives and ideas.

· Demonstrated experience leading quality focused delivery of services and collateral to program participants, partners, affiliates, and the entire organization within time and budgetary constraints.

· Strong time management, calendar/schedule coordination, and project oversight skills.

· Ability to work effectively with diverse groups while maintaining integrity, a positive attitude, and passion.

· Action-oriented, adaptable, and innovative in executing business planning, goal setting, and fostering growth.

Physical Demands:

· While performing the required duties in this role, the Executive Director is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, speak, and hear.

· The position requires extensive computer use so the employee must be proficient in basic computer skills; Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint. The employee must occasionally lift and /or move up to 40 pounds.

Travel Requirements:

· Must be able to travel to attend conferences, training, and other events as required to acquire and maintain proficiency in fulfilling the responsibilities of the position.

Work Environment:

· The work environment is a small, professional office space located in Gig Harbor, Washington. Flexible work schedules are supported.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be a comprehensive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside their normal responsibility from time to time, as needed.

The Permission to Start Dreaming Foundation is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities.

All candidates must be able to work for any U.S. based company without requiring visa sponsorship.

We are committed to building a diverse team and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds.