Executive Director, Good Grief

Position Title: Executive Director

Reports to: Board of Directors 

Position: Full-Time, Exempt

Location: Morristown, NJ or Princeton NJ, Onsite

Salary: $130K - $145K annually

About Good Grief

Good Grief's mission is to provide support and resources for grieving children, families, and communities, fostering resilience and healing through compassionate programs and services. The foundation of Good Grief’s work is the understanding that grief is a universal human experience that serves a purpose by helping people rebuild their lives, and adapt after tragedy. Through its programs and services, Good Grief work addresses risk factors by reducing isolation, teaching resilience, and creating a safe environment to grieve, all while developing a sense of hopefulness for the future. Since its inception in 2004, Good Grief has expanded its reach from Morristown to Princeton, Jersey City, and Newark, impacting thousands of lives through direct programming and educational initiatives. Partnering with renowned organizations like (url removed) and KIPP NJ, Good Grief continues to lead in the field of grief support and advocacy, creating a safe space for healing and growth.

The Role

Good Grief is seeking an exceptional leader to advance its mission of supporting grieving children, families, and communities. The Executive Director will build trust among the Board and staff, lead program and strategic planning efforts, engage donors, and steward partnerships. Garnering trust is crucial to fostering a sense of unity, commitment, and collaboration, ultimately driving organizational success. Focusing on fiscal responsibility, the Executive Director will ensure the organization's growth and sustainability, expanding programs locally and nationally to meet increasing needs and demand for services. The Executive Director will guide Good Grief's evolution and drive collective success. The role is ideal for a leader with high emotional intelligence who embraces innovation and collaboration. 

Impact Areas 

Team and Organizational Leadership (30%): 

Foster a vibrant team culture focused on collaboration and support.

Identify staffing needs, promoting diversity and professional development opportunities for staff members.

Maximize staff impact by efficiently managing and empowering team members’ contributions to the mission.

Provide support and guidance to Directors of Family Centers, Development, and Operations to ensure the smooth operation and maintenance of Good Grief's Family Support Centers.

Establish and facilitate mechanisms for cross-departmental communication and collaboration, such as regular team meetings, interdisciplinary project groups, and shared digital platforms, to maximize organizational effectiveness and synergy.

Cultivate strong relationships with board members to ensure effective guidance, contributions, and accountability.

Work closely with the Executive Committee to establish annual goals, fostering engagement and ensuring efficient organizational governance.

Engage with board members to leverage their expertise and networks in advancing the organization's goals.

Support annual board member recruitment efforts with a focus on diversification and strategic alignment.

Act as an integral member of board committees, aligning daily operations with board initiatives.

Utilize influence both within and through the Board of Directors to amplify the organization's impact.

Strategy (20%):

Partner with the Board in initiating the planning process for the 2030 Strategic Plan, fostering collaboration and alignment with organizational goals.

Communicate with staff, the Board, and partners to shape and execute Good Grief's 2030 Strategic Plan, ensuring alignment with the organization's mission and vision.

Develop strategies in collaboration with the Board to scale Good Grief's programming, particularly within school-based settings, to reach more children and families in need.

Prioritize strategic initiatives and allocate organizational resources following the Strategic Plan's objectives, maximizing impact and effectiveness.

Continuously assess and adapt the Strategic Plan, offering recommendations for adjustments as implementation progresses and identifying opportunities for integration.

Harness influence both with and through the Board to drive strategic initiatives forward and leverage the Board's networks for broader impact.

Fundraising (20%): 

Drive fundraising efforts by serving as the support for major gift asks and collaborating with the Board and fundraising team to achieve fundraising goals.

Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of fundraising strategies, leveraging expertise in foundations and grants, events, corporate partnerships, and individual giving to maximize revenue generation.

Drive the growth of Good Grief's corporate donor portfolio, cultivating new relationships and stewarding existing partnerships to increase financial support for the organization.

Expand revenue streams through the development and implementation of innovative programs and fundraising initiatives aligned with community needs and Good Grief's mission and strategic priorities.

Partnerships and Advocacy (20%):

Cultivate and expand strategic partnerships to bolster Good Grief's mission and key initiatives, fostering mutual support and collaboration.

Strengthen relationships with hospitals/primary care providers, corporations, schools (including School Districts and Department of Education), and communities, enhancing program accessibility and fostering community engagement.

Serve as the primary representative and thought leader for Good Grief, elevating the organization's profile as a leading voice in grief and resilience discussions.

Engage with corporations, government agencies, and influential stakeholders to advocate for policies and practices that prioritize childhood bereavement and resilience.

Strategically advance key initiatives such as Family Support Centers, Good Grief Schools, and In Community programs to extend the organization's impact and reach.

Finance (10%):

Exhibit strategic business acumen to uphold the financial health and growth of the organization, ensuring sustainability in a post-COVID landscape where demand for Good Grief's services remains high.

Develop and manage the annual budget, which has $2M in cash and $1.5M in contributed services, providing regular reporting and maintaining adequate financial reserves to safeguard the organization's assets and resources.

Collaborate with the Board Finance Committee, Director of Development, Director of Operations, and external auditor to support financial oversight and accountability.

Requirements

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

Bachelor's degree required; preference for a Graduate degree.

Minimum 7 to 10 years of nonprofit leadership experience, ideally at the executive level, demonstrating team leadership, strategic planning, and financial management expertise.

Previous experience directly managing a team of 5 to 10 direct reports.

Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills, building trust and rapport with diverse stakeholders from children and families to staff and donors, fostering collaboration and driving organizational success.

Exhibits resourcefulness and innovation in securing and deploying resources effectively, leveraging the broader assets of the Good Grief community to support the organization's mission.

Inspires followership by articulating a compelling vision and strategy that motivates others to action, driving collective progress toward organizational goals.

Possesses a strategic mindset, envisioning future possibilities and translating them into breakthrough strategies to advance Good Grief's mission.

Shows financial acumen, interpreting key financial information and making sound decisions to optimize resource allocation and financial stewardship.

Champions diversity, equity, and inclusion, fostering an inclusive organizational culture and promoting equitable access to services and opportunities.

Maintains and enhances Good Grief's position as a thought leader in the field of children's bereavement, contributing to ongoing discourse and innovation.

Physical Demands

This position works primarily in an office setting and also requires regular attendance and participation in events hosted by the organization. 

How to Apply

Good Grief has retained the services of Charity Search Group to coordinate the search for this position. To apply, please complete this online application. If you have questions or need accommodations, please contact Pascale Hughes at ​or visit

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