The Executive Director, as the key management leader of Great Waters, is responsible for overseeing the administration of Great Waters’ programs and executing the strategic plans of the organization. The Executive Director’s focus is on leadership, fundraising and finance, operations, and community outreach.

Reporting Relationships:

The Executive Director reports to the Chair of the Board of Directors and manages the staff including paid employees, independent contractors, and many dedicated volunteers.

The primary duties and responsibilities of the Executive Director fall into the following categories:

Leadership:  

Participates with the Board in developing and implementing the vision and strategic plan in order to further the mission of Great Waters. Fosters and expands effective, collaborative relationships among Board members, staff, donors, sponsors, and the community at large. Coordinates marketing and communications, programming, and fundraising strategies in consultation with the relevant staff, committee chairs, consultants, and the Board of Directors.

Operational Planning & Management:

Oversees the planning, implementation, and evaluation of all of Great Waters’ activities, and monitors their execution in order to maintain or improve quality, contributing to the organization’s mission and reflecting the approved priorities and budget.  Determines staffing and volunteer requirements for organizational management and program delivery. With oversight from the Board, recruits, interviews, selects, trains, and manages staff and volunteers who have the skills and personal attributes to help further Great Waters’ mission.

Finance and Fundraising:

Leads Great Waters’ fundraising efforts to secure funding for the operation of the organization, including carrying a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, cultivating and stewarding prospects and donors, maintaining and growing business sponsorships, researching new funding sources, and writing grant proposals, all with the goal of substantially increasing Great Waters’ fundraising capabilities. Specific performance goals and objectives for fundraising, including the Annual Fund, Major Donor gifts, Corporate Sponsorships, and Grants, are agreed upon annually by the Board and the Executive Director. 

Of great importance in addition to fundraising, oversees the management of financial planning and forecasting, budgeting, and resource allocation. In conjunction with the Finance Committee, develops an annual budget and ensures that appropriate internal controls are in place and operating as intended.

Marketing and Communications:

Responsible for overseeing the implementation of the marketing plan and measuring its results.  Serves as a primary spokesperson for Great Waters and communicates with stakeholders to keep them informed of the organization’s work. Establishes and maintains good working relationships and collaborative arrangements with new and existing community groups, partners, the media, funders, and other agencies.

Community Outreach:

Seeks opportunities to build collaborative relationships with organizations that enable Great Waters to maximize its capacity to serve its communities at large. Works to increase the overall visibility and image of Great Waters.

Programming:

In conjunction with the Programming Committee, coordinates efforts to build strong programs that align with the strategic vision of the organization, resulting in an increase in Great Waters’ audience with a broader demographic reach. As directed by the Programming Committee, works with Consultants, Agents, and Talent to contract with Artists for each season.

Requirements:

• Three to five years in a leadership position.

• Strong leadership skills in collaboration, consensus building, managing change, and systems and processes.

• Strong multi-tasking organizational skills.

• Proven expertise in fundraising, finance, community engagement, and marketing.

• Undergraduate or Masters Degree.
• Must either live in the Lakes Region year-round or from April through September, with the ability to travel during off-season months.