Executive Director - Panhandle Warrior Partnership

Executive Director – Panhandle Warrior Partnership

Pensacola, Florida

Servicing the Gulf Coast

Mission of PWP: Provide Warriors (service members/veterans) and their families in Florida’s 1^st Congressional District a model advocacy program in order to enhance their quality of life and capitalize on PWP‘s ability to contribute to their success.

Smart Work | Network, Inc., a retained search firm, is seeking exceptional candidates for our client, Panhandle Warrior Partnership, who have the following critical experience and competencies:

• An honorably discharged Veteran who is living in, or will relocate to the Florida Panhandle area
• Has a business-mindset, but with experience managing in a non-profit environment, even as a volunteer or Board member
• Is entrepreneurial, but a senior-level, process-driven manager/leader who can take a well-funded organization, with a well-established mission of Veteran community integration, and turn it into a best-practice Veteran-serving organization
• Preferably has well-established relationships in the Panhandle area with other community-based service organizations and area business & community leaders

As the Executive Director, you will work primarily with the local community, but in collaboration with the funding organization, America’s Warrior Partnership, a national Veteran service-providing organization who administers a grant to PWP.

The Executive Director’s key responsibilities include:

1. Ensuring that PWP has the capacity to accomplish its mission and program goals immediately and in the future by ensuring that diverse, sustainable revenue streams are in place, incorporating local, regional, and national grants and multi-year funding commitments.
2. Create systems that provide rigorous tracking and accountability protocols to demonstrate measurable success and return on investment
3. Maintaining process thinking and continuous improvement practices into the overall organization’s efforts
4. Using proven management, leadership, coaching and developing people, build a strong team of highly self-managed paid professionals (approximately 10) and numerous volunteers at multiple sites around the Gulf Coast.
5. Building community awareness for the challenges faced by transitioning Veterans and to gain moral, financial, and in-kind support across all segments of the service area.
6. Serving your country and your community by addressing the multiple diverse needs of Veterans and their families

Specific Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Set and maintain high levels of program excellence and effectiveness, and achieve financial targets for both revenue generation and expense management
• Create and execute master plans for (a) Public Relations and Communication, (b) Fundraising (multi-year), and (c) Program Delivery and Monitoring
• Nurture engagement with all relevant stakeholders; facilitate communication within and across stakeholder groups
• Work closely with the Board of Directors (position reports to Board Chair), providing reports and other communication as needed, supporting committees, and assisting in meetings as directed
• With board support, establish and enforce appropriate policies; keep policy manual up to date
• With Board Chair, ensure that strategic plans are reviewed and refreshed regularly
• With Treasurer/Board Finance Committee, develop detailed budget; monitor all revenues and expenses to meet budget targets; ensure financial reports are given to the board regularly for review and approval
• Manage all aspects of selecting, on-boarding, coaching, developing, and retaining a strong professional staff; includes keeping job descriptions updated and providing regular feedback
• Establish and monitor metrics for all aspects of programming; provide board with regular reports and update other appropriate stakeholders as appropriate
• Implement systems, processes, procedures, and technology needed to provide a stable, flexible base for fulfilling the organization’s mission and supporting staff activity

Required (Must Have) Experience:

• An honorably discharged Veteran
• Relevant undergraduate or graduate degree or equivalent experience in the following: Administration, Business, Finance, or Marketing; Masters or other advanced degree preferred; strong financial management capability a must
• Proven success in managing and retaining professional staff and volunteers, and in maintaining effective relationships with stakeholders of all types at all levels and roles
• Have proof of a current driver’s license and at minimum state auto liability insurance
• Must live in the Gulf Coast area (no relocation provided)
• Successful track record as a non-profit and/or business executive with non-profit experience, to include experience with public/private partnerships
• Proven success as a leader of fundraising activities, including prospecting, grant-writing, donor cultivation, and solicitation using variety of media channels and technologies
• A passion for, and preferably some experience working or volunteering in a social services organization, preferably with Veterans

Other Desired Capabilities and Experience 

• Demonstrated passion and empathy for Veterans and a full understanding of meeting Veteran needs from a holistic perspective
• Varied and applicable connections to Panhandle area community and business leaders, service organizations, veteran serving organizations
• High energy and a bias for action
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and an excellent rapport with people
• Relatively high comfort with conflict (need to influence without authority)
• Ability to network and build partnerships
• Process/Project and Program Management is a plus
• Intermediate use of Microsoft Office Suite
• Leadership/Management Professional Development

Physical/Conditional Requirements: (Travel, etc.)

• Capability of limited travel (air, automobile)
• Capability and willingness to perform in a flexible work schedule, 50 to 60 hours per week occasionally
• Capability and willingness to attend professional, civic and social events afterhours on occasion

The Panhandle Warrior Partnership (PWP) is funded by a grant administered through the America’s Warrior Partnership Community Integration Project.  Florida's 1st Congressional District is one of six communities in the nation selected for the Community Integration initiative.  The grant funding will not duplicate any existing local Veteran programs, but will enhance the Veteran outreach by connecting services to the Warriors in the 1st Congressional District.