The CEO will ensure United Way’s relevance to the communities it serves, provide inspirational action-oriented leadership to continually enhance the organization’s capacity to carry out its mission, and ensure accountability of the organization to its diverse constituents.
The CEO serves as the chief staff officer and primary professional resource to the volunteer leadership of the organization. He/she maintains significant relationships with the Board and its officers, volunteer leadership, and the health and social service agencies serving the people of Greater Knoxville. In addition, the CEO is responsible for the day-to-day operations of UWGK and for the leadership and direction of staff in carrying out the organization’s mission.
In cooperation with the Chair and other key Board leaders, the CEO represents United Way of Greater Knoxville to representatives of its various constituencies, including social service and educational leaders; corporate and business executives; elected officials, particularly the offices of the city and county mayors; media; organized labor; and people from all walks of life concerned with the health and welfare of the community.
Organizational Leadership and Management:
- Provides inspiring leadership and ensures the internal culture supports the mission and promotes synergy and collaboration across the organization.
- Develops and leads the implementation of United Way’s long-term strategic plan in collaboration with the Board of Directors.
- Builds impactful relationships with the local non-profit community, commercial businesses and industry, foundations, and government partners.
- Demonstrates an energetic, entrepreneurial nature that combines leadership and intellectual curiosity with practical management skills.
- Supervises senior leadership positions establishing individual development goals.
- Provides overall leadership of staff in all aspects of managing the organization including development and execution of plans, policies, programs, activities, grants, and related business.
- Ensures all operations, human and financial resources are sound and aligned to provide the highest impact.
- Oversees the financial management of the organization. Manages the approved annual budget, ensuring that targets are met, risk is mitigated, and policies are in place to assure accountability of all funds, physical assets, and other property.
- Reviews current practices and methods and initiates development of new ones as necessary to reduce costs, encourage growth and improve efficiency.
- Maintains the accuracy and integrity of financial information, reporting and disclosure requirements, internal controls and management information systems.
- Protects the legal interests of the organization and upholds and maintains compliance with the law; retains and works with outside counsel to obtain opinions or handle claims and litigation.
- Performs other duties and responsibilities as required.
External Affairs and Fundraising:
- Ensures the implementation of a unified, consistent brand.
- Leads UWGK’s fundraising efforts to secure significant investments from a variety of sources.
- Creates and manages effective communication to staff, volunteers, agencies, donors and the public.
- Develops innovative strategies to address the changing social and economic landscapes impacting the organization’s mission, vision, and activities.
- Ensures the mission is represented to appropriate audiences in local, state and regional media.
Board and Volunteer Engagement:
- Engages and collaborates with Board members and volunteers to set the organization’s strategic direction and policies, enabling the United Way to adapt to changing needs within the community.
- Maintains an authentic partnership with the Board and volunteers to shape future momentum of the organization.
- Works with the Board and staff leadership to identify, recruit and cultivate new Board members and committee chairs who best fit the organization’s values and strategic objectives.
- Oversees the preparation of annual operating plans and budgets for review and approval by the Board.
- Provides regular reports on all strategic, operational and programmatic matters.
- Provides operational data to the Board at each meeting on key operational indicators as directed by the Board calendar.
The successful candidate will be a passionate and enthusiastic advocate for the mission of the United Way. The organization is seeking a highly credible and proactive professional with demonstrated executive leadership experience within an organization of similar size and scope.
The CEO should embody the following characteristics:
- A strong and inspirational leader who will build collaborative relationships with community partners and establish trusting alliances with local non-profit organizations.
- A courageous and visionary executive who will work with the Board of Directors to establish long-term goals to continue to grow the organization and respond to the changing needs of the Greater Knoxville community.
- Proven track record for team building and the ability to leverage the diverse skills and personalities of a dynamic and highly effective volunteer Board of Directors.
- Proven management, business, financial and fundraising acumen.
- A charismatic and sophisticated communicator who will be a strong advocate in promoting the mission of the United Way of Greater Knoxville with key constituents.
- Success in growing top-line revenue, establishing innovative sources of revenue, and driving sustainable growth.
- Keen analytic, critical thinking and problem-solving abilities that enable sound decision- making.
- Strong professional ethics, integrity and accountability in all actions.
The ideal candidate will have ten or more years of experience directing an organization or a complex function/operation that includes experience and skills in each of the following:
- Financial Management: fiscal/financial skills in dealing with all phases of business operations.
- Planning: organization and planning skills, development of long- and short-range plans and tactics.
- Organization Management: skills in staffing complex organizations and directing, developing, appraising employees to attain desired organization goals and results.
- Ability to lead collective impact outcomes by calling upon and collaborating with different government, businesses, non-profits, and philanthropic organizations.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the Board of Directors, staff, community groups and other related agencies. Ability to be a fixture in the community who is inspirational and a proactive connector and facilitator of innovative programs.
- Political acumen to build and sustain relationships with many internal and external constituencies including local associations, peer organizations, government agencies funding sources, and the media.
- Successful record of growing top-line revenue, establishing innovative sources of income, and driving sustainable growth.
- Demonstrated success in fundraising across private, public and governmental sectors.
- Proven track record for team building in a complex, multi-layered organization with success in attracting, developing, motivating and retaining a diverse staff.
- Proven management, business, and financial acumen within an organization of similar scale of complexity.
- Strong communication skills, both oral and written, with an infectious enthusiasm for the mission and the ability to engage and inspire others.
- Ability to plan organization-wide activities and work with the Board of Directors, United Way stakeholders, government agencies, community groups and others as necessary.
- Knowledge of grant administration, contract negotiations/administration, community organizations and principles of marketing/public relations and media.
- Charisma and effective communication skills culminating in a strong advocate for the organization who will safeguard the mission of the United Way of Greater Knoxville.
- Commitment to the mission and values of the United Way of Greater Knoxville.
- Experience with non-profit fundraising and working with a non-profit board a plus.