Executive Director Application
The Opportunity
Capital City Pride is seeking its inaugural Executive Director who shares the vision and mission of our organization and can help create organizational structure while maintaining the responsibility for the financial and operational stability and programmatic success of the organization. The Executive Director is responsible for the direction and leadership toward the achievement of the organization’s philosophy, mission, strategic and annual goals, and objectives. The Executive Director creates and sustains strong and supportive relationships with the community, donors, the media, the business communities, the public, government at all levels and other LGBTQ+ organizations. The Executive Director reports to the Executive Committee and Board.
- Develop and implement strategic plans and programs that advance the organization’s mission and vision.
- Oversee the organization’s fundraising activities, including developing and executing fundraising strategies and managing donor relationships.
- Develop and manage the organization’s budget and financial operations.
- Manage and lead the organization’s staff and volunteers, including hiring, training, and performance management.
- Oversee the planning and execution of the organization’s events, including Pride festivals, marches, and other community events.
- Foster partnerships and relationships with community leaders, organizations, and stakeholders to advance the organization’s mission and promote LGBTQ+ equality.
- Represent the organization at community events, meetings, and conferences.
- Ensure the organization’s compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
- Communicate regularly with the Board of Directors and provide updates on the organization’s activities, progress, and challenges.
Essentials
- Minimum of seven years of successful senior leadership and management experience (CEO, Executive Director, Deputy Director or similar) ideally in a nonprofit environment.
- Successful track record of nonprofit revenue development including individual, corporate, foundation, and special event fundraising.
- Excellent people and team management skills with proven ability to positively coach and mentor staff.
- Financial oversight and budget management experience in an organization of comparable size and complexity.
- Intersectional understanding of LGBTQ social, political, and equity issues.
- History of having led organizational growth.
- Ability to cultivate strategic relationships with other nonprofits, community organizations, public officials, LGBTQ Movement leaders, and non-LGBTQ allies.
- Ability to lead effectively across differences in age, sexual orientation, gender identity, racial and ethnic background, ability, and socioeconomic status.
Who is Capital City Pride?
The goal of Capital City Pride is to educate and foster a sense of pride, community, and awareness of, about, and for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ+) people and culture and their allies in Des Moines and the surrounding region through the production of community Pride events, education, and outreach to the LGBTQ+ community and the community at large and the Pride festival and Parade. Our mission is to create opportunities to celebrate, advocate, educate, and connect people, respecting the full diversity of the LGBTQ+ community in Des Moines and surrounding region.
Position Information
Position Title: Capital City Pride Executive Director
Location: Des Moines, IA
Supervisor’s Title: Capital City Pride Executive Committee and Board
FLSA Status: Exempt
The goal of Capital City Pride is to educate and foster a sense of pride, community, and awareness of, about, and for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ+) people and culture, and their allies, in Des Moines and the surrounding region. The production of community Pride events, education, and outreach to the LGBTQ+ community and the community at large and the Pride festival and Parade help support this goal. Our mission is to create opportunities to celebrate, advocate, educate, and connect people, respecting the full diversity of the LGBTQ+ community in Des Moines and surrounding region. We do this through our four pillars of pride: Community, Education, Family, and Health.
Capital City Pride has grown from a group of volunteers producing an annual Pride Fest, to a 13-member volunteer Board of Directors that now produces events and programming year-round. With this immense growth over the last five years, the Board has worked toward a plan to hire its first Executive Director.
The Executive Director is responsible for the direction and leadership toward the achievement of the organization’s philosophy, mission, strategic and annual goals, and objectives. The Executive Director creates and sustains strong and supportive relationships with the community, donors, the media, the business communities, the public, government at all levels and other LGBTQ+ organizations. The Executive Director reports to the Executive Committee and Board.
Overview of Responsibilities
Organizational leadership and management of fiscal resources and operations:
- Works with the Board to help identify and fulfill community goals and culture by providing leadership and vision.
- Leads and manages all administrative aspects of the organization.
- Develops resources and works with the Board to create and achieve financial goals through revenue growth and expense management to ensure the financial health of the organization deploying appropriate administrative controls.
- Responsible for fiscal management that develops and operates within the approved budget and monitoring resources and expenses.
- Communicates with the Board and provides timely, accurate reporting, and relevant information related to the strategic plan, grants, event planning and finances.
Development and implementation of fundraising strategies, tactics and relationships:
- Responsible for fundraising and developing other revenues necessary to support Capital City’s Pride’s mission.
- Expand local revenue generating and fundraising activities to support existing program operations and future expansion.
- Develop, research, and cultivate potential donors.
- Research granting agencies, both public and private, and develop/write grant proposals.
Development and maintenance of advantageous community and business partnerships:
- Identify, develop, maintain and intensify productive working relationships with LGBTQ+ community partners and other community and business interests, to advance the mission and capacity of Capital City Pride’s programs, events and services.
Development and implementation of public relations and marketing strategies, partnerships:
- Serve as the primary spokesperson for Capital City Pride and its programs, events, services and goals.
- Deepen and refine all aspects of communications—from web presence to external relations with the goal of creating a stronger brand.
- Works with the Board marketing committee to provide ongoing strategic direction, advice, and guidance on content, PR, advocacy engagement, and community engagement.
- Supports and aligns with other LGBTQ+ organizations to promote LGBTQ+ equality and equity issues in the Des Moines area.
Leadership, development and execution of community programs, events and services:
- Plan, and organize major events, in accordance with historical information, and financial and time restraints, with an ability to multiple events at once.
- Meet with event sponsors and coordinate with them regularly on existing and emerging investment opportunities.
- Communicate with marketing team to create effective advertisements for each event, and when necessary, craft marketing materials such as print and Internet advertisements for individual events.
- Develop and operationalize long-term community engagement systems/mechanisms to track and monitor the evolving needs of target communities.
- Promote active, broad volunteer participation and community engagement in support of all programs, events and services.
Supervision and meaningful engagement of staff and volunteers:
- Build and develop an effective team for Capital City Pride. This includes recruiting, coaching, supervising, and training board members, volunteers, and any applicable staff.
- Actively engage and energize the organization’s staff, volunteers, board, event committees, LGBTQ+ communities, partnering organizations, and funders through collaboration and clear, consistent communication.
- Establishes a positive, healthy, and safe work environment.
- Develops and monitors annual work plans and timelines to carry out the strategic plan, including the development of programming consistent with goals and objectives.
- Implements a performance management system with regular performance monitoring and annual performance reviews; mentoring; and conflict resolution as needed.
Qualifications / Skills
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build long-term, trusting, positive relationships for the organization.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, networking, negotiation (conflict management and resolution) and presentation skills.
- Visionary leadership, strategic, and planning ability coupled with effective organizational skills.
Knowledge / Experience
- Significant experience with fundraising and development, donor development, grant management, grant proposal writing, and special events.
- Knowledge of the LGBTQ+ community and the issues surrounding it.
- A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in organizational management, non-profit management, social science, public policy, community development, human services preferred.
Salary
- $57,000 – $70,000 annually based on experience and background
- Compensation package includes health, paid vacation, personal, and holiday days.
Capital City Pride is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity at all levels.