Girls on the Run Greater Connecticut - Executive Director

Location: Greater Connecticut

Job Title: Executive Director

Reports To: GOTR – GCT Board of Directors

FLSA Status: Exempt, Full-Time

Girls on the Run Greater Connecticut is a local nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams. We inspire girls to be joyful, healthy, and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum that creatively integrates running. To learn more about our program and impact, visit: https://www.girlsontherungreaterct.org/.

Girls on the Run believes that all girls and communities should have access to our programs. We strive to eliminate barriers to participation, to continue creating programming that engage all communities, to be intentional about staff and volunteer diversity and to promote a culture of inclusion across the organization.

Our council currently serves 700 girls across 5 Counties: Hartford, New Haven, Fairfield, Tolland, and Litchfield.

Position Summary

The Executive Director of GOTR Greater Connecticut will work with community leaders, schools and school systems, non-profit partners, families and participants, and volunteers to create significant impact in our community. The ideal candidate will have a passion for youth, experience in fundraising and grant writing, business acumen and will have successfully managed community impact programs, including evaluation and measurement.

Principle responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

Strategic Planning

• Provide strategic direction and leadership of the overall program through careful implementation and continuation of the Strategic Plan.
• Develop a comprehensive council growth plan that reflects creative program and site development strategies with an intentional focus on growing access and diversifying communities served.
• Collaborate with the Board to identify and plan for infrastructure growth parallel to growth of the program.

Fund Development

• Develop sustainable revenue plan with a focus on grant writing and individual donor development and stewardship to exceed $50k for FY25, with a targeted increase of 5% for FY26.
• Develop and sustain sponsorship relationships with local, corporate and national partners to meet and exceed annual sponsorship financial goals ($55k FY25 goal).
• Serve as ambassador to raise awareness by building and maintaining relationships with local media, service groups, corporate groups, fitness organizations, etc.

Staff and Volunteer Leadership

• Provide direction, oversight and professional development opportunities for staff, as well as leadership to the volunteer coaches, and committee leadership.
• Develop coach recruitment and retention efforts that result in coaches representing the diversity of girls served.
• Cultivate and steward key relationships with community organizations and site liaisons, coaches, parents, participants and volunteers.
• Maintain strong relationship with the Board of Directors and Girls on the Run International.

Operational Administration

• Manage the organization with a business mindset by establishing and implementing efficient systems and strategies.
• Execute all financial, operational and programmatic reports to Girls on the Run International and to state and local funding agencies in a timely manner.
• Leverage data to monitor GOTR Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and track progress toward meeting organizational goals.

Build Community Presence

• Oversee special events planning and execution (e.g.: Season-End 5k events, virtual and in person events, etc.)
• Ensure community engagement and communication is consistent with the GOTR brand and core values
• Strategically engage with community partners to expand organizational awareness and reach.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of demonstrated leadership experience, preferably in a Connecticut-based non-profit community impact environment
• Demonstrated effective team leadership and mentorship
• Demonstrated experience in fundraising, grant writing, setting and managing budgets, and financial forecasting
• Passion for the Girls on the Run mission
• Readiness to embrace the work of inclusion, diversity, equity, and access
• Ability to effectively communicate issues surrounding girl empowerment, self-esteem, body image and whole-person health and comfortability delivering presentations to large groups
• Strong technological proficiency
• Demonstrated financial (budget) and business acumen
• Must be available nights and weekends as needed for GOTR events, funding opportunities and ambassador engagements
• Reliable transportation
• A flexible and adaptable team-player with a sense of humor

Competencies

• Managing Vision
• Strategic Agility
• Decision Quality
• Integrity & Trust
• Presentation Skills
  
• Drive for Results
• Compassion & Approachability

To support your success, you can expect:

• The opportunity to work with an engaged and motivated Board that works hard and proactively raises funds in partnership with staff.
• Strong support from Girls on the Run International providing support and resources.
• Opportunities for professional development, both locally and nationally.
• Respect for work-life balance. You will work hard, but we respect your need to recharge your batteries.
• Reimbursement for work related expenses including transportation and use of personal technology.

Work Environment: This is a full-time position at 35 hours per week, based in the greater Connecticut area. The position allows for flexible remote work; however, the candidate must be locally based to provide hands on leadership and in-person support to our community. 

• Frequent local travel with rare out-of-state travel
• Ongoing in-person and virtual interactions in community
• High speed internet access required to access systems

Benefits & Compensation

At Girls on the Run Greater Connecticut, we support and celebrate one another not only as coworkers, but as people. We proudly offer generous and flexible PTO so that staff can nurture their physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing in ways that are personally meaningful to them. We pride ourselves on a team culture that is supportive, understanding, and open. This position is offering a salary of $60,000 - $67,000 annually (equating to approximately $33 - $37 per hour with the 35 hour work week), depending on experience. In addition, GOTR Connecticut offers a wellness benefit support of up to $400 per month reimbursement for eligible expenses. 

Are you enthusiastic about this position but uncertain if your professional background matches the requirements? We warmly welcome you to apply! We are dedicated to cultivating a diverse and inclusive team that values authenticity and embraces different strengths. Showcase your expertise and skills with confidence! You might be the ideal candidate for this role.

Applications received before January 1, 2025 will be given priority.

Salary : $60,000 - $67,000