Executive Director

Company Description

KENTUCKY RECREATION & PARKS SOCIETY INC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing parks, recreation, and leisure services in Kentucky. The organization works to support local communities and promote healthy lifestyles through recreation. With a commitment to enhancing the quality of life for Kentucky residents, KRPS plays a vital role in the development and maintenance of community spaces.

Role Description

This is a full-time, remote opportunity, for an Executive Director. The Executive Director will oversee all aspects of the organization's 501(c)(3) operations, including strategic planning, program management, budgeting, fundraising, marketing/public relations and community engagement. The role involves coordinating with staff, volunteers, and board members to implement initiatives and achieve organizational goals. Additional responsibilities include representing KRPS at events, advocating for parks and recreation services, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. Under the direction of the Board of Directors, the executive director is responsible for overall management and operation of Kentucky Recreation and Park Society and protection of the organization’s financial assets while ensuring compliance with the board directives, as well as federal and state requirements.

Qualifications

• Oversees all accounting functions including those necessary for auditing, budgeting, financial analysis, capital asset and property management and payroll in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, the board of directors’ policies and procedures, and all other applicable rules and guidelines. (Coordination with KRPS treasurer).
• Excellent oral and written communications skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills essential.
• A high level of computer literacy to manage virtual communications (such as E-mail, social media platforms, website management, survey software, E-mail distribution systems) and operational needs (Microsoft Office, content management).
• A proven track record of strong fiscal management as well as development and fundraising success.
• Experience with marketing programs to encourage and increase membership participation in the organization’s activities.
• Demonstrated ability to run conferences and to work with leadership, as well as vendors, planners, and society committees. Knowledge of event management and venue contract negotiations such as annual conference; publications management; associations and membership programs.
• Ability to motivate and manage volunteers, particularly the ability to collaboratively work with and support a board of directors.
• Ability to supervise staff effectively through creating a team environment, providing effective delegation, and holding staff accountable to meet deadlines and produce desired outcomes.
• Ability to build relationships with commercial members and build the commercial membership base. Increase commercial stakeholders and investiture as corporate sponsors.
• Work with the executive committee and president of the board to work towards fulfilling the vision and mission of the Kentucky Recreation and Park Society.
• Seek out opportunities (Certified Playground Safety Inspector, Aquatic Facility Operator, American Red Cross courses, Instructor courses, etc.) to assist departments by providing or bringing individualized training programs regionally.
• Outstanding management and organizational skills with the ability to maintain a "big picture" strategic view.
• The ability to work under tight deadlines with multiple stakeholders and with competing interests.
• Ability to translate policies into daily routine operations.
• Demonstrated analytical skills; the ability to identify challenges and opportunities facing the Society and to offer feasible solutions for addressing them.
• Ability to work independently and be self-directed/motivated. Self-assured, confident, and goal oriented.
• Excellent outreach and networking skills.

Core Competencies: To perform effectively in this position, the individual should demonstrate the following competencies. These core competencies represent effective administration of KRPS and the services that fulfill the Society’s mission.

Management: Maintains effective systems of internal controls to account for all receipts and expenditures of funds; manages and operates fundraising efforts to maximize the Society’s effectiveness in providing core services.

Job Knowledge: Understands the technical aspects of managing a nonprofit organization; understands the duties and responsibilities of the position and keeps job knowledge up to date. Clearly understands the mission of the organization and continuously works to promote KRPS and achieve the established goal of the Society.

Initiative in fulfilling the Goals of the Society: The executive director recognizes and brings to the president of the board issues that affect the Society and implements plans to reach the Society’s goals as determined by the board of directors. Displays initiative in developing action plans and resolving problems as they occur, in consultation with the president and other board members as directed in the by-laws.

Communication: Communicates effectively with multiple audiences using a variety of formats. Examples include written communications that clearly outline the situation and action items, verbal presentations and briefings to the boards of directors and other parties.

Dependability: Seeks increased responsibility while remaining conscientious, thorough, accurate, and reliable with respect to achieving the Society’s goals. This includes being available and responsive to issues and concerns as they arise. Must be willing and able to workdays, weekends, and nights as dictated by the needs of the Society.

Education and/or Experience: The executive director must possess the above skills, knowledge and qualities which may result from a college degree or at least four years of experience in business, non-profit operational and financial management, or related areas. Parks and Recreation experience is preferred.

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the executive director is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, see, hear, and travel. The position requires extensive computer use so employee must have sufficient hand dexterity to use a computer keyboard and be capable of reading a computer screen. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable otherwise qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Travel: The executive director must be able to travel to attend conferences and stay overnight for training and other events as required to maintain proficiency in fulfilling the responsibilities of the position.

Work Environment: Remote working opportunity, Kentucky location is negotiable to meet the needs of the Society and the executive director.

Resumes should be sent to Patrick Manning - msmcparkdirector@gmail.com by 4/14/25.