Executive Director

The Board of Directors is seeking an experienced and driven Executive Director to lead its team of service providers, rapidly grow funding development, and serve as the face of the organization. Ideal candidates will have a strong connection to our mission and values; leadership and supervisory experience; and successful experience in fundraising and the grant writing process. They will embrace the inclusive philosophy of Miriam’s Promise to include all Federally protected classes and marginalized populations. Direct experience in adoption and family services and/or social work preferred. 

The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors. They will be expected to maintain consistent, positive relationships with Directors and to keep them informed of the organization’s successes, struggles, progress, needs, and fiscal condition. They will also maintain consistent, positive relationships with church officials and leadership, regulatory authorities, state and local governments, nonprofit networks, and the broader adoption community. 

Miriam’s Promise was founded by and is still affiliated with the Tennessee/Western Kentucky Conference of the United Methodist Church. The Executive Director will speak regularly to a broad spectrum of community groups to share the mission, needs, and successes of Miriam’s Promise, including at religious services and gatherings, secular events, and events focused on diversity and inclusion, to name a few. They are also responsible for preparing the annual funding request (apportionment) for the United Methodist Church and for maintaining the overall Conference relationship. 

The Executive Director is expected to maintain a working knowledge of the adoption services industry and all applicable laws and to keep informed of proposed legislation that could affect the organization’s mission and services. 

Applicants should include a cover letter that speaks directly to the mission and values of Miriam’s Promise, the applicant’s connection to them, and relevant leadership experience to push them forward. 

Personnel

• • Provide leadership, direction, and oversight to all personnel.
  • Set individual and team service delivery goals and review performance on a regular basis.
  • Review procedures and goals semi-annually with the leadership team to verify or recommend needed changes in program services. 
  • Accountable for onboarding, development, and continuing education for staff.

Safety and Client Rights

• • Assure practices and procedures that safeguard the physical and psychological safety of clients.
  • Report immediately to the Board of Directors any circumstances of abuse/neglect of clients, or circumstances which otherwise appear to violate client rights.
  • Through training and supervision, provide staff with the knowledge and tools to support clients’ physical, emotional, and psychological safety.
  • Assure that the program provides services that promote an awareness of and sensitivity to the cultural backgrounds and needs of the clients served.

Fundraising /Development 

• • Work with the Board to create and implement a strategic development plan, including measurable objectives and budget, in a cost-effective and time-efficient manner.
  • Increase new donors by setting measurable goals, developing materials, tracking and following up; maintaining and enhancing engagement with existing donors.
  • Identify private and public grant opportunities and oversee the application process.
  • Train and lead other staff to support fundraising and marketing efforts.

Financial

• • Assure fiscal accountability which includes:
  • Supervisory approval of expenditures and voucher requests
  • Maintaining records of site expenditures
  • Review financial statements with the Treasurer and Board
  • Prepare the yearly budget and present it to the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors.
  • Make staff salary recommendations; oversee payroll and employee benefits.
  • Schedule and supervise the yearly audit; ensure preparation and submission of form 990, communicate with the Board of Directors regarding findings.
  • Review accounts receivable and financial statements (monthly and year-end).

Board Development and Relationships

• • Work closely with the Chair of the Board of Directors to develop a strong and effective board to develop and achieve the strategic plan of the agency.
  • Develop and provide Board orientation for new members, including the provision of board manuals, roles and responsibilities, policies, etc.
  • Develop working relationships with individual Board members to determine members’ best use of skills, areas of interest, etc.
  • Maintain appropriate Board correspondence, minutes of official meetings, etc.
  • Monitor, plan, and report progress to the Board at its bi-monthly meetings

Public Relations and Awareness

• • Oversee communication materials for the community-at-large and specific groups.
  • Oversee PR statements, appearances, event communications, website, etc.
  • Network with area churches inside and outside the Tennessee Conference and local agencies to determine service needs, maintain positive relationships, increase awareness, and encourage financial support.
  • Participate in Conference leadership activities to maintain positive relationships within the Annual Conference and local congregations.

Additional Job Duties

Knowledge and Experience

Qualified candidates will:

• • Meet all requirements set forth in Rule 0250-4-9-.04 from the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services Social Services Division (detailed on page 10)
  • Hold a bachelor’s degree, preferably in management, nonprofit management, social work, counseling, education, psychology, nursing, or religious service
  • Have direct experience in a leadership and/or supervisory role, preferably in adoption, family services, and/or social work

Key Skills

The ideal candidate for this position must:

• • Abide by the organization’s mission and be committed to the core values of the agency; demonstrate, communicate, and represent those to others
  • Demonstrate leadership ability in strategizing and coalition-building
  • Demonstrate effectiveness and leadership experience in fund development, including the grant process
  • Demonstrate an awareness of and sensitivity to the various cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of the clients and staff members
  • Have strong leadership and supervisory abilities, with a focus on building relationships and creating a positive work environment for staff and clients
  • Have the skills and comfort necessary to grow the organization and its public profile
  • Be comfortable speaking and networking in both faith-based and secular groups, including those focused on diversity and inclusion
  • Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Strength in preparing and tracking an annual budget
  • Possess professional demeanor and skills in working with staff, clients, volunteers, and members of the community
  • Have knowledge of and abide by rules of confidentiality
  • Have a vehicle for business use and a valid TN driver’s license and current automobile insurance
  • Be able to use computers efficiently (i.e., word processing [Microsoft Word, Excel], data storage/retrieval, donor tracking systems, etc.)

Negotiable Package

Salary and benefits are to be determined in partnership with the Board of Directors. Medical, dental, pension, and other benefits are available. Base salary can be negotiated based on which benefits are needed. The total compensation package, including salary, benefits, and social security, starts at $70,000.

Incentive Potential

Together with the Executive Director, the Board of Directors may establish a bi-annual incentive schedule based on meeting goals for funding growth. 

Applicants should send a cover letter and resume to MiriamsPromiseSearch@gmail.com. Cover letters should speak directly to the mission and values of Miriam’s Promise, the applicant’s connection to them, and relevant leadership experience to push them forward.