Executive Director

The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors, overseeing all aspects of the organization and is responsible for the management, successful leadership, and oversight of the organization's financial assets according to the strategic direction set by the Board of Directors. All tasks must be conducted in a professional manner and in accordance with High Horses’ bylaws, policies, and with PATH Intl standards.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities: Include the following:

1. Leadership

  • Participate with the Board of Directors in developing and implementing a vision and strategic plan to guide the organization

  • Continue to move HH programming into the future with contemporary staff skills, Results Based Accountability/ Outcomes Evaluations, data management, and research

  • Ensure High Horses has a sustainable, flexible physical facility to enable state of the art programming

  • Promote optimal staff communication, productivity, harmony, and morale through ongoing monitoring, availability, and troubleshooting. Initiate timely interventions when needed to preserve a healthy work environment for staff and volunteers

  • Identify, assess, and inform the Board of Directors of internal and external issues that affect the organization

  • Act as a professional advisor to the Board of Directors on all aspects of the organization's activities

  • Foster effective teamwork between the Board and the Executive Director and between the Executive Director and staff

  • In addition to the Chair of the Board, act as a spokesperson for the organization

  • Conduct official correspondence on behalf of the Board as appropriate and jointly with the Board when appropriate

2. Operational Planning and Management

  • Develop an operational plan which incorporates goals and objectives that work towards the strategic direction of the organization

  • Ensure that the operation of the organization meets the expectations of its clients, Board, and Donors

  • Oversee the efficient and effective day-to-day operation of the organization

  • Draft policies for the approval of the Board and prepare procedures to implement the organizational policies; review existing policies on an annual basis and recommend changes to the Board as appropriate

  • Ensure that personnel, client, donor and volunteer files are securely stored and privacy/confidentiality is maintained, meeting or exceeding federal regulations

  • Provide support to the Board by consulting with the Board Chair on the monthly meeting agenda and preparing supporting materials

3. Program Planning and Management

  • Oversee the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the organization's programs and services

  • Ensure that the programs and services offered by the organization are in alignment and further the organization's mission and reflect the priorities of the Board

  • Monitor the day-to-day delivery of the programs and services of the organization to maintain or improve quality, recognizing current best practices and language use in the field of equine-assisted services

  • Oversee the planning, implementation, execution, and evaluation of special projects

4. Human resources planning and management

  • Determine staffing requirements for organizational management and program delivery

  • Oversee the implementation of the human resources policies, procedures and practices including the development of job descriptions for all staff

  • Establish a positive, healthy and safe work environment in accordance with all appropriate legislation and regulations

  • Recruit, interview and select staff that have the right technical and personal abilities to help further the organization's mission

  • Ensure that all staff receives an orientation to the organization and that appropriate training is provided

  • Implement a performance management process for all staff which includes monitoring the performance of staff on an on-going basis and conducting an annual performance review

  • Coach and mentor staff as appropriate to improve performance

  • Foster a culture of collaboration among staff in carrying out the mission of the organization

  • Discipline staff when necessary using appropriate techniques; release staff when necessary using appropriate and legally defensible procedures

5. Financial planning and management

Financial Oversight

  • Work with staff and the Board (Finance Committee) to prepare a comprehensive budget

  • Administer the funds of the organization according to the approved budget and monitor the monthly cash flow of the organization

  • Approve expenditures within the authority delegated by the Board

  • Ensure that sound bookkeeping and accounting procedures are followed

  • Using up-to-date tools for measuring the effectiveness of fundraising initiatives, provide the Board with comprehensive, regular reports on the revenues and expenditure of the organization

  • Ensure that the organization complies with all legislation covering taxation and withholding requirements

Development

  • Work with the Board and development staff to secure adequate funding for the operation of the organization

  • Research funding sources, oversee the development of fundraising plans and write or oversee funding proposals to diversify and increase the funds of the organization

  • Participate in fundraising activities as appropriate

6. Community relations/advocacy

  • Communicate with stakeholders to keep them informed of the work of the organization and to identify changes in the community to assure that the organization and its mission, programs, and services are consistently presented in a strong, positive image.

  • Establish good working relationships and collaborative arrangements with community groups, donors, politicians, and other organizations to help achieve the goals of the organization

  • As feasible, oversee communication or collaboration with other PATH-accredited centers to develop the field of equine-assisted services

7. Risk management

  • Identify and evaluate the risks to the organization's people (clients, staff, management, volunteers), property, finances, goodwill, and image and implement measures to control risks

  • Ensure that the Board of Directors and the organization carries appropriate and adequate insurance coverage

  • Ensure that the Board and staff understand the terms, conditions and limitations of the insurance coverage

8. Data and Research

  • Routinize acquisition of quantitative data on each client both for internal quality improvement purposes and for potential use in research protocols

  • As feasible, serve as a research site for national multi-site Equine-Assisted Services research protocols. In addition, plan for future original research protocols that may include local collaborators.

9. Personal characteristics

The Executive Director should demonstrate competence in the following:

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily, and do so in alignment with High Horse's Vision, Mission, Strategic Plan all the while keeping within our values. Must be able to be flexible, versatile and tolerant of changing needs of clients/staff, and environment, being ethical in one's way of addressing behavior or business acumen. In addition, being able to lead positively by influencing others and fostering a sense of teamwork. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality of highly sensitive information. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education/or Experience:

  • Bachelor’s Degree with minimum of three (3) years of not-for-profit leadership experience, including direct supervisory experience managing direct reports

  • Exceptional interpersonal skills and commitment to consensus-building among a diverse set of internal and external stakeholders

  • Demonstrated oral and written communications skills

  • Ability to set strategy and execute

  • Excellent problem-solving skills

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this Job, the individual is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment: While working the individual will be subject to outdoor elements, some loud noises, natural dust from the environment, and odors.

Pay: $68,000.00 - $78,000.00 per year

Benefits:

  • 401(k)

  • Paid time off

  • Professional development assistance

Work Location: In person

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