Executive Director Job Description

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Mission Statement
Bridging The Gap (BTG) is a non-profit organization that works to make the Kansas City region sustainable by connecting environment, economy and community. Bridging The Gap seeks to educate citizens, businesses and government on the impact of decisions and behavior on our present and future community and world. Our goal is a metropolitan region that becomes a model for sustainable decision-making and behaviors.

Strategic Direction
BTG has been considered one of Kansas City’s leading local environmental organizations since its founding in 1991. We continue to broaden our expertise, program and funding base, but all programs and endeavors have elements of environmental education, followed immediately by the opportunity to act. We work with community partners in every sector of society, but are especially well known for grassroots outreach and community building.

Position Summary
The Executive Director of Bridging The Gap is a highly responsible executive position requiring abilities in leadership, supervision, planning, fund development and public relations. This position oversees the creation and direction of internally-generated programs, or those operated in partnership with BTG’s programs and affiliate organizations. A complete list of these includes:

  • Keep Kansas City Beautiful
  • Kansas City WildLands
  • Heartland Tree Alliance
  • Environmental Excellence Business Network
  • Business Consulting Services
  • By-Product Synergy
  • Community Recycling Centers
  • Walking School Bus
  • Five Green Things
  • Shadowcliff

The Executive Director is accountable to the Board of Directors and is ultimately responsible for the overall leadership, management and financial viability of the organization. Through a shared leadership model this position is responsible for the fiscal integrity of the organization, including its fundraising efforts, the development of a competent staff, the effective implementation of all initiatives and communication to and support of the Board of Directors.

Under the supervision of the Board of Directors this position has the following:

Duties and Responsibilities
The following represent the essential functions of this position. A percentage indicating the current emphasis follows each function, although the percentage may shift over time. Additional duties may also be assigned that would be essential to the successful performance of this position.

I. Provides overall management and oversight of the organization’s administration. 40%

A. Develops and maintains a sound plan of organization and strategy, and provides for management development which will ensure the continuing effectiveness of the organization.

B. Builds the long-term credibility of the organization by ensuring that BTG programs are effective, that contractual obligations are met and that community partners are kept informed of progress.

C. Through the Board and leadership staff, establishes policies, contractual commitments, expenditures and personnel actions; and reviews and approves the appointment, employment, transfer or termination of key positions. Plans for development of the staff to ensure successful future management.

D. Provides information, support and leadership to the Board of Directors, including apprising the Board of industry trends and changing community needs and the need for policy and resource development and/or change.

I. Assures that a plan for board development, board succession and Executive Director succession is created and implemented.

II. Works in one-to-one and team relationships with Board members to ensure that they deepen their understanding of and commitment to Bridging The Gap’s mission in the community.

E. Insures that BTG operates within the budgets created by leadership team and oversees all financial aspects of BTG’s operations including budget recommendations for presentation to the Board or as required by funders.

F. Assures sound fiscal management, including appropriate investment of funds, audits and professional records.

G. Maintains close connection to subsidiary/affiliate Boards, steering committees and other leadership volunteers; ensures adequate communication systems are in place with rest of the organization.

II. Takes an active role in concert with the Board and leadership staff to oversee and facilitate Bridging The Gap’s resource development efforts to ensure the availability of adequate resources for current operations and programs and for new innovations and expanding programs. 40%

A. Identifies and cultivates new funding sources through business, government, foundations and individuals; actively participates in on-going relationships with major donors.

B. Seeks entrepreneurial opportunities for development of revenue production.

III. Ensures that BTG’s mission is effectively projected, well understood and embraced by the community at large; builds BTG’s credibility and relationships. This includes participating in appropriate community forums as appropriate or delegating representation of BTG to staff as needed. The Executive Director models and communicates BTG values, beliefs and mission in his/her relationships with all constituencies, including clients, funding sources, other agencies and community groups, to ensure a positive image and effect appropriate collaboration and partnerships consistent with BTG mission. 20%

A. Ensures establishment and nurturing of relationships which help promote the organization’s mission, including those with government, business and private citizens and special interest groups, including more traditional neighborhood and environmental organizations.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Postgraduate degree from an accredited college or university and a minimum of five years of experience in nonprofit management/supervisory experience at a senior level, including the related administration, personnel, program, budgetary and financial matters;
  • The ability to conceptualize, develop and manage a broad-based fund development effort;
  • Exceptional people and organizational skills, along with excellent grammar and written composition skills; good computer skills
  • A strong ability to work well with a Board of Directors and other agency executives and deal effectively with the public are key aspects of the position.

Competencies – Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

  • Self-Management/Leadership:
    • Individual Leadership/Influence: Creates and communicates a compelling and inspired vision or sense of core purpose; uses appropriate interpersonal styles and methods to inspire and guide individuals (staff, peers and senior managers) toward goal achievement; and invites input from each person and shares ownership and visibility.
    • Action Orientation: Enjoys working hard; is action oriented and shows dedication for all BTG sponsored events, seeing programming as challenging and worthwhile; seizes opportunities when they arise.
    • Self Knowledge: Knows personal strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and limits; seeks feedback to gain insights from mistakes; and is open to constructive criticism and looks forward to balanced performance appraisals.
    • Perseverance: Pursues everything with energy, drive and a need to see the event completed to a successful conclusion; and seldom gives up before finishing, especially in the face of resistance or setbacks.
    • Creativity: Strives to come up with new and unique ideas for implementing regional environmental leadership; and uses brainstorming and other techniques to achieve new and innovative approaches.
    • Priority Setting: Can quickly sense what will help or hinder accomplishing the established goals; and can focus on the most important tasks and spends time wisely on what’s important.
    • Team Leadership: Participates effectively as a member of leadership team; able to balance organizational needs, own leadership, others’ leadership and development of a team in a way that strengthens the team while achieving goals.
    • Entrepreneurial Spirit: Provides creative and nontraditional ideas and suggestion to the organization; has a sense about managing the creative process of others; can facilitate effective brainstorming; can project how potential ideas may play out in the community; and is good at bringing the entrepreneurial spirit to others.
       
  • Technical Skills:
    • Environmental Issues Expertise: Has the knowledge and expertise in environmental sustainability, with a global, national and regional perspective. Understands the interrelationship of the environment and the economy and has the commitment to environmental restoration.
    • Nonprofit Leadership: Has a working knowledge of the management of nonprofit organizations and the ability to lead an agency to reach a high level of accomplishment. Works well with a Board of Directors, providing it with concise information for the formation of necessary policies. Sets clear objectives and measures, monitors process, progress and results appropriately.
    • Finance and Budgeting: Has the aptitude and experience to construct the financial format and determine the relevant elements of prudent financial management, i.e., ratios for income, promotion, production and operating margins for programs; knowledgeable in formation of annual and event specific budgets and has the ability to analyze the effectiveness of various programs.
    • Fund Development/Member Management: Has the ability to manage a robust fund development program, having strong experience in raising ongoing funds for administration and specialized programming. Is knowledgeable in the techniques necessary to build a strong membership-based organization reaching out to the full regional community.
    • Community Engagement: Establishes and maintains linkages with key stakeholders, utilizes leadership, team building, negotiation and conflict resolution skills to build consensus within BTG and community partnerships. Collaborates with community partners to promote the principles of BTG, identifies how public and private organizations operate within the community and accomplishes effective community engagements. Identifies community assets and available resources and communicates the role of BTG with public and private partners in environmental sustainability.
    • Technical Proficiencies: Good computer skills; understands and is proficient in the Windows environment, with Microsoft Office and the internet.
       
  •  Organizational Knowledge and Skills
    • Financial Accountability: Is knowledgeable in the financial systems of BTG; is aware of the need for profitability and is conscious of cost-saving and revenue-generating opportunities.
    • Strategic Agility: Sees ahead clearly, can anticipate future consequences and trends accurately. Has broad knowledge and perspective and is future-oriented. Has the ability to articulate the vision of possibilities and likelihoods and can create breakthrough strategies and plans.
    • Problem Solving: Draws on multiple sources of information to research solutions; has a strategic, “big picture” focus in assessing solutions and can anticipate consequences; and manages disagreements.
    • Political Savvy: Can maneuver through complex political situations effectively and quietly; is sensitive to how people and organizations function; anticipates where the problems lie and plans approach accordingly.
    • Judgment/Decision-making: Makes sound judgments by asking good questions and probing all possible sources for answers; makes decisions after exploring alternative options that are based on logical assumptions and factual information, taking into consideration resources and boundaries; and looks beyond the obvious, not stopping at the first answer.
    • Planning and Organizing Work: Accurately identifies the length and difficulty of tasks and projects; establishes a course of action for self and BTG team members to accomplish specific goals; delineates work into the process steps; and anticipates and adjusts for problems and roadblocks.
    • Community/Customer Focus: Proactively develops community/customer relationships by making efforts to listen to and understand the constituent; gets first-hand customer information and uses it for improvements in programs; anticipates and provides solutions to community/customer needs; establishes and maintains effective relationships with the community to gain their trust and respect; and gives high priority to community/customer satisfaction.
    • Ethics: Adheres to an appropriate and effective set of core values and beliefs during both good and tough times; acts in line with those values; rewards the right values and disapproves of others; and is seen as a direct, truthful individual who can present the unvarnished truth in an appropriate and helpful manner.
       
  • Interpersonal and Teamwork Skills:
    • Teamwork/Cooperation: Works effectively with BTG team, the Board of Directors and the various community agencies to accomplish organization goals; takes actions that respect the needs and contributions of team members; shares successes; and puts own objectives to the side for the objectives of BTG.
    • Giving and Receiving Feedback: Provides timely information that people need to know for the success of the event; and provides direct feedback and information to team members, customers and other parties so that they can make accurate decisions.
    • Listening: Practices attentive and active listening, having the patience to hear people out and can accurately restate the opinions of others even when there is disagreement.
    • Interpersonal Savvy: Possesses an easy, approachable demeanor; builds appropriate rapport and constructive and effective relationships; uses diplomacy and tact; can diffuse even high-tension situations comfortably; and practices active listening skills.
    • Understanding Others: Listens carefully to understand various points of view, whether or not he/she agrees; suspends judgment until others have had their say, can clearly state opposing views of others even if he/she doesn’t accept them; accepts diversity in others; can predict what others will say or do across different situations; manages all kinds and classes of people equitably; and deals effectively with all races, nationalities, cultures, handicaps, ages and both sexes.

 Personal Attributes

  • Presents a maturity for dealing with people, stress tolerance, multiple demands and diverse opinions
  • Possesses the ability to work with or for multiple bosses and priorities
  • Reliable and dependable
  • Honors and respects all people
  • Possesses the ability to navigate uncertain circumstances that have potential for conflict
  • Understands the possible political (internal and external) consequences of situations
  • Flexible
  • Stress Tolerant
  • Demonstrates self-regard and self-awareness
  • Provides a positive attitude and optimism to most situations

Send Resumes to laura@bridgingthegap.org or Attn: Laura Bogue, 435 Westport Rd., #23, Kansas City, MO 64111. Deadline Sept. 15.

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