Executive Director

About the organization:

Santa Barbara Meals on Wheels is a volunteer-based non-profit organization that delivers affordable meals – freshly prepared by a local vendor – 365 days a year to elderly, disabled and homebound residents in the city of Santa Barbara. For 53 years, volunteers have brought nutritious, ready-to-eat meals to the doors of their clients, providing invaluable social interaction to those who are isolated.

About the role:

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Executive Director to lead our organization. This individual will shape a strategic vision, oversee daily operations and staff, and generate funds from a variety of sources. The successful candidate will be a proven leader with a passion for our mission. The Executive Director will be accountable to the Board of Directors and supervised by a Co-President of the Board.

Responsibilities:

Strategic leadership

• Provide visionary leadership to advance the organization’s mission and goals
• Develop strategic plan in collaboration with Board of Directors

Operational management

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of Santa Barbara Meals on Wheels
• Ensure food quality and excellent, friendly service
• Manage, develop and support two part-time administrative employees
• Grow 100-person volunteer base, providing direction, motivation and recognition
• Utilize enterprise software to generate critical metrics and data to refine service offering, aid funding efforts and support external communications
• Manage relationship with retirement community kitchen that produces all meals

Financial management

• Develop and manage budget
• Work closely with Treasurer and board to set financial goals, monitor performance and submit financial reporting
• Interpret financial data to drive business decisions
• Ensure financial stability, program growth and organizational longevity through effective resource allocation and fundraising efforts

Grants and fundraising

• Identify and effectively utilize a variety of fundraising sources, including fee income from clients, grants, donations and gifts, corporate partnerships and fundraising activities
• Nurture ongoing relationships with funders
• Build new partnerships to sustain and enhance program
• Oversee the work of grant writer who works on a contract basis

Community engagement

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with community partners, donors and stakeholders, serving as spokesperson for Meals on Wheels
• Raise the profile of the organization through a communication plan that promotes awareness of food insecurity and isolation among seniors, and highlights the organization’s mission

Board collaboration

• Provide regular updates and counsel to the Board of Directors, seek input and align organizational strategies with board priorities
• Support board expansion and engagement, leveraging experience and skills of members through committee work
• Identity opportunities and threats, and involve board in strategic responses

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field
• 5+ years of leadership and employee management experience in a nonprofit
• Strong understanding of nonprofit governance, compliance and financial management
• Excellent writing, communication and interpersonal skills, with experience in developing a communications plan
• Demonstrated success in fundraising and donor relations
• Demonstrated capabilities in board administration
• Strong computer skills and high degree of comfort using enterprise software and Excel-based applications to achieve results and aid reporting
• Commitment to the mission of Santa Barbara Meals on Wheels

Salary to be based on candidate’s skills and experience