Executive Director

Application deadline: November 16, 2022

Employer: Harbor House Domestic Abuse Programs

Location: Appleton, WI

Harbor House is currently undergoing a pivotal transformation, building on its 38-year history of providing shelter and relief services to victims of domestic abuse. With the recent merge of Harbor House and Sexual Assault Crisis Center, the organization is now a dual (domestic and sexual violence) agency, serving victims of sexual assault and domestic violence as well as those who use abusive behaviors in Outagamie and Calumet Counties; one source of accessible help for the community. The organization is razor focused on its vision of a community free of domestic and sexual violence.

Today, Harbor House continues to provide critical 24/7 crisis response to domestic violence victims, with a 68-bed shelter which also accommodates children and pets, a hotline, hospital accompaniment services, and advocacy and support services. Approximately 70% of Harbor House’s clients never utilize shelter services and are offered culturally specific outreach and advocacy, legal advocacy, housing support and navigation, as well as support and advocacy for children and youth. Other services include intervention and prevention programs, and community education. With the merge of the Sexual Assault Crisis Center and Harbor House, the organization is now able to offer both 24/7 domestic violence and sexual assault crisis lines staffed by trained advocates, sexual violence programs that provide advocacy, legal and law enforcement advocacy, and accompaniment to those who have experience sexual violence, functioning as a rape crisis center, but also providing advocacy/support to those who have experienced sexual violence in the past.

Harbor House is about to launch a new brand identity, reflecting these expanded programs and services, which will be announced as this search is underway. A new Mission reflects this exciting evolution:

New Mission: To serve all people impacted by domestic and sexual abuse, lead the shift in perception of violence, and advocate for lasting social change.

Vision: A community free of domestic and sexual violence

 

About the Position

The Chief Executive Officer of Harbor House Domestic Abuse Programs will lead and support an incredibly devoted team who take a client-centered approach to protecting, helping, and healing victims of domestic and sexual abuse, with equal access to all in need. The CEO will bring a strong organizational acumen, positivity, superior communication skills, and a passion to help further the vision and mission of Harbor House. With their staff, they will continue to provide effective and compassionate services and programs for all people impacted by domestic and sexual abuse, including those who use abusive behaviors. Additionally, they will constantly innovate to meet the needs of a changing and more diverse population.

They will have successful experience developing new funding sources including grants, major and corporate gifts, events, and planned giving. They will work collaboratively with state and national agencies to stay ahead of the latest knowledge and best practices in eliminating domestic and sexual violence. A strong understanding of positioning the agency successfully with the trajectory of the movement, government and local funders will be important.

The CEO will actively engage the Board of Directors to continue with strategic initiatives to create a community free of domestic and sexual violence, with a special focus on the continuation of the expansion of prevention and intervention services to end future victimization. They will acknowledge and understand the generational nature of sexual and domestic violence as well as historical traumas that exacerbate this endemic in communities of color.

The CEO will manage the Harbor House Leadership team of six highly competent staff. This person will work to uphold a culture of collaboration, inclusion, and transparent communication. They will be strategic and innovative, positioning the agency for continued success well into the future.

Primary responsibilities

  • Promote an organizational culture that fosters passion for Harbor House’s mission, open and frequent communication, teamwork, trust, and a common organizational vision.
  • Oversee fund development planning and implementation, including identifying resource requirements, researching funding sources and establishing strategies to identify and develop relationships with individual and corporate donors/funders; oversee grant writing and application process.
  • Lead the vision for the future of Harbor House; continue to implement the strategic plan and make recommendations to identify needed changes in strategy and direction for the long-term health of Harbor House and guide the staff in the successful and collaborative implementation of that plan and vision.
  • Regularly assess the effectiveness of Harbor House programs and services, and work with staff to finetune services and programs to meet a growing diverse population.
  • Partner closely with the leadership team, providing oversight but autonomy, to empower them to make quick decisions on behalf of clients when necessary.
  • Uphold the Harbor House Core Values.
  • Provide oversight of the financial operations of Harbor House, including creating and managing the annual budgets, monitoring actual financial performance relative to budgets, and providing required reports to the Board and outside agencies.
  • Cultivate a robust, professional partnership with the Board of Directors, characterized by a deep commitment to the performance of the organization, the highest standards of respect, trustworthiness, and transparency, as well as timely, relevant, and meaningful information reporting, as the liaison between board and staff.
  • Provide thoughtful leadership to the staff including mentorship, support, empowerment, professional development opportunities, and fair and transparent feedback on a consistent basis.
  • Create and cultivate collaborative relationships with Harbor House community partners, as well as other organizations, agencies, and educational institutions with whom Harbor House can partner for positive outcomes and increased efficiencies.

Qualifications

  • Demonstrated experience in successfully leading a nonprofit organization with authenticity, transparency, and financially sound management.
  • Demonstrated success in securing grants and major gifts, and an understanding of the complex nature and time frame of the development effort, including experience with the innovative ways to fundraise among new revenue sources and donor partners.
  • Experience managing the financials of government and private grants is desired. .
  • Deep passion for and experience serving, including, and respecting diverse communities across, race, class, sexual orientation, and gender.
  • A willingness to understanding the legal and emotional issues around domestic and sexual violence and prevention. Prior knowledge of domestic violence and sexual assault is a plus, but not required.
  • An understanding of how to build and maintain an effective board, how to best communicate with them collectively and as individuals, and how to utilize the board’s skill sets to benefit Harbor House.
  • The ability to successfully use strategic positioning of the agency’s vision to secure funding, and the ability to effectively communicate that to engage donors and the community at large.
  • Experience successfully working collaboratively and creatively with social and human service nonprofits, education organizations, and other community partners toward a collective goal.
  • Comfortable serving as the face of Harbor House, speaking in public forums and with the media.
  • Flexible work schedule, with the understanding that the organization runs 24/7; however, able to maintain boundaries and set an example of work-life balance for staff.
  • Must live in the Appleton area, able to work onsite most days, and able to actively participate in the communities served by Harbor House.

Desired Attributes

  • Mission-Focused: Connection and sincere passion for the mission of Harbor House with the ability to articulate the mission across all key stakeholder groups. A commitment to creating real social change, bringing a strong work ethic to end domestic and sexual abuse.
  • Humble leader: Someone who is both visible and approachable; portrays integrity, humility, honesty, enthusiasm, sense of humor, low ego, self-awareness, a commitment to the mission, and a strong work ethic.
  • Collaborative: Understands the roles and contributions of community partners, board, staff as team members, and able to mobilize these valuable partners through meaningful and participatory engagement.
  • Team-Builder: Ensures the right people are in the right roles at the right times; foster commitment, trust, and collaboration among the team.
  • Social Justice Lens: Belief in the value of offering evidence-based strategies for reducing disparities, and promoting equal access for all, regardless of socio-economic background, gender, sexual orientation, or race.
  • Exceptional Communicator: Able to communicate with intelligence and passion at the appropriate times in the appropriate manner, both within the organization and to the larger community, and practicing active listening.

Application instructions

Harbor House Domestic Abuse Programs has retained Tapestry Talent, Search & Consulting to conduct the search for the next CEO.

Applicants will be accepted through November 16, 2022.

Applicants are invited to submit a resume and cover letter expressing interest to jennifer@tapestrytalent.co.

 

Application deadline: November 16, 2022

Sorry, we are no longer accepting applications for this position.

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