Executive Director

Veterans Community Project (VCP) Overview

Founded in 2016 in Kansas City, MO, VCP is dedicated to supporting every man and woman who took the oath to defend our nation. The greatest barrier to ending Veteran homelessness is the revolving door of unstable housing and the frustrating maze Veterans must navigate in order to get basic support. We believe that to be an effective program, the first step is to connect Veterans and the community. VCP created an innovative homeless housing program and outreach assistance that provides inclusive services to aid Veterans in re-claiming control over their lives.

The Team

We, the team members and co-founders of VCP, are connectors, feelers, and doers on a mission to help our kin, our kind. We move with swift, bold action, driven by our mission. We believe in collaboration, community, compassion, and above all, serving Veterans with dignity and respect.

Position Summary

The Executive Director is the key management leader of the Veterans Community Project of Sioux Falls. The Executive Director is responsible for the administration, programs, and operational plan of the organization. Other key duties include fundraising, marketing, and community outreach. The position reports directly to the Chief Operating Officer.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1) Leadership: Exercises leadership appropriate to the values and culture of VCP and established strategic goals.

• Ensure ongoing programmatic achievement and program evaluation.
• Assist programming departments through goal setting, timelines, and resources to achieve operational planning.
• Actively engage local advisory board members, volunteers, and donors.
• Develop, maintain, and support local programming.
• Lead and develop VCP’s local team.
• Ensure effective systems to track progress, and regularly evaluate program components to measure successes that can be effectively replicated and communicated to the advisory board, funders, and other constituents.
• Serve as VCP of Sioux Falls’ primary spokesperson to the organization’s constituents, the media, and the general public.
• Establish and maintain relationships with various organizations and utilize those relationships to enhance VCP’s Mission.

2) Developmentand Financial Viability: Develops resources sufficient to ensure the financial health of the organization.

• Responsible for fundraising and developing other revenues necessary to support VCP’s mission in Sioux Falls. Must engage actively in fundraising.
• Expand local revenue generating and fundraising activities to support existing program operations and any ongoing or future capital campaign efforts.
• Oversee local marketing and communication efforts. Deepen and refine these efforts from web presence to external relations with the goal of creating a strong brand and high level of community awareness; ensure alignment with national brand and marketing standards.
• Use external presence and relationships to garner new opportunities.
• Ensure that the flow of funds permits the organization to make continuous progress towards the achievement of its mission and that those funds are allocated properly to reflect present needs and future potential.
• Responsible for the fiscal integrity of VCP of Sioux Falls, to include creation and submission to the local Advisory Board and Chief Financial Officer of a proposed annual budget and submission of monthly financial statements which accurately reflect the financial condition of the organization.
• Responsible for fiscal management that includes preparation and submission of an annual operating budget capable of meeting the responsibilities of this description, managing effectively within this budget once approved, and report accurately on progress made and challenges encountered.
• Ensure maximum resource utilization and maintenance of the organization in a positive financial position.

3) Local Advisory Board (LAB) Engagement: Engages with the Local Advisory Board in order to fulfill the organization mission.

• Engage the LAB in the work, strategic direction, and mission of VCP.
• Cultivate a strong and transparent working relationship with the LAB and ensure open communication about the measurement of financial, programmatic, and impact performance against stated milestones and goals.
• Responsible for communicating effectively with the LAB and providing, in a timely and accurate manner, all information necessary for them to function properly and to make informed decisions.
• Oversee organization LAB meetings and committee meetings.

4) Organization Mission and Strategy: Works with staff, LAB, and VCP Central Support Team, to ensure that the mission is fulfilled through programs, strategic planning, and community outreach.

• Responsible for implementation of VCP’s programs that carry out the mission.
• Responsible for operational planning to ensure that VCP of Sioux Falls can successfully fulfill its mission into the future.
• Responsible for the enhancement of VCP of Sioux Falls’ image by being active and visible in the community and by working closely with other professional, civic, and private organizations.
• Demonstrate excellent coalition building skills with an ability to communicate and work effectively with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
• Be a persuasive negotiator able to achieve consensus amongst differing opinions.
• Rationalize the delivery of programs through new and existing offices and partnerships.
• Increase efficiencies and consistency throughout the organization by developing and implementing standardized programs, services, and program office marketing.

5) Organization Operations: Oversees, develops, and implements resources required to ensure that the operations of the organization are carried out efficiently and effectively.

• Work closely with the Chief Operating Officer and designees for daily operational support, program development, and positive outcomes for the organization.
• Responsible for the hiring and retention of competent, qualified staff.
• Responsible for fostering a culture of collaboration both within the staff and with the VCP Central Support Team, and between VCP and the community of Sioux Falls.
• Responsible for effective administration of VCP of Sioux Falls operations.
• Responsible for signing all notes, agreements, and other instruments made and entered into and on behalf of the organization, within organizational approval limits.
• Review and approve contracts for services.

Professional Qualifications:

The ED will be thoroughly committed to VCP's mission. All candidates should have proven leadership, coaching, fundraising, financial, and relationship management experience.

Specific requirements include:

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree, ideally an MPA or MBA, preferred with at least 5 years of senior nonprofit management experience and track record of effectively leading and raising funds to support the organization.
• Transparent and high integrity leadership.
• Active fundraising experience. Excellent donor relations skills and understanding of the funding community.
• High level operational thinking and planning skills with the ability to envision and convey the organization’s strategic future to the staff, advisory board, volunteers, and donors.
• Strong financial management skills, including budget preparation, analysis, decision making, and reporting.
• Previous success in establishing relationships with individuals and organizations of influence including funders, partner agencies, and volunteers.
• Unwavering commitment to quality programs and data-driven program evaluation.
• Excellence in organizational management with the ability to coach staff, manage, and develop high-performance teams, set and achieve strategic objectives, and manage a budget.
• Past success working with a Board of Directors with the ability to cultivate existing board member relationships.
• Strong marketing and public relations experience with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders and cultures.
• Action-oriented, entrepreneurial, adaptable, and innovative approach to business planning.
• Ability to work effectively in collaboration with diverse groups of people.
• Passion, idealism, integrity, positive attitude, mission-driven, and self-directed.

This job description should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It is intended to identify the essential functions and requirements of this job. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this description. Any essential function or requirement of this job will be evaluated as necessary should an incumbent or applicant be unable to perform the function or requirement due to a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Reasonable accommodation(s) for the specific disability will be made for the incumbent or applicant when possible.

Veterans Community Project is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. We strictly prohibit and do not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. All VCP employees, other workers and representatives are prohibited from engaging in unlawful discrimination. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, training, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits and termination of employment.