Job Title: Executive Director, Puget Sound Chapter
Department: Chapter Impact
Location: Seattle, WA (remote/virtual office)
Reports to: Vice President of Chapter Impact and Outposts
Classification: Exempt
Position type: Full-Time Employee
Pay Band: $100,000 - $150,000
Blue Star Families
Blue Star Families is a growing non-profit (Military Service Organization (MSO)) with a history of delivering innovative solutions. We deliver first-class solutions that transform the military experience for military family members. Our diverse and inclusive environment fosters a sense of belonging among our team resulting in innovative and creative decision-making.
Are you ready to make a difference for the families of those who serve our great nation? We are the ideal match for the innovator, the out-of-the-box, strategic thinker who understands the value of social impact.
General Description
Reporting to the VP of Chapter Impact and Outposts, the Executive Director (ED) will have overall strategic and operational responsibility for the Chapter's staff (including volunteers), programs, budget, and execution of its mission. The ED will develop deep knowledge of core programs, operations, and the organization's strategic business goals. Duties include local board management, local VIP engagement, fundraising, storytelling, stewardship, program/project management, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), budgeting, volunteer management, partner development, membership engagement, marketing, and communications. The successful ED will create a sense of purpose in the community to welcome and support military families during and after their service and will bring creativity, positivity, and energy to sustaining the chapter's presence as a vital resource in the community. The ED will be responsible for fundraising and meeting yearly goals.
- The Executive Director must have resided in the designated Chapter community for a minimum of the past 3 years.
Key Job Functions
Fundraising & Storytelling (Virtuous Circle):
- Develop a chapter sustainability plan; expand local revenue-generating and fundraising activities to ensure the chapter's long-term financial viability.
- Ability to secure six-figure gifts from philanthropies, family foundations, corporate partners, and/or high-net-worth donors to sustain the chapter operations.
- Partner with the Development Team and Chapter Host Committee to source and cultivate leads, generate revenue, storyteller, and steward funders.
- Responsible for raising annual fundraising goals.
- Deepen and refine all aspects of communication to create a stronger brand, grow membership and engagement, and secure repeat funding.
- Leverage external presence and relationships to garner new and innovative opportunities.
Leadership & Management:
- Develop the strategy for implementing national programs at the local level.
- Regularly evaluate program components with the chapter program manager using BSF's rigorous program evaluation tools.
- Partner with the National Programs and Applied Research team on data collection, initiative implementation, and outreach.
- Develop, maintain, and steward a strong, diverse, engaged, strategic local Advisory Board.
- Actively engage and energize Blue Star Families' board members, event committees, partnering organizations, and funders.
- Lead, coach, develop & retain a corps of volunteers to support program execution and brand awareness.
- Lead, coach & manage program manager.
Community Building:
- Develop a network of local organizations to support efforts that build stronger military communities.
- Educate key community leaders using Blue Star Families' Annual Military Family Lifestyle Survey and other research results.
- Work with the program manager to connect military families with resources and programs offered by community organizations.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Required Experience, Skills, Background
- Bachelors' degree in a related field or 7+ years experience in community relations and development.
- 5-10+ years of management experience.
- Track record of effective fund-raising strategies.
- Unwavering commitment to Blue Star Families' mission and quality programs.
- Excellence in organizational management with the ability to coach staff/volunteers.
- Past success working with an Advisory Board.
- Strong marketing, public relations, and fundraising experience.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- An entrepreneurial spirit eager to engage with potential partners.
- An action-oriented and innovative approach to business planning.
- Ability to work effectively in collaboration with diverse groups.
- Passion, idealism, integrity, positive attitude, mission-driven, and self-directed.
- Limited out-of-town/overnight travel is required (less than 25%).
- May be required to work nights, weekends, and holidays as necessary.
Desired Experience, Skills & Background
- Experience with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems; familiarity with Salesforce a plus.
- Knowledge of Blue Star Families and the military family experience.
More About Blue Star Families
Blue Star Families empowers military and Veteran families to thrive by connecting them with their civilian neighbors. Our innovative programs are solving specific challenges for military families.
EEO Policy
Blue Star Families is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by law.
Why Blue Star Families?
Virtual/remote nonprofit organization that moves with you (position specific)
Career growth opportunities
Excellent benefits (403(b) with matching, Flexible Spending, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, and more)
Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Leave for Active Duty Military Spouses
On-the-job professional development training
Front-line opportunity to positively impact the military experience
Competitive salaries
Workplace flexibility
