MKE Urban Stables 

Job Title: Executive Director 

Reports To: Board of Directors 

Status: Exempt, Full-Time (1.0 FTE) 

The Executive Director is the key management leader of MKE Urban Stables.  The Executive Director is responsible for overseeing the administration, programs and strategic plan of the organization.  Other key duties include fundraising, marketing, and community outreach.  The position reports directly to the Board of Directors. 

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES: 

1. Board Governance:  Works with the Board of Directors in order to fulfill the organization’s mission. 
   • Responsible for leading MKE Urban Stables in a manner that supports and guides the organization’s mission as defined by the Board. 
   • Responsible for communicating effectively with the Board and providing, in a timely and accurate manner, all information necessary for the Board to function properly and to make informed decisions. 
   • Collaborates with the Governance Committee to align Board members and staff members on Board and staff roles and responsibilities. 
2. Financial Performance and Viability: Develops resources sufficient to ensure the financial health of the organization. 
   • Responsible for the fiscal integrity of MKE Urban Stables, to include submission to the Board of Directors of a proposed annual budget and monthly financial statements, which accurately reflect the financial condition of the organization. 
   • Responsible for fiscal management that generally anticipates operating within the approved budget, ensures maximum resource utilization, and maintenance of the organization in a positive financial position. 
   • Responsible for fundraising and developing other resources necessary to support MKE Urban Stables mission. 
3. Organization Mission and Strategy:  Works with the Board of Directors and staff to ensure that the mission is fulfilled through programs, community outreach, and strategic planning for long-term viability and growth. 
   • Responsible for implementation of MKE Urban Stables programs that carry out the organization’s mission and for monitoring the effectiveness of those programs. 
   • Responsible for executing the organization’s strategic plan to ensure that MKE Urban Stables can successfully fulfill its mission into the future. 
   • Responsible for the enhancement of MKE Urban Stables image by being active and visible in the community and by working closely with other professional, civic and private organizations. 
4. Organization Operations:  Oversees and implements appropriate resources to ensure that the operations of the organization are successful. 
   • Responsible for effective administration of MKE Urban Stables operations. 
   • Responsible for the recruitment, hiring and retention of competent, qualified staff and for the training development, and evaluation of staff members. 
   • Responsible for signing all notes, agreements, and other instruments made and entered into by and on behalf of the organization as authorized by the Board of Directors. 

Professional Qualifications: 

• A bachelor’s degree (bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as business, organization leadership, community building, preferred). 
• Transparent and high integrity leadership. 
• Five or more years management experience (nonprofit management experience preferred). 
• Solid, hands-on, budget management skills, including budget preparation, analysis, decision-making and reporting. 
• Strong organizational and execution skills including planning, delegating, program development and task facilitation. 
• Ability to convey a vision of MKE Urban Stables strategic future to staff, Board members, committee members, volunteers and donors. 
• Knowledge of and experience with fundraising strategies and donor relations unique to nonprofit sector preferred. 
• Skills to collaborate with and engage Board members, committee members, and other volunteers. 
• Skills to collaborate with the Milwaukee Police Department in community relations efforts. 
• Skills to work effectively in a therapeutic environment 
• Strong written and oral communication skills 
• Ability to interface and engage diverse volunteer and donor groups. 
• Demonstrated ability to oversee and collaborate with staff. 
• Strong public speaking ability.  
• Experience with or awareness of equine programs, including equine assisted therapy programs and equine assisted learning programs. 
• Experience with or awareness of horses or equestrian communities 

Specific Responsibilities: 

1. Developing the annual budget in collaboration with and with support from the Finance Committee. 
2. Managing the annual budget. 
3. Developing a fund development plan in collaboration with and with support from the Development Committee. 
4. Implementing the organization’s fund development plan. 
5. Establishing employment and administrative policies and procedures for all functions and for the day-to-day operation of MKE Urban Stables. 
6. Serving as MKE Urban Stables’ primary spokesperson to the organization’s constituents, the media and the general public. 
7. Establishing and maintaining relationships with various organizations throughout the state and utilizing those relationships to strategically enhance MKE Urban Stables’ mission. 
8. Working together with the Board of Directors on policy decisions, fundraising and increasing the overall visibility of the organization throughout the city and state. 
9. Supervising and collaborating with staff. 
10. Ensuring attentive care of the organization’s herd of equines. 
11. Working together with the Board on strategic planning. 
12. Implementing the organization’s strategic plan. 
13. Collaborating with the Board Chair and Committee Chairs to support Board of Directors meetings and committee meetings. 
14. Overseeing marketing and other communications efforts. 
15. Reviewing and approving contracts. 
16. Ensuring the confidentiality of sensitive information. 
17. Working with the Governance Committee to recruit and develop Board members and committee members. 
18. Reporting regularly to the Board of Directors and otherwise ensuring the Board is informed of the organization’s activities. 
19. Regularly informing staff members, volunteers, donors, and community members of the organization’s activities (for example through annual reports, newsletters, website and social media). 
20. Following the highest ethical standards, ensuring accountability, and complying with laws, regulations, and the bylaws and policies of the organization. 
21. Other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors