Executive Director

Executive Director | Canine Partners of the Rockies

Are you the person that enjoys being the face to the community even though your furry co-worker might be snoring during your presentation? Can you concentrate on spreadsheets and yet offer a belly rub?

Canine Partners of the Rockies (CPOTR) is looking for its next Executive Director to lead our agency forward during this exciting time of growth. CPOTR is an Assistance Dogs International (ADI) accredited service dog training and partnership non- profit located in Aurora Colorado. Founded in 2002, CPOTR enables Coloradans with mobility disabilities to lead more independent and gratifying lives by providing extensive training to purpose bred pups, a personalized match process and lifetime support for each service dog team. Canine Partners of the Rockies is on the cusp of significant growth. We have a young, fresh team, full of enthusiasm and looking for a great leader.

The Executive Director service as the chief executive of the organization. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director is responsible for providing direction and leadership toward the achievement of CPOTR's vision, mission, strategic plan and annual goals and objectives. This position is also responsible for overall day to day management, in collaboration with the staff, including but not limited to administration, fund development, human resources, programs, communications and marketing, and board and community relations. The Executive Director will enthusiastically and solidly lead a workforce of 6 full-time staff and a crew of 100 volunteers.

This role operates in a professional office environment while working in close proximity with puppies and dogs to help socialize dogs in training.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The essential functions listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed; the omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to be completed by the position:

Leadership
Responsible for overall staff leadership in the development and implementation of strategic plan and annual goals and objectives.

• Ensure plans align with the organization's mission and driving progress towards attainment of this mission
• Maintain all official records and documents and ensure compliance with all federal, state and local regulations

Fiscal Management

• Responsible for the financial management of the organization, including the development and implementation of the annual budget
• Oversee all financial practices and functions including those necessary for auditing, budgeting, financial analysis and reporting, capital asset and property management, and payroll in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and other rules and regulations
• Ensure that adequate funding is available for the organization to carry out its mission-driven work

Strategic Planning

• Work with the Board Chair and Board of Directors in setting strategic goals for the organization
• Provide leadership in the development, implementation and accomplishment of the annual plan as approved by the Board

Fund Development

• Oversee all fundraising planning and implementation to include major donor identification and cultivation by taking an active role in personally developing relations with major donors
• Identify resource requirements, develop strategies to approach funders including proposals and grant applications, fundraising events, direct mail, planned giving and other fundraising revenue streams
• Ensure accuracy and propriety of fundraising records and documentation

Board Relations

• Provide information, advice and counsel to the Board Chair, Board committees, and Executive Board in the creation of policies, programs, and strategic direction for the organization
• Ensure the Board is kept fully informed on the condition of the organization and all important factors influencing it
• Recruit new members to the Board with the skills needed to further the goals of the organization
• Facilitate the work of the Board and its committees by developing resource materials, providing appropriate information and reports, and assisting committee chairs as necessary

Recommend new policies, programs and action plans consistent with CPOTR's mission and ensure compliance with all approved Board policies

• Schedule Board and Board committee meetings and develop appropriate agenda items

Human Resources

• Oversee all aspects of human resource management for employees, including but not limited to, hiring and termination, developing position descriptions, setting compensation, applying Board-approved employee policies and benefits, and supervising management staff
• Lead the management team with appropriate provisions for succession
• Encourage staff development and education in recognizing how their individual roles contribute to the mission of the organization
• Maintain a workplace atmosphere which attracts, retains and motivates a diverse staff of top-quality candidates

Volunteers

• Promote active and broad participation by volunteers in appropriate areas of the organization's work

Program Expertise

• Ensure the adequate flow of appropriate puppies into the organization to meet client need
• Ensure for the care and well-being of all CPOTR puppies/dogs
• Ensure Assistance Dogs International (ADI) standards, and Colorado PACFA regulations are adhered to, and all program and administrative staff have knowledge and understanding of standards and regulations
• Ensure robust puppy raising and adult dog training programs designed to improve dog graduation success rates
• Ensure creation and continuation of successful client dog partnerships
• Lead ADI accreditation process
• Maintain a solid working knowledge of significant developments and trends in the assistance dog and animal assisted intervention fields

Public Relations and Community Partners

• Serve as the public face of the organization and ensure that CPOTR and its mission, programs, products and services are consistently presented in a strong, positive image to key stakeholders and the community
• Responsible for establishing and maintaining sound working relationships with community partners and encouraging collaboration

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

CPOTR seeks a strong strategist that can formulate and articulate a vision for the organization and lead/motivate/mentor a team of dedicated staff and volunteers in order to achieve CPOTR's strategic goals. The successful candidate will be a proven, results-oriented, experienced and highly mission-driven leader.

Other qualities sought include:

• Demonstrated acumen in driving and successfully shepherding organizational change and strategic evolution, creating a welcoming and inclusive culture focused on excellence. Examples will be required
• An undergraduate degree in Business, Nonprofit Management, or closely related field.
• Significant (10 years) of progressive experience in the nonprofit sector with at least ten (5) years of demonstrated success in staff leadership, fundraising, partnership development and financial management
• Prior experience working with clients with disabilities and a working knowledge of public policy and health issues faced by individuals with disabilities
• Prior experience in service dog training operations is a plus, but not required
• A demonstrated track record of success in acquiring operational financial support of at least $800,000/annually
• A proven track record securing major donors of $250,000+
• Previous experience with a significant capital campaign is a plus
• Demonstrated skills in office technology applications to include the Microsoft Office Suite. Experience with donor databases is preferred
• Proven success in marketing, communications, and public relations in order to successfully engage stakeholders- including foundations, individual donors, corporations, policy makers, the media and general public

• Demonstrated experience in financial reporting, budget management, and organizational processes
• Prior experience working for and/or closely with board members or trustees
• Demonstrated successful staff management and development experience
• Proficiency in public speaking
• A passionate personal alignment with the vison and mission of CPOTR

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• A people person who is compassionate, operates with humility and effectively integrates into the CPOTR culture and environment, rapidly gaining the trust and respect of colleagues and team members throughout, even as he/she simultaneously drives change and operational process improvements
• A proactive leader; intellectually curious; regularly investigates and brings new ideas to the organization, especially regarding operational best practices and staff leadership; skilled in critical and creative thinking to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to issues
• An energetic, hands-on, strategic, confident yet down-to-earth leader who embodies CPOTR's core values

• An inspirational leader with the proven ability to support the leadership team and diverse groups of staff and volunteers to reach agency goals
• Able to collect and research data and analyze diverse information to make recommendations to improve programs
• Results-oriented and driven to move things forward; strive toward continuous improvement and measurement against goals
• A relationship builder who is able to develop strong relationships with donors, external partners and stakeholders
• Oral and written communication abilities – strong presentation skills; persuasive and articulate; diplomatic and open style; a good listener; credible
• Impeccable ethics and highest integrity

COMPENSATION

Salary: $80,000.00 - $95,000.00 per year (dependent on experience)

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits: Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, PTO, AD&D Insurance, 401K with employer match

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Aurora, CO 80011: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)