United Way NSV Seeks Executive Director

The Executive Director (ED) is responsible for restoring and growing United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley’s fundraising performance, with primary accountability for revitalizing workplace giving campaigns, strengthening donor stewardship, and rebuilding sustainable revenue growth.

The Executive Director serves as a visible representative of UWNSV to donors, campaign leaders, and employer partners, with external engagement intentionally and measurably tied to donor confidence, campaign performance, and fundraising outcomes. This role requires disciplined execution, comfort with accountability, and the ability to lead through volunteers and peers to achieve results.

The Executive Director works closely with the Board, staff, donors, and community partners. The ED prioritizes donors are the organization’s primary stakeholders, and protecting donor trust as a strategic and operational priority.

Core Responsibilities

1. Campaign Leadership and Revitalization (Primary Accountability)

• Lead the revitalization and growth of UWNSV’s workplace giving campaigns, with a clear focus on rebuilding campaign leadership structures and reversing recent declines.
• Manage a portfolio of workplace campaigns by identifying, recruiting, and supporting volunteer campaign leads at participating employers.
• Coach and hold campaign leaders accountable for clear expectations, timelines, participation goals, and results.
• Design and deliver a high‑quality volunteer leadership experience that motivates engagement, builds confidence, and encourages repeat service.
• Assess underperforming campaigns and recommend changes to structure, leadership, or approach in partnership with the Board.
• Demonstrate early traction through rebuilt campaign leadership, even as revenue growth follows over time.

2. Resource Development and Donor Stewardship

• Lead fundraising efforts with primary emphasis on workplace giving campaigns and individual donor engagement.
• Re‑establish and support a high‑performing donor leadership cabinet, including corporate and community leaders who actively champion UWNSV’s campaigns.
• Support the development and sustainability of donor affinity groups (e.g., Women United) aligned with campaign growth and donor engagement.
• Personally cultivate and steward key donors and campaign leaders, reinforcing trust, transparency, and donor intent.
• Explore grant funding and private foundation support as complementary and opportunistic; they are not the primary drivers of UWNSV’s revenue model.

3. Community Presence and External Engagement

• Lead the process of Impact Grant distribution by developing a deep understanding of community need.
• Maintain a visible presence in the community that is purposeful and aligned with fundraising, donor stewardship, and campaign leadership goals.
• Represent UWNSV in a manner that reinforces donor confidence, credibility, and clarity of mission.
• Maintain productive relationships with funded agencies in service of donor transparency and impact, recognizing that agencies are partners in outcomes.
• External visibility, board service, or civic participation that does not clearly support fundraising, donor trust, or campaign outcomes is not a priority of this role.

4. Organizational Leadership and Management

• Build and lead a high‑performing team aligned around campaign success, donor stewardship, and operational discipline.
• Provide clear priorities and direction, particularly as they relate to fundraising execution and campaign performance.
• Maintain accountability for operational and fiscal integrity in alignment with Board policies.
• Prepare and manage UWNSV’s annual operating budget, with close attention to revenue performance and financial sustainability.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and ethical standards.

5. Governance, Authority, and Board Partnership

• Work in close partnership with the Board of Directors, providing clear assessments, data‑informed recommendations, and transparent reporting in a consistent and timely manner.
• Assess existing campaign models and propose improvements to campaign structure and volunteer leadership, while confirming Board alignment on significant changes.
• The Board and Executive Director share a commitment to donor‑centered decision‑making and to navigating agency and community relationships in a way that preserves long‑term donor trust.

Education, Experience, and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred or equivalent experience.
• Experience leading or significantly contributing to multi‑stakeholder, volunteer‑driven fundraising campaigns strongly preferred.
• Comparable experience rebuilding or growing revenue through volunteer leadership, peer‑to‑peer fundraising, federated models, or membership‑based organizations will be considered.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through influence, manage volunteer leaders, and hold peers accountable for results.
• Comfort with direct donor engagement, coaching campaign leaders, and navigating resistance or legacy expectations.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
• High ethical standards and alignment with United Way’s mission and values.