Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director of Thousand Waves Martial Arts & Self-Defense Center, NFP (Thousand Waves) is the chief administrative officer responsible for working effectively with the Board and providing oversight to the staff, operations, financials, and strategy and mission of the organization. The incumbent must have a strong vision for stewarding Thousand Waves beyond the administrative leadership of its founding Executive Directors and have a demonstrated ability to work effectively with staff to lead the restructure of administrative and office management roles.
Strategic Vision and Mission
Work effectively with the Board and key staff members to develop, update, and monitor the organizational strategic plan.
Lead staff in implementing the strategic plan.
Provide oversight to the strategic marketing plan
Maintain a working knowledge of significant trends and developments in the fields of martial arts, violence prevention, and fitness.
Work with the Head Instructors, Director/Manager of Violence Prevention, key staff, and Board committees as appropriate to create campaigns and on-going activities that increase the number of individual members and the number of violence prevention programs delivered to organizations and corporations.
Analyze member retention trends and work with instructors to maximize retention.
Represent the programs, mission, and point of view of the Thousand Waves to members, the general public, and funders.
Financial Oversight and Stewardship
Work effectively with the Executive Committee of the Board to develop annual budgets.
Possess a solid understanding of nonprofit accounting to enable the preparation of financial statements that accurately reflect the financial condition of the organization.
Implement responsible fiscal management that operates within the approved budget, ensures maximum resource utilization, and maintains the organization in a positive financial position.
Work with outside contractors/accountants and the Board to complete the annual audit and required government filings.
Assume the lead role for fundraising and stewardship of donors and members, including a willingness and ability to develop and deepen relationships with corporate, community, and foundation supporters.
Staff Oversight and Leadership
Supervise the Head Instructors, Director/Manager of Violence Prevention, and administrative staff.
Provide support and mentoring to staff, particularly those assuming new administrative and office management responsibilities.
Conduct annual reviews for staff and suggest appropriate professional development trainings as needed.
Assume responsibility for recruitment, employment, and release of all personnel.
Operations
Lead the development of a plan for managing organizational change and restructuring staff job descriptions to ensure that all necessary administrative and operational functions are effectively implemented.
Willingness and ability to assume human resources, information technology, and operational tasks until administrative restructuring is complete.
Create training materials and update operations manual as needed.
Jointly, with the Board of Directors, conduct official correspondence of the organization and, with designated Officers, execute legal documents
Board Collaboration
Responsible for communicating effectively with the Board and providing, in a timely and accurate manner, information necessary for the Board to function properly and make informed decisions.
Develop, maintain, and energize a strong Board of Directors, with whom the incumbent will work collaboratively to set and monitor the strategic direction of the organization.
The Executive Director must have a thorough commitment to Thousand Waves’ mission and have a strong understanding of the cultural nuances of working in an environment informed by feminist, social justice, martial arts, and violence prevention philosophies. The incumbent must have proven leadership, mentoring, and relationship management experience. Other qualifications include:
5+ years of effectively managing nonprofit operations and/or leading an organization;
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to speak passionately, skillfully, and persuasively about the nonprofit mission; and
Excellence in organizational management, with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work well with a wide range of people.
How to apply
If interested in applying, please direct inquiries, resumes, and cover letters to Board Chair Julie Palles, via email at board@thousandwaves.org. No phone calls please.