Executive Director

Mission of Hope; Stillwater (OK); On-site; USD 100,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Mission of Hope in Stillwater, OK seeks an Executive Director to lead the organization’s mission of helping individuals experiencing homelessness through shelter, case management, and community partnerships.

You will report to the Board, guide strategy, ensure financial health, supervise staff, and advocate for vulnerable populations while expanding donor engagement and programs in Payne County and surrounding areas.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 5 years nonprofit leadership experience with budget responsibility.
• Proven success in fundraising, grant writing, and donor relations.
• Strong financial management, forecasting, and reporting skills.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution of the organization’s strategic plan.
• Oversee budgeting, financial management, audits, and compliance.
• Ensure programs are mission-driven and outcomes are measured.
• Recruit, develop, and retain staff while fostering an inclusive culture.
• Build partnerships with nonprofits, government, businesses, and faith-based groups.

Skills

Nonprofit leadership

Fundraising

Board relations

Financial management

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Mission of Hope is dedicated to supporting individuals and families experiencing homelessness

by providing shelter, resources, and pathways to long-term stability. We serve Payne County

and surrounding areas through emergency housing, case management, community

partnerships, and supportive services that empower our clients to achieve self-sufficiency.

Position Summary

The Executive Director (ED) is the chief executive of Mission of Hope and is responsible for the

overall leadership, strategic direction, and operational success of the organization. The ED

reports directly to the Board of Directors and ensures the Mission of Hope fulfills its mission

through effective program delivery, sound financial management, strategic planning, staff

leadership, and meaningful community partnerships.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership & Board Relations

   Lead the development and execution of the organization’s strategic plan.

   Partner with the Board on governance, policy, and strategic decision-making.

   Provide timely, accurate reporting to the Board on programs, finances, and

   organizational performance.

2. Financial Stewardship & Fund Development

   Oversee budgeting, financial management, operations, audits, and compliance,

   ensuring financial stability.

   Lead fundraising, grant writing, donor engagement, and development initiatives.

   Implement and ensure the effective use of donor management systems and

   coordinate volunteer support for fundraising and administrative activities.

3. Program Oversight & Service Delivery

   Ensure programs and services are mission-driven, evidence-based, and

   responsive to community needs.

   Establish and monitor measurable outcomes to evaluate program effectiveness.

   Ensure compliance with all funding, regulatory, and contractual requirements.

4. Human Resources & Organizational Management

   Recruit, develop, and retain staff aligned with Mission of Hope’s mission and

   values.

   Conduct performance evaluations and foster a collaborative, inclusive workplace

   culture.

   Evaluate organizational structure and staffing to optimize operations and reduce

   administrative burdens on the ED.

5. Community Engagement & Advocacy

   Oversee volunteer recruitment, training, and engagement to support programs

   and operations.

   Build and maintain partnerships with nonprofits, government agencies,

   businesses, and faith-based organizations.

   Advocate for policies and initiatives that support the mission and community.

   Build and maintain strong relationships with individual and institutional donors to

   cultivate long-term support for the organization’s mission.

   Implement donor stewardship strategies to strengthen long-term engagement

   and support.

6. Communications & Branding

   Serve as the organization’s spokesperson, promoting awareness and

   engagement.

   Develop and implement strategic communications and branding to enhance

   visibility and support.

   Foster donor, volunteer, and community engagement through storytelling and

   public outreach.

Performance Metrics & Evaluation

• Achievement of annual fundraising and financial goals
• Demonstrated impact in program outcomes and client success
• Staff retention, satisfaction, and engagement
• Growth of donors, community partnerships and organizational visibility
• Transparent and timely reporting to the Board

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred. Equivalent experience may be
• considered.
• Minimum 5 years of nonprofit leadership experience, including supervisory and
• budgetary responsibility
• Proven success in fundraising, grant writing, and donor relations
• Strong financial management skills, including budget creation, forecasting, and reporting
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability to build coalitions, influence stakeholders, and advocate effectively
• Passion for Mission of Hope’s mission and commitment to serving vulnerable
• populations

Leadership Competencies

• Business Acumen - Demonstrates sound judgment and strategic decision-making,
• balancing mission impact, financial stewardship, and operational efficiency.
• Conflict Resolution - Encourages open communications, confronts difficult situations,
• maintains objectivity, controls emotions, and uses negotiation skills to resolve conflicts.
• Financial Responsibility- Understands financial targets and budget goals, incorporates
• financial analysis into strategic decisions, implements operating budget to address
• changing priorities, creates sound business cases to support expenditures, and
• promotes conservation of organizational resources.
• Leadership - Exhibits confidence in self and others, inspires respect and trust, reacts
• well under pressure, shows courage to take action and motivates others to perform well.
• Professional Development - Engages in continuous professional development,
• including trainings related to executive leadership, fundraising, donor relations, and
• nonprofit management, to advance personal effectiveness and organizational impact.
• Managing People - Provides direction and gains compliance, includes subordinates in
• planning, takes responsibility for subordinates' activities, makes self-available to
• subordinates, provides regular performance feedback and develops subordinates' skills
• and encourages growth.
• Performance Coaching - Defines responsibilities and expectations, sets goals and
• objectives, gives performance feedback, motivates for increased results, recognizes
• contributions, encourages training and development.
• Stewardship - Builds and nurtures relationships with individual donors, foundations, and
• grant-making entities, implementing strategic stewardship and engagement to maximize
• philanthropic support and organizational sustainability.
• Strategic Thinking - Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals, understands
• organization's strengths and weaknesses, analyzes market and competition, identifies
• external threats and opportunities and adapts strategy to changing conditions.
• Visionary Leadership - Creates a clear, compelling vision, communicates vision and
• gains commitment, acts in accordance with vision, displays passion and optimism,
• mobilizes others to fulfill the vision.
• Business Ethics: Treats staff, volunteers, donors, and partners with kindness, empathy,
• and respect; foster a positive and inclusive culture; actively listens and values diverse
• perspectives