Executive Director

Friends, Inc.; West Bend (WI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Friends, Inc. in Wisconsin seeks an Executive Director to provide strategic leadership, oversee finances, and partner with the Board, staff, donors, and community to sustain survivor-centered services.

You will advance the mission, ensure sound stewardship of resources, and foster a high-performing team focused on quality, trauma-informed care, and growth in a dynamic nonprofit setting in West Bend.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business, public administration or related field.
• Minimum of five years of leadership experience with teams and strategy.
• Experience with financial management, budgeting, grants, fundraising and sustainability.
• Excellent communication, public speaking, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to represent the organization with community leaders, funders and agencies.
• Experience in nonprofits, domestic violence, victim services, shelter operations or related fields.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and trauma-informed practices.

Responsibilities

• Provide visionary leadership that advances the mission and long-term sustainability.
• Collaborate with the Board to set goals, evaluate performance and priorities.
• Serve as primary liaison to the Board, providing timely governance information.
• Lead and develop a high-performing leadership team and ensure mission delivery.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee programs, services, and survivor-centered, trauma-informed care.
• Maintain 24/7 on-site shelter facility operations and related management.
• Advocate for awareness and partnerships with funders, donors, and government entities.
• Use data and community feedback to guide growth, innovation, and partnerships.
• Ensure financial health, budgeting, risk management and responsible stewardship.
• Lead fundraising and resource development, including donor relations and grants.
• Represent FRIENDS, Inc. publicly and strengthen community visibility.

Skills

Leadership & strategy

Fundraising & grant writing

Budgeting & financial stewardship

Public speaking & communication

Community relations

Board liaison

Education

Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit/related field

Master’s degree (preferred)

Job description

Position Summary

The Executive Director serves as the chief executive leader of FRIENDS, Inc. and is responsible for the leadership, strategic direction, financial sustainability, and the overall organizational and operational effectiveness of the agency.

Working in partnership with the Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, community partners, donors, and funding agencies, the Executive Director advances the mission of FRIENDS, Inc. by providing visionary leadership, strengthening community relationships, ensuring sound stewardship of resources, and fostering a team culture that supports high-quality, survivor-centered services.

As the organization’s primary spokesperson and community representative, the Executive Director promotes awareness of domestic violence and sexual assault issues while positioning FRIENDS, Inc. as a trusted community resource and advocate for those it serves.

Responsibilities

• Provide visionary leadership that advances the mission, values, strategic priorities, and long-term sustainability of FRIENDS, Inc., while ensuring the organization has the leadership capacity, resources, and infrastructure necessary to meet evolving community needs.
• Collaborate with the Board of Directors to establish, implement, and evaluate strategic goals, organizational performance, and long-term priorities.
• Serve as the primary liaison to the Board of Directors, providing timely and meaningful information to support effective governance, fiduciary oversight, and informed decision-making.
• Lead and develop a high-performing leadership team committed to organizational excellence, mission achievement, employee engagement, and quality service delivery.
• Foster a mission-driven culture that promotes accountability, innovation, collaboration, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure effective talent development, succession planning, and leadership continuity
• Provide executive oversight of programs and services to ensure they remain mission-focused, survivor-centered, trauma-informed, responsive to community needs, and aligned with organizational goals.
• Maintain a 24/7 on-site shelter facility and the related facilities and operations management
• Advocate for awareness, prevention, and effective community responses to domestic violence and sexual assault through public engagement, media relations, and strategic partnerships.
• Use outcomes, data, and community feedback to evaluate effectiveness, drive continuous improvement, and identify opportunities for innovation, growth, and strategic partnerships.
• Ensure the financial health, stability, and long-term sustainability of the organization through sound budgeting, financial oversight, resource allocation, risk management, and accountability.
• Lead fundraising and resource development efforts, including donor relations, grant development, sponsorships, and strategies to diversify and strengthen funding sources.
• Partner with staff, the Board, funders, and financial professionals to ensure responsible stewardship of organizational resources.
• Serve as the primary ambassador and public representative of FRIENDS, Inc., strengthening the organization’s visibility, reputation, and influence within the community.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with funders, donors, government agencies, businesses, community partners, volunteers and other stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, grant requirements, and Board-approved policies while promoting ethical leadership, sound judgment, and responsible stewardship.
• Support organizational preparedness, risk management, and business continuity efforts to protect the organization, its employees, volunteers, clients, and community stakeholders.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business administration, public administration, social work, human services, organizational leadership, or a related field. Comparable experience may be considered.
• Minimum of five years of leadership experience, with demonstrated experience leading teams, developing organizational strategy, and managing complex priorities.
• Demonstrated experience of financial management, budgeting, grant writing, fundraising, and organizational sustainability.
• Excellent oral and written communication, public speaking, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to effectively represent the organization with community leaders, funders, government agencies, volunteers and stakeholders.
• Experience within nonprofits, domestic violence, sexual assault, victim services, shelter operations, or related human service organizations.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and trauma-informed practices.

Preferred

• Executive or senior leadership experience within a nonprofit organization.
• Master’s degree in a related field.
• Experience working with a Board of Directors.
• Reside within a 40 minute radius of West Bend, WI or be willing to relocate within this area