Executive Director, Women for Sobriety

WOMEN FOR SOBRIETY INC; United States; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Women for Sobriety, Inc. seeks an Executive Director to provide strategic and operational leadership, driving sustainable revenue growth through fundraising and expanding visibility and impact.

The role represents the organization externally, cultivating relationships with donors, funders, and community partners to advance recovery programs and public awareness.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; master’s in nonprofit management, public health, social work, or related field.
• Seven+ years of nonprofit leadership with fundraising and community relations in addiction recovery or behavioral health.
• Proven track record in annual fundraising from individuals, corporations, foundations and government.
• Experience budgeting with long-term planning and annual budget execution.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute multi-prong fundraising strategy with the Board; solicit major gifts and write grants.
• Lead community outreach; build relationships with funders, government and business leaders.
• Oversee operations, staff performance, training, hiring and retention; ensure program quality.
• Monitor outcomes; ensure compliance with licensing, accreditation, and grant requirements.

Skills

External relationships

Fundraising strategy

Public communication

Operational oversight

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master’s in nonprofit management/public health/social work

Job description

Women for Sobriety is an abstinence-based, secular recovery program for women overcoming challenges with alcohol and substance use disorder. Our New Life Program supports women seeking a sober life in recovery. WFS emphasizes acceptance, emotional and spiritual growth, and taking responsibility for oneself. The values of WFS are core to our beliefs, we lead with compassion, connection, empowerment, love and respect.

We are seeking an Executive Director to provide overall strategic and operational leadership for the organization, with a primary focus on driving sustainable revenue growth through fundraising and expanding the organization's visibility and impact through community outreach. This role serves as the chief external-facing representative of the organization, building the relationships and resources needed to sustain and grow recovery programs.

Key Responsibilities

• In collaboration with the Board, develop and execute a multi-prong fundraising strategy, including individual giving, major gifts, foundation grants, corporate sponsorships, and special events.
• Cultivate and steward relationships with current and prospective donors and funders.
• Personally solicit major gifts and lead grant-seeking efforts, including proposal writing and reporting.
• Set and meet annual fundraising goals in partnership with the Board's fundraising/advancement committee.
• Build a diversified, sustainable funding base to reduce reliance on any single revenue source.
• Develop and oversee donor recognition and stewardship practices to maximize retention.

Community & Public Outreach

• Develop and implement a plan to significantly advance the Women for Sobriety brand driving awareness of the program. Ensure WFS is recognized among other recovery organizations in national and federally operated organizations.
• Establish and maintain relationships with philanthropic and corporate funders, community, government and business leaders and media representatives to expand their knowledge of work.
• Serve as the primary public face and spokesperson of the organization.
• Build and maintain relationships with community leaders, coalitions, healthcare providers, law enforcement, faith communities, and other recovery-ecosystem partners.
• Represent the organization at public events, conferences, and media opportunities to raise awareness of recovery issues and the organization's work.
• Develop outreach campaigns to reduce stigma and increase community understanding of addiction and recovery.
• Identify and cultivate new partnerships that expand referral pipelines and program reach.

Organizational Leadership and Management

• Work with the Board to set strategic direction, annual goals, and long-term vision.
• Work with Team Chairs and the Board to oversee WFS operations to ensure quality, consistency, and fidelity to the organization's mission.
• Supervise and manage staff, set performance goals and conduct evaluations, and provide training; oversee hiring, onboarding and retention of staff.
• Monitor program outcomes and use data to guide continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with relevant licensing, accreditation, and grant requirements.
• Develop and manage the annual budget and long-range plan.
• In close partnership with the Treasurer of the Board, ensure sound fiscal management, budgeting, and compliance with funder and regulatory requirements, and that appropriate financial checks and balances are in place.

Board Relations

• Serve as primary staff liaison to the Board of Directors.
• Provide regular updates on fundraising progress, outreach initiatives, and organizational performance.
• Support board recruitment, engagement, and fundraising participation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; master’s degree in nonprofit management, public health, social work, or related field.
• Seven+ years of nonprofit leadership experience, with a demonstrated track record in non-profit inclusive fundraising and community relations in addiction recovery or behavioral health field.
• A solid track record in developing and executing strategies for annual fundraising campaigns to generate support from individual donors, corporations, foundations and government entities; a record of actively soliciting funds and inspiring donors to donate.
• Experience in the nonprofit sector with budgeting processes of planning, rigorous review, developing and implementing long term budget goals and effectively executing against an annual budget.
• Strong public speaking and relationship-building skills, increasing public awareness and broadening the reputation of WFS.

Core Competencies

• External relationship-building and donor cultivation.
• Strategic, entrepreneurial approach to revenue generation.
• Authentic, mission-driven public communication.
• Ability to balance visibility and advocacy with operational oversight.