Interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Detroit Lakes Community and Cultural Center; Detroit Lakes (MN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Detroit Lakes Community and Cultural Center is seeking an Interim Chief Executive Officer to provide steady, visible leadership during a period of organizational transition. The role partners with the Board and leadership to sustain programs, finances, and community relationships, while preparing for permanent executive leadership.

The Interim CEO will oversee operations, support staff, and coordinate with the Board to clarify roles, accountability, and strategic priorities during the transition.

Qualifications

• Significant senior leadership experience in a nonprofit or similarly complex organization.
• Proven ability to lead through transition while maintaining stability.
• Strong financial and operational acumen with budgeting and reporting.
• Experience working with a Board of Directors and governance responsibilities.
• Commitment to DLCCC's mission and community engagement.

Responsibilities

• Provide consistent, visible executive leadership and maintain continuity of programs and operations.
• Serve as primary staff liaison to the Board with transparent updates on finances and risks.
• Oversee budgeting, cash flow, internal controls, audits, and resource allocation.
• Plan and implement transition activities and knowledge transfer for permanent leadership.

Skills

Leadership experience

Nonprofit experience

Governance familiarity

Financial acumen

Stakeholder relationship

Fundraising experience

Job description

Position Summary

The Interim Chief Executive Officer (Interim CEO) will

provide steady, visible leadership to DLCCC during a period of organizational

transition. Working closely with the Board of Directors and leadership team,

the Interim CEO will maintain organizational stability, support employees,

ensure continuity of key operations and financial priorities, and sustain

important community and stakeholder relationships.

This is a transitional leadership role. The Interim CEO will

help the Board assess organizational needs, clarify roles and accountability,

and prepare DLCCC for permanent executive leadership. The Interim CEO is not

expected to independently establish the organization's long-term structure or

strategic direction; significant long-term changes will be made in

collaboration with and subject to approval by the Board.

Key Responsibilities

Provide consistent, visible executive leadership

and maintain continuity of essential programs, services, facilities, and

organizational commitments.

Support and provide direction to the leadership

team, establishing clear priorities, expectations, decision-making pathways,

and accountability.

Serve as the primary staff liaison to the Board

and provide timely, transparent updates regarding operations, finances,

staffing, risks, and significant organizational matters.

Maintain executive oversight of financial

performance, budgeting, cash flow, reporting, internal controls, audits, and

resource allocation in partnership with the Director of Finance and Board.

Identify and address immediate operational,

staffing, facility, safety, contractual, or compliance concerns and promptly

communicate material risks to the Board.

Work with the Board to assess the current

organizational structure, leadership responsibilities, reporting relationships,

workload, and operational needs; provide objective observations and

recommendations.

Clarify roles, responsibilities, and decision

authority as needed during the interim period, while distinguishing short-term

stabilization needs from long-term structural decisions.

Partner with the Human Resources on employee

relations, performance management, organizational development, policy, and

other employment matters as appropriate.

Maintain important relationships with the City

of Detroit Lakes, donors, sponsors, community partners, members, patrons,

government representatives, and other key stakeholders.

Support continuity of fundraising, donor

stewardship, sponsorship, capital campaign, and community-engagement efforts in

partnership with staff and the Board.

Assist with transition planning and knowledge

transfer when permanent executive leadership is selected.

Interim Priorities & Measures of Success

Organizational stability and continuity of

essential programs, services, and operations.

Clear, consistent communication between the

Board, leadership team, employees, and key stakeholders.

Improved clarity regarding roles, reporting

relationships, decision authority, and accountability.

Key financial, operational, staffing, facility,

and community priorities remain actively managed and communicated.

The Board receives objective information and

recommendations to support decisions regarding future organizational structure

and permanent executive leadership.

An organized transition and knowledge transfer

are completed for incoming permanent leadership.

Qualifications & Experience

Significant senior leadership experience,

preferably within a nonprofit, community-based, membership, recreation, arts

and culture, hospitality, public-private, or similarly complex organization.

Demonstrated ability to lead through transition,

organizational change, or periods requiring stability and clarity.

Strong financial and operational acumen,

including experience with budgets, financial reporting, resource allocation,

and organizational risk.

Experience working effectively with a Board of

Directors and understanding the distinction between governance and management

responsibilities.

Proven ability to build trust, communicate

transparently, make sound decisions, and lead through others.

Strong relationship-building skills with

employees, community leaders, donors, government officials, partners, and other

stakeholders.

Experience with fundraising, donor relations,

community engagement, or revenue development is preferred.

Commitment to DLCCC's mission and to arts,

culture, recreation, wellness, and community enrichment.

Interim Appointment

This is a temporary executive appointment intended to

provide leadership and continuity while the Board evaluates DLCCC's future

organizational structure and conducts the process for permanent executive

leadership. The duration of the appointment, compensation, benefits, and other

terms will be established by the Board and communicated as part of the

selection process.

Reporting Structure

The Interim CEO reports directly to the Board of Directors

and provides executive leadership and oversight consistent with the

organizational structure in place during the interim period. Significant or

permanent changes to organizational structure, executive reporting

relationships, or long-term staffing strategy are subject to Board approval.

Learn, grow and play at the Detroit Lakes Community and Cultural Center! Full fitness, aquatics and recreation facility with a giant, indoor play-land. 8-lane pool, track, courts, classes and a beautiful 800+ seat performing arts theatre, conference room and ballroom!