Executive Director
Title: Executive Director
Organization: United Way of the Lakelands
Reports To: Board/Executive Committee
Status: Full-Time
Category: Executive
FLSA Classification: Exempt
POSITION SUMMARY / OVERVIEW OF RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Executive Director (CEO) is the strategic and operational leader of United Way of the Lakelands, driving collective impact initiatives and fostering collaboration with community stakeholders across the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. This role requires a strong background in community health, social determinants of health, and innovative funding strategies to meet evolving community needs.
The CEO will lead efforts to strengthen the organization's ability to create sustainable, systemic change by aligning resources, cultivating partnerships, and expanding financial support. This includes leveraging United Way's collective impact model to address local issues such as health equity, education, and financial stability.
A successful candidate will possess the leadership acumen to inspire staff, volunteers, and the board while demonstrating a commitment to evidence-based practices and the continuous improvement of community health outcomes.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES/ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
Community Impact & Collective Impact Leadership
·  Serve as a champion for collective impact, convening cross-sector stakeholders to collaborate on community health initiatives and other priority areas.
·  Lead the development and execution of a community impact agenda, working closely with the board, staff, and community leaders to drive outcomes in mental health, education, and financial stability.
·  Build strong, sustainable partnerships with government agencies, health systems, businesses, and nonprofits to expand United Way's capacity to address complex social issues.
·  Ensure data-driven decision-making and outcome measurement in community health and impact efforts, utilizing tools like Greenwood Counts and the Lakelands Credible Mind platform.
Resource Development
·  Drive innovative and traditional fundraising efforts to secure resources necessary for collective impact and health-related initiatives.
·  Cultivate relationships with key stakeholders, including individual donors, corporate partners, and foundations, to expand the organization’s revenue streams.
·  Foster a culture of philanthropy and resource sharing among board members, staff, and volunteers.
Strategic Management
·  Partner with the Board of Directors to establish a long-term strategic plan that aligns with community needs and United Way's mission, particularly in health equity and collective impact.
·  Ensure alignment between organizational goals and broader community health goals, working with public health experts, local government, and community-based organizations.
·  Provide leadership in policy formulation and strategic direction to ensure the sustainability and scalability of United Way’s initiatives.
Organizational Leadership & Fiscal Stewardship
·  Lead a high-performing, diverse team that is dedicated to United Way’s vision, ensuring collaboration across departments to achieve strategic goals.
·  Oversee financial operations, ensuring fiscal integrity and compliance while managing resources to maximize community impact.
·  Ensure the organization’s operations, culture, and policies reflect a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
EXPERIENCE/POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
·  Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership experience, ideally in collective impact, public health, or nonprofit management.
·  Proven ability to lead community health initiatives and manage cross-sector partnerships focused on addressing social determinants of health.
·  Experience in building and leading teams in a mission-driven environment, with a track record of success in fundraising, volunteer management, and stakeholder engagement.
·  Demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusivity, with a background in working with diverse populations and addressing health disparities.
·  Experience with data-driven decision-making and outcome measurement related to community impact and health outcomes.
·  Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with an ability to inspire and engage diverse audiences.
EDUCATION:
Bachelor’s degree required, graduate degree in Public Health, Nonprofit Management, or a related field preferred. Relevant experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced degree.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
·  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
·  The person in this position regularly is required to remain in a stationary position, and frequently operates a computer and other office productivity machinery such as a calculator, copier, printer, and scanner.
·  The person in this position needs to move about inside the office occasionally to access filing cabinets, office machinery, etc. Regular visits to the other sites for meetings with funded partners, as well as community events, require the person to move about inside other office spaces as well.
·  The person in this position frequently communicates with individual donors, representatives at United Way of the Lakelands workplace partners and funded partners, members of the community, and other members of the staff team. They must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
Must have a valid driver’s license and automobile insurance and/or is responsible for own transportation to and from home, meetings outside of the office, and events in both day and evening hours.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:
·  United Way of the Lakelands is seeking to create and maintain an inclusive work environment because teams are stronger with different perspectives and experiences.
·  We value a workplace that encourages all people of all backgrounds to apply.
·   We do not discriminate based on race, gender, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. All employees and contractors of United Way of the Lakelands are responsible for maintaining a work culture free from discrimination and harassment by treating others with kindness and respect.
SALARY & BENEFITS:
The starting salary range for this position is $75,000 to $80,000 depending on experience. There is a very good benefits package. This is an on-site position. It is necessary to reside in or near Greenwood County.
All resumes and cover letters should be emailed to mlosa@uwlakelands.org
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