WISCONSIN FAMILY COUNCIL

Title: Executive Director

Classification: Exempt

Reports to: Wisconsin Family Action/Wisconsin Family Council Board

Travel: Around the state at times. Out of state 2 - 4 times per year at company expense.

Location: Within Commuting distance of Madison, WI

Direct Reports: Legislative Director; Office Manager; Event/project coordinator; LEAD WI Coordinator; Director, Church Ambassador Network; Part time staff - WFA/WFC

Summary: Wisconsin Family Council is looking for an Executive Director that will help lead their team and the state of Wisconsin into the future, armed with the core values of the past. As the face of the organization, they will learn to spearhead fundraising efforts and champion public events and communicate through press releases and other media opportunities. With a strength in appealing to donors, the ideal candidate will effectively utilize all the resources at their disposal to maximize fundraising efforts.

The Executive Director will assist the President as the visionary and strategic leader who, along with the Wisconsin Family Action/Wisconsin Family Council team, can work effectively at the intersections of government, media, the Church, and other like-minded organizations to effectively represent and advocate for families in the turbulent culture of Wisconsin while ensuring compliance with Board policy guidance and applicable federal, state, and local requirements. The successful candidate will be a broadly informed leader with a high level of social policy acumen who has the capacity to engage, encourage, equip, and excite others to be advocates for God-ordained institutions and the Judeo-Christian philosophy.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The President is responsible for mission accomplishment as adopted by the Board of Directors, and the Executive Director will assist the President in overall operations and asset protection for the Wisconsin FPC, a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational family policy council organization, with an associated 501(c)(4) non-profit social policy advocacy arm. It is the intent of the Board to manage a smooth transition of the Executive Director into the role of President over a one-year period.

Key duties and responsibilities would include:

• Will pursue implementation of the FPC mission adopted by the Board of Directors. Often articulated in a vision statement, the President and Executive Director have no greater work-related goal than the FPC’s mission success.

• Will develop and cultivate relationships with people and organizations influential to the mission, including fund-raising sources; policy makers; professionals; media & business people; church and pro-family leaders, etc. The ED will track contacts and communications through letters, faxes, e-mail, and phone calls. The ED will coordinate within the network of all FPCs to offer successful programs and concepts from one FPC to another.

• Will maintain required and needed communication with the Board regarding meetings, contacts, reports, initiatives and program development.

• Coordinates, resources, and implements the organization’s strategic plan as adopted by the Board of Directors. Assists in the development of short and long-term organizational goals and objectives as well as policies and procedures for WFA/WFC operations. Establishes plans and implements policies to achieve goals set by the Board of Directors.

• Coordinates, resources, and implements a long-range development plan that includes multi-faceted areas of fundraising; one to one, direct mail, planned giving, grants and foundations, as adopted by the Board of Directors. Incumbent will monitor and participate in WFA/WFC donor recognition programs and, with the assistance of the Board, continue the development of funding through networking and “friend raising.”

• Will organize, train, and equip the staff when appropriate with regard to the mission, vision, and strategic plans and objectives for WFA/WFC. The incumbent will identify and mentor future leadership potential within the organization. The incumbent will encourage the spiritual growth of the staff.

• Is responsible for all accounting functions including those necessary for auditing, budgeting, financial analysis, capital asset and property management and payroll in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, Board and IRS policies and procedures, as well as all other applicable rules and guidelines.

• Handles all aspects of human resource management for employees including but not limited to hiring and termination, developing position descriptions, setting compensation, and applying Board-approved employee policies and benefits in accordance with federal and state requirements; regularly supervises WFA/WFC administrative staff.

• Interacts with Family Policy Alliance, as the host of the national alliance of FPCs. Also interacts with other allied organizations such as Alliance Defending Freedom, Family Research Council and Focus on the Family in regard to matters affecting the FPC.

• Is responsible for grants and contracts management including negotiating agreement terms that reflect the needs of WFA/WFC; coordinates with legal advisors to finalize agreement terms on behalf of the organizations; monitors progress of agreements and maintains agreement documentation to ensure fulfillment of agreement terms including receipt and expenditure of funds.

• Analyzes and evaluates vendor services, particularly for insurance, employee benefits and management of WFA/WFC funds, to determine programs and providers that best meet the needs of the organizations and makes recommendations to the Board, as appropriate; negotiates services, terms and premiums and executes contracts with benefit plan providers, supply and service vendors, auditors and consultants; manages payroll and benefits programs.

• Travels routinely within Wisconsin to engage policy makers and constituents, as well as out of state to attend conferences, training and other events as required to acquire and maintain proficiency in fulfilling the responsibilities of the position.

• Stays current on public/social policy issues which are within the scope of the stated mission and impact families.

• Represents and speaks on behalf of WFA/WFC in any setting. 

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Performs other duties as assigned by the Board

• In coordination with the Board/Board Chair, negotiates and agrees to an annual performance plan and receives an annual appraisal based upon that performance plan.

Qualifications

Education & Experience: Bachelor’s required, Master’s preferred.

• Administrative experience in a non-profit organization is desired.

• Fundraising experience and an innate ability to advocate for funding is highly desired and will make the candidate more competitive.

• An in-depth knowledge of social/public policy (pro-family, pro-life) issues, as well as federal, state, and local governance is required.

• Ability to think strategically about WFA/WFC’s priorities and how to translate these priorities into program and staff recruitment and related fundraising activities is required.

Work Environment: The workplace values efficiency and Christian ethics in a way that honors God's word. The office is located in Madison, WI and requires the President to live within 40 minutes of the city.

This position requires extensive computer use so the employee must have sufficient hand dexterity to use a computer keyboard and be capable of reading a computer screen. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable otherwise qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Character

• Has a clear testimony of salvation by faith in Christ.

• Demonstrates behaviors aligned with WFA/WFC’s core values.

• Exhibits integrity in professional and personal life in accordance with Biblical standards.

• Diplomatic and approachable—possesses humility and demonstrates servant leadership.

• Possesses a sense of calling, has an accurate self-evaluation, and doesn’t aspire to run for political office.

• Possesses strong strategic instincts, politically savvy, a self-starter, action-oriented and self-motivated.

• Strong work ethic and family values.

Competence

• Excellent verbal and written communication

• Fundraising experience

• Political background would be helpful.

• A digital native would move the role forward.

• Election and State Legislature experience would be ideal.

• Highly polished verbal skills; clarity of expression, good organization of thoughts, and effective articulation.

• Convincing, persuasive, and credible.

• Ability to resolve conflict, disagreement, misunderstandings, and misinterpretations.

• Well-developed social skills; bright and friendly; high level of energy and enthusiasm.

• Creates favorable first impression in terms of appropriate attire, appearance, bearing, and manner.

• Ability to maintain a sense of perspective with humor under pressure and when confronted with shifting priorities.

• Ability to effectively communicate across denominational and theological distinctions.

• Excellent organizational and time management skills.

• Relationally astute; a manager and motivator of people, not intimidated to engage the highest-placed personalities in public life.

Chemistry with the culture

• If uses alcohol, does so in moderation, conscious of the responsibilities of a public figure.

• Able to speak with church audiences and familiar with church culture.

Compensation Package

A generous compensation package will be discussed in personal interviews. This will include a stipend for insurance, and include mileage reimbursement or car, phone, and business lunches.