DECATUR COOPERATIVE MINISTRY

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SEARCH

Decatur Cooperative Ministry (DCM) is seekingqualified candidates for the full-time position of

Executive Director.

Overview:Decatur Cooperative Ministry (DCM) helps families facing homelessness settle into safe, stable homes and build healthy lives filled with peace, hope and opportunity. DCM was birthed in 1969 by the collaborative vision of many congregations in Decatur and DeKalb County to prevent homelessness in our community and metropolitan Atlanta. It currently is supported by over 35 congregations of various denominations, as well as government entities, the United Way, private foundations, and generous individuals. Its annual budget for 2013 is $1.2 million, and it currently employs a staff of 11 plus independent contractors and interns. For more information, visit

Job Description:Responsible for DCM’s achievement of its mission and financial objectives, leadership in developing and managing programs and staff, grant writing and compliance, fund development, operational performance, finance, and board and volunteer management.

Responsibilities & Duties:

  1. Serves as the chief liaison among DCM’s constituencies:
  • Demonstrates a passion for each client’s or family’s progress towards self-sufficiency
  • Encourages open and collaborative relationship with staff
  • Cultivates relationships with congregations, community groups, governmental agencies, major donors, and private foundations
  • Maintains contact with member congregations through attending worship and other events
  1. Actively seeks, develops and administers all grant and fundraising activities for DCM
  • Applies excellent grant writing skills, both private and government (preferred experience with government grants and The United Way), and knowledgeable of governmental compliance regulations
  • Oversees fundraising planning and implementation, including identifying resource requirements, researching funding sources, establishing strategies to approach funders (major donors, individuals, member congregations, and businesses), submitting proposals and administrating fundraising records and documentation
  1. Administers the general activities of DCM:
  • Assures the organization has a long-term strategy which achieves its mission; plans, implements, and evaluates annual goals and strategies in all areas of DCM
  • Maintains high level of awareness of (and is conversational about) Atlanta-area non-profit organizations, public agencies, foundations, and corporate initiatives that present partnering opportunities for DCM
  • Leads, supervises, and develops the DCM staff, which includes conducting regular staff meetings, providing periodic individual performance feedback, as needed, and conducting annual performance appraisals
  • Develops with DCM staff, Finance and Audit Committee, and the Board of Directors the annual budget and ensures organization operates within budget and follows sound financial practices and procedures
  • Reports monthly to the Board of Directors on major activities and summarizes services provided
  • Works on the management succession planning of the organization, so as to ensure that a capable management is in place to handle work effectively

Decatur Cooperative Ministry Executive Director Search

  1. Creates and facilitates the mission of DCM and oversees all programs and projects:
  • Leads comprehensive program review to continuously monitor programs around strategy, advocacy, and collaboration to ensure DCM achieves its mission and goals
  • Assesses need for new ministries and recommends, or supports program director in recommending, to the Board that current ministries and programs be re-defined, amended, or terminated and/or that new ministries and programs be considered, evaluated, or added
  • Explores and initiates collaborations with other programs and agencies to combine resources and better address the needs of DCM’s clients and of the homeless; stewards the collaboration to ensure joint objectives are met
  1. Provides leadership and professional support to the Board of Directors in achieving DCM’s goals and purposes, including:
  • Supports and coordinates of tasks of all Board Committees and Task Forces, working closely with the appropriate facilitators and committee chairs
  • Assists Board Chair and other chairs, as requested, with preparation of meeting agendas
  • Informs Board members of educational opportunities
  • Assists with planning and implementation of Annual Meeting(s) and special Board meetings
  • Prepares materials for the Board, Task Forces, and Board Committee meetings, such as sending meeting notices, make arrangements for the facility, preparation and distribution of necessary reports, minutes, etc.

Qualifications & Experience:

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in finance, business administration, marketing, or related fields
  • Excellent interpersonal, organizational, development, marketing, communication, administration and personnel management skills essential
  • Proven budget management skills, including: reading financial statements and analysis, day-to- day budget operations, basic accounting standards, budgeting, compliance, controls, and audits
  • Leadership skills including managing and motivating volunteers and staff; ability to foster a healthy organizational culture, to encourage teamwork and collaboration; strong interpersonal skills that include the ability to inspire and motivate; effective at conflict management
  • Fundraising, grant proposal writing, and major donor and foundation relations are required
  • Proven skills in management and strategic planning
  • Proven understanding of not-for-profits and experience working with Boards of Directors and volunteers particularly preferred
  • Ability to raise the visibility of the organization through successful marketing including expansion of the membership base
  • Excellent communication skills, both written and oral; strong public speaking skills
  • Proficiency with computers and related technology, including spreadsheets, databases, presentation software, and social media

Compensation: Salary and benefits commensurate with experience.

To Apply: Send a resume, cover letter, and contact information for at least four references to . No phone calls.

Decatur Cooperative Ministry does not tolerate or practice any form of discrimination either in employment or in services provided based on religion, race, national origin, physical ability, gender, sexual orientation, or age.