Executive Director

Girls on the Run San Diego is a local nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams. We inspire girls to be joyful, healthy, and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum that creatively integrates running. Our program creates a safe place for girls to grow in confidence and strengthen their self-worth through an introduction to identifying and processing emotions, goal setting, cooperation, healthy decision-making, and self-respect, while training for a 5K. To learn more about our programs and impact, visit: https://www.gotrsd.org/.

Girls on the Run believes that all girls and communities should have access to our programs. We strive to eliminate barriers to participation, to continue creating programming that engages all communities, to be intentional about staff and volunteer diversity and to promote a culture of inclusion across the organization. We warmly welcome the participation of any child who identifies as “girl,” non-binary, or gender expansive in our programs. We are committed to leveraging our intellectual, financial, and human resources to advance strategies to be inclusive, equitable, and accessible to all.

Position Summary

The Executive Director (ED) is a highly-skilled, non-profit professional who provides leadership, vision, and direction for Girls on the Run San Diego (GOTRSD) in connection with the broader Girls on the Run® organization. The ED is responsible for the overall implementation of the Girls on the Run mission and reports to the GOTRSD Board of Directors.

The ED must be passionate about inspiring all girls to activate their limitless potential, be motivated by bringing people together to support a mission with time and resources, and be community-centric and equity-minded in their approach to this work. The ideal candidate will have successfully managed community impact programs, including evaluation and measurement, be bilingual in Spanish, and have well-established connections to our local San Diego communities.

Key responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

Vision and Leadership

• Conduct work and make decisions that support the GOTRSD mission and core values
• Work with Board to develop and annually update a strategic plan
  • Identify and prepare for infrastructure growth to support and foster program expansion
  • Map out the strategic direction and leadership of the overall program in coordination with staff
  • Develop a comprehensive council growth projection that reflects creative development strategies with an intentional focus on growing access and diversifying communities served
• Provide support to educate Board members on the organization’s mission
• Provide direction, oversight, and professional development opportunities for the staff, as well as leadership to the volunteer coaches
• Advocate and generate visibility and support for the mission, vision, and goals of GOTRSD, which includes developing relationships with community leaders to market the program for sustainability and expansion

Partnership Development and Fundraising

• Oversee fundraising vision and serve as outward-facing GOTRSD leader 
• Collaborate with Development & Fundraising Manager to oversee and engage in planning and implementation of diverse short- and long-term fundraising plans, which may include special events, fundraising activities, grant applications, and individual and corporate donor solicitation and stewardship
• Ensure community engagement and communication is consistent with the GOTR brand and core values

Operational Administration

• Ensure that the organization is in compliance with all laws governing non-profit organizations and the Girls on the Run International Membership Agreement, Policies, and Guidelines
• Leads staff to prepare documents, reports, and strategic presentations to provide Board visibility into program operations
• Collaborates with GOTR Councils throughout the US for best practices 
• Leverage data to monitor GOTRSD key performance indicators (KPIs) and track progress toward meeting organizational goals
• Manage the organization with a business mindset by establishing and implementing efficient systems and strategies

Program Development

• Develop and foster a strong and open dialogue with the Board of Directors and Girls on the Run International
• Serve as ambassador to raise awareness by building and maintaining relationships with local media, service groups, corporate groups, fitness organizations, etc.
• Provide oversight for all aspects of program management for staff

Financial Management

• Ensure optimal financial performance of GOTRSD
• Provide leadership to assure financial sustainability
• Together with Treasurer and program staff:
  • Develop annual budget for Board approval
  • Manage revenue and expenses based on approved annual budget
  • Maintain processes for proper recordkeeping and internal financial controls
  • Manage revenue and expenses based on approved annual budget
  • Review monthly financial reporting for accuracy and to discern trends, identify areas of improvement, address problems, and update monthly forward-looking forecasts

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS degree or comparable work experience, with 10+ years of demonstrated executive leadership experience, preferable in a non-profit community impact environment
• Demonstrated ability to motivate and lead people, including a remote staff
• Proven success in management and growth of a team, including mentorship of staff, delineation of responsibilities, and delegation of work
• Outstanding communication skills and ability to deliver presentations to large groups, the media and other key stakeholders 
• Flexible and adaptable with willingness to continually learn and grow
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, fundraising, grant writing, setting and managing budgets, and financial forecasting
• Knowledge of non-profit best practices including experience in working closely with a Board of Directors
• Readiness to embrace the work of inclusion, diversity, equity, and access
• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and access through continuous development and modeling inclusive behaviors, and proactively managing bias
• Strong technological proficiency to navigate an array of web-based software
• Reliable transportation

Work Environment:

This is a full-time position based in San Diego County and the candidate must be locally based to provide hands-on leadership and support to our community. There is an office located in Kearny Mesa, but the position allows for flexible remote work. Expect:

• Frequent local travel within the county and out-of-state travel for annual conference
• Ongoing in-person and virtual interactions in community
• Occasional evening and weekend events including bi-annual 5ks, monthly Board meetings, and volunteer appreciation gatherings
• Frequent interaction with external stakeholders
• High-speed internet access required to access systems 
• Occasional lifting of roughly 35-pound boxes of supplies, materials, etc. 

This is a full-time, exempt position offering a salary of $80-100k annually, depending on experience. At Girls on the Run San Diego, we proudly offer:

• Health Benefits (medical, dental, vision partially paid by GOTRSD)
• Life, A&D, and Long Term Disability Insurance 
• Reimbursement for mileage and internet 
• Company laptop
• Annual bonus plan

To apply, send a resume and cover letter to board@gotrsd.org by Friday, March 24.