Executive Director

The Opportunity

For more than a century, Shard Villa has been a place where history, compassion, and community come together. Nestled in a setting of extraordinary historic beauty, our home has provided generations of seniors with dignified, personalized care in a truly family-like environment.

As we look toward the future, we seek a visionary yet hands-on Executive Director who can honor our enduring legacy while ensuring a vibrant and sustainable path ahead. 

The ideal candidate is a leader who thrives at the intersection of mission and management. They think strategically but stay close to the work, finding equal satisfaction in long-range planning and in solving day-to-day challenges. This person leads with empathy and integrity, building strong relationships while holding themselves and others to high standards of professionalism and performance. They create an environment where residents, staff, and families feel valued and supported, and where excellence in care, operations, and compliance is essential. 

The Executive Director guides every aspect of Shard Villa’s operations–overseeing staff recruitment, licensing compliance, ensuring that staff provide exceptional care to residents, financial management, and fundraising–while championing the mission that has defined this remarkable place for more than a hundred years. 

Key Responsibilities

Outreach & Strategic Leadership

• Champion Shard Villa’s mission, history, and community presence, sharing its story in ways that inspire trust, engagement, and pride among current and future residents, staff, families, and supporters. 
• Partner with the Board of Directors to shape and advance a shared vision for the organization’s future, aligning strategy, operations, and resources around clear goals.
• Lead and empower a high-performing team by cultivating a culture of professionalism, care, and accountability where staff are supported to do their best work every day.

Fundraising & Financial Sustainability

• Ensure the financial health and long-term sustainability of Shard Villa through strong fiscal management, thoughtful planning, and strategic use of resources in partnership with the Treasurer and Finance Committee.
• Maintain full and vibrant residency by building strong referral networks and promoting Shard Villa’s reputation for excellence in care and community.
• Design and implement a multi-year fundraising strategy that blends major gifts, grants, and community giving to diversify and grow revenue.

Organizational Leadership & Operations

• Oversee daily operations and staff management, ensuring effective systems, clear communication, and consistent alignment with Shard Villa’s mission and standards of care.
• Recruit, develop, and retain talented staff through supportive supervision, performance feedback, and opportunities for professional development.
• Ensure full compliance with all licensing, regulatory, and quality-of-care requirements.
• Represent organization confidently with state agencies, partner organizations, and professional associations, serving as a credible and respected voice of Shard Villa.

Qualifications & Experience

Shard Villa is looking for a dynamic leader with the following qualities and experience:

Essential Qualifications:

• Genuine passion for Shard Villa’s mission, values, and commitment to providing compassionate, high-quality care in a historic, family-like environment. 
• Proven leadership and management experience that blends empathy with accountability, empowering staff while upholding the highest standards of professionalism, excellence, and compliance.
• Demonstrated skill in financial oversight, operational management, and strategic planning to ensure the organization’s long-term sustainability.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust and foster positive relationships among staff, residents, families, community partners, and donors.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated success in fundraising, donor relations, and community engagement.
• Experience in residential care, senior services, healthcare, or nonprofit management.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $100,000 per year.
• Benefits: We offer a flexible benefits package that includes paid time off, participation in a Simple IRA plan with a 3% employer match, on-site meals, mileage and cell phone reimbursement, and professional development opportunities. Additional benefits may be tailored to meet the needs of the selected candidate. 
• Schedule: Full-time during typical business hours, onsite in Salisbury, Vermont. Occasional evening and weekend hours for events and community engagement.
• Work Environment: This is a deeply engaged, hands-on leadership role that requires daily presence and visibility within Shard Villa’s historic setting. The Executive Director will work closely with residents and staff, building relationships that strengthen the sense of home and community we’re known for. 

Equal Opportunity Employment

Shard Villa is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.

Shard Villa has engaged Hedgehog + Fox Collaborative to support the search for our next Executive Director. The search is being led by Sarah McGowen Audet, Principal, who welcomes confidential inquiries at sarah@hedgehogfox.co.

If you are inspired by the opportunity to lead a historic and mission-driven organization where compassion, professionalism, and community are at the heart of every decision, we invite you to apply.

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter outlining their qualifications and passion for the mission to sarah@hedgehogfox.co. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with a priority deadline of November 25, 2025.