The mission of Leadership New Hampshire (LNH) is to increase civic engagement and strengthen communities through connecting and educating a diverse pool of engaged or emerging leaders about the State of New Hampshire.

Leadership New Hampshire’s principal method of accomplishing its mission is an annual  hands-on, highly experiential program in leadership training.  Each year since 1992, LNH has accepted between 30 and 38 applicants from around the state to participate as Associates in a rigorous ten-month series of seminars in a wide range of public policy issues.  Currently each class is comprised of 38 leaders from the public, private and non-profit sectors who represent the various geographic regions and communities of the State.  Special effort is made to ensure diversity within each class.

The Leadership New Hampshire program is designed to deepen the associates’ understanding of community and statewide needs while expanding their personal leadership experiences.  Program seminars combine lectures, panel discussions, debates field trips, workshops, retreats, simulations, and dialogues.  The associates meet with top state officials, artists, students, judges, editors, welfare recipients, corporate leaders, educators, prison inmates and others. 

The purpose of the program is to identify regional talent capable of taking on statewide issues and perspectives; to build the expectation that Associates will assume and expand leadership roles on statewide issues; and to develop a network for effective leadership.  Today, more than five hundred leaders from across the state have completed the LNH program.  They have the knowledge, leadership abilities, and dedication necessary to foster effective citizen involvement in all levels of social and political life in New Hampshire.

The Executive Director will guide LNH in accomplishing its mission by providing the vision, guidance, organization, management, and communication necessary to ensure the excellence of the Leadership New Hampshire program, to support and empower the alumni; to expand the reach and prominence of the program; and to facilitate the continuing financial stability.

The Executive Director must have the ability to lead a mission-driven, people-focused organization.  The ideal candidate will have a track record of leading with vision, implementation and goal setting.  Prior experience with managing and negotiating multi-faceted professional relationships among diverse individuals and organizations, while keeping the goals and objectives of the organization in the forefront, is desired.

The Executive Director works with the Board and its committees to ensure the financial stability of the organization and the development and delivery of programs consistent with the LNH mission. In addition, the Executive Director provides active management and oversight of the day-to-day operations of LNH.  The Executive Director cultivates and motivates staff and sets high standards of quality for the organization’s programs, business operations, and relationships with all stakeholders.
 
The Executive Director must have, develop, foster, and maintain effective relationships with corporate and individual sponsors, businesses, public officials, community and business leaders, government organizations, public policy interest groups, other private and  non-profit organizations, and the media by serving as the public face and principal ambassador for the organization.  The Executive Director will continue to seek out methods to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the organization and its programs, and to expand revenue sources through grants, in-kind service for the organization, corporate and individual sponsors, and other creative sources of revenue. 

LNH is governed by an active and engaged Board of Directors, most of whom are alumni of the program.  The majority of Board Committees (Alumni, Communications, Development, Finance, Program and Selection) include non – Board members who are LNH alumni.  Currently the Executive Director is the only full time staff of LNH and is supported by part time administrative and bookkeeping staff.  The position requires significant state – wide travel.  

Useful experience or characteristics for this position include knowledge of the State of New Hampshire and its public policy issues and leaders; high energy and mission-driven approach; understanding of curriculum design and adult learning; experience with nonprofit management and fundraising; a high level of intellectual curiosity; and excellent oral and written communication skills.

Strategic Planning

• Provides vision, consistent with the organization’s strategic planning process, for changes to the organization’s focus, direction, and initiatives; 
• Works with the Executive Committee and Board to design and develop the LNH Strategic Plan and the annual review and revision of the plan;
• Provides staff support to the strategic planning process, including the development of annual work plans to implement the strategic plan; and
• Works in conjunction with Executive Committee.

Program Development and Management

• Develops and runs the core program;
• Spearheads ongoing review of curriculum to ensure that it is contemporary, relevant, and high quality;
• Recruits and organizes speakers for program days;
• Recruits new LNH Associates;
• Explores opportunities for program expansions; and
• Works in conjunction with the Program and Selection Committees.

Communications and Alumni Relations

• Is the public face and principal ambassador for LNH and maintains a strong community presence by attending events, speaking engagements and media relations;
• Manages communication programs including website and alumni directory, newsletters, collateral and annual reports, event, public relations, social media, data base lists and other activities;
• Plans and oversees conduct of LNH and Board events and Alumni activities;
• Drafts all communications to LNH Board, Associates, donors and alumni;
• Maintains and fosters positive relationships with all stakeholders including Board members, Associates, alumni, donors, and program participants; and
• Works in conjunction with the Communications and Alumni Committees. 

Development and Fundraising

• Lead driver for all fundraising and development efforts, including annual appeals, corporate sponsorships, and other fundraising efforts; and
• Works in conjunction with the Development Committee.

Board Communication and Engagement

• Recruits new board members;
• Orients and trains new board members;
• Works with board officers and committee chairs to prepare for board and committee meetings;
•  Attends all board meetings and provides regular programmatic and budgetary updates;
• Attends committee meetings as necessary or requested; and
• Works in conjunction with the Governance Committee. 

Operations and General Management

• Handles management of all daily business operations, including human resources, technology, and financial matters;
• Recommends staffing levels/patterns and supervises staff and independent contractors;  and
• Works in conjunction with the Executive Committee.

Fiscal Oversight

• Creates, implements, and oversees the annual budget;
• Works directly with and supervises the part time bookkeeper;
• Oversees the preparation of the materials for the annual review; and
• Works in conjunction with the Finance Committee.

Please send Resume and Letter of Application by January 25th to:
 Chair, LNH Executive Director Search Committee
Leadership New Hampshire
2 Delta Drive
Concord, NH 03301
(603) 226-2265
Info@leadershipnh.org
www.leadershipnh.org