Executive Director
About the Organization
Founded in 2011, Finding Our Stride (FOS) provides free afterschool running programs at more than 30 schools across Vermont and New Hampshire. We partner with small, rural schools throughout the Upper Valley region engaging youth in building fitness, self-esteem and resilience, and deeper relationships with peers, mentors, and their communities. Teams practice twice per week for 60–90 minutes during both spring and fall seasons. Our programs, co-designed with teachers and school leaders at partner sites, create inclusive and welcoming environments for all youth. Enrollment in our afterschool programs is free, and our Sneaker Fund provides vouchers for free running shoes to ensure there are no barriers to entry. FOS provides stipends for our coach-mentors, nutritious snacks, and entry fees and support for end-of-season events and community engagement activities. In 2024, more than 100 coach-mentors, 80% of whom are faculty and staff at partner sites, served more than 1200 student-runners.
About the Job
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
Finding Our Stride (FOS), a dynamic organization serving K-8th grade youth in the Upper Valley region of Vermont and New Hampshire through FREE afterschool running programs, is seeking a passionate Executive Director who believes that all children should be empowered to enjoy physical fitness and achieve social-emotional growth. This person will be a seasoned leader who demonstrates the ability to drive the vision and direction of a growing organization.
Over the past twelve years, we have changed the lives of thousands of local youth through partnerships with multiple schools, nonprofit organizations, coaches, families, and funders. Today, we serve 33 sites and more than 1,100 runners, primarily in underserved communities. This is an exciting time to join FOS, after a pivotal period of strategic growth and measurable impact.
Reporting to FOS’ Board of Directors, the Executive Director maintains fiscal, strategic, and operational responsibility for staff, programs, growth, and impact. In addition, the leader will foster a culture and work environment that is collaborative, flexible, and fun for all runners, volunteers, staff, and board members.
Given the importance of relationship building for this position, the ideal candidate will live in the Upper Valley full time. As there is no physical office for FOS, all employees work remotely.
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Management of the overall vision and direction for Finding Our Stride.
Fundraising: Oversees Director of Operations and Development (DOD); works with DOD on all individual, corporate and foundation fundraising.
Financial Management: Oversees DOD on day-to-day accounting. Prepares annual budgets and budget updates, in collaboration with the finance committee and accountant.
Communication, recruitment, engagement and annual financial ask of each member of the Board of Directors. Sets agenda for board meetings (in collaboration with Board Chair); helps governing committee to identify and recruit new board members; trains new board members (in collaboration with DOD).
Oversight of Board Committees, including Finance, Fundraising, Governance, Recruitment and Retention.
School Partnerships: works with DOD and School Partnerships Coordinator (SPC) to ensure efficient team management, including the recruitment of teams and coaches; the maximization of runner enrollment, t-shirt orders and distribution; and the management of community engagement projects each season.
Ensures that under-resourced communities remain a focus for FOS. (The SPC has primary responsibility for the above and reports to the DOD).
Communications: Works with DOD, SPC, and the communications consultant to educate and engage current and future stakeholders via FOS website, social media, quarterly newsletters, and two annual appeals.
Up to 20% of time will be required for travel. Almost all travel is within the region.
REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES FOR THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
An exceptional and experienced nonprofit leader, preferably with ED experience, who excels at planning and organization.
Familiarity with the Upper Valley strongly preferred.
An accomplished fundraiser with best practice knowledge and skills to successfully motivate, engage, and interact with high-level donors, board members, and other volunteers.
A strong financial manager with experience in budgeting and financial oversight. A person of integrity and compassion who will care deeply for the welfare of each student, coach, family, staff and board member.
A strategic thinker with proven ability to assess and enhance program effectiveness based on feedback and data, who is familiar with the challenges and opportunities of leading a growing nonprofit organization.
A strong communicator with the ability to inspire all constituencies and audiences. A collaborative manager who effectively directs and supports others’ efforts, motivating them and giving them authority to lead and room to grow, and who seeks and accepts guidance from the Board.
A leader with a demonstrated commitment to fostering inclusivity and equity, aligning with FOS values, and preferably a track record of promoting diversity within an organization, including the board.
A self-starter who is able to multitask and manage a diverse set of responsibilities and thrive in unstructured/unsupported environments.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
College degree required.
Seven plus years of related experience required, preferably as a nonprofit Executive Director.
Must be fluent with the Google Suite and with Quickbooks and donor software, ideally Little Green Light.
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume and two writing samples via email to: Jenny@findingourstride.org. All materials will be held in strictest confidence.