Executive Director, Gardner Family Foundation

The James J. and Joan A. Gardner Family Foundation, located in Cincinnati, OH (Kenwood area), seeks an Executive Director for a target start date of July 1. Established in 1994, the Gardner Family Foundation is dedicated to enriching the lives of our fellow citizens.  The Foundation is committed to building a better society and believes in the potential of positive change. The Foundation’s resources are concentrated in the following areas:

• Enhancing education and health care
• Supporting faith-based organizations
• Fostering pro-life
• Providing opportunities for the poor and under-served
• Developing the arts
• Promoting environmental responsibility

The Executive Director is responsible for the overall administration and management of the Gardner Family Foundation. The Executive Director represents and advocates for the mission of the Foundation and works with all members of the Board of Trustees to assist in the formation and execution of annual objectives, long-term goals and financial security in determining strategic direction. The Executive Director is intricately involved in all functional areas of the Foundation to ensure it fulfills its regulatory requirements and grant commitments with adequate resources available, and works in partnership with key personnel at the family office supporting the family. The Executive Director ensures a positive image of the Gardner Family Foundation in the communities in which the Trustees live with unquestioned honesty, integrity and ethics. This is a full-time (40 hours per week), on-site position. This position reports to the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Gardner Family Foundation Board of Trustees, and is a non-voting position. The Gardner Family Foundation offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision insurance and 401(k).

Job Qualifications and Key Competencies:

• Bachelor’s degree in Nonprofit Management, Administration, Communication, or related field with Masters, preferred.
• A minimum of five years of leadership experience in nonprofit management or equivalent corporate experience with a proven track record of results.
• Business acumen with excellent analytical skills in addition to financial and operational capabilities.
• Visionary and collaborative leadership skills to identify short- and long-term opportunities for growth and impact.
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills with public speaking experience.
• Ability to represent Gardner Family Foundation effectively and positively with nonprofit organizations and related foundations and to work with diverse groups and individuals.
• Desire to innovate, adapt to changing circumstances and trends and drive continuous improvement.

Position Requirements and Responsibilities:

• Develop organizational goals and objectives consistent with the mission of the Gardner Family and the Gardner Family Foundation.
• Work closely with the Trustees Chair and/or Vice-Chair, keeping them apprised of pertinent aspects of the Foundation’s operations, assisting in various functions as planning meeting schedules, developing agendas and materials, meeting participation, setting priorities, Board communication and Board development.
• Nurture a culture of collaboration and gratitude that encourages teamwork, treating all Trustees and colleagues with respect and encouraging growth and development.
• Assure the strategic plan is current and work with the Board on future planning to fulfill its grantmaking focus.
• Facilitate the orientation of new Trustees with the Chair and/or Vice-Chair and Summer Hill, Inc. personnel.
• Identify staffing needs with Trustees approval, recruits, trains, and develops all direct reports.
• Be responsible in overseeing the daily operations and maintaining/developing Gardner Family Foundation policies and procedures to improve the Foundation’s processes and communications and review the annual budget.
• Work with Foundant Technologies, grant management system, to improve processes and efficient reporting methods for grant management and tax reporting for staff and Trustees.
• Ensure compliance and regulatory requirements and all endeavors are legal, prudent and ethical and maintain records and documents.
• Work with individual Trustee(s) and/or subcommittees on areas of interest or on specific grant proposals. Conduct additional research and site visits, as appropriate.
• Respond to inquiries and/or consult with non-profit organizations to ensure the Foundation’s grant request guidelines are aligned with our mission and areas of concentration.
• Review grant proposals to ensure all required information has been provided, conduct due diligence and monitor grant compliance.