Executive Director, Girls on the Run Memphis

Organizational Summary

Girls on the Run Memphis Council 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.

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 engage all communities, to be intentional about staff and volunteer diversity and to promote a culture of inclusion across the organization.

Position Summary

The Executive Director (ED) of GOTR Memphis Council will work with community leaders, schools and school systems, non-profit partners, families and participants, and volunteers to create significant impact in our community. The ideal candidate will have a passion for youth, experience in fundraising and grant writing, business acumen and will have successfully managed community impact programs, including evaluation and measurement. This is both a strategic leadership and hands-on execution role.

Principle Responsibilities

Principle responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

• Strategic Planning
  • Provide strategic direction and leadership of the overall program through careful implementation and continuation of the Strategic Plan.
  • Develop and evaluate a comprehensive council growth plan that reflects creative program and site development strategies with an intentional focus on growing access and diversifying communities served.
  • Maintain a strong working relationship with the Board and collaborate to identify and plan for infrastructure growth parallel to growth of the program.
  • Responsible for supporting the implementation of Girls on the Run Programming and strategizing the recruitment, hiring, and onboarding of a program staff member.
• Fund Development
  • Develop sustainable revenue plan with a focus on grant writing and individual donor development and stewardship.
  • Develop and sustain sponsorship relationships with local, corporate and national partners.
  • Serve as ambassador to raise awareness by building and maintaining relationships with local media, service groups, corporate groups, fitness organizations, etc.
• Staff and Volunteer Leadership
  • Provide direction, oversight and professional development opportunities for staff, as well as leadership to the volunteer coaches, and committee leadership.
  • Develop coach recruitment and retention efforts that result in coaches representing the diversity of girls served.
  • Cultivate and steward key relationships with community organizations and site liaisons, coaches, parents, participants and volunteers.
  • Maintain strong relationship with the Board of Directors and Girls on the Run International.
• Operational Administration
  • Manage the organization with a business mindset by establishing and implementing efficient systems and strategies.
  • Execute all financial, operational and programmatic reports to Girls on the Run International and to state and local funding agencies in a timely manner.
  • Leverage data to monitor GOTR Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and track progress toward meeting organizational goals.
  • Ensure the organization’s overall financial health and sustainability.
• Build Community Presence
  • Oversee special events planning and execution such as the season-end 5k events, virtual summits, etc.
  • Ensure community engagement and communication is consistent with the GOTR brand and core values.
  • Strategically engage with community partners to expand organizational awareness and reach.

Required Qualifications

• Leadership of a critical area in a larger organization experience, preferably in a non-profit or head of a comparable small organization.
• Demonstrated experience in fundraising, grant writing, setting and managing budgets, and financial forecasting.
• Passion for the Girls on the Run mission.
• Readiness to embrace the work of inclusion, diversity, equity, and access.
• Ability to effectively communicate issues surrounding girl empowerment, self-esteem, body image and whole-person health and comfortability delivering presentations to large groups.
• Strong technological proficiency.
• Must be available nights and weekends as needed for GOTR events, funding opportunities and ambassador engagements.
• Reliable transportation.
• A flexible and adaptable team-player with a sense of humor.

Work Environment, Compensation, and Benefits

• Work Environment
  • This is a full-time position based in Memphis, TN. Frequent local travel with periodic out-of-state travel.
  • Fully remote
  • High speed internet access required to access systems
  • Ongoing in-person and virtual interactions in community
• Compensation & Benefits
  • Full-time, exempt position.
  • Salary Range: $75,000 – $80,000.
  • Health benefits are available.

About Girls on the Run

Girls on the Run International is a national 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 which creatively integrates running. GOTR is a physical activity-based positive youth development program that is designed to enhance girls’ social, psychological and physical skills and behaviors to successfully navigate life experiences.

To learn more about our programs and impact, visit: