Executive Director

About Hope Creates. Our mission is to empower youth and adults in recovery from, or at risk of, Substance Use Disorder to stay sober by engaging in the expressive arts and a vibrant and creative sober community.

OUR VALUES

Courageous Creativity. The transformative power of the expressive arts and the thrill that comes from expressing our unique creativity.

Solidarity in Sobriety. The support of our sober members who understand what we have experienced, empathize, and use art to make sobriety more fun than addiction.

Vibrant Community. The sense of connection and commitment we receive from our diverse and creative sober community.

Screaming Fun. The laughter and fun we share experimenting with diverse mediums and the pure joy of creating new things.

For more information, visit www.hopecreates.org.

The Executive Director Position (Full-Time, Hybrid – St. Louis, Mo.) 

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director (ED) will have overall strategic and operational responsibility for Hope Creates’ staff, programs, expansion, and execution of its mission. S/He will initially develop deep knowledge of core programs, operations, fundraising, board development, cultivation of partnerships, business plans, and the donor base. The person in this position should have knowledge and experience with how the arts can transform individuals and communities. In Hope Creates’ case, it is understanding and appreciating how the arts can have a powerful impact on individuals in recovery from – or at risk of – Substance Use Disorder, providing a welcoming community where they can express their angst, passion, trauma, and hope through the expressive arts.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership & Management

• Responsible for quality business management of finances, fundraising, communications, and systems
• Responsible for programmatic excellence through the oversight of the Program Director and Program Administrative Manager, who are responsible for rigorous program execution and evaluation, program finance and grant allocation tracking, communications with referring partners, and general organizational administration
• Recommend timelines and resources needed to achieve the strategic goals
• Develop, maintain, and support a strong board of directors.
  Actively engage and energize Hope Creates’ board members and funders, and assist with volunteers, event committees, alumni, and collaborating organizations
• Seek and build board involvement with strategic direction for both ongoing local operations as well as for potential regional expansion
• Lead, coach, develop, and retain Hope Creates’ high-performance team
• Oversee effective systems, managed by the Program Director and Program Administrative Manager, to track scaling progress, and regularly evaluate program components
• Measure successes that can be effectively communicated to the board, funders, and other constituents

Finance

• Oversee all financials and serve as the staff liaison for the Finance Committee, board treasurer, accountant and auditor to ensure the financial stability of the organization
• Expand local revenue-generating and fundraising activities to support existing program operations and regional expansion
• Work with the board to acquire new sources of revenue through donors and grantors

Fundraising & Communications

• In partnership with the board, create an annual development plan that guides successful fundraising with realistic goal-setting and use the plan to guide donor cultivation, stewardship, and solicitations throughout the year
• Serve as the staff liaison for the Marketing Committee, to deepen and refine all aspects of communications, — from web presence to external relations, with the goal of creating a stronger brand
• Use external presence and relationships to garner new opportunities

Planning & New Business

• Design the regional expansion and complete the strategic business planning process for program expansion into new markets
• Build collaborations in new markets, establishing relationships with the funders and political and community leaders at each expansion site
• Publish and communicate program results with an emphasis on the successes of the local program as a model for regional and national replication

Qualifications

The ED will be thoroughly committed to Hope Creates’ mission. All candidates should have proven leadership, coaching, and relationship management experience. Concrete demonstrable experience and other qualifications include:

• Advanced degree, ideally an MBA, with 5-7 years of sr. management experience, preferably in non-profits
• Track record of effectively leading and scaling a performance- and outcomes-based organization and staff at the regional and/or national level
• Ability to point to specific examples of having developed and operationalized strategies that have taken an organization to the next stage of growth
• Unwavering commitment to quality programs and data-driven program evaluation
• Excellence in organizational management with the ability to coach, manage, and develop high-performance teams, set and achieve strategic objectives, and manage a budget
• Past success working with a board of directors with the ability to cultivate existing board member relationships
• Strong marketing, public relations, and fundraising experience with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders and cultures
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; a persuasive and passionate communicator with excellent interpersonal and multidisciplinary project skills, and high value on organizational storytelling
• Action-oriented, entrepreneurial, adaptable, and innovative approach to business planning
• Experienced in working effectively to build collaborations with diverse groups of people
• Mission-driven and self-directed

Salary

The salary range for this position is between $80,000 and $90,000, based on candidate experience. 2024 national survey data informs this salary range for 501(c)(3) organizations of our revenue size based in St. Louis, Mo. Unfortunately, there is no relocation assistance for this position.

Location

This position is a hybrid position open to residents of the St. Louis region. Hope Creates enjoys a highly functional, creative, and professional office space at the High Low Building operated by the Kranzberg Arts Foundation at 3301 Washington Ave. in St. Louis, MO 63103. Candidates must be willing to come into the office to manage and meet with staff, partners, donors, and Board members regularly. We expect three days in the office, with two days working from home – at the discretion of the new Executive Director. Work may require frequent evening and weekend work.

Physical Requirements

Assisting with the set-up and tear-down of local community events involves the capacity to lift 30 lbs. and the ability to stand on your feet for up to five hours at a time.

How to Apply

M Consulting Group, a national Human-Centered Talent Scout, is managing the search process. Interested candidates should submit a resume to melinda@mconsultinggroupllc.com, with the subject line Hope Creates ED Position, before January 31, 2025.

The Interview Process

The interview process will consist of a Zoom screening and two rounds of interviews. We expect an offer to be extended to the final candidate in March 2025.

Hope Creates is an equal-opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment decisions. Hope Creates provides reasonable accommodation to applicants and employees as required by law.