Executive Director

Executive Director

The Go Play Executive Director leads and oversees the organization’s strategy, fundraising, staff development, internal operations, and external partnerships.This role requires a leader who can build trust, foster a healthy and inclusive team culture, grow sustainable funding, expand field access, and strengthen communications capacity to advance the mission of creating high-quality spaces for sports and recreation. The Executive Director position is a full-time position.

Focus: Strategy, External Growth, & Board Governance

Reports to: Board of Directors

1. Leadership.

• Creator of the strategic vision for Go Play, in collaboration with the Board, who will guide the organization to advance Go Play’s mission, and meet future challenges in partnership with the Board. They will clearly communicate the plan and engagement strategy to staff, stakeholders, funders, and partners.
• Oversee the execution of the overall strategic plan and daily operations of the organization, including but not limited to staff and program oversight and direction, finance and operations, compliance and legal, and Board management and maintenance.
• Serve as primary spokesperson to funders, stakeholders, media, and the general public.
• Responsible for building and maintaining partnerships with local sports organizations, sponsors, community organizations, government and political leaders.
• Manages all Board relationships, meetings, standing committees and necessary reports, ensuring the Board is informed and utilized appropriately.
• Ensures the organization operates ethically, compliantly, and effectively

1. Financial Management

• Responsible for the overall financial health of the organization and adherence to official Go Play fiscal policies and procedures, as well as all legal compliance.
• Develops the annual budget and communicates to the Board about financial performance, cash flow, statements of activities, and balance sheets.
• Ensures compliance with procurement and contracting requirements
• Identifies and solicits new grant and revenue opportunities
• Ensure strong grant management across the full lifecycle, including compliance, budgeting, timely and accurate reporting on impact and results, and regular donor communications
• Generates revenue through new program opportunities including special events.

1. People and Culture

• Manage, support and retain a high-performing, collaborative team.
• Ensure a healthy, respectful work environment grounded in trust, clarity, and accountability.
• Provide clear goals, coaching, feedback, and professional development support.
• Ensure a proactive, collaborative working relationship with customers, stakeholders, and the community.

1. Programs and Field Operations.

• Responsible for ensuring existing programs are managed effectively and holds staff accountable for program goals and outcomes.
• Strategizes and develops additional programming as guided by the board on the RFK campus and elsewhere and ensures effective community buy-in.
• Manages key client relationship with Events DC
• Ensures all programming promotes the organizational mission and that access to the fields and programming is inclusive of all DC residents without discrimination - including but not limited to gender, race, sexual orientation, disability status, nations of origin, religion, or socio-economic status.

1. Planning and New Business.

• Responsible for ideating and developing new lines of business or programming to fulfill the mission and create a sustainable organization
• Build plans and partnerships for new projects, including developing relationships with funders, customers, and political and community leaders to establish each new project.
• Be an external local presence promoting and communicating program results with an emphasis on the successes of current project(s) as a model for replication in new projects.
• Utilizes opportunities for community input to inform priorities and future projects.

What Else You Should Know

Go Play is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to fostering a workplace that is inclusive, respectful, and free from discrimination. Go Play does not discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

This role requires some non-traditional work hours to support events and stakeholders at the Fields at RFK and other venues.

Compensation: Because negotiating is inherently inequitable, we want to be transparent about what benefits we can offer up front and avoid negotiation. The starting salary for this position is $100,000.

Our benefits include:

• Insurance: Full coverage for employees of paid health, dental, and vision insurance premiums.
• Monthly Benefits: Employees receive a stipend for transportation, phone, and uniforms.
• Retirement: Eligibility for a 401(k) with a 4% employer match after one year of employment.
• Paid Time Off: PTO accrues at a rate of one hour per 30 hours worked and some time may be rolled over to the next year. Go Play observes 11 paid holidays.

Our benefits include:

• Insurance: Full coverage for employees of paid health, dental, and vision insurance premiums.
• Monthly Benefits: Employees receive a stipend for transportation, phone, and uniforms.
• Retirement: Eligibility for a 401(k) with a 4% employer match after one year of employment.
• Paid Time Off: PTO accrues at a rate of one hour per 30 hours worked and some time may be rolled over to the next year. Go Play observes 11 paid holidays.