Executive Director, The Wendt Center for Loss and Healing

The Wendt Center for Loss and Healing

Executive Director

Compensation:  $150,000 to $175,000, based on various factors, including but not limited to, skill set and experience

Position logistics: Full-time, exempt, salaried staff position. Hybrid role with an office in Washington, DC.

About the Wendt Center

The Wendt Center helps children, youth, and adults rebuild their emotional lives after loss, illness, violence and trauma.  Since 1975, the Wendt Center for Loss and Healing has helped people in the Greater Washington area rebuild a sense of safety and hope after experiencing a loss, life-threatening illness, violence or other trauma.  Nationally recognized for expertise in grief, trauma, and mental health, they provide an array of holistic services for children, teens, adults, families, and the local community.

Through office and community-based service sites across metropolitan Washington, DC, and with a focus on the needs of the underserved, the Wendt Center is a unique and critical resource for thousands of children, adults, and families each year.  Services are provided on a sliding scale basis according to need, or free under grants for those who qualify.  Many insurances are accepted.

The Wendt Center Purpose and values are the following:

We offer a pathway to healing.

We believe that healing from life’s worst moments is possible.

We express kindness to all. Caring and compassion are at the heart of all we do.

We practice collaboration and teamwork, recognizing that none of us can do it alone.

We strive to be lifelong learners, and actively seek opportunities to expand our personal and professional knowledge.

For more information, please visit www.wendtcenter.org.

About the Executive Director position

The Wendt Center seeks an Executive Director to build on nearly 50 years of impact helping people rebuild a sense of safety and hope after experiencing a loss, life-threatening illness, violence or other trauma. The new Executive Director will bring a deep sense of commitment to the Wendt Center philosophy and mission and will provide a sustainable foundation and platform to inspire hope and healing in the Washington, DC Metro community. Reporting to the Board of Directors, managing three direct reports, and overseeing a dedicated clinical and program staff of 30, the new leader will be responsible for ensuring the delivery of services, providing strategic leadership, oversight, and direction in fundraising, administration, financial management, program development, and public relations. 

Key Responsibilities:

Fiscal Operations

• Oversee the development and implementation of the annual budget 
• Provide oversight of the annual audit
• Partner with the Board of Directors finance and audit subcommittees to ensure the organization is operating with efficiency and fiscal integrity
• Oversee adherence to all financial policies and procedures
• Work closely with internal and/or external financial entities to monitor and manage the Center’s liabilities and assets
• Ensure effective and efficient implementation of public and private third-party payers in the organization’s fee for service operations 
• With appropriately delegated authority, sign and execute all contracts, grants, leases, licenses, and any other legal forms necessary to maintain operations
• Oversee organizational cash flow and utilization of line of credit
• Oversee approval and execution of payments in accordance with board-authorized annual budget

Fundraising

• Ensure the Wendt Center has the revenue required to fulfill its mission, grow and innovate
• Develop and implement a fundraising strategy, which includes specific revenue targets for government and foundation grants as well as corporate and individual donors, to enable the organization to secure the financial resources necessary to advance and fulfill its mission.
• Identify and cultivate new donors and strengthen relationships with current donors.
• Oversee the Development Director and Board Level Development subcommittee to organize and carry out all fundraising efforts including, but not limited to, individual donors, private and corporate foundations  and organizations, state and federal funders, and the Combined Federal Campaign and United Way

Program and Administration

• Update, develop, and oversee implementation of organization’s strategic plan to ensure the effectiveness of the organization’s mission and its long-term sustainability
• Direct development and implementation of programs to address gaps within the service delivery system and ensure accessibility
• Ensure all programs deliver effective, efficient, and high-quality service through thoughtful program evaluation 
• Ensure compliance with all private and government grant requirements and deliverables
• Build, maintain and model a strong organizational culture reflective of the Wendt Center’s purpose and values
• Empower, inspire, and hold accountable all staff to achieve individual and organizational goals
• Ensure organizational compliance with all relevant local and federal regulations including but not limited to ensuring adequate coverage of all business insurance policies 

Public Relations

• Promote the visibility of the Wendt Center by serving as its primary spokesperson and communicating regularly and with transparency through means such as regular impact reports, an annual report, public events, traditional media outlets, newsletter, and social media
• Ensure representation of the Wendt Center and its mission at the local and national level in the grief and loss community through collaborative public presentations, special events, publications, training, and other opportunities including service on relevant community and government-based committees and coalitions
• Serve on relevant community and government-based committees to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the resources and needs within the broader mental health/grief/trauma service delivery system locally and nationally
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with other leaders in the grief and loss community, with business, civic, and community leaders, and with current, former, and prospective donors and clients of the Center

Board Development

• Partner with the Board of Directors and its subcommittees to ensure effective implementation of the organization's strategic plan
• Recommend appropriate actions and policy decisions for consideration by the Board
• Report to the Board on program implementation, financial status, infrastructure changes, and organizational health
• Other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors

Qualifications:

Please know the Wendt Center Search Committee recognizes that not every candidate will bring all of the skills, knowledge, and experiences listed below and welcomes candidates with a variety of experience.

• Passion and a deep authentic commitment to the mission of the Wendt Center
• Minimum 10 years professional experience in a leadership position
• Record of strong operational leadership and the ability to ensure effective and efficient policies and procedures
• Demonstrated success in fundraising and serving as a chief external spokesperson for an organization
• A record of leading authentic, trust-based, and genuine organizational relationships and partnerships
• Experience in successful team management
• Strong, clear, and transparent communication skills with the ability to engage, connect, and inspire the variety of individuals and groups who are a part of the Wendt Center
• Working knowledge of mental health (specifically grief and trauma)
• Working knowledge of non-profit management
• Established ability to nurture an ongoing commitment among the board and staff to further the mission of the Wendt Center 

How to Apply:

The Wendt Center has retained the executive search firm LeaderFit to partner with the Board and Search Committee on this search. Interested candidates should upload a brief cover letter and resume here or at the blue button below.