Executive Director, Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia

About Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia

The mission of the Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia (EFGA) is to lead the fight to overcome the challenges of living with epilepsy and to accelerate therapies to stop seizures, find cures, and save lives. The Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia is the only health agency in Georgia dedicated to serving more than 110,000 Georgians living with active epilepsy statewide. The Foundation seeks to improve the quality of life for people with epilepsy and their families through community education activities for all age levels and comprehensive set of client service programs. The Foundation also reaches out to the community at large to reduce the stigma that is often attached to epilepsy and educate the public on seizure recognition and first aid. For 2025, EFGA’s strategic initiatives include the expansion of EFWorks throughout the state and beyond, continuing Seizure First Aid efforts, and increasing educational offerings for patients, families and caregivers.

Summary of the Executive Director, EFGA Opportunity

The executive director is the leader and chief spokesperson for the Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia. The executive director reports to and is accountable to the policies adopted by the chairman of the board and the board of directors. The executive director’s primary responsibilities include translating the mission of the Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia into clear goals and motivating the collective team to bring these goals to life. The executive director provides leadership and directs all functions of the Foundation, including financial management, fundraising and development, program planning and implementation, board development, community relations, and operational activities, carried out in accordance with the directions provided by the board of directors and within estab­lished guidelines so that organizational, fundraising, budgetary, community relations and volunteer objectives are achieved.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Leads the development and implementation of strategic plans into tactical actions/activities. Initiates and directs all Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia’s mission-based activities. Guides and engages the team to achieve strategic plan goals, objectives, and tactics. Analyzes outcomes and reports to the board of directors on progress, on a quarterly basis.
• Oversees development and implementation of fundraising plans to secure adequate funding, including preparing and supervising foundation grants and corporate proposals.
• Manages the operations of the organization (staff, programs, etc.). Establishes all operational and management standards that seek to make the Foundation work as efficiently and effectively as possible. Assures fiscal management. Directs fundraising and development plans; and reviews marketing and communication functions on a continual basis to improve client satisfaction and organizational culture. Directs the recruitment, placement, supervision, and performance management of all staff. Ensures that staffing requirements are met within a framework to fulfill all goals of the strategic plan.
• Provides oversight into the financial affairs of the organization. Ensures financial policies and procedures are followed. Ensures ongoing financial growth of the organization.
• Serves as the lead in the public policy efforts that includes serving as a member of coalitions, advocating directly with legislators, keeping the website and action alerts current, and testifying on behalf of the Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia.
• Serves as the primary liaison and principal professional resource to the board of directors and the Professional Advisory Committee. Communicates regularly and openly with the board, cultivating its members and organizing board development, committee structure and flow of decision-making information. Implements the policies established by the board of directors through the administration of the organization and its activities. Participates in board meetings, (i.e., providing input, information and feedback as the organization’s liaison).
• Develops and sustains relationships with key community leaders, directs formulation of agreements with private and government organizations, establishes statewide goals and objectives in conjunction with national and affiliated organizations, and manages alliances with key stakeholders at all levels.
• Chief spokesperson and community representative of the Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia. Establishes rapport, cultivates good relationships, and sustains a positive reputation of the Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia with all constituents, stakeholders, and the general and philanthropic community in Georgia.

Required Competencies, Skills, and Abilities:

• Visioning and Strategic Thinking – Visualizes the Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia’s future state and criteria for long-term, sustained business success. Provides focus and long-term direction for a constant stream of organizational and individual action.
• Inspirational Leadership - Ability to inspire and lead others toward meeting the organization’s vision, mission, and goals.
• Achieves Results – A track record of excellence, as a results-oriented and entrepreneurial-thinking leader.
• Passion for Mission – Demonstrates and communicates passion for the Foundation’s core purpose, identifies with the Foundation’s mission and inspires others about the mission.
• Nonprofit Management (Preferably in Public Health or Another Disease Related Nonprofit) Substantial experience and expertise in the management of non-profit organizations (preferably in public health), with knowledge of and an ability to successfully manage nonprofit human, financial, development/fundraising, and information resources strategically.
• Fundraising - Demonstrable history of successful fundraising. Provides direction and serves as primary contact for foundations, government and donors.
• Community Development – Develops a strong external loyalty to the mission and values of the Foundation. Brings strong community and civic leader relationships to leverage goodwill and financial support for the Foundation. Proven track record of building and expanding active stakeholder groups.
• Communication - Exceptional oral and written communication skills, including public speaking.
• Relationship Building - Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and to build coalitions internally and with government agencies, community leaders, and the public.
• Leading and Managing Change – Continuously anticipates, leads and responds to necessary changes. Positively demonstrates resilience and ability to function well in a dynamic environment. Provides information and gathers feedback about changes that allows others to create organizational agility. Seeks out new challenges and able to think critically and develop innovative solutions. Demonstrates strong organizational, analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Digital/Technology – Demonstrates proficiency in the use of systems at work, such as Microsoft Office Suite or related software. Ability to communicate online using email, social media and other related technology tools.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelors degree or equivalent experience in public administration, social work administration, business or related field is required. Masters or advanced degree is strongly preferred.
• Five to seven years of demonstrated successful management and supervisory experience.
• Strategic planning experience.
• Experience in public health, health services or with another disease-related nonprofit is strongly preferred.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• This position has supervisory and leadership responsibilities.

Travel, Work Environment, and Physical Requirements:

• Office conditions represent the primary working environment. Physical activity, including reaching, bending, lifting, and prolonged periods of standing is required.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift to 15 pounds at times (boxes, packages, office equipment, for example).
• Ability to travel and to reliably get to and from community and business-related events and meetings is required.

Please note that the Epilepsy Foundation of America is supporting the search process. This position will be employed with the Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia.