Executive Director

TITLE: Executive Director

• Location: Hybrid: Northeast Tennessee
• Salary: $65,000-75,000
• Application deadline – Rolling until a candidate is identified
• Start date: Mid-May

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• The primary focus of this role is revenue generation and fundraising, ensuring financial health and sustainability to maximize impact
• Lead Appalachian Opportunity Fund (AOF) through a current phase of growth and expanded impact
• Work with the Board and staff to carry out and adjust our strategic goals as needed to ensure fund development goals are met
• Identify, cultivate, and steward major donors and other funding opportunities
• Fund impact growth by developing and maintaining relationships with stakeholders, potential partners, donors, and grantors
• Manage organizational projects and programs, such as grant requirements, fundraising events, and community engagement opportunities
• Oversee and coach staff to help them develop and thrive
• Ensure all operations are effective and efficient to maximize impact
• Develop and manage annual budget
• Serve as AOF’s primary face in the community

QUALIFICATIONS

• Previous executive director experience preferred but not required
• High levels of emotional intelligence and empathy
• Strong planning, execution, and delegation skills
• Sincere desire to impact underserved communities and foster equitable economic development in Central Appalachia
• Excellence in organizational management with the ability to coach staff, manage, and develop high-performance teams, and set and achieve strategic objectives
• Strong financial management skills, including budgeting and revenue forecasting
• Strong problem-solving abilities with a positive outlook
• History of developing revenue by building relationships
• Desire to fully own responsibilities, lead the vision for AOF’s future, and go above and beyond to maximize impact

ABOUT APPALACHIAN OPPORTUNITY FUND

AOF is a mission-driven social enterprise that provides financial coaching and access to capital to low-income households targeted by predatory lenders. Since our inception in 2019, we have helped over 1,200 clients:

• Pay off $817,572 in predatory debt
• Pay off $388,583 in other delinquent debt
• Increase credit scores by 24,106 points
• Establish new savings & investments of $902,689
• Secure 59 safe and affordable homes
• Secure 117 safe and affordable vehicles
• And more!

In our 6th year, we are navigating a current growth phase and have developed a foundation for continued fund and program development through state-funded programming, an employer-based employee benefit social enterprise, and our regional Appalachian Financial Empowerment Center program funded by private foundations, businesses and individuals. A successful candidate will be able to:

• Hit the ground running to carry out and optimize our existing fund development strategy
• Be ready to transition our team into potential new partnership integrations as pending grant opportunities are announced
• With staff support, lead the effort to increase operational efficiency and train staff on new workflow tools
• Be an empathetic, entrepreneurial, adaptive leader willing to roll up their sleeves to develop new funding sources, coach staff, and streamline operations to the next level.

WHY APPLY?

• AOF is a visionary organization that is making a real, measurable difference in the lives of marginalized people
• AOF is poised to continue a substantial growth trajectory
• You’ll work with a group of motivated people committed to impacting the community
• You’ll have the opportunity to put your mark on an impactful organization

BENEFITS

• Wellness stipend
• Federal holidays
• AOF closed between Christmas and New Year
• 80 hours annual PTO during Year One, 120 hours after Year Two
• Day off for birthday
• Professional development funds
• Quarterly staff lunch
• Work anniversary recognition
• Annual staff retreat
• Flexible work
• One mental health day per quarter

HOW TO APPLY

• Send your resume and cover letter to info@aofcoaching.net with “ED Job Position” in the subject.