Executive Director, Amherst, OH

Nord Family Foundation

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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

THE NORD FAMILY FOUNDATION MISSION

We partner to advance equity, expand access to opportunity, and build thriving and inclusive communities.

INTRODUCTION TO THE FOUNDATION

The Nordson Foundation was established in 1952 by the entrepreneur and industrialist W.G. Nord and his wife Virginia Nord with the belief that it was responsible and prudent for a successful business to provide a consistent investment in the community in which it is located.

The Nord Family Foundation was established in 1988 as an offshoot of The Nordson Foundation to continue that commitment by investing in the communities where descendants of W.G. and Virginia Nord live. The Foundation has historically operated in Lorain and Cuyahoga Counties, Ohio; the Columbia, South Carolina region; Yates County, New York; Boston and Denver (other communities in which descendants of W.G. and Virginia Nord live can also be considered for support). With current assets of $182.5 million and a grantmaking budget of $10 million, the Foundation provides support in the areas of health and social services, arts and culture, education, and civic affairs. The Foundation is currently represented by five generations of descendants of W.G. and Virginia Nord and their spouses, nine of whom serve as Board members with three additional trustees from the community. (The Foundation membership is composed of all direct descendants of W.G. and Virginia Nord aged 18 and above and their spouses and adopted children).

The Nord Family Foundation has a record of being a trusted and valued partner in supporting innovative and accountably managed programs and organizations that address many of the most pressing needs in their communities.

LOCATION

The Nord Family Foundation is headquartered in Amherst, Ohio (Lorain County) where the Nordson Corporation was founded. The Foundation is committed to an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible work environment, and further recognizes that diversity in our workforce fosters excellence and is reflected in the Foundation's values. We believe culture, communication, training, and creative work benefit from in-office interactions. The Executive Director is expected to work in office, live in Lorain County or a nearby community, and travel to accomplish the work of the Foundation.

For more information on The Nord Family Foundation, please visit https://www.nordff.org/.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Do you believe in philanthropy as a partnership and catalyst to facilitate community engagement and change?

Are you dedicated to empowering communities to grow, thrive, and realize their own aspirations? Do you value diverse voices from the community, and can you build effective community partnerships?

Are you a natural convenor energized by the power of collective learning?

Would you find it purposeful and rewarding to partner with a multigeneration family to address the most profound needs of the communities in which they live by connecting people, resources, and innovative ideas?

Do you enjoy developing and building upon strategic frameworks to attain organizational goals?

PRIORITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Executive Leadership

Oversee the programs, administration, and financial operations in a manner that supports the Foundation's mission and enhances the Foundation's impact.
Assist with development of the Foundation's strategic plan and direct its implementation.
Have overall management responsibility for developing and maintaining a responsive, efficient, and accountable organization that reports to the Board of Trustees.
Advance the Foundation's culture and organizational success through a leadership style based on collaborative, people-centered management.
Represent the Foundation with integrity; maintain a high professional profile in the communities it supports and in the regional and national philanthropic sector.
Oversee, motivate, and retain a high-achieving staff, currently six full- and part-time members.
Work with the Board to establish the Foundation's programs, grantmaking focus, and priorities.

Board Relations

Build strong relationships and maintain regular communication with the Board president, Trustees, and Foundation members; provide them with leadership and support in their work for the Foundation.
Attend all Board and Board committee meetings. Provide reports and updates on all current programs, project timelines, staff performance, implementation of the Foundation's strategic plan, and overall organizational progress.
Implement Board-approved organizational policies, procedures, and plans, including the Foundation's strategic plan; attend to the metrics under such plans and regularly report to the Board on the achievement of the metrics.
Communicate Board decisions appropriately to staff and build support for Board decisions amongst staff.
Work closely with the Board to plan for the long-term future of the Foundation, including establishing programs to prepare younger generations for participation in the Foundation.

Organizational Management

Establish operational goals in collaboration with the Board, staff, and other stakeholders and oversee management of the organization to meet those objectives; periodically report on the achievement of those operational goals.
Organize, motivate, and mentor staff to execute programs that leverage the Foundation's impact and fulfill its mission with creativity and purpose.
Foster a culture that encourages collaboration and contributions from the staff and outside partners.
Define measurements of performance and report on progress towards their fulfillment.
Oversee staff hiring, development, performance assessment and HR policy development.
Oversee the Foundation's grantmaking program, including the implementation of strategies and focus areas consistent with the Foundation's strategic plan and its mission, review of grant applications, response to letters of inquiry, preparation of grant evaluations, and other matters requiring Board attention or action; oversee the evaluation and data collection to ensure effectiveness of the Foundation's grantmaking investments and progress towards stated outcomes in grantmaking program.
Stay abreast of policy issues related to the Foundation's grantmaking; engage expert consultation and conduct public policy research related to issues of concern to the Foundation and future grant action consistent with the Foundation's strategic plan.
Oversee the management of the Foundation's physical properties (headquarters, historic structures, rental properties) and the contracted facility manager.

Financial Management and Compliance

Oversee the Foundation's operational fiscal integrity. Coordinate the development of the annual budget including submission to the Board for approval.
Review and coordinate submission of the monthly financial statements to the Finance Committee and Treasurer which accurately reflect the Foundation's performance against the annual budget.
Prudently direct resources and manage all financial operations within budget guidelines to ensure maximum utilization of resources and according to current laws and regulations.
Participate in monitoring the policies for and performance of the Foundation's investment portfolio, for which overall and final responsibility remains with the Board's Finance Committee and their chosen advisors.
Oversee and direct the preparation of the Foundation's annual tax and other regulatory filings.
Work closely with financial leadership and legal counsel to ensure that the Nord Family Foundation complies with all relevant state and federal regulations; communicate those requirements to the Board and stay current on proposed or approved regulatory changes that may affect the Foundation.

COMMUNITY RELATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS

Present and promote the Nord Family Foundation and its mission, programs, partners, staff, and members in a consistently positive manner.
Maintain a high professional profile in the local community and the regional national philanthropic sector, projecting integrity and professionalism.
Represent the Foundation and serve as chief spokesperson at public events, conferences, and partnership meetings.
Welcome opportunities to develop innovative, purposeful, collaborative programs with other nonprofit, for-profit, public and private organizations.
Build interest in engaged philanthropy among nonprofit partners and the public.
Manage all aspects of the Foundation's marketing and public relations.

IDEAL VALUES, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS

A record of accomplishment in strategic planning, program development, financial and organizational management. Experience with family foundations specifically is an asset.
Thought leadership in philanthropy and the Foundation's specific areas of focus.
A consultative and inclusive management style.
Personal and professional collegiality, acumen, and collaborative skills that instill confidence in the Board, family members, staff, grantees, and partner organizations.
An active listener who is open to new ideas and is committed to building a learning organization.
An empathetic connection to the Foundation grantees and communities, their needs, and aspirations.
Proven record as an effective organizational spokesperson in collaboration with Board leadership and staff.
Strong writing and public-speaking skills.
Ten years of experience with increased levels of responsibility for management and program development.
Graduate degree as well as demonstration of continuing education required.

COMPENSATION

The annual base salary for this position is expected to be in the $215,000 range. In addition, this role is eligible for a competitive benefits package.

Nominations and applications, including cover letters and resumes, should be sent to the attention of Paul Spivey at NFF@PhillipsOppenheim.com.