Executive Director

Job Description: Creative Women of the World, 125 West Wayne Street, Fort Wayne, IN, 46802, seeks an Executive Director with an entrepreneurial spirit to lead the organization, overseeing strategic initiatives, operations, and growth efforts. Reporting to the Board, the ED ensures excellence in programs, finances, fundraising, and communications, driving both local and international impact. The ED collaborates with the Board, staff, and community partners to promote CWOW’s mission and manage its retail operations. Some international travel is required.

Reports to: Creative Women of the World (CWOW) Board

Compensation: $48,000/year, 40 hours a week, nonexempt, 15 days PTO, 6 paid holidays

Responsibilities: Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director (ED) will have overall strategic and operational responsibility for CWOW staff, programs, expansion, and execution of its mission. The ED will work with the board, staff, and other members of the community to identify, develop, and incorporate new initiatives aimed at advancing CWOW’s mission and visibility both locally and internationally, while also building upon existing programs and retail operations.

Leadership & Management:

• Collaborate with the Board on strategic planning.
• Ensure ongoing program excellence and consistent quality of finance, administration, fundraising, communications, and systems; recommend timelines and resources needed to achieve strategic goals.
• Actively engage CWOW staff, volunteers, board members, partnering organizations, and funders in CWOW programming and outreach. Work with the Board and staff to create policies and procedures
• Work with the board to develop, maintain, and support a strong Board of Directors; serve as ex-officio of each committee; seek and build board involvement with strategic direction for both ongoing local and international operations.
• Lead, coach, develop, and retain CWOW staff.
• Ensure effective systems by working with the Board and staff to evaluate existing program components to inform future programs and strategic planning.

Fundraising & Communications:

• Expand local revenue and fundraising activities to support existing program operations and continued growth.
• Support Empower Her World committee in planning, preparation, and execution
• Oversee creation and distribution of annual report
• Develop ongoing relationships with funders and foundations (grant writing, sponsorships, etc.)
• Manage customer and donor management systems, CWOW donor and fundraising databases
• Ensure accurate donor information and provide effective donor stewardship
• Coordinate with new and existing partners to organize events and other collaborative opportunities aimed at advancing CWOW’s mission both locally and abroad.
• Oversee marketing in collaboration with the Store & Marketing Manager
• Oversee social media presence
• Create and send Monthly Newsletter through MailChimp
• Work with the Store & Marketing Manager to create content needed to promote and facilitate community awareness and engagement about the retail store and education programs.

Community Outreach

• Oversee in-store events to advance CWOW’s mission, elevate the CWOW brand in the community, increase store sales, increase community engagement, and increase fundraising
• Collaborate with the Store & Marketing Manager to host monthly in-store events
• Collaborate with the Store & Marketing Manager on working with the Downtown Improvement Districts, Visit Fort Wayne on special events
• Serve as first point of contact for CWOW outreach efforts
• Develop and manage relationships with current and potential retail, education, and funding partners

Education (Local & International)

• Oversee execution of all local and international education efforts
• Maintain and execute local education calendar
• Contract, train, and oversee local and international facilitators
• Ensure assessments are completed, compiled, and ready for use with marketing and grant reporting
• Work with the Training Committee to create policies and procedures
• Oversee international Friendship trips

Store Management

• Act as point of contact with the landlords
• Collaborate with the Store & Marketing Manager and Treasurer to create annual, monthly, weekly, and daily sales goals
• Oversee and support the Store & Marketing Manager and all retail operations.

Accounting & Finances

• Execute payroll
• Act as the main point of contact for the accountant
• Provide the accountant with monthly reports required for financials
• Deposit weekly cash and checks
• Oversee staff inputting invoices and deposits into Quickbooks on a weekly basis
• Work with the Treasurer and Finance Committee to create an annual budget for the overall organization
• Pay all bills
• Manage Chase credit card and 3Rivers bank accounts
• Ensure all State and Federal filings are completed and up-to-date
• Pay LOTUS artists on a monthly basis

Qualifications:

• Proven leadership experience, preferably within a non-profit organization.
• Must have a passport, travel to Ecuador in January 2025 and South Africa in April 2025 will be required.
• Strong skills in strategic planning, fundraising, and donor relations.
• Experience in retail management, community outreach, and educational programming.
• Experience with international relations is a plus.
• Exceptional communication, collaboration, and organizational skills

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $48,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Paid time off

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Ability to Relocate:

• Fort Wayne, IN 46802: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person