HR PROJECT| Executive Director Role Redesign & Board Engagement
Organization: WithAll
Website: WithAll
Established: 2006 Number of Employees: 1-5
Mission & Vision: WithAll is a Minnesota-based nonprofit working to prevent eating disorders and support individuals in intensive treatment through direct financial grants. “Helping young people feel good in their bodies and with food.
Organization’s Challenge: Lisa, the Executive Director (ED) of nine years, has identified a change that is needed in her role’s responsibilities. She is an effective public-facing spokesperson, program thought leader, and relationship builder. However, the role has evolved to include revenue growth strategy, the sole major gifts relationship holder, board liaison, program expertise, and organizational oversight. As a result, she is experiencing burnout and spending a significant portion of her time carrying the stress of “how do we grow revenue” rather than doing the external-facing work where she is most impactful.
This pairs with a significant board of directors’ transition in the last two years, eight members rotating off and new members joining. This shift has created a change in their role clarity and gaps in ownership in fundraising and development.
Looking that these two major events, the leadership at WithAll would like to re-visit the role and job description of the ED. First, ensuring the critical priorities of the role are present and addressing the talents of Lisa and where best positioning her efforts. In addition, as this reviewing takes place, we hope to understand where things might change for staff leaders and noting key areas of shared responsibility and collaboration to be highlighted. And because of the changes to come, Lisa foresees then the board being more involved in fundraising and development. She is seeking best practices in communication with them to secure buying in, accountability, and actionable steps to begin role clarity practices.
Potential Deliverable(s):
1. Executive Director role description redesign
2. Organizational Chart review
3. Board Engagement Strategy
Requested Volunteer Skill Sets: HR Organizational Design, Board Recruitment, HR Strategy, Talent Management, Communications
1 Project Lead - They help facilitate the group work, guiding the team through the agendas, keeping folks on task and conversation flowing, inclusive of all voices. Project leads do not need to have expertise in all aspects of the challenge, but rather have strong leadership and facilitation skills. Leads also help schedule the preparatory scoping call.
