Executive Director
Direct Hire
Westbrook
Furniture Friends is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Westbrook, Maine, that strives to reduce homelessness and improve housing stability for low-income people in southern Maine by providing gently used furniture. With support from the community, we can fulfill our vision of “Creating Homes. Rebuilding Lives.” In 2024, 2,200 adults and children, representing 904 households, received the furniture they needed to create their homes.
The Executive Director serves as the primary representative of Furniture Friends to donors, businesses, community leaders, and the general public. In collaboration with dedicated staff and an engaged Board of Directors, the Executive Director plays a key role in growing current programs and developing and executing new programs and initiatives that align with the organization’s mission, vision, and strategic goals.
Responsibilities include:
Fundraising & Community Partnerships
- Serve as the primary fundraiser working with Board and staff to expand and diversify revenue and income streams from individuals, foundations, businesses and governmental entities.
- Identify, cultivate, and engage major donors (including individuals, foundations, community organizations and businesses) and track donations. This includes overseeing accurate documentation of donor activities and funding initiatives while ensuring accurate and timely reporting.
- Identify potential funding opportunities, including grants, individual donors and corporate sponsorships as well as strengthening existing donor and volunteer relationships to encourage sustained financial support.
- Serve as the organization’s principal spokesperson, engaging with stakeholders, community leaders, media and state and local policy leaders in service to the mission.
- Maintain professional affiliations and memberships in local organizations to support partnerships and community relations. That includes building and maintaining partnerships across the nonprofit and business sectors that further Furniture Friends’ mission, as well as creating strategic partnerships with community leaders, underserved populations, funders and state and local policy makers to support future funding possibilities.
- Create and implement a multifaceted development plan with support from the Communications & Development Manager.
- Oversee the development and execution of effective marketing, communications and outreach materials.
Organizational & Strategic Leadership
- Oversee the development and implementation of all initiatives to ensure exceptional quality, mission alignment and the achievement of desired outcomes.
- Encourage a supportive culture of creativity, collaboration and accountability with staff, all stakeholders and community partners.
- Facilitate the development of a strategic plan in concert with the Board of Directors.
Operational Management
- Inspire, lead, and mentor an empowered staff team, fostering a positive and professional work environment, including creating opportunities for staff engagement, professional development, and regular performance reviews to support growth and retention.
- Oversee the hiring, evaluation and termination of employees ensuring compliance with employment laws and workplace regulations.
- Supervise the Operations Director and Communications & Development Manager.
- Protect the organization’s fiscal integrity by ensuring adherence to sound financial practices and accounting principles, operating within the approved budget, maximizing resource utilization and maintaining a positive financial position. This includes managing the budget in collaboration with the treasurer, finance committee, and the Board of Directors.
- Evaluate and report on the fiscal health of the organization, which includes ensuring compliance with federal, state and local financial reporting requirements while maintaining accurate records and documentation and the protection of the organization’s assets.
- Direct the planning, execution, and evaluation of programs that support the mission and collaborate with the Operations Director to implement improvements as needed.
Governance
- Communicate regularly with the executive leadership and the board, providing timely and accurate information necessary to guide the board’s decisions and engagement, as well as reporting progress towards goals and priorities, including fiscal health.
- Initiate and develop organizational policies for Board approval and implement as appropriate.
- Assist with board recruitment, training, and engagement.
- Work with the Executive Committee to support Board functions.
We are seeking a dynamic, mission-driven organizational leader who:
- Possesses strong strategic thinking and executive skills (including creativity and problem-solving ability),
- Able to work with people from diverse backgrounds
- Expertise in fundraising, donor relations and public speaking.
- Significant senior management experience in the nonprofit sector.
- Solid, hands-on financial management skills, including budget preparation, fiscal analysis, decision-making and reporting.
- Successful track record securing diverse funding sources from major donors, fundraising campaigns, grants and events.
- Demonstrated strength managing staff teams.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, high emotional intelligence and the ability to engage and inspire diverse constituencies.
- Creativity, resourcefulness, humility and a sense of humor.
The Executive Director position is a full-time, exempt position with regular business hours Monday through Friday and occasional evening and weekend obligations.
Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to Mary Warren Libby at mary@prosearchmaine.com
About ProSearch
ProSearch, Inc. was established in Portland, Maine, in 1994 to provide companies with a full range of search, staffing and contracting services, specializing in the functional areas of information technology, accounting and finance, sales and marketing, customer service, human resources, and office support utilizing a consultative approach. Today, ProSearch serves companies across Maine, New Hampshire, and the Greater Boston area, and is expanding to support clients nationwide, with employees at work across the entire country. ProSearch, Inc. strives to develop true partnerships with client companies and candidates to fully understand and satisfy their employment needs.
Equal Opportunity Statement
ProSearch is proud to be an affirmative action / equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, creed, gender, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under local, state, or federal law.