Executive Director Affirmations

Affirmations, metro Detroit’s LGBTQ Community Center, strives to create an atmosphere of safety and acceptance for all people. Founded in 1989, Affirmations’ philosophy promotes the principle of empowerment and offers programs and services that allow people to discover their
power and utilize it to become whole in their lives. Strength-based and holistic approaches counter the impact of heterosexism and homophobia and reinforce wholeness and resiliency.

The mission of Affirmations is to provide a welcoming space where people of all sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and cultures can find support and unconditional acceptance, and where they can learn, grow, socialize and have fun. In service of its mission, Affirmations endeavors to be a neutral space where safe dialogues can occur about issues of importance to the community. Affirmations is proud to have created a gathering place where conversations can happen openly and respectfully, and is committed to providing a place
for all to evolve, learn and grow.

Executive Director Affirmations

Located in a 17,000 square-foot state-of-the-art facility in downtown Ferndale, and visited by more than 30,000 people annually, Affirmations is the largest LGBTQ organization in Michigan and one of the 10 largest LGBTQ community centers in the country. The seven-year old, multi-
use facility includes mental health services, an art gallery, media center, library, cyber café and rooftop sky deck. The center is supported by 230 volunteers, 50 who serve in the Center regularly.

Affirmations is governed by a 12-person Board of Directors representing the diversity and vibrancy of the metro Detroit community. The organization is supported by individuals, corporations, private foundations and government grants. Additional revenue is derived from
events, such as the annual Spring Gala and fee for service reimbursement through Blue Cross.

With the receipt of a significant bequest in 2013 and prudent fiscal management, the center is owned outright and maintains a sizable reserve.

THE POSITION 

Based in Ferndale and reporting to the Board of Directors, Affirmations Executive Director will be responsible for working with the Board of Directors to expand its scope of financial support and develop sustainable channels of funding to continue the organization’s growth and success. The Executive Director will provide vision, identify strategic partnerships, manage all communications and serve as the organization’s ambassador to the metro Detroit community of constituents, funders and private and public sector businesses.

Core responsibilities include:

• Design and Implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy to increase corporate, foundation, individual and event revenue
• Articulate and implement a vision to expand services and increase impact
• Track progress and ensure 2013 – 2015 Strategic Plan goals and outcomes are achieved
• Lead the development and implementation of a new strategic plan
• Enhance existing and develop new strategic collaborations with local and regional partners
• Lead public relations and outreach to increase organizational awareness, membership and program participation
• Lead advocacy efforts to ensure equal rights for the LGBT community
• Engage allies in supporting funding, services and advocacy for LGBTQ interests

PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Affirmations is seeking entrepreneurial executive with a proven development background to manage daily operations and increase the center’s impact. The successful candidate will be driven by the center’s commitment to serving as broad a constituency as possible and providing a diverse and inclusive space in the service of its stakeholders.

The new Executive Director will be a skilled manager capable of leading Affirmations staff of seven full-time and three part-time employees. The director will be financially astute with demonstrated ability to manage Affirmations’ $1 million annual operating budget. The successful candidate should have the following:

• At least five years of progressively responsible management experience
• Excellent communications and relationship building skills
• Familiarity with budgets, P&Ls and nonprofit finance
• Nonprofit administration and operations experience
• Facilities management experience
• Knowledge of LGBT issues, social services, grassroots advocacy and healthcare systems
• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university

PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS

We are seeking a visionary leader with exceptional interpersonal and communications skills. S/he will enjoy developing organizational relationships and will have the ability to foster an environment of teamwork and collaboration. The ideal candidate will have:

• An understanding of the dynamics of power and privilege
• Commitment to building a more diverse and inclusive society that values multi-culturalism and respects diversity of thought and experience
• High emotional intelligence Belief in the societal benefits of diversity and inclusion and commitment to multi-cultural values

COMPENSATION

Our client is offering a competitive salary for this position, along with a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability. Although a local candidate is strongly preferred, they are prepared to discuss basic relocation expenses, if necessary, for the exceptional individual they are seeking.

OPPORTUNITY

With growing recognition of its healthcare services, impressive multi-use space and strong balance sheet, Affirmations provides a solid foundation for a visionary and entrepreneurial leader to make a substantive and long-lasting impact on the lives of metro Detroit’s LGBT
community.

The successful candidate will have the satisfaction of guiding an organization through its next phase of development and of leading an organization, which has, for 25 years, served to fortify and enrich the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and allied communities in metro
Detroit.

CONTACT

Please submit a brief cover letter and résumé as attachments via e-mail to:

Joseph McCormack, Managing Partner

Michelle Kristel, Search Consultant

WBB+McCormack

1775 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite 110-202

Palm Springs, CA 92264

Tel 323.549.9200

Fax 323.549.9222

Email search@wbbmccormack.com

Online www.wbbmccormack.com 

All inquiries or referrals will be held in strict confidence.

Please note that your education, dates of employment, compensation and other information provided will be verified prior to employment.

WBB+McCormack works only with equal opportunity employers. People of color, people with disabilities and people of diverse sexual orientations, gender expressions and identities are encouraged to apply.

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