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Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive Officer

Who We Are

Retrieving Freedom, Inc. (“RFI”) is a non-profit organization that changes the lives of Veterans with disabilities and children with Autism through the placement of exceptionally well-trained service dogs at no cost to the recipient. We breed and train carefully chosen dogs that exhibit specific traits necessary to perform tasks to help these individuals, and we believe in matching the dog to the recipient. Our training program isn’t designed to train each dog to follow a certain program. Instead, dogs are trained to meet the needs of their specific recipient. The dogs go through more than two years of training to meet our strict standards for a successful placement. The service dogs we train help improve the lives of the people they are placed with. Not only do they help with specific chores and perform tasks associated with their training, but they also offer companionship and unconditional love. RFI operates out of two locations, Waverly, Iowa, and Sedalia, Missouri as an accredited member of Assistance Dogs International.

The Role

With the expansion of RFI’s in-house breeding program to double the number of clients we serve each year; the coming launch of an apprentice training program; and exciting new funding opportunities, RFI seeks an experienced, collaborative, and mission driven individual to ensure we have a stable foundation for this growth and to execute the Board of Directors vision of increasing the number of lives RFI impacts each year.

The CEO will take an active role as the face of the organization and must exhibit a strong commitment to team building, fostering collaboration, effectively communicating, and most importantly, be open to listening and learning how RFI has achieved its current success while simultaneously providing the desired leadership to expand our organization’s impact.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO will lead the management of facility operations, fund development, public relations, and all other areas required to implement the strategic plan developed with collaboration of the Board.    

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

  • Implements all policies and directives of the Board. 
  • Ensures that a strategic plan is developed and implemented. 
  • Ensures that RFI is financially viable and operates according to the best financial practices. 
  • Develop and lead a highly effective team of directors and managers creating a strong cohesive team environment that enables individual career growth and high functionality.  
  • Works collaboratively with staff and ensures that they are integrated into, and have active involvement in, RFI activities and initiatives. 
  • Leads prospect outreach and donor communication in accordance with the developed plan. 
  • Manages the relationship with communities in which we are located as well as supporting organizations and businesses to ensure strong support for RFI.
  • Ensures that RFI is in compliance with all Federal, state, and local regulations. 
  • Ensures that high quality services are provided. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

  • Knowledge of the principles and practices of leading a 501(c)(3).
  • Knowledge of and experience with financial, quality improvement, human resources, and strategic planning processes. 
  • Ability to motivate individuals and groups to work together at an elevated level to achieve RFI goals.
  • Ability to effectively communicate in a positive manner with diverse groups and individuals, including public speaking.
  • Ability to organize resources to meet targets and achieve goals.  

Personal Characteristics

  • Uncompromising passion for and alignment with the mission.
  • An authentic, honest individual with integrity who leads with empathy, trust and transparency, balanced with an ability to be decisive and firm, holding people and teams accountable and driving toward change.
  • Visible, inspiring leader who carries themselves with humility and is a self-aware leader who listens and collaborates across the organization.
  • An engaged leader who acts with courage and is willing and able to make complex decisions that are in the best interest of the organization.
  • Exceptional communicator with high emotional intelligence and outstanding people skills.
  • Promotes a culture of accountability.

 

Qualifications, Education and Experience

  • Master’s degree in business administration or equivalent, preferred. 
  • Minimum of five years’ experience in a leadership position in organizations that provide services to the public. 
  • Experience working with individual constituents, recipients and in groups. 

 

Licenses and Credentials

  • All accreditations required to keep RFI in good standing within the industries we serve 

Physical Requirements 

  • Must be able to sit for most work tasks. 
  • Must be able to lift 25 pounds occasionally. 
  • Intermittent standing and walking. 
  • Occasional lifting and bending. 

 

Work Environment 

This position is primarily stationed in a controlled-temperature environment.  The position may require occasional and limited exposure to natural weather elements. The position will have frequent contact with dogs.  Travel requirements can be as high as 50% of your time in any given month. 

Job Type: Full-time 

Salary: From $100,000.00 per year 

Benefits

  • 401(k) 
  • 401(k) matching 
  • Dental insurance 
  • Employee assistance program 
  • Flexible schedule 
  • Flexible spending account 
  • Health insurance 
  • Health savings account 
  • Life insurance 
  • Paid time off 
  • Parental leave 
  • Professional development assistance 
  • Vision insurance 

 

Schedule:     Monday to Friday (occasional weekends, as needed)

Supplemental pay types:     Bonus pay 

Ability to commute/relocate:      Sedalia, MO 65301: Reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (Required) 

Work Location: One primary location, but oversight and travel between facilities is expected. 

Education:     Master's (Preferred) 

Experience:     Senior leadership: 5 years (Required) 

 

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