Executive Director

Title:  Executive Director

Position Type: Full-Time

Full-Time Salary: $70,000-$85,000

Review of Resumes thru November 30, 2023

The Flint Hills Regional Council (FHRC) is seeking applicants for the position of Executive Director responsible for providing management and leadership for staff, technical expertise to Council members, and leading efforts throughout the seven-county Flint Hills region related to its mission to “enhance the economic viability and quality of life in the Flint Hills through regional collaboration”. Support for operations comes from membership dues (current membership includes five counties and 15 communities), public sector and private foundation grant support.

In addition to managing the non-profit, the executive director is expected to monitor key issues and opportunities throughout the region and develop effective collaborative actions. A Five-Year Strategic Sustainability Plan has been completed and identified five key roles for the organization’s focus:

• Regional Convener
• Regional Advocate
• Support for Fort Riley
• Attract Funding for Regional Opportunities
• Deliver Specialized Services for Members. The plan can be accessed at flinthillsregion.org

FHRC plays the important roles of regional promotion, interaction, issues identification, and regional support for the Fort Riley US Army Base. The Department of Defense through the Office of Local Defense and Community Cooperation makes available competitive and non-competitive grants to support communities and the broad region that is impacted by the military base’s presence.

Besides Ft. Riley, FHRC seeks to positively impact the broad geography of the seven-county Flint Hills Economic Development District (FHEDD). The District is a region designated by the US Economic Development Administration (EDA). In its administrator role, FHRC periodically conducts, implements, and updates the region’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (also at the website). In this role, FHRC has access to both competitive and non-competitive EDA grant opportunities. The FHEDD includes Chase, Geary, Lyon, Morris, Pottawatomie, Riley, and Wabaunsee counties.

The region is home to leading post-secondary institutions (Emporia State University, Flint Hills Technical College, Kansas State University and Manhattan Area Technical College) and the newly commissioned National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF).

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• All tasks related to operating a high functioning non-profit, working directly with a board of
• Operationalizing a Five-Year Strategic Sustainability Plan created in
• Implement, modify as necessary, and administer tasks in the current Flint Hills Economic Development District Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). Ensure compliance in submitting federal reports and ongoing awareness and preparation as the five- year timeline for the CEDS update approaches.
• Supervise outreach to member communities and counties and make efforts to engage non-
• Establish effective working relationships with appropriate state, regional, and federal agencies and private sector groups - seeking partnerships that promote the efforts of FHRC.
• Developing strategies to maintain and expand organizational revenue: capturing public and private foundation grants; identifying new revenue generating programs; and creating new funding partnerships.
• Evaluate economic concerns of citizens, business owners, economic development professionals, educators, students, elected officials and professional managers to develop an understanding of area issues, challenges, and pair issues with available Convey that knowledge to staff and the board with potential responses.
• Supervision of professional staff and all associated components – hiring, evaluating, assigning work responsibilities, mentoring and leading staff; identifying training and growth opportunities providing leadership for a team atmosphere.
• Prepare annual budget for board approval – monitor and report expenses and revenues, giving members updates at board meetings, maintain a comprehensive financial reporting , grant tracking, and auditing system.
• Plan and prepare materials for executive committee and board meetings using distance technology as needed and ensure compliance with regulations and bylaws.
• Maintain all audit records and grant requirement
• Represent the agency before media, the public, and legislative
• Performs other related duties as

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

• Knowledge of public sector and private foundation grants and evidence of successful grant
• Technical writing, data analyses, research methodologies, report preparation, presentation skills and overall effective verbal communication skills.
• Understanding operational characteristics, needs, and cultures of local government in both rural and semi-urban communities.
• Develop background as well as operational characteristics and cultures of military installations, higher education institutions, business community, and chambers / economic development organizations.
• Ability to facilitate discussions surrounding politically sensitive
• Understanding all aspects of grant management (federal, state, local, and private), including regulations and procedures to ensure compliance.
• Have background and experience with modern principles and practices of project/program management, planning, and public administration.
• Follow principles of public finance, budget preparation and control and practices of financial record keeping and reporting.
• Principles of supervision, training, performance evaluation, and overall human resource best practices, policies and procedures.
• Familiarity with databases, websites, and various software and
• Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes, and

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in planning, public administration, business administration, economic development, mass communications, or a related field and five years of increasingly responsible experience in public or business administration or a related field.

OR

Master’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in planning, public administration, business administration, economic development, mass communications, or a related field and two years of increasingly responsible experience in public or business administration or a related field.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Valid driver's
• Must be available to attend both in-person & zoom meetings throughout the region both during and outside of regular work hours.
• Must have own reliable
• Must pass a background
• Work is remote but the incumbent is expected to live within the Flint Hills

PREFERENCES

• Demonstrated executive level administrative management
• American Institute of Certified Planners certification (or other professional certification)
• Working knowledge of GIS software and mapping applications

WORKING CONDITIONS

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Depending on assignment, positions in this class typically require touching, talking, hearing, seeing, grasping, standing, walking and repetitive motions.

• No adverse working conditions exist within this
• Required attendance at off-site
• Must be willing to attend meetings outside of regular working
• Must have own reliable

APPLY BY SUBMITTING A COVER LETTER & RESUME ONLY TO:

Employment@Flinthillsregion.org

No Phone Calls Please - Submit Questions via Email Address