Executive Director - BraveWorks

The Opportunity 

The Executive Director position is an opportunity for an experienced servant leader to: 

• Lead local staff as they work with global and local BraveWorks clients – called artisans - to create products and designs that appeal to a broad retail customer base while creating purposeful work opportunities for BraveWorks artisans.  ​​​​​
• Equip and empower BraveWorks artisans by providing an atmosphere that encourages impactful connections, inspired creations, and economic confidence.  
• Inspire donors, funders, government partners and store patrons to invest in BraveWorks, enabling us to extend our reach and empower even more artisans.
• Partner with the BraveWorks Board of Directors to execute the strategic plan.
• Establish, communicate, and deliver data-driven metrics of success. 
• Promote a strong God-inspired environment for both staff and artisans.  

Embody Mission 

• Demonstrate a deep commitment to BraveWorks’ mission and show genuine passion for the work and community.  
• Lead with a servant’s heart, building strong, trusting relationships with staff and stakeholders.  
• Prioritize the needs of the organization and its people over personal interests.  
• Demonstrate faith and optimism, and a dedication to helping BraveWorks clients overcome trauma and build the skills necessary for a successful future. 

Visionary and Strategic Leadership  

• Collaboratively develop and articulate a clear, long-term vision for the organization.  
• Adapt strategies to meet immediate needs and build towards future goals, including strategic plan development and implementation.  
• Lead the BraveWorks team and Board in developing and executing a strategic plan that aligns the mission and community needs for a thriving future. 

Nonprofit Management 

• Possess strong business acumen with an understanding of nonprofit dynamics and an ability to effectively manage people and resources.  
• Have experience managing nonprofit financial and operational complexities, systems, and resources efficiently, successfully navigating fiscal constraints. Experience running a small retail business preferred. 
• Possess strong financial management skills, including budgeting, growing earned and philanthropic revenue, financial planning, and financial reporting to ensure excellent financial stewardship of the organization. 
• Demonstrate transparent and effective leadership, administration, and financial oversight of a nonprofit organization with a focus on impact, reach, and sustainability.  

Fundraising 

• Have a proven track record in innovative fundraising and building authentic donor relationships.  
• Work in partnership with the Development Manager, spearheading fundraising efforts, including major donor cultivation and grant and sponsorship development to secure the financial health of the organization.  
• Ability to grow earned revenue through retail sales, further strengthening the financial future of BraveWorks. 

Staff and Board Development, Management, and Partnership 

• Effectively manage, support, and promote a diverse BraveWorks team.  
• Recruit, onboard, and retain talented, high-functioning teams. 
• Create clear expectations for all staff, board members and volunteers that align with the organization’s mission and values.  
• Build a strong partnership with the Board of Directors, helping them execute their responsibilities in supporting the organization.  
• Collaborate with the Board of Directors to identify, create and implement strategic plans. 

Communications and Marketing 

• Clearly share a compelling vision with a wide range of people, actively engaging donors, corporate and community partners to achieve organizational objectives, grow the retail business, and increase awareness of the importance of the work.  
• Maintain transparent and open communication channels at all levels of the organization while ensuring clarity and consistency in messaging. 
• Serve as the face of and chief spokesperson for BraveWorks.  

About the Organization 
BraveWorks serves women who lack opportunities for connection, purposeful work, and economic confidence due to factors often beyond their control. BraveWorks has been able to create these opportunities thanks to the generous support of donors and retail customers. 

In addition to serving women in Charlotte, NC, BraveWorks has grown into a global organization, partnering with artisans from eight developing countries to empower women overcoming poverty and inequality. These women receive fair wages, training, and micro-enterprise opportunities, enabling them to create sustainable and ethically made goods. All products are sold online and in Charlotte, reinvesting 100% of the proceeds back into our programs and services. 

WE BELIEVE 
In the power of women to change the world, regardless of their circumstances. 

WE ENVISION 
God-inspired transformation through artisan enterprise, leading to abundant and purposeful lives. 

WE EMPOWER 
Women and families overcoming trauma and injustice, bridging the gap from pain to purpose through impactful connections, inspired creations, and economic confidence.  

BraveWorks provides the following services for all artisans: 

• Healing – Artisans are connected with a licensed therapist, mentor, and mental health partner to help them heal with a trauma-informed approach. This empowers our artisan graduates to advocate for themselves and manage trauma-related stress.  
• Training – Artisans receive training to assist them in developing transferable soft skills, hard skills and life skills that will empower them and develop self-esteem post-trauma. 
• Connections – Relational connections are promoted to help the artisans expand their social capital. This allows the artisan to emerge back into society with a supportive community and connections to resources, cultivating healing, trust, and confidence. 
• Earnings – Artisans are paid fair market value upfront for their products and time. The artisans, and ultimately their families gain access to the economic ladder and expand their self-efficacy.  

BraveWorks is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization funded through sales income, philanthropic gifts, and grants. 

BraveWorks serves a culturally diverse population of artisan clients. Therefore, there is an intentional effort to embrace diversity, equity and inclusion among our staff and various other stakeholders.  

Want to know more? Visit BraveWorks’ website at https://www.braveworks.org/. 

Additional Preferred Attributes 

• Relationship builder with a natural curiosity and interest in those who view the world through a lens different than their own. 
• Ability to understand the financial complexities of an organization that operates with retail earned revenue, private donations, governmental and foundation funds, 
• Experience in nonprofit management, retail, and/or sales management preferred. 
• Compassion for and experience with those who have experienced trauma preferred. 
• 7-10 years’ experience in nonprofit with Bachelors required and Masters preferred. 

Think you are the next BraveWorks Executive Director? 
To apply, click on the link to the Executive Director at BraveWorks position profile at ArmstrongMcGuire.com/jobs. You will see instructions for uploading your compelling cover letter, resume, salary requirements, and professional references. Please provide all requested information to be considered. In case of any technical problems, contact [email protected]. No phone calls, please, and no applications will be accepted by email or directly from third-party posting sites. 

Review of candidates will begin October 9th and will continue until the position is filled. 

The total compensation (salary and bonus) is between $75k - $100k with additional benefits open to negotiation. The package also includes a generous paid time off policy. 

BraveWorks actively seeks a diverse pool of candidates and is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or age.