Paws Ability: Executive Director

• Are you inspired to lead a mission-driven organization that transforms lives by raising and training service dogs to support children and veterans with disabilities?
• Do you thrive as the face of an organization, building meaningful relationships with business leaders, community partners, and donors to advance fundraising and organizational growth?
• Can you partner with a passionate team and an engaged Board to shape strategy, drive growth, and expand impact?

4 Paws for Ability is a nonprofit organization dedicated to breeding, raising, training, and placing service dogs. These dogs are partnered with families who have children with special needs, as well as with disabled veterans, providing life‑changing support and increased independence. Founded in 1998, the organization operates from its campus in Xenia, Ohio, and is supported by more than sixty staff members and thousands of volunteers.

Each year, 4 Paws for Ability places over 100 service dogs, each trained with specialized tasks and skills tailored to mitigate the impacts of their partner’s disabilities. To date, more than 2,000 service‑dog teams have been created through the dedication of its staff, volunteers, and donors.

Mission:
To enrich the lives of people with disabilities by placing life-changing service dogs.

• Build and sustain trusted relationships across the community, serving as a connector between 4 Paws, its Board, donors, and key stakeholders to advance the mission, strengthen philanthropic support, and drive organizational growth.
• Partner with the Board and staff to cultivate, solicit, and steward individual, corporate, foundation, and other philanthropic support.
• Strengthen and leverage a network of nonprofit, legal, and professional partners to support organizational growth and operational excellence.
• Representing the organization with credibility and enthusiasm in civic, professional, and business settings to elevate visibility and impact.

Strategic Leadership & Organizational Direction:

• Define and shape the organization’s strategic direction in alignment with its mission, vision, and long‑term growth goals.
• Lead the development of a multi‑year strategic plan, engaging key stakeholders and establishing clear, measurable goals at both the departmental and organizational levels.
• Monitor and evaluate organizational performance against strategic objectives, ensuring accountability and continuous improvement.
• Strengthen current and future stakeholder relationships, including client experience, employee engagement, and volunteer involvement.

Leadership & Organizational Development:

• Provide hands‑on leadership to a growing team, building structure, processes, and accountability while fostering a collaborative, mission‑driven nonprofit culture.
• Align organizational operations with both current priorities and long‑term strategic direction.
• Shape and sustain a culture that empowers and engages employees, volunteers, donors, and other key stakeholders.
• Promote continuous improvement and innovation across all areas of the organization.
• Coach and mentor team members to support individual growth and professional development.
• Develop and maintain succession planning for key leadership and operational roles.
• Maintain strong financial processes, controls, and reporting systems to ensure transparency and accountability.
• Ensure timely and accurate financial reporting in compliance with all regulatory and governmental requirements, including regular updates to the Board.
• Oversee core operational and internal processes to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and strengthen the organization’s competitive advantages.
• Ensure full compliance with all legal, regulatory, and ethical standards governing the…