Executive Director

Executive Director

• Employment Status:
  Full-time, Exempt
• Salary: $95,000-$110,000 commensurate with education and experience
• Schedule:
  
  Monday–Friday with flexibility, including occasional evenings as needed
• Work Location:
  
  In-office, community-based, and remote work
• Benefits package, including health insurance and retirement contributions

Ellison Center is entering an exciting period of growth and evolution and is seeking a visionary Executive Director to help shape our next chapter. This role is ideal for a creative, relational leader who believes in the power of relationships, reflection, and community to transform the lives of children and families—and who is energized by the opportunity to build, innovate, and lead meaningful change.

The Executive Director serves as the organization’s chief executive and administrative leader, stewarding the mission, setting strategic direction, and ensuring long-term financial sustainability, strong governance, and meaningful community engagement. Working in close partnership with the Board of Directors, the Executive Director advances the mission and vision of Central Minnesota’s first and only nonprofit dedicated to early childhood mental health. This position reports to the Board of Directors.

We welcome and encourage applications from candidates who identify as BIPOC and LGBTQ+ as part of our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Ellison Center is a mission-driven nonprofit dedicated to strengthening parent-child relationships and promoting positive child development for children ages 0–5 and their families. We serve Central Minnesota through therapy services, caregiver support, reflective consultation, and training for professionals. Guided by principles of trauma-informed care, cultural responsiveness, and reflective practice, we bring hope, healing, and connection to the communities we serve.

• Oversee daily operations to ensure efficiency, effectiveness, and alignment with the agency’s mission and strategic priorities.
• Lead development and implementation of organizational policies, systems, and procedures to support program quality and operational stability.
• Foster a positive, inclusive culture that attracts, retains, and supports high-performing staff and contractors.
• Direct talent management, including hiring, supervision, performance evaluation, professional development, and corrective action as needed.
• Establish clear accountability structures and performance standards to promote organizational excellence and continuous improvement.

• Oversee agency fiscal integrity by leading the development, implementation, and monitoring of the annual budget in collaboration with the Finance Committee.
• Provide strategic leadership in identifying, cultivating, and securing grant opportunities while expanding and optimizing diversified revenue streams to ensure long‑term organizational sustainability.
• Provide executive oversight of fundraising strategy, including diversified revenue development, approval of external fundraising initiatives, and supervision of development staff and contractors.
• Oversee and direct contract management and procurement for external clinical and professional service providers.
• Ensure Ellison provides cost‑effective programs that maintain high‑quality service delivery.

• Partner with the Board and committees to clarify roles, responsibilities, and accountability in accordance with agency bylaws.
• Support the Board in setting and evaluating the agency’s mission, vision, values, and strategic goals.
• Ensure timely, accurate, and transparent communication with the Board to support informed decision‑making.
• Identify organizational risks, opportunities, and challenges and elevate them appropriately to the Board.
• Recommend and drive recruitment of Board and committee members to strengthen governance and impact.

• Lead development and implementation of the agency’s strategic plan.
• Serve as a primary ambassador for the agency within the community by building and maintaining relationships with…