Description

The Executive Director serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Indiana 811 and is responsible for the overall leadership, management, and strategic direction of the organization. Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director ensures the successful execution of the Board's strategic vision while overseeing all operational, financial, regulatory, and administrative functions. The Executive Director is responsible for balancing strategic leadership with operational excellence while ensuring Indiana 811 fulfills its mission, achieves its strategic priorities, and remains financially strong and operationally effective. The Executive Director serves as the primary link between the Board of Directors and the organization, fostering a strong governance partnership while providing leadership to employees, cultivating relationships with members and industry stakeholders, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of Indiana 811. This position requires an accomplished executive who demonstrates exceptional strategic thinking, financial stewardship, operational leadership, integrity, and sound judgment. The Executive Director must possess the ability to build consensus among diverse stakeholders, develop high-performing teams, navigate complex regulatory and industry environments, and represent Indiana 811 with professionalism and credibility at the local, state, and national levels. Success in this role requires balancing visionary leadership with operational excellence while preserving Indiana 811's culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and customer service.

Requirements

Position Authority & Key Responsibilities

The Executive Director is the chief executive officer of Indiana 811 and is accountable to the Board of Directors for the overall leadership, management, and performance of the organization. Within the policies established by the Board of Directors and in accordance with the organization's Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation, the Executive Director has the authority and responsibility to direct the day-to-day operations of Indiana 811. The Executive Director is empowered to make operational and administrative decisions necessary to effectively manage the organization while ensuring alignment with Board-approved strategic priorities, financial parameters, and organizational policies. The Executive Director is responsible for exercising sound judgment, maintaining the highest standards of ethics and integrity, and ensuring that all organizational decisions support Indiana 811's mission, vision, values, and long-term sustainability.

Decision-Making Authority

The Executive Director is authorized to:

Direct and oversee all day-to-day operations of Indiana 811.
Hire, develop, evaluate, discipline, promote, and separate employees in accordance with Board-approved personnel policies and applicable employment laws.
Develop and maintain the organizational structure needed to fulfill Indiana 811's mission effectively.
Establish administrative procedures, operating practices, and internal controls that support organizational effectiveness and compliance.
Execute contracts, agreements, and expenditures within the authority delegated by the Board of Directors.
Recommend policies, strategic initiatives, budgets, organizational changes, and capital investments for Board consideration.
Represent Indiana 811 before regulatory agencies, legislators, industry organizations, members, vendors, strategic partners, and the public.
Act as the official spokesperson for Indiana 811 unless otherwise directed by the Board of Directors.
Respond to operational emergencies and organizational risks requiring immediate executive action, informing the Board Chair of significant matters as appropriate.
Delegate operational responsibilities to members of the leadership team while maintaining overall accountability for organizational performance.
Exercise authority delegated by the Board consistent with Board policies, organizational bylaws, and applicable law.

Executive Leadership Expectations

The Executive Director is the Board of Directors' sole employee and is accountable to the Board for the organization's overall leadership, performance, and execution of the Board's strategic direction. Success in this role depends upon maintaining a collaborative partnership with the Board while providing decisive leadership, fostering organizational excellence, and ensuring accountability throughout the organization. The Executive Director is expected to provide leadership that reflects Indiana 811's mission, vision, values, and commitment to ethical governance. The Executive Director shall foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, continuous improvement, and exceptional member service while maintaining the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership.

Demonstrate ethical leadership and sound judgment.
Model Indiana 811's mission, vision, and values.
Foster trust, transparency, and accountability.
Build and develop a high-performing leadership team.
Promote collaboration across departments.
Encourage innovation and continuous improvement.
Lead organizational change with transparency and empathy.
Create an inclusive, respectful, and engaging workplace.
Develop future leaders through coaching and succession planning.
Build and maintain strong relationships with employees, Board members, members, industry partners, regulators, and key stakeholders.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The Executive Director is responsible for providing executive leadership across all areas of the organization. The following responsibilities are representative of the position and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties assigned. The Executive Director is expected to perform these responsibilities in a manner that reflects Indiana 811's mission, values, strategic priorities, and commitment to exceptional service.

The major areas of responsibility include:

1. Strategic Leadership

2. Board Relations and Governance

3. Financial Stewardship

4. Operational Leadership

5. Human Resources and Organizational Development

6. Compliance and Risk Management

7. Stakeholder, Industry, and Government Relations

8. Organizational Culture and Leadership

Strategic Leadership

Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of the organization's strategic plan in partnership with the Board of Directors.
Translate strategic priorities into measurable goals, initiatives, and organizational performance metrics.
Identify emerging industry trends, risks, and opportunities while recommending proactive strategies.
Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, collaboration, continuous improvement, and service excellence.
Ensure organizational activities align with Indiana 811's mission, vision, values, and long-term objectives.
Lead the annual strategic planning process and monitor progress toward Board-approved objectives.
Recommend new partnerships and business opportunities.
Ensure organizational resources are aligned with strategic priorities.

Board Relations and Governance

Serve as the primary advisor to the Board of Directors by providing timely, accurate, and objective information to support informed decision-making.
Prepare Board agendas, reports, recommendations, and supporting materials.
Keep the Board informed regarding organizational performance, financial condition, operational risks, legislative developments, and strategic initiatives.
Support Board committees and assist with implementation of Board-approved initiatives.
Maintain an appropriate distinction between Board governance responsibilities and Executive Director management responsibilities.
Assist with Board member orientation, annual evaluations, and governance best practices.

Financial Stewardship

Develop annual operating and capital budgets in collaboration with the leadership team for Board approval.
Monitor organizational revenues, expenditures, investments, reserves, and financial performance.
Ensure strong internal controls and responsible fiscal management.
Oversee preparation of financial reports, annual reports, audits, tax filings, and regulatory reporting requirements.
Manage contracts, insurance, leases, vendor relationships, and organizational assets.
Ensure long-term financial sustainability through sound fiscal planning.
Monitor organizational financial risks.
Support independent audits and implementation of audit recommendations.

Operational Leadership

Direct the daily operations of Indiana 811 to ensure efficient, effective, and compliant service delivery.
Build, mentor, and develop a high-performing leadership team.
Establish organizational goals, performance expectations, and accountability measures.
Promote employee engagement, leadership development, succession planning, and professional growth.
Develop and implement operational procedures consistent with Board policies and organizational needs.
Establish organizational KPIs.
Promote continuous process improvement.
Ensure business continuity and disaster recovery plans remain current, tested, and effective.

Human Resources and Organizational Development

Develop, mentor, and retain a high-performing leadership team.
Foster employee engagement and organizational culture.
Support succession planning.
Ensure compliance with employment laws and personnel policies.
Promote leadership development and continuous learning.
Support competitive compensation and benefits strategies.
Promote workforce planning to ensure Indiana 811 has the talent and capabilities necessary to achieve its strategic objectives.
Foster a workplace that values diversity, inclusion, professionalism, and employee well-being.

Organizational Culture and Leadership

Model Indiana 811's core values.
Promote collaboration and accountability.
Encourage innovation and continuous improvement.
Create a respectful, inclusive workplace.
Maintain high ethical standards.
Foster a culture of exceptional customer service.
Recognize and celebrate organizational and individual achievements that reinforce Indiana 811's mission, values, and culture.

Compliance and Risk Management

Implement Board-approved policies and ensure consistent application throughout the organization.
Maintain management procedures that align with the organization's Bylaws, Articles of Incorporation, and Board policies.
Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, nonprofit governance standards, and industry regulations.
Maintain strong internal controls related to ethics, confidentiality, records management, conflict of interest, and organizational compliance.
Review executive and Board expense reimbursements for compliance with established policies and elevate concerns when appropriate.

Stakeholder, Industry, and Government Relations

Serve as the chief ambassador and spokesperson for Indiana 811.
Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with members, utility owners, excavators, regulatory agencies, legislators, One Call Centers, vendors, industry associations, and strategic partners.
Represent Indiana 811 at industry conferences, public meetings, legislative functions, and community events.
Promote damage prevention education, public awareness, and stakeholder engagement.
Communicate organizational priorities, accomplishments, and emerging issues in a professional and transparent manner.
Foster collaborative relationships with neighboring One Call Centers, national organizations, and strategic partners to advance industry best practices.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, Organizational Leadership, Finance, or a related field.
Minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible senior leadership experience with responsibility for organizational strategy, financial stewardship, operational leadership, budget oversight, and management of multiple functional areas.
Demonstrated ability to build and maintain productive relationships with Boards, employees, members, industry partners, regulatory agencies, and other key stakeholders.
Demonstrated success leading organizational strategy, financial planning, operational excellence, and organizational development.
Experience working collaboratively with a Board of Directors and supporting effective governance.
Proven ability to build, develop, and lead high-performing teams.
Excellent leadership, communication, analytical, and relationship-building skills.
High degree of integrity, professionalism, sound judgment, and confidentiality.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and modern business technologies.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree (MBA, MPA, Nonprofit Management, Organizational Leadership, or related field).
Experience leading a nonprofit, member-based association, utility, infrastructure, public safety, or damage prevention organization.
Experience working with state or federal regulatory agencies, government affairs, or legislative advocacy.
Experience leading organizational growth, strategic transformation, or large-scale change management initiatives.
Professional certifications such as CAE (Certified Association Executive), SHRM-SCP, CPA, or PMP (preferred but not required).

Core Competencies

The successful candidate will demonstrate exceptional ability in:

Leadership

Execution

Executive Presence

Operational Excellence

Strategic Leadership

Change Leadership

Decision Making

Accountability and Results Orientation

Business and Financial Acumen

Innovation and Continuous Improvement

Governance and Board Relations

Relationship Management

Political Acumen

Communication and Influence

Organizational Development

Emotional Intelligence

Member Focus

Conflict Resolution

Measures of Success

Success in this position will be measured by the Executive Director's ability to:

Successfully implement the Board-approved strategic plan and organizational priorities.
Maintain the financial health and long-term sustainability of Indiana 811 through responsible stewardship of organizational resources.
Maintain a strong and collaborative partnership with the Board of Directors built on trust, transparency, and effective communication.
Foster a high-performing, engaged, and accountable organizational culture.
Build and maintain strong relationships with the Board of Directors, members, employees, industry partners, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders.
Ensure compliance with all applicable legal, regulatory, contractual, and governance requirements.
Promote innovation and continuous improvement while maintaining operational excellence.
Strengthen Indiana 811's reputation as a trusted leader in damage prevention and underground infrastructure protection.

Working Conditions

Primarily office-based with hybrid work flexibility based on organizational needs.
Regular travel throughout Indiana and occasional national travel.
Attendance at Board meetings, committee meetings, conferences, industry events, and occasional evening and weekend functions is required.
Must possess a valid driver's license and be able to travel independently.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Indiana 811 is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect and have equal opportunities to contribute to the organization's success.

Why Join Indiana 811?

Indiana 811 is a trusted leader in damage prevention and underground infrastructure protection. The Executive Director will have the opportunity to lead a respected statewide organization, partner with an engaged and experienced Board of Directors, lead a talented leadership team, collaborate with industry leaders, and make a lasting impact on public safety and underground infrastructure protection throughout Indiana.

Disclaimer
This position description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by the individual assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Indiana 811 reserves the right to modify, assign, or remove duties and responsibilities as organizational needs evolve.

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