Executive Director, WISE

The Opportunity

WISE seeks an exceptional leader to guide WISE into its next chapter of impact and innovation, recognizing we live in a world of increasing complexity and uncertainty. Following a long-tenured and highly respected leader whose influence has shaped the organization's culture, reputation, and relationships, the next Executive Director will inherit an organization deeply rooted in its survivor-centered approach and commitment to addressing the root causes of domestic violence and relationship abuse. The new Executive Director will have the opportunity to:

• Preserve WISE’s valued culture while guiding the organization through forward-looking change and growth.
• Lead a financially strong and operationally sound organization, while managing uncertainty surrounding public funding, grant requirements, compliance obligations, and changing regulatory environments.
• Steward, strengthen and grow critical relationships with funders, coalition partners, community leaders, donors, and stakeholders.
• Advance innovative programs and emerging areas of practice, including prevention education, restorative approaches, legal advocacy, and community education.
• Expand community partnerships, collaborations and adult educational outreach, and explore opportunities to deepen public engagement and visibility.
• Navigate increasing political polarization, and evolving public discourse over issues related to domestic and sexual violence and prevention education.
• Build upon WISE's reputation and role as a regional and statewide leader in survivor advocacy, prevention education, and systems change.
• Ensure WISE remains accessible, connected, and responsive to an increasingly diverse community, continuing its commitment to fairness, inclusiveness, and survivor-centered practice.
• Support and develop a talented, mission-driven staff within the values and culture that have made WISE successful.
• Leverage an engaged, talented, and supportive board, dedicated volunteers, and strong philanthropic relationships to advance strategic priorities.

The Ideal Candidate

WISE seeks a leader who combines strategic vision with humility, compassion, and a deep commitment to relationship-centered leadership. Candidates must bring the curiosity, perspective, and leadership necessary to help WISE to continue to evolve and thrive. The strongest candidates will demonstrate:

• Mission and Values Alignment
• Genuine commitment to supporting survivors and ending domestic and sexual violence.
• Understanding of trauma-informed, survivor-centered practices.
• Ability to lead with courage, compassion, connection and curiosity.
• Commitment to fairness, inclusiveness, and dignity.

Highest Priority

• Highly Relational, Collaborative Leadership
• Exceptional relationship-building skills and the ability to cultivate trust and partnerships across diverse stakeholders: staff, board members, donors, volunteers, survivors, public policy representatives, nonprofit and coalition partners, and community leaders.
• Proven success leading, supporting, and growing teams.
• A facilitative leadership style that empowers others and thrives in a collaborative thinking and decision-making environment.

Compelling Public-Facing Presence and Communication Skills

• Proven success as a visible, approachable, and collaborative ambassador, with strong communication capabilities for public speaking, storytelling, and sharing the needs of survivors.
• Experience sustaining and building external partnerships and leveraging the talents of others.

Strategic and Comfortable with Complexity

• Ability to think and act strategically and leverage opportunities for partnerships and resources.
• Proven experience bringing fresh perspective and thoughtful innovation to an organization.
• Experience navigating complex political and funding realities, ambiguity, and competing priorities.
• Curiosity and a thirst for learning about community needs, new approaches, staff wellbeing, and effective management.
• Courage to make difficult decisions while remaining collaborative and transparent.

Strong Nonprofit Acumen

• Understanding of nonprofit funding models, grant management, and protocols for compliance.
• Sufficient financial literacy to oversee a complex organization, including budgets, audits, fundraising, and long-term sustainability.

Compensation, Benefits, and Requirements

This is an at will, full-time, salaried, exempt position with a salary range of $110,000-125,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications. WISE offers the following benefits package:

• Comprehensive health insurance
• Workers’ Compensation
• 7% employer retirement fund contribution
• Short and long term disability insurance
• Four-week paid sabbatical after five years of continuous employment
• Earned time off of 20 days
• Eight paid holidays

This position is based in the WISE Program Center in Lebanon, NH. All new employees complete the 30-hour Foundations training on WISE’s approach to its advocacy work.

It is the policy of WISE to provide equal opportunity in employment to all employees and applicants for employment. No person shall be discriminated against because of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, gender identity/expression, marital status, pregnancy, socio-economic status, disability, disabled or veteran status, sexual orientation, citizenship, genetic information or other protected characteristics under law. Beyond any legal requirements, it is our intent to value diversity and breadth of life experience among staff members. WISE expect all staff members, including volunteers, to treat other staff members and survivors who come to us for service in a non-discriminatory fashion.

Application Process

Candidates must include a resume and a cover letter, both in PDF format, which describe how your qualifications and experience match the needs and mission of the WISE. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. A criminal records background check will be required as a condition of hire.

To apply, upload required documents to: https://eostransitions.applicantpool.com/jobs/. This executive search is being conducted by Nancy Jackson, Eos Transition Partners consultant. All submissions will be acknowledged and are confidential, and any questions can be submitted to Nancy Jackson (njackson@eostransitions.com).