Executive Director
Sunflower Sports Association
Topeka, Kansas
Full-time, on-site
THE OPPORTUNITY
Sunflower Sports Association (SSA) is a nonprofit organization that strengthens the Topeka-area community through accessible, well-managed sports and recreation opportunities for youth and adults. SSA is seeking an Executive Director who can pair mission-centered leadership with disciplined business management, transparent communication, and a commitment to positive participant experiences.
Reporting to the Board, the Executive Director will lead SSA's operations, people, finances, facilities, partnerships, fundraising, and program growth. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to build durable organizational systems, broaden SSA's identity across multiple sports, and position the association for sustainable growth.
WHAT YOU WILL ACCOMPLISH
- Build a trusted working relationship with the Board through proactive communication, reliable follow-through, and complete, decision-ready information.
- Strengthen financial systems so budgets, cash flow, obligations, restricted or designated funds, purchasing, banking, and contracts are managed accurately and within Board-approved authority.
- Create clear accountability across staff and volunteer teams through defined roles, measurable goals, regular coaching, and timely performance feedback.
- Grow and diversify revenue through sponsorships, grants, donors, partnerships, events, and well-designed programs.
- Improve participant recruitment, retention, satisfaction, and access while expanding SSA's impact beyond a soccer-centered identity.
- Develop practical, data-informed plans for facilities, risk management, capital needs, maintenance, and long-term organizational sustainability.
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategy and Board Partnership
- Translate the Board's strategic direction into annual operating plans, priorities, budgets, timelines, and measurable outcomes.
- Provide concise weekly updates to the Board President and timely notice of emerging financial, legal, personnel, facility, safety, or reputational risks.
- Prepare complete Board packets by the Friday before each meeting, including agendas, financial reports, bids or quotes, decision briefs, and recommended actions.
- Serve as a candid, solutions-oriented advisor while respecting the distinction between Board governance and staff management.
Financial Stewardship and Internal Controls
- Develop and manage the annual budget.
- Provide monthly budget-to-actual, cash-flow, accounts-payable, debt, and forecast reporting in partnership with the Treasurer and Board.
- Ensure bills, payroll, taxes, insurance, debt obligations, reimbursements, and required filings are accurate, documented, approved, and completed on time.
- Operate within Board-approved spending, purchasing, contracting, banking, borrowing, and fund-transfer authority.
- Obtain written approval before making commitments outside delegated authority.
- Maintain sound internal controls, clear documentation, and vendor oversight to safeguard funds and prevent fraud. Support independent audits, financial reviews, insurance requirements, grant compliance, and transparent financial reporting.
Operations, Facilities, and Risk
- Lead day-to-day operations across programs, events, offices, and facilities with a focus on safety, service, reliability, and cost effectiveness.
- Maintain current policies, contracts, licenses, insurance coverage, records, emergency procedures, and risk-management practices.
- Develop and manage preventive-maintenance, capital-improvement, field-use, and facility-use plans.
- Secure competitive bids when required by Board policy.
- Use practical systems and technology to improve registration, scheduling, communication, reporting, document retention, and customer service.
People and Volunteer Leadership
- Recruit, supervise, develop, and evaluate employees, and independent contract coaches.
- Establish clear expectations and address performance concerns promptly and fairly.
- Maintain current job descriptions, reporting relationships, onboarding practices, personnel records, and annual performance goals for every staff position.
- Build sustainable systems for volunteer recruitment, training, scheduling, recognition, accountability, and succession.
- Foster a respectful, inclusive, service-oriented culture in which staff and volunteers understand how their work advances SSA's mission.
Revenue Development and Community Partnerships
- Create and execute a diversified development plan with measurable goals for sponsorships, grants, donations, partnerships, events, and earned revenue.
- Cultivate trusted relationships with participants, families, donors, sponsors, schools, municipalities, parks and recreation partners, sports organizations, and community leaders.
- Represent SSA professionally in public settings and communicate the organization's impact with clarity and credibility.
Programs, Participation, and Brand
- Evaluate programs using participation, retention, financial, satisfaction, access, and impact data.
- Recommend where SSA should improve, expand, redesign, or discontinue programs.
- Support the continued strength of current programs while identifying sustainable opportunities in additional sports and recreation programs.
- Lead marketing and outreach strategies that clearly communicate SSA's value, improve the participant experience, and broaden community awareness.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- A bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and directly relevant leadership experience.
- At least five years of progressively responsible leadership experience, including responsibility for budgets, staff, operations, and organizational results.
- Demonstrated ability to interpret financial reports, build and manage budgets, strengthen internal controls, and communicate financial information to a governing board.
- Experience supervising employees, establishing performance expectations, delegating effectively, and building accountable teams.
- A record of building productive relationships with boards, community partners, customers or members, donors, sponsors, and volunteers.
- Strong written communication, verbal communication, presentation, judgment, organization, and follow-through skills.
- Ability to work on-site in Topeka and attend evening and weekend meetings, programs, tournaments, and community events as needed.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Executive or senior leadership experience in a nonprofit, membership association, sports or recreation organization, community-serving enterprise, or similarly complex operation.
- Demonstrated success securing grants, sponsorships, donations, or other contributed revenue.
- Experience with facility operations, capital projects, risk management, youth-serving programs, or multi-program growth.
- Working knowledge of nonprofit governance, employment practices, regulatory compliance, and Board relations.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The annual salary range is $80,000-$125,000. Final compensation will reflect the candidate's directly relevant experience, demonstrated results, and the scope of leadership they are prepared to assume.
Benefits include:
- Health insurance through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Employer-sponsored 401(k) plan with matching contribution
- Paid time off
- Professional growth opportunities
SCHEDULE AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
This is a full-time, on-site position based in Topeka, Kansas. The Executive Director must be available for evening and weekend meetings, programs, tournaments, and community events.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
HOW TO APPLY
Submit a resume and cover letter describing your interest and relevant leadership results to [email protected].
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. References and appropriate pre-employment screening may be requested later in the selection process.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT
Sunflower Sports Association is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on organizational needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications without unlawful discrimination or retaliation.
SSA values a workplace where people with different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives can contribute and succeed.
This description summarizes the primary responsibilities of the position and is not intended to include every duty. Responsibilities may evolve based on organizational needs and direction from the Board.
Pay: $80,000.00 - $125,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
