Mustard Seed Furniture Bank of Fort Wayne, Inc. Executive Director Job Description
Work Status: Full-Time
Reports To: Board of Directors
Organizational Overview:
The Mustard Seed Furniture Bank transforms empty spaces into homes across Northeast Indiana by providing essential furniture, household goods, and beds to families and individuals emerging from crisis. Through partnerships with over 150 agencies, the Mustard Seed serves as a one-stop shop where dignity is restored, hope is kindled, and the basics of home are made accessible to those most in need.
Job Summary:
The Executive Director serves as the chief executive officer of the Mustard Seed Furniture Bank, responsible for advancing the organization’s mission through strategic leadership, operational oversight, fundraising, partnership development, and staff management. This role requires a dynamic leader who blends vision, innovation, compassion, and operational excellence to foster growth, sustainability, and impact across the seven-county service area.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Strategic & Mission-Driven Leadership
o Uphold and embody the mission, vision, and values of the Mustard Seed Furniture Bank.
o Lead the implementation and evaluation of the strategic plan in collaboration with the Board of Directors and staff.
o Cultivate a mission-centered, inclusive, and welcoming culture for clients, staff, and volunteers.
Fundraising & Resource Development
o Lead and execute a diversified fundraising strategy, including individual giving, monthly donor campaigns, corporate partnerships, foundation grants, and major gifts.
o Serve as the organization’s chief storyteller, building relationships and sharing impact with donors, churches, businesses, and civic groups.
o Develop, plan, and oversee signature fundraising events
Program Oversight & Community Impact
o Oversee the Home Furnishings Distribution Program and Beds4Kids, ensuring program integrity, client-centered service, and measurable impact.
o Evaluate and improve client referral processes in partnership with over 150 social service agencies, churches, and schools.
o Monitor program outcomes and ensure alignment with grant requirements and community needs.
Financial & Operational Management
o Develop and manage the annual budget; maintain financial stability in partnership with the Board Treasurer and accountant.
o Monitor expenditures, review monthly financials, and steward resources with integrity.
o Ensure cost-effective warehouse operations, donation logistics, and inventory management systems (e.g., Vonigo).
Staff Development & Team Culture
o Supervise and coach a dedicated team including warehouse staff, program coordinators, drivers, and volunteers.
o Promote a culture of accountability, trust, and grace; provide leadership development and performance feedback.
o Address HR issues proactively and align staffing with evolving operational and financial realities.
Governance & Board Relations
o Serve as the primary liaison to the Board of Directors; provide timely updates, strategic recommendations, and support board development.
o Collaborate with the board on fundraising, strategic initiatives, and community outreach.
Community Engagement & Advocacy
o Represent Mustard Seed Furniture Bank as a visible and engaged community leader.
o Build relationships with local media, city leaders, nonprofits, churches, and funders to raise awareness and support.
o Serve as a thought leader in addressing furniture poverty and advocating for the dignity of every family.
Core Competencies:
To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:
· Proven ability to lead change through team building, collaboration, and motivation.
· Ability to raise funds through the development of relationships.
· High level strategic thinking and planning. Ability to envision and convey the organization’s strategic future to the staff, board, volunteers, donors, guests and the community.
· Strong interpersonal skills with ability to maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders.
· Referring agency partners and client relations, ability to solve conflict, treat others with respect and meet commitments.
· Networking and proactive collaborative skills.
· Financial understanding, with ability to measure performance against goals.
· Strong communicator, written, verbal and in group presentation settings.
Job Requirements:
· The requirements listed below are a representation of the knowledge, skills and/or abilities required.
· Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Business Management, and/or Human Services, or equivalent Senior Leader/Director level experience.
· A minimum of 7 years of business experience or senior nonprofit management experience
· Ability to inspire, motivate and empower staff, donors and community to achieve and support the organization’s mission, vision and strategic goals.
· Experience working with a Board of Directors in a leadership capacity.
· History of successful generation and management of revenue streams with existing/ new stakeholders and fundraising experience.
· Professional experiences in best practices of business management, human resources, accounting, financial development and strategic planning.
· Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office, Excel, PowerPoint, Social Media & Web Site Platforms preferred. Along with an understanding of QuickBooks, DonorPerfect & Greater Giving Auction Software or other non-profit software.
· Ability to help within the warehouse with material donors while collaborating with staff and volunteers.
· Strong financial management skills, including budget preparation, analysis, decision-making and reporting.
· Strong work ethic, detail oriented with problem-solving skills and high degree of energy.
· Ability to keep the facility in a safe, clean and suitable environment with an understanding of routine maintenance.
Physical Demands and Work Environment:
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk, use hand to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk and/or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Periodically, there could be a need to climb, lift and move boxes and household furniture.
Work Location: In person
