Executive Director - Antigua Guatemala

The Executive Director (ED) of Lead-Up International (LUI) is responsible for the management and delivery of programs, program monitoring and evaluation (M&E), institutional development, strategic planning, staffing, and financial management of the organization. The ED plays a key role in strategic planning and execution to ensure the organization's growth and sustainability by overseeing the effective execution of programs, supervising their impact, and ensuring alignment with the organization's mission and goals. The ED reports directly to the Lead-Up International Board of Directors.

 Responsibilities include:

General operations

• Lead the strategic planning process for the organization in conjunction with the Board
• Establish annual goals and objectives for the organization
• Ensure alignment of programs and activities with the organization's mission and goals

Staffing

• Oversee the hiring process, including recruitment and selection of new staff
• Supervise and support staff development and performance
• Maintain a motivated and capable workforce through effective leadership and management

Risk Management and Compliance

• Ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and funding requirements
• Develop and implement risk management policies and procedures
• Monitor and manage organizational risks

Stakeholder Engagement and Partnerships

• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including funders, partners, and community organizations
• Represent the organization in public forums and at events to enhance its profile and reputation

Advocacy and Public Relations

• Determine organizational PR and advocacy messaging
• Advocate for the organization’s mission and programs at local, national, and international levels 
• Develop and implement public relations strategies to promote the organization's work and impact

Governance

• Develop governance structures and guidelines, ensuring alignment with best practices.
• Lead the LUI Board meeting preparations, working closely with the Board President.
• Provide regular written reports to the LUI Board on issues relating to program delivery,  fiduciary management, and governance (e.g., quarterly reports).

Fundraising

• Develop and oversee execution of annual fundraising plan
• Provide support  in technical and operational aspects of fundraising (grant proposals and management)
• Identify and solicit potential grants and business donors

Institutional Development

• Manage the follow-up and evaluation of programs and activities to support the organization to receive and manage grants and prepare donor reports.
• Compile program data and results and use them to create reports to analyze program impact
• Establish reporting processes to promote organizational development

Program and Project Supervision

• Supervise the delivery of programs and activities
• Coordinate the planning and development of organizational programs
• Lead the strategic planning for programs

Communications

• Supervise the organization’s communications strategy

Financial Management

• Create the annual organizational budget for Board approval 
• Create program budgets with the support of the accountant and program personnel
• Supervise Lead-Up  financial management under the supervision of the Boards

Requirements/Qualifications

• Degree in Project Management, Development, International Studies or related field
• 4 years of experience in program and project management, M&E and program design
• Demonstrated experience in fundraising amounts of six figures or more
• Experience in program design
• Experience in personnel management
• Experience in financial management of budgets of at least six figures
• Ability to manage relationships between cultures and diverse groups  
• Understanding of fundraising culture in the UK, Guatemala and/or U.S.
• Passion for social transformation, violence prevention and preferably a love for animals (horses)
• Entrepreneurial spirit;, flexibility; ability to work alone and to develop new frameworks, system and initiative with minimal supervision 
• Advanced English proficiency
• Advanced Spanish proficiency