Executive Director

ABOUT OHRA OHRA was founded in 2012 by a group of concerned citizens. Today, thanks to the support of the community, the skill and commitment of our staff, strong partnerships with numerous organizations and agencies, and the dedication and talents of volunteers, OHRA is a trusted resource in our community, offering skilled support and compassion to people in need. We have grown thoughtfully and strategically, by listening to our community, learning from our mistakes, and never losing sight of our mission: helping people in need move from crisis to stability. Since opening the OHRA Center in April 2021, we have found housing for 460 houseless families and kept 599 families from becoming evicted. OHRA’s Mission and Model for Success OHRA’s mission is to help low-income people build better lives. By offering hope and access to social services, we encourage those in need on the path to self-sufficiency. Our model is different and has been recognized at the state level. The critical components include: Skilled resource navigators. These trained members of our team work with anyone in need—whether housed or unhoused--without enrollment in any program. They help guests navigate the maze of social services, get help from partner agencies, and achieve their goals. Whether someone walks in the door of our Resource Center, is a guest at our year-round Shelter, or uses the Shower Trailer, a resource navigator is there. A social service hub. We work extensively with social service partners many of whom are on-site at The OHRA Center. As an example, La Clinica operates a federally-qualified health facility at The OHRA Center. Our Four Programs At the Resource Center, OHRA’s navigators help individuals and families avoid eviction, find a job, apply for benefits, access physical and mental health services, and more. OHRA’s Shelter offers a safe place to sleep and help getting on the path to self-sufficiency. The OHRA shelter is a low-barrier, non-congregate, fully-staffed shelter open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. OHRA’s Shower Trailer fills an essential need for those living without shelter. Though our Emergency Response Program, OHRA distributed, during the pandemic, nearly $1.5M in federal rent relief and rapid rehousing funds. In 2023, we also distributed $1.44M of Governor Kotek’s emergency order funding to help people avoid eviction and get housed throughout Jackson County. Job Overview The Executive Director for OHRA (Opportunities for Housing, Resources & Assistance, Inc.), based in Ashland OR, is responsible for leading and managing the organization, working effectively with the Board, staff, community groups, funders, partners, and the people we serve. The Executive Director oversees the execution of OHRA’s strategic plan. They are responsible for OHRA’s programmatic, financial, and operational integrity, including fundraising, marketing, and community outreach. Because of the size of our organization there are times when the Executive Director provides oversight and times when they are a hands-on manager of a body of work. The successful Executive Director will have a passion for OHRA’s mission, compassion for people in need, and a creative approach to solving problems and seizing opportunities. The position reports directly to the Board president, is accountable to the Board, and serves at the pleasure of the Board. RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Mission and Strategy In partnership with the Board, articulates a multi-year strategic plan for OHRA. Works with the Board and staff to ensure that OHRA’s mission and strategic plan are fulfilled through its programs, operations, and community outreach. Develops, maintains, and tracks key progress indicators and other essential metrics to report to the Board, funders and the community. Works cooperatively and creatively with other community groups and organizations to achieve programmatic and operational goals. Maintains a working knowledge of trends and developments in OHRA’s field of service. Fosters diversity within the organization including serving a diverse client base. 2. Leadership and Management Leads OHRA in a manner that supports and guides the organization’s mission: helping low-income people build better lives by offering access to social services and hope and by supporting those in need as they find their path from crisis to stability. Effectively communicates to the Board in a timely and accurate manner and serves as a productive member of Board committees and in Board meetings. In conjunction with the Board, identifies and problem-solves issues and opportunities related to OHRA’s operational, financial, programmatic, and strategic health. Recruits and manages senior staff. Understands and ensures that staff follow proven and adopted models for providing services to unhoused and housed people in need, including trauma-informed strategies, the Housing First model with wrap-around services, and de-escalation. Establishes, practices and nurtures OHRA’s organizational culture: compassion for and dedication to those OHRA serves; respect for one another and those we serve; a disciplined approach to using proven models for working with unhoused and housed people in need; a commitment to learning and transparency, and an environment celebrating inclusion and the diversity of our staff and the people we serve. 3. Finance and Fundraising Responsible for the fiscal integrity of OHRA. Develops with senior staff, in partnership with the Board Treasurer and Finance Committee, a proposed annual budget for submission to the full Board. Responsible for submitting to the Board monthly financial statements which accurately reflect the financial condition of the organization. Responsible for sound financial management Operates within the approved budget, while ensuring maximum resource utilization and keeping the organization in a positive financial position. Understands OHRA’s financial position and recommends and executes strategies to address concerns and seize opportunities Oversees audits. Understands OHRA’s financial systems. Responsible for fundraising. Works in partnership with development staff and the Board to create sound fundraising plans to support OHRA’s financial health, mission, programs, and longer-term strategic goals. Actively nurtures relationships with our largest individual donors. Creates opportunities to engage the Board in “friendraising” and fundraising. Actively maintains a strong working rapport with major institutional funders such as foundations or government organizations Is a strategic thought-partner to OHRA’s grant writer, exploring opportunities and fine-tuning grant proposals. Oversees OHRA’s overall compliance with federal, state and foundation grants, and how restricted and unrestricted funds affect the budget. 4. Community Outreach Enhances OHRA’s image by communicating its goals, programs, and effectiveness Builds productive relationships with community leaders and elected officials Regularly speaks to community groups about OHRA’s model and effectiveness. Serves as the spokesperson for OHRA and is the “face” of OHRA. Effectively leverages media opportunities. Oversees a communications and outreach plan managed by staff. Gives tours. 5. Partnerships and Collaboration Develops and nurtures partnerships with other social service organizations to improve our guests’ access to services at our Resource Center, Shelter and Laundry-Shower Trailer Thinks creatively about how to expand services that develop revenue streams. Serves on the Jackson County Continuum of Care and Homelessness Taskforce 6. Operational Excellence Identifies issues and opportunities to ensure OHRA is positioned for growth needed to achieve its strategic goals, balanced by stability and fiscal prudence. Ensures our physical assets (e.g., building and trailer) are maintained and managed and creates opportunities to leverage those assets to better serve people in need. Works in partnerships with engineers, architects and contractors to improve our building and trailer. Maintains a safe and welcoming environment which attracts, keeps and motivates a diverse staff of top-quality people, volunteers and clients. Ensures strategic, operational and personnel records are maintained and are compliant with all applicable local, state and federal laws and filings. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE A bachelor’s degree. Proven transparent and high integrity leadership. Three or more years in nonprofit management, preferably in an executive position in social services Strong financial management Skilled in understanding and negotiating contracts. Purposeful and coherent decision-making skills. Ability to convey a strategic vision, goals and outcomes to OHRA’s board, staff, volunteers and donors. Proven ability to work effectively and maintain composure when community members raise concerns about OHRA’s mission, vision and practices. Knowledge of nonprofit fundraising and donor relations strategies. Strong written and oral communication skills. Ability to interface and engage with diverse volunteer and donor groups. Demonstrated ability to manage and collaborate with staff. Strong and demonstrated ability to build and manage complex partnerships and collaborations. Values the importance of a supportive culture to staff and to organizational effectiveness. Kind, compassionate, strategic, and determined. Job Type: Full-time Pay: $120,000.00 - $145,000.00 per year Experience: Nonprofit management: 3 years (Required) Financial management: 3 years (Required) Work Location: In person