Executive Director for North Central Florida
Better Together works to end the root causes of poverty, dependency, divorce and child abuse by leveraging the power of the local church to provide struggling families with supportive relationships and meaningful work. Once properly supported, families can achieve independence, stay together and thrive.
The Better Together team seeks a dynamic Executive Director to oversee, support, and grow the Better Families program in North Central Florida region, which consists of Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Lafayette, Lake, Levy, Madison, Marion, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, and Union counties. The Executive Director will lead the continued development of the Better Families program as well as spearhead its growth by cultivating and building new relationships with donors, community partners, volunteers and churches.
An ideal candidate will have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in social work or another human service-related degree with at least five years of direct experience working with vulnerable children and families. A master’s in social work or another leadership or human services-related degree and at least three years’ experience in a leadership role is strongly preferred. They should feel called to minister to children and families in crisis and share our passion for keeping children out of foster care and families together. They should have demonstrated skills in leadership, communication, organization, networking, coaching/training, and motivating volunteers and the community. He or she should be a self-starter who is comfortable working remotely and has a demonstrated ability to analyze problems and find creative solutions and thrives when challenged.
CULTURE AND FIT
At Better Together, we are a mission-first team that shows up with purpose, humility, and grit. Our culture is shaped by five core values that guide how we lead, how we serve, and how we grow. If these values reflect who you are and how you work, you may be a great fit for our team.
- We Love Others: We lead with empathy, humility, and integrity. We treat every person with dignity, make people feel seen and valued, and do what’s right even when it’s hard.
- Do you treat people with respect, no matter their background or behavior?
- Do you make decisions based on what’s best for others, not just yourself?
- We Choose Gratitude: Gratitude fuels our joy and shapes how we show up. We focus on what’s possible, not what’s missing. We uplift others, celebrate progress, and keep perspective—even in the tough seasons.
- Do you stay positive and solutions-focused when challenges arise?
- Do you regularly speak encouragement and appreciation to your teammates?
- We Are Ideal Team Players: We are hungry, humble, and people-smart. We take initiative, lift others up, and work wisely with all kinds of people. The best teams aren’t made of perfect people—they’re made of teachable ones.
- Do you take ownership and go the extra mile without being asked?
- Are you open to feedback and constantly looking for ways to grow?
- We Do Hard Things: We don’t quit when things get hard. We press in with courage, keep a growth mindset, and do whatever it takes to get the job done. We don’t waste time on drama—we stay focused on the mission.
- Do you rise to challenges with resilience and a clear head?
- Do you consistently push through discomfort to deliver results?
- We’re All In: We carry the mission in our hearts and act like owners. We take full responsibility, build capacity in ourselves and others, and do the work that matters most.
- Are you passionate about transforming lives and communities through your work?
- Do you take initiative and show up fully—because you believe this mission is worth it?
We don’t hire just for talent. We hire for alignment, character, and commitment to the mission. Expect honest conversations about these values throughout the hiring process.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Executive Director will have four primary roles, broken down into key responsibilities.
Leadership, Metrics, and Accountability
- Hire and retain qualified staff
- Coach, motivate and support team members
- Meet regional annual goals and metrics of success
- Manage regional budget
- Employ strategic planning and problem solving
- Maintain data entry and reporting
Supervision and Support
- Ensure that all Better Families policies and procedures are being implemented
- Provide oversight and support of families being served
- Provide oversight of volunteer screening and approval process
- Submit accurate, complete, and timely required reports
- Demonstrate sensitivity to our service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics and needs
- Use de-escalation and creative problem solving in high crisis situations
- Step in when staff are unavailable and be available to team members
Donor Prospecting and Cultivation
- Work closely with the development team on the fundraising strategic plan
- Prospect, engage and cultivate donors
- Engage and support the regional community board
- Meet with donors and solicit funding support
- Assist in planning and execution of annual fundraising event
Church and Community Engagement
- Engage community partnerships that are an appropriate fit for Better Together and help us achieve our mission.
- Conduct public speaking and presentations
- Meet regularly with local government officials, the Department of Children and Families, law enforcement and other first responder organizations to engage, collaborate and enhance those partnerships
- Research, prospect and cultivate church partnerships
REQUIREMENTS
Experience:
- Minimum of 5+ years’ experience working in child welfare or with at-risk children and families
- A minimum of 3+ years’ leading and managing a team
Education:
- A bachelor’s degree in social work or a related human service field.
- A master’s degree in social work or a human services-related field is preferred
- Child welfare knowledge or local expertise
Fieldwork Requirements:
- This role requires working primarily in the community we serve, with a majority of time spent in the field engaging directly with families and volunteers.
Transportation:
- A valid driver’s license, vehicle registration, and car insurance are required.
- Must have a reliable personal vehicle available for daily work-related travel.
Work Schedule:
- Flexibility to work evenings and weekends is necessary. Extended hours may be required for events, meetings, training, emergencies, or natural disasters.
- Participation in a monthly on-call schedule is required, with support from local leadership, to address community needs outside of regular business hours.
Communication & Collaboration:
- Maintain regular communication with team members to coordinate efforts and provide timely updates.
- Ensure accessibility during work hours and on-call shifts through a reliable phone.
Core Values:
- Demonstrate alignment with Better Together’s core values, including ownership, gratitude, love for others, and a partnership-oriented approach.
Technological Proficiency:
- Proficiency or ability to quickly learn the following platforms:
- Salesforce
- Zapier
- WordPress
- Basecamp
TIMING, LOCATION AND BENEFITS
Better Together seeks to fill this position as soon as possible. The organization’s headquarters are in Naples, Florida, but all the Better Together staff reside in Florida. Better Together has built a highly successful work culture over the past decade with systems and structures designed for clarity, flexibility, and great communication. Key elements of the environment include:
- Weekly team meetings with clear accountability and the opportunity to solve issues as a team.
- Quarterly in-person team meetings at which you’ll build deeper relationships, set clear goals aligned with the Better Together vision, and brainstorm how to seize new opportunities
- An intensive 90-day orientation to familiarize you with the Better Together team, our policies, and how we operate
- Home office setup, including equipment and communication tools you need to hit the ground running
Benefits
Better Together offers a competitive salary and benefits package. The benefits package is outlined below:
- Medical (99% employer paid, employee only)
- Dental
- Vision
- Life Insurance
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Time off
- Retirement Savings Plan with 50/50 employer match up to 6%
Better Together is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a workplace that embraces diversity and inclusion. We comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and ensure that qualified individuals with disabilities are given equal opportunity for employment and advancement within the company.
QUESTIONS?
Please direct questions to [email protected].