Executive Director
Douglas County offers a dynamic mix of natural beauty, small-town warmth, and growing economic opportunity. Located in west-central Minnesota, the area includes the thriving city of Alexandria and is known for its more than 250 lakes, vibrant local culture, and strong community spirit. Residents value collaboration, volunteerism, and mission-driven work—qualities that mirror Habitat’s ethos. With an increasingly urgent need for affordable housing, the affiliate is positioned as a regional leader in creating solutions that ensure families have a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home.
Habitat for Humanity of Douglas County seeks a strategic, servant-minded Executive Director to lead the organization through its next phase of growth and impact. This is an opportunity to shape affordable housing in a thriving community while leading a respected affiliate within a global network.
The ideal candidate will bring substantial experience in organizational leadership, a deep commitment to solving affordable and sustainable housing challenges, and a collaborative approach to community engagement. They will have a proven track record of managing nonprofit programs, empowering high-performing teams, inspiring organizational growth, and building trust across a diverse representation of stakeholders. Habitat is seeking a servant leader who listens with intention, communicates transparently, and leads with resilience, curiosity, and integrity. This individual is energized by both strategic vision and hands-on execution, and brings a steady, calming presence.
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will lead a team of nine and provide fiscal oversight for a $2.6M budget. Additional responsibilities include:
* Strategic Leadership & Organizational Culture
* Champion and operationalize the strategic vision to “double the impact,” ensuring alignment across programs, operations, and fundraising.
* Foster a values-driven culture rooted in collaboration, trust, accountability, and continuous learning.
* Model servant leadership through promoting a culture of humility, courage, and resilience.
* Protect and amplify Habitat’s strong local relationships, national reputation, and organizational legacy.
Fundraising & Community Engagement
* Lead and grow a diversified fundraising program, including a comprehensive campaign.
* Build and deepen relationships with individual donors, community leaders, faith partners, and other key stakeholders.
* Serve as a passionate ambassador for Habitat’s mission, both locally and within the broader Habitat for Humanity network.
Operational & Financial Oversight
* Ensure financial health and operational efficiency, including preparing annual operational plans and overseeing financing tools (e.g., third-party mortgages, USDA 502 loans).
* Monitor infrastructure needs, especially staffing and systems, to ensure a sustainable pace and foundation for growth.
* Proactively address regulatory shifts and housing affordability challenges in partnership with staff and the Board.
Team Leadership & Development
* Inspire, coach, develop, and support a dedicated team; foster a healthy, engaged workplace culture.
* Empower staff and cultivate leadership at all levels while providing the clarity, vision, and support they need to succeed.
* Foster a positive, collaborative work environment that drives results and prioritizes staff well-being and professional growth.
Board Engagement & Governance
* Build a strong, collaborative, and productive relationship with the Board of Directors.
* Provide strategic input, clarity of direction, and timely information to guide decision-making.
* Strengthen board engagement and identify and recruit a pipeline of future board leaders.
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
While candidates can come from a range of backgrounds, the ideal candidate for the Executive Director role exhibits many of the following attributes and experiences described below, but need not possess them all for consideration:
* 7+ years of senior leadership experience in nonprofit, housing, community development, or mission-aligned sectors.
* Exceptional relationship-building skills across diverse stakeholders, including volunteers, donors, staff, and community leaders.
* Demonstrated success in fundraising and capital campaign leadership. Grant writing experience is a plus.
* Strong financial management and operational acumen, particularly in navigating mortgage or housing finance structures.
* Experience leading organizational change, building teams, and scaling programs.
* Strategic mindset paired with decisive action and a calm, adaptive leadership style.
* Exceptional interpersonal skills, with a diplomatic, positive, and inclusive approach in interactions and negotiations across all levels of stakeholders, including underrepresented communities.
* Demonstrates servant leadership with a collaborative, engaging, and motivational communication style aligned with * Habitat for Humanity’s values.
* Familiarity with the Douglas County community is highly desired.
TRAVEL
* This role will require approximately 10% travel outside of Douglas County, MN, for conferences or other meetings about 3-4 times a year.
LOCATION
* This is a hybrid position based in Alexandria, MN.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
The salary range for this position is $95,000 - $105,000 annually, with an anticipated starting salary dependent upon the qualifications and experience of the hired candidate.
In addition, Habitat for Humanity of Douglas County offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
* Three weeks paid time off, plus holidays and volunteer time
* Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance
* Retirement plan with employer matching contribution
* Sick, bereavement, and family leave
* Flexible work scheduling/Hybrid Scheduling
* Professional Development Opportunities
* Paid leave for mission travel with Habitat for Humanity International
SHARE YOUR INTEREST
Bonsai Leadership Group has been exclusively retained for this search. For consideration, submit your resume and a compelling cover letter outlining your qualifications and interest by joining the talent pool here. All expressions of interest, nominations, inquiries, and discussions will be considered strictly confidential.
If you are a person with a disability and need help sharing your interest in this role, please contact us at [email protected]. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of this search.
Learn more about Habitat at http://www.hfhdouglascounty.org.
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About Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity, founded in 1976, is a global, Christian-based nonprofit organization that grew out of an intentionally multi-racial community in rural Georgia. Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat brings together people of all faiths and people of no faith to build homes, communities and hope. Working alongside each other, we help families and individuals build and improve places to call home and achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Habitat seeks individuals who have a willingness to affirm these principles and values.
At Habitat for Humanity International, we are compelled by our Koinonia roots to put God’s love for all into action and pursue housing equity and opportunity by bringing all people together to build community and drive impact. We strive to build a culture rooted in learning, accountability and trust, attracting and retaining mission-driven talent reflective of the global communities we serve.
As an equal opportunity employer, we realize our success depends on courageously committing to being a workplace where all staff feel safe, welcome, visible, respected, supported and valued, and building a workforce that reflects a variety of lived experiences, backgrounds and perspectives, in which every person experiences dignity and respect.
We also require that all staff take seriously their ethical responsibilities to safeguarding our intended beneficiaries, their communities (especially children) and all those with whom we work. In line with the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, all staff must pass a thorough background screening and will be held accountable to upholding our policies around ethical behavior, including safeguarding and whistleblowing.