Horses With Heart— Volunteer with Horses with Heart

Why Join Horses with Heart?

At Horses with Heart, you will become part of a dedicated team committed to changing lives through the unique connection between humans and horses. We value compassion, collaboration, excellence, and service. Every role contributes directly to helping participants gain confidence, independence, strength, and hope.

If you are passionate about serving others and believe in the power of equine-assisted services to transform lives, we encourage you to apply.

Executive Director

Location: Chino Valley, Arizona
Position Type: Full-Time
Reports To: Board of Directors

Position Summary

The Executive Director is responsible for the overall leadership, sustainability, and effectiveness of Horses with Heart. Success in this role means ensuring the mission is advanced through strong leadership, a healthy organizational culture, financial stability, and program excellence.

The Executive Director ensures that people, programs, and resources are aligned to maximize the impact of equine-assisted services while positioning the organization for long-term success.

Essential Responsibilities

Organizational Leadership & Strategy (25%)

Provide clear vision, direction, and strategic planning in collaboration with the Board of Directors.
Ensure alignment between mission, programs, and operations.
Lead organizational decision-making with a focus on long-term sustainability and mission priorities.
Serve as the primary steward of organizational culture and values.

Financial Management & Fundraising (25%)

Oversee budgeting, financial planning, and fiscal accountability.
Develop and maintain diverse revenue streams, including donations, grants, fundraising events, and program fees.
Cultivate relationships with donors, sponsors, and community partners.
Partner with board members to ensure financial health and organizational growth.
Lead marketing strategy development and implementation with staff, contractors, and volunteers.

Program Oversight (15%)

Ensure equine-assisted programs are safe, effective, and aligned with organizational mission.
Support the Program Coordinator in maintaining high standards of service delivery.
Monitor program outcomes and continuous improvement efforts.

Community Relations & Advocacy (20%)

Serve as the public face and ambassador of Horses with Heart.
Build partnerships with community organizations, healthcare providers, schools, and stakeholders.
Promote awareness of equine-assisted services and communicate the organization's impact.

Team Leadership & Development (15%)

Lead, develop, and support staff and key leaders.
Create clarity around roles, expectations, and accountability systems.
Foster a healthy, collaborative, and mission-driven culture.

Leadership Responsibilities

Provide supervisory leadership to staff members and empower directors to oversee their teams.
Partner with the Board of Directors to ensure effective governance and strategic alignment.
Build and lead a cohesive leadership team capable of scaling organizational impact.

Qualifications and Skills

The ideal candidate will possess:

Demonstrated leadership experience in nonprofit, business, healthcare, or related settings.
Strong financial acumen and strategic thinking skills.
Experience with fundraising, donor relations, and community engagement.
Excellent communication and decision-making abilities.
The ability to manage multiple priorities while fostering a healthy organizational culture.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and/or Google Workspace applications.
Knowledge of, or experience working with, people with disabilities and/or horses is preferred.
A willingness and passion to learn about the individuals Horses with Heart serves and the equine partners that make our mission possible.

Physical Requirements