Executive Director

ABOUT THE SPEAK EASY

The Speak Easy is an independent 501(c)3 member-based nonprofit organization that brings established businesses and entrepreneurs together for the good of everyone in Indianapolis.

The Speak Easy was founded in 2011 to cultivate the healthiest possible entrepreneurial ecosystem. Since opening our doors to the community in February 2012, we have brought together entrepreneurs at every stage of business. Our members are creatives, programmers, founders, freelancers, the business minded, the tech-savvy, first-time starters, and seasoned professionals. Our members are united by a drive to challenge the status quo through innovation and entrepreneurship.

ROLE

The Speak Easy is seeking its next Executive Director (ED). This is a dedicated leadership role requiring an entrepreneurial and ownership mindset. You will actively build your team, oversee day-to-day operations, and redefine our agency’s vision. You will report to the Board of Directors.

This full-time role includes responsibilities and goals in three key areas: operations and people management, financial management, and vision and strategy.

Operations and People Management

The Executive Director will hire and grow a team to support building and enriching the space's community, membership, and day-to-day operations. The ED will directly manage all team members and vendors and help in daily operations as needed, bringing an entrepreneurial perspective to work. The Speak Easy is also an event space for weddings, and corporate or neighborhood organizations; this revenue helps lower the barrier to entrepreneurship by offsetting monthly operational costs. The Executive Director will work with staff and outside service providers to ensure a mutually beneficial relationship between all stakeholders.

• Identify, recruit, train, and develop a talented team of employees who can build and manage essential business functions
• Manage company operations and ensure employees and business practices comply with legal requirements
• Oversee payroll, benefits administration, recruiting employees and members, onboarding, off-boarding, employee check-ins and exit interviews, and other human resource needs
• Identify potential risks and opportunities within the organization and its environment to protect business interests
• Oversee organizational insurance policies and ensure the organization is adequately covered;
• Ensure emergency and security policies and procedures are understood and followed, including cyber-security practices
• Oversee compliance with state and federal registration and reporting obligations, including state charity registrations
• Provide insight to the Board of Directors on staff concerns or suggestions and to ensure staff feel properly supported

Financial Management

As a 501c3 nonprofit, the Speak Easy has historically had a sustainable and innovative business model, with 70-90% of its budget coming from earned income. The ED will oversee the financial management of the organization, working with an outsourced accounting team to present financial information to the Board of Directors.  

Other financial management responsibilities include:

• Ensure timely and accurate invoice payments, bookkeeping, bank deposits, receivables, and payables
• Oversee yearly tax preparation and filing
• Serve as staff liaison to the Board Treasurer and Finance Committee
• Develop an annual budget, monitor expenditures and variances, and proactively update income and expense projections
• Lead financial planning, risk management, and maintenance of records
• Ensure all fiscal policies, procedures, and documentation requirements are adequate to protect the organization.
• Negotiate with contributions from the Board of Directors, prepare, and monitor all vendor and consultant contracts
• Manage annual audit process and serve as the primary liaison with the audit firm

Vision and Strategic Planning

The ED is responsible for embodying and communicating The Speak Easy’s values to all stakeholders while understanding how a high degree of local connectedness creates the environment for founders, aspiring entrepreneurs, and remote workers to succeed. For the past decade, the core mission of the agency has been to reduce the barrier to entrepreneurship. The ED will work collaboratively with the Board of Directors to periodically assess how the Speak Easy is serving the community and its mission statement, which such assessment may include reference to data from third-party sources. 

Other vision and strategic planning responsibilities include:

• Continued development of the core mission by developing and facilitating an active planning process in 2023 and engaging with the SE Board of Directors and individual members
• Develop partnerships with stakeholders, neighborhood leaders, community partners, and other relevant parties
• Develop appropriate goals and strategies to advance The Speak Easy’s mission
• Communicate the organization’s vision, strengths, and impact to external stakeholders
• Represent The Speak Easy at local social and corporate events in ways that strengthen the brand and communicate the company’s message
• Develop a marketing plan to grow membership and increase awareness of the Speak Easy offerings
• Evaluate the competitive and collaborative landscape of other nearby entrepreneur support organizations (ESOs) articulating the differences to prospective members

QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLS

• Ownership mentality, accountable for results
• Demonstrated leadership, preferably in coalition building, entrepreneurial ecosystems, community building and/or fundraising
• Good interpersonal communications skills and a willingness to engage in regular conversations with a variety of internal and external stakeholders
• Experience managing a small team of people with general skill sets and a wide range of responsibilities
• Understanding of financial management, ideally for a nonprofit organization. Experience working with an external accounting firm is a plus.
• Ability to manage a wide variety of stakeholders, including external partners, employees, and members, while demonstrating empathy and effective conflict resolution
• Solid understanding of entrepreneurs and building community with an entrepreneurial mindset

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

Demonstrated achievements in nonprofit finance, accounting, or nonprofit management. Highly organized, project management experience, highly ethical behavior, motivational skills, exceptional interpersonal skills. 

COMPENSATION / BENEFITS

• Compensation to be commensurate with skills and experience, but expected to start at $75,000 annual compensation

APPLICATION AND INTERVIEW PROCESS

In effort to build a well-rounded team, all interested candidates are encouraged to apply here. Below is the hiring plan and timeline.

• Dec 6-16, 2022: Application review
• Dec 19-Dec 23, 2022: First round interviews with Joe Duran (Interim Board Chair) and Kevin Patterson (Interim Board Treasurer)
• Dec 28-Jan 6: Final round interviews with 2 board members and 2 active community members

The Speak Easy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type. We welcome applicants from any educational background, race, ethnicity, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, sex, age, immigration status, citizenship status, national origin or ancestry, marital status, pregnancy, criminal record, mental or physical disability or disorder, HIV antibody status, parental or familiar status, or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.