Friesian Horse Association of North America Executive Director

The Friesian Horse Association of North American (FHANA) is seeking an individual with strong interpersonal, communication, customer service, and teaming and problem solving skills. 

The candidate must be data and results-driven, demonstrate self-initiative, and possess the ability to anticipate challenges and opportunities in the Friesian equine industry both here in North America and in the Netherlands.

The Executive Director will perform his/her duties at the FHANA Office in Lexington Kentucky and will serve as the liaison between FHANA and the home of our Friesian horse registry, Koninklijke Vereniging 'Het Friesch Paarden-Stamboek (KFPS), in the Netherlands. 

The candidate will work closely with FHANA’s governing Board of Directors on organizational activities, functions, and events and committee chairs. 

Duties/Responsibilities:

-The Executive Director is the “face of FHANA” and he/she is key in organizational planning and communications, executing FHANA events such as Inspection and Annual General Meetings, and interactions with our stakeholders.

-The incumbent will manage an office staff which is comprised of two staff employees and a contractor. 

-The operating budget of FHANA is approximately $700,000. The incumbent will be responsible for tracking expenditures and revenue, providing the Board of Directors with monthly financial recaps, developing annual budgets in collaboration with the Finance Committee and the Board of Directors, paying association bills, capturing and entering employees’ time for compensation, and the like. 

-The individual will also be responsible for complying with human resources practices as specified by the Commonwealth of Kentucky Merit system and facilitating compliance with FHANA’s Bylaws and Rules and Regulations.

-The candidate must possess effective oral and written communication skills to support a diverse membership that includes constituents from Canada and the United States. A subset of these are French and Spanish speaking members. However, the incumbent is not expected to speak French or Spanish; the organization is developing an infrastructure of mentors, volunteers, and has website translation to support all of our members’ informational needs.

-The incumbent will be expected to present administrative information to constituents in both North America and to representatives from the KFPS in the Netherlands. These communications occur via the official website, virtual meetings, webinars, correspondence, and social media.

-The individual shall demonstrate a commitment to FHANA’s mission statement: “To promote and preserve the KFPS Friesian Horse in North America,” and a commitment to organizational inclusion, civility, integrity, transparency, and accountability and compliance with the Code of Conduct, Bylaws, and Rules and Regulations.

-Knowledge of the KFPS Friesian breed, disciplines, and the necessary infrastructure to offer annual Friesian inspections and shows is desired. The Executive Director shall promote FHANA as the preferred Friesian registry in North America. The candidate shall foster a culture of diversity, engagement, inclusion, and acceptance throughout the organization, including FHANA office staff and members. 

Vision

The vision includes but is not limited to FHANA being a leader in the equine industry relating to the promotion of the Friesian horse in North America, equine research, health, and wellness, registration of KFPS Friesian horses, fostering sound breeding practices, member education, fostering membership growth and diversity, and revenue generation and financial stewardship to ensure financial sustainability.

Mission

To promote and preserve the KFPS Friesian Horse in North America

Core Values

Health, safety, and welfare of the purebred KFPS Friesian horse

Ensure organizational financial viability and organizational growth

Exceptional customer service

A culture of civility, integrity, inclusion, and diversity

Salary

The salary will be commensurate with experience.

Please forward resumes and cover letters to Jo Clough, FHANA Treasurer at jclough@FHANA.com by July 22, 2024.