Job Description

Dog Tag, Inc.

Chief Executive Officer

Washington, DC: in-person/hybrid

Compensation range: $150,000 - $160,000

About the Organization

Dog Tag Inc. (DTI) is a nationally recognized nonprofit and social enterprise that empowers veterans with service-connected disabilities, military spouses, and caregivers through an innovative business and entrepreneurship-focused fellowship program. Named after the identification tag worn by all members of the military, DTI provides participants with comprehensive training designed to facilitate successful transition into civilian professional environments, with purpose and support, while building confidence and a sense of community.

Through DTI's unique dual-mission model, fellows gain personal, social, and professional skills through business and entrepreneurship education combined with handson experience at Dog Tag Bakery, our inviting neighborhood social enterprise based in Washington, DC. The bakery is a vibrant place to gather, is a core element to the Dog Tag mission, and generates more than $1M of revenue each year. The certified nutfree, fromscratch facility is a beloved anchor in the neighborhood offering breakfast, lunch, catering, and orderbymail, and sells products designed and brought to market by DTI fellows.

What differentiates the Dog Tag Fellowship Program is a powerful combination of resiliencefocused curriculum, hightouch communitybuilding, and experiential learning through handson training at the Bakery, an invaluable asset to DTI, the community, and the veterans, spouses, and caregivers involved in the program. Further, at the completion of the program, fellows receive a Certificate of Business Administration through the School of Continuing Studies at Georgetown University.

DTI is proud of our program results. Prior to the fellowship, 82% of Veterans feel unprepared to successfully navigate the transition from military life to civilian life. DTI has an 89% graduation rate, and 75% of Dog Tag fellows report greater access to new career paths, while 76% say the fellowship continues to positively impact their professional life.

Dog Tag Inc. operates with an organizational budget of approximately $4 million.

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About the CEO Position

DTI seeks an innovative and visionary leader who brings a deep and genuine commitment to veterans, their spouses, and caregivers. The ideal candidate is highly collaborative and brings a record of success leading and managing teams through strategic and intentional growth and change, successful fundraising, developing and cultivating authentic organizational partnerships, and storytelling that moves a variety of audiences. In addition, they will be able to balance bigpicture thinking with attention to detail, will have a broad range of experience in all aspects of nonprofit operations, will be flexible and resourceful, and will be comfortable working in and managing an environment of growth.

A key priority for this role is driving fundraising successthrough cultivating highimpact partnerships, engaging diverse audiences with compelling storytelling, and securing sustainable financial support to advance Dog Tags mission. This leader will also bring experience in building authentic relationships and expanding the organizations reach and influence and will stay on top of the terrain of continuingeducation and workforce development.

The DTI program is deeply valued and respected in the military and veteran community due to a 10+ year history of support, trusted guidance, storytelling, and proven impact. There is a long record of steadfast, reliable trust and commitment to ensuring the success of every fellow, staff member, and partner. DTI is a fierce and loyal advocate, working to ensure impact and serve as a key source of support for military veterans, their spouses, and caregivers as they build their lives.

This is a unique opportunity for an experienced leader to build on a solid foundation of success and sustainability expertly and intentionally built by the current team, and who can continue to honor and elevate DTIs roots while continuously pushing for innovation and improvement in service to military veterans, their families, and caregivers.

The new CEO will lead a talented and committed staff of 35, with team members working across various functions. While the role is based in DC, there will be commitments of travel to represent the organization. The majority of team members are based inperson at the bakery, others operate in hybrid depending on their responsibilities. The CEO will report to an engaged and supportive Board of Directors.

Responsibilities

Strategy and Leadership

• Lead the development, execution, and continuous refinement of Dog Tag Inc.s strategic plan, ensuring alignment with mission and impact goals and Board approval.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to drive accountability, measure success, and inform datadriven decisionmaking across the organization.
• Develop and maintain trusting relationships with the Board and staff and ensure transparency about DTI successes and challenges through measurable KPIs.
• Develop and implement plans that allow DTI to weather unexpected challenges, adapt, adjust, and build resilience in the staff and its programs.

Fundraising

• Execute the strategy for comprehensive fundraising, marketing, and storytelling initiatives to ensure the sustainability and growth of Dog Tags mission and programs.
• Lead and manage the staff and partner with the Board to design and implement a diversified revenue strategy that includes major gifts, corporate and foundation partnerships, and special campaigns.
• Serve as the organizations chief fundraiser, cultivating and stewarding relationships with major donors, key philanthropic partners, and institutional funders.
• Expand Dog Tags visibility and brand awareness locally in Washington, DC, and nationally, positioning the organization as a leading voice in veteran entrepreneurship and transition.
• Translate stories of impact and data into compelling cases for support that drive revenue growth and measurable outcomes for the Dog Tag Fellowship Program.

Team Management

• Provide visionary leadership to the executive team of two chiefs and three directors, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning that empowers all staff to pursue ambitious, missionaligned goals.
• Ensure ongoing organizational growth and excellence, thorough performance evaluation, and consistent, highquality programs.
• Develop and implement a clear vision for advancing the DTI culture internally across the staff and externally with stakeholders.
• Provide leadership on internal communications to cultivate strong, trusting working relationships at every level.
• Ensure internal systems, policies, and procedures allow for effective and efficient workflow and communication between and among teams.

External Relations and Brand Positioning

• Serve as the lead external voice and champion of DTI with funders, local and national policy leaders, corporate partners, and the community, advocating for awareness, partnerships, and new revenue streams.
• Actively seek out partnerships and increase audience engagement and brand awareness with key communities across Washington, DC and the country.
• Hold senior staff accountable for the design and implementation of comprehensive marketing, communications, and brand strategies that advance the organizations priority areas, with oversight of key staff and reporting to the Board.

Board Partnership

• Serve as the primary liaison to the Board of Directors, fostering a transparent partnership and facilitating open dialogue about the organizations successes and challenges.
• Support the Board in governance, strategic decisionmaking, and mission alignment by providing timely updates, facilitating effective communication, and ensuring the organizations performance and impact are clearly reported and understood.
• Partner with individual board members and the board as a collective to ensure the strongest possible governance during a critical chapter of organizational growth.
• Support the Board in maintaining an active pipeline of potential Board members, ensuring diverse and engaged leadership.

Financial Leadership and Operations

• Oversee the DTI budget and financesboth the Bakery and the overall program budget and work in concert with the Chief Operating Officer to create and ensure adherence and compliance to appropriate financial policies, operations, and regulations.
• Provide strategic oversight of DTIs financesincluding the Bakery and Fellowship Program budgetsensuring sound fiscal management, compliance, and alignment with organizational priorities.
• Establish clear financial policies, operational systems, and performance metrics that promote accountability, transparency, and efficiency across all departments.
• Hold senior staff accountable for meeting financial and operational goals, fostering a culture of ownership, discipline, and shared responsibility.

Compensation

The compensation range for this position is $150,000 to $160,000.

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