Month: August 2020

The Executive Director has the responsibility for the organization’s consistent achievement of its mission. In order to fulfill that responsibility, it is expected that the successful candidate for thisposition will have the competencies to be successful in four areas of concentration.
• Effectively advocating to assure that legislation and administrative policies provide accountability, transparency, and equitable treatment and funding for all forms of K-12
public education
• Driving to establish high standards of performance and consistently strong and fair authorizers for all charter schools
• Providing support to help member schools improve, with the goal of having every charter school in Pennsylvania become a high-performing public school relative to the mission for which the charter school was created
• Creating a strong and sustained financial base for the organization.

Desired Competencies, Experience, and Education
• The maturity, confidence, composure, and presence to effectively build relationships and promote policies and standards with legislators, legislative staffs, members of the
Governor’s office, the Department of Education, peers in other states, and the print and electronic media
• Knowledge of the issues and challenges facing education reform and school choice, the national charter landscape, and K-12 education
• A high level of integrity and the ability and tact to work effectively with persons across the entire political spectrum, and the entire public charter sector
• Superb listening and oral and written communication skills, including the ability to tailor and convey ideas and positions as a spokesperson for charter schools to a wide range
of constituent groups through position papers, press releases, print and electronic media interviews, testimonies, and social media
• The ability and integrity to promote an equity strategy to ensure racial and gender equity in education, often afforded through charter school enrollment, as well as working with experts and other relevant organizations to help execute this goal and ensure stakeholders view PCPCS as an effective and inclusive advocacy organization
• The skills to develop, maintain, and support a strong Board of Trustees and facilitate Board and Leaders Council involvement in PCPCS actions
• The ability to work with the Board to obtain a strong and continuing financial base for the organization. This includes demonstrated skills in working with individuals and
foundations to raise funds, including writing and organizing grant proposals, and business development skills in working with charter schools to ensure relevance, growth,
and sustainability of the organization
• Demonstrated skill to develop and implement sound financial practices and ensure good fiscal and fiduciary responsibility, stewardship, and accountability
• An entrepreneurial spirit, including the abilities to initiate actions, seek appropriate and timely guidance, and achieve amazing results with limited resources; this includes being proactive relative to the aspirations of the organization as well as reactive to its immediate needs
• The ability to work with charter school leaders to provide the type of experiences and training needed to improve the operation and performance of their schools and ensure
ongoing programmatic excellence
• Legislative, advocacy, and legal experience combined with political savvy to understand the legislative, legal, and philosophical complexity of the charter school movement and
its opposition
• The ability to react rapidly to continually changing legislative, legal, and media needs
• The ability to ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations
• At least 3 years of leading and managing organizations during periods of political uncertainty
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred; degrees in education a plus

http://pacharters.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/PCPCS-ED_Position-Description_2020_final2.pdf

Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture is seeking new leadership as its Founding Director will transition from her role by the end of 2020 (read more about this transition here).

The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors and is responsible for the organization’s administration and implementation of its strategic direction, as well as managing its staff and programs. Other key responsibilities include fundraising and oversight of marketing and community outreach.

Responsibilities:

1) Mission and Strategy Fulfillment: works with board and staff to ensure that the organization’s mission is fulfilled through programs, community outreach, and strategic planning, with responsibility for:

• Envisioning and implementing Al-Bustan’s programs that carry out the organization’s mission (program implementation includes planning with staff, monitoring progress, assessing impact, and adjusting scope as necessary)
• Envisioning and managing the implementation of Al-Bustan’s marketing campaign and communication strategy
• Enhancement of Al-Bustan’s presence in the city and beyond by cultivating partnerships and collaborating with other professional, civic, and private organizations
• Strategic planning to ensure that the organization can successfully fulfill its mission into the future

2) Operations: oversees and implements appropriate resources to ensure that the operations of the organization are appropriate, with responsibility for:

• Effective administration of Al-Bustan’s operations
• Hiring, retention, and management of competent, qualified staff
• Overseeing independent contractors
• Signing all notes, agreements, and other instruments made and entered into and on behalf of the organization

3) Financial Performance and Viability: develops resources sufficient to ensure the financial health of the organization, with responsibility for:

• Fiscal integrity of Al-Bustan to include submission to the Board of a proposed annual budget and quarterly financial statements which accurately reflect the financial condition of the organization; overseeing preparation of 990 tax returns and liaising with accountant and auditor on all financial matters
• Prudent fiscal management to include operating within the Board approved budget (currently around $500,000), ensuring maximum resource utilization, maintenance of the organization in a positive financial position, and reviewing/maintaining necessary insurance policies
• Fundraising (grants, individual giving, corporate sponsors, earned income) and pursuing other resources necessary to support Al-Bustan’s mission

4) Board Governance: works with the Board in order to fulfill the organization’s mission, with responsibility for:

• Leading Al-Bustan in a manner that supports and guides the organization’s mission as defined by the Board of Directors
• Communicating effectively with the Board and providing, in a timely and accurate manner, all information necessary for the Board to function properly and to make informed decisions

Professional Qualifications Required:

• Fluency in speaking, reading, writing Arabic
• 7 to 10 years of senior non-profit management experience
• Demonstrated transparent and high integrity leadership
• Excellent writing, public speaking, and interpersonal communication skills
• Deep knowledge of Arab culture, arts, and history
• Financial management skills in budget preparation, analysis, decision-making, and reporting
• Strong organizational skills in planning, program development, staff/volunteers/board motivation
• Experienced in fundraising strategies and donor relations unique to non-profit sector
• Ability to convey a vision of Al-Bustan’s strategic future to staff, board, volunteers, and donors

Professional Qualifications Preferred:

• Experience in living or traveling in the Arab region
• Advanced degree in Arts Administration, Education, Social Services, or related fields
• Familiarity with Philadelphia’s arts and culture sector

About Us

The Executive Director will champion Starfinder’s soccer for social change mission and work closely with the Board and staff to ensure that the mission is fulfilled through high quality programs, strategic partnerships, and effective operations. The Executive Director drives strategic planning, ensures fiscal health, and cultivates a high-performing team.

The Executive Director will partner with the Board and staff to develop a strategic vision for Starfinder’s future, oversee the development and implementation of Starfinder’s programs and operations, and enhance Starfinder’s visibility by being active in the community and by working closely with other professional, civic and private organizations. Additionally, the Executive Director will lead Starfinder’s efforts to develop a diverse and inclusive leadership and governance structure.

The Executive Director will serve as the primary spokesperson for the organization to its constituents, the media, and the general public. The Executive Director will also cultivate positive relationships with current and potential stakeholders to maintain and grow funding support and develop and sustain diverse funding sources, in partnership with Board and staff. The Executive Director will also drive marketing efforts to enhance organizational visibility.

The Executive Director will work with staff and the Board Finance Committee to prepare a comprehensive fiscal year operating budget and multi-year capital budget and projections. Internally, the Executive Director will ensure fiscal management to operate within the approved budget, maintain the organization in a positive financial position, and drive the growth of its resource. The Executive Director will work in conjunction with the Treasurer, Board, finance staff and auditors to maintain sound financial practices, reporting and systems with priority being given to keeping the Board fully apprised of the organization’s current and future fiscal health.

The Executive Director will be expected to oversee the successful administration of Starfinder’s operations, supervise a talented and committed team and ensure sound human resource practices are in place to maintain a climate that attracts, retains and motivates a diverse and qualified staff. The Executive Director will also drive ongoing monitoring and evaluation to assess achievement of all organizational goals and objectives and to ensure that programs and services maintain high quality.

As it relates to Board Governance, the Executive Director will support the Board in executing its governance responsibilities and ability to make informed decisions by keeping it fully informed. The Executive Director will attend and participate in all Board meetings while serving as an ex-officio member of the Board and its committees, as appropriate. The Executive Director will also help the Board recruit Board members from diverse and inclusive backgrounds representative of Starfinder’s multiplicity of stakeholders.

Starfinder’s annual operating budget is nearly $950K and growing. Our three-year strategic plan guides our long-term vision and goals. Starfinder is poised to expand its reach while continuing to deliver highly impactful programs that foster long-term engagement.

Responsibilities for the Executive Director will include, but are not limited to:

• Leading the development and implementation of a new comprehensive strategic plan, in partnership with the Board of Directors, that will guide the future path of the organization;
• Acting as the chief spokesperson for the organization, cultivating strong relationships with major donors, network partners, stakeholders, volunteers and with policymakers at the local, state, and federal level;
• Serving as an ambassador both internally and externally, to promote the organization’s mission and to gain necessary resources and support;
• Fostering effective strategic alliances with community organizations and policymakers, utilizing network partners to advance the work of Starfinder;
• Deepening and fostering strong relationships with Starfinder’s existing and potential funders; ensuring that fundraising goals are met, and resources are utilized and reported accurately and in a timely manner;
• Supervising day-to-day operations, including setting financial and programmatic goals, analyzing results and taking corrective action in close collaboration with staff and Board;
• Providing inspirational and motivational leadership for extraordinarily passionate, committed, and skilled staff and fostering a culture of openness, transparency, and collaboration;
• Communicating consistently and proactively with the Board and other constituents in a thoughtful, clear, and diplomatic manner;
• Designing and implementing clear expectations, in partnership with the Board, for its contributions to the governance and success of the organization;
• Setting priorities decisively, assuring accountability, and allocating resources to ensure results;
• Ensuring that all Starfinder financial standards, operating policies, and programmatic goals are met; and
• Driving a data-driven approach to program evaluation and organizational performance.

Additional Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• • Minimum of 5 years of experience in nonprofit leadership and management .
  • Experience in managing and motivating staff and volunteers.
  • Successful and sustained history of significant fund-raising, including major gift acquisitions.
  • Proven experience in program management and evaluation, preferably education, sports and
    recreation, or economic development.
  • Fluency with financial management, including budget preparation, analysis, and reporting.
  • Track record of building and working in and with diverse and inclusive teams in both service-provider and governance contexts.
  • Exceptional skills in building and maintaining relationships with external stakeholders.
  • Exceptional written and oral communication skills, including the ability to present and speak
    publicly on relevant issues.
  • Education Requirements: Bachelor’s degree required

About Us