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LIFT’s Chief Advancement Officer

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Pillar Search & HR Consulting is pleased to have been selected to manage LIFT’s search for their new Chief Advancement Officer.

ABOUT LIFT
Founded in 1998, LIFT is a national nonprofit that empowers families to break the cycle of poverty. LIFT operates program sites in four major cities – Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and Washington, D.C. – where they connect hardworking parents and caregivers of young children to the people, tools and resources they need to achieve greater economic security and well-being. LIFT believes that by investing in families during children’s earliest years they can break the cycle of intergenerational poverty. To learn more, visit www.WhyWeLIFT.org.

LIFT seeks to hire individuals who are inclusive, results-oriented, and skilled at communication, teamwork, fostering positive working relationships, and problem-solving.

POSITION OVERVIEW
This is an exciting opportunity for a proven nonprofit leader to manage and build the development and communications functions at a high-impact organization, and to serve as a critical member of the organization’s executive team. Success for this role will be defined by LIFT’s fundraising success in the short and long-term, and LIFT’s national visibility as a leader in the anti-poverty space. The position may be located at any of the LIFT offices (Los Angeles, CA, New York, NY, Washington, DC, or Chicago, IL).

The Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) is responsible for increasing LIFT’s fundraising capacity to achieve its vision and strategic goals. Working closely with LIFT’s CEO, the CAO will be charged with establishing and executing a compelling strategy for revenue generation at LIFT and for leading both national and regional fundraising teams to achieve ambitious development goals. Specifically, the CAO is responsible for the vision, successful organization and execution of all development initiatives including major gifts, foundation grants, corporate partnerships, public funding, and capital campaigns.

The CAO will also lead all marketing, and communications initiatives to ensure cohesive and impactful messaging that aligns with LIFT’s mission and strategic goals. The CAO is a chief spokesperson representing the organization to both internal and external constituencies.

With that, this position will lead and manage the National Communications and National Development teams.  This includes six geographically dispersed team members (with two directly reporting to this position) as well as dotted-line responsibility for other team members at the regional level. This individual will be a mentor and provide oversight of fundraising and communications efforts as well as identifying growth and learning opportunities for all members of the team.

The CAO will report directly to LIFT’s CEO, Michelle Rhone-Collins, and will serve as a member of LIFT’s executive leadership team. They will work closely with the Board of Directors, other senior staff and key stakeholders.

CHIEF ADVANCEMENT OFFICER RESPONSIBILITIES:
Lead Fund Development Strategy:

  • Provide strong, strategic leadership of LIFT’s development function by setting ambitious, attainable goals that will increase annual operating funds; aligning fundraising strategies with LIFT’s strategic plan; and managing the development team to achieve and exceed their revenue targets.
  • Provide oversight of all development-related activities and lead coordination with the CEO, Regional Executive Directors, Chief Financial Officer, other senior staff and appropriate Board committees.
  • Manage and strengthen LIFT’s existing development strategies including major gifts, foundation and corporate funding, and special events.
  • Manage the expansion of the major gifts program, implementing systems and processes to build and sustain an effective pipeline.
  • Coach senior staff (Executive Director, Program Directors & Managers, etc.) and Board members on effective fundraising practices, helping them to identify, cultivate, and steward donors.
  • Collaborate across departments and regions to create an environment that nurtures a fundraising mindset throughout all levels of the organization.
  • Partner with the Chief Financial Officer for budget development and management; assure sound fiscal operation of the development function including timely, accurate and comprehensive development income and expense budgets, reporting, monitoring and implementation. Ensure strategic plans for fundraising and communications are integrated with LIFT’s near- and long-term strategies and priorities.

Lead Communications and Marketing Strategy:

  • Lead the Communications team in defining and building an aggressive marketing strategy that ensures consistent institutional messaging and strong branding aligned with LIFT’s core values.
  • Oversee the development and execution of comprehensive marketing strategies including brochures, annual reports, social media, and websites.
  • Actively seek opportunities for LIFT to share insights through media, conferences, and other public forums and serve as primary point-person for all opportunities and requests.
  • Provide messaging strategy and support for all brand ambassadors, public events and engagements.

Manage Performance:

  • Build a strong and nimble Development and Communications team through strategic recruitment, professional development, performance management, and motivational leadership.
  • Oversee performance measures and monitor results to help the CEO, Executive Directors, and Board of Directors evaluate the effectiveness of the organization’s fund development, communications, and marketing.
  • Foster an environment of cohesiveness, collaboration and achievement, develop and implement best practices, and ensure staff accountability for excellence through clearly defined and measurable goals.

Lead External Relationships with Current and Potential Donors & Partners:

  • Alongside the CEO, serve as LIFT’s lead fundraiser, generating significant, renewable funding.
  • Serve as an ambassador for LIFT and its programs, representing LIFT to external supporters, partners and donors and at the highest level in public forums.
  • Maintain a significant portfolio of principal donors, and facilitate relationships between donors and LIFT’s leadership team.
  • Lead relationship-building strategy and activities with major individual, foundation, and corporate donors, developing relationships with key partners and prospective donors.

LIFT’S IDEAL CANDIDATE

  • You are committed to LIFT’s mission and organization’s core values of equity, diversity, excellence, relationship, and hope.
  • You have 10+ years of non-profit development/fundraising and internal/external communications experience with 3-5 years of executive level experience. Experience working within an organization with a national/regional dynamic is strongly preferred.
  • You have a track record of success in raising significant amounts of money through major gifts from individuals, businesses, foundations, or corporations.
  • You possess a strategic understanding of various development campaign activities, including proposal and grant development, annual fund and planned giving, public funding, direct mail, event planning and management, direct solicitations, and more.
  • You have demonstrated experience building or strengthening the structures, supports, and teams required to support a high-performing development team.
  • You possess demonstrated experience securing and managing both restricted and unrestricted grants.
  • You have exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, and are able to use words to inspire in multiple formats.
  • You are committed to recruiting, mentoring, training, and retaining a diverse team, and you possess the foresight and ability to delegate appropriately.
  • Experience managing remote teams is strongly preferred.
  • You are able to operate with flexibility, creativity, fearlessness and determination while maintaining respect for others’ concerns.
  • You are resourceful in finding alternative ways of reaching funding objectives when barriers arise.
  • You are able to travel up to 50%.

WHAT LIFT OFFERS:

  • Competitive annual salary
  • Employer-paid healthcare coverage
  • 403(b) retirement savings plan with employer matching contribution after 1 year of employment
  • Employer-paid short- and long-term disability coverage
  • Pre-tax benefits for transit, health and childcare
  • Monthly cell phone reimbursement
  • Generous paid-time-off policy. Employees may accrue up to 4 weeks of paid time off during their first year at LIFT, and all employees receive a one-week company-wide vacation over the winter holidays.

TO APPLY
LIFT has partnered with Cindy Joyce of Pillar Search & HR Consulting on the search for its new Chief Advancement Officer. Qualified individuals, please submit a resume and thoughtful cover letter to cindy@pillarsearch.com. Please include your full name in the subject line.

LIFT and Pillar Search & HR Consulting believe that diversity in all dimensions of the organization supports and bolsters the innovative thinking essential to its success. LIFT and Pillar do not make hiring decisions on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic background, age, disability, religion, political affiliation, or ideology.

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Executive Director Pro Bono Posting for SLAM! Program Los Angeles

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SLAM! Program Los Angeles, a project of Community Partners, is a nonprofit, school-based program whose mission is to provide students from underserved schools with accessible, contemporary and tuition-free music instruction.  Our program is delivered through a network of volunteer college students, creating opportunities for mentorship and professional development through a shared experience of music. Our program offers a variety of classes at each partnering school, including Piano, Guitar, Percussion, Voice, Music Production, Songwriting, and Rock Band.

 

Core Values

  • Self-Esteem: The arts build community, which directly enhances students’ self-esteem.
  • Learning: Learning music is not a privilege, but a necessity for a well-rounded education.
  • Access: Every student deserves access to quality and affordable music instruction.
  • Musical Expression: Students need a voice that transcends language and dialect.

 

We believe that a strong student-teacher relationship has the power to change lives.

 

Starting out as a small pilot program in 2011, SLAM! has since grown into an expansive network that serves more than four hundred students across eleven Los Angeles middle and high schools, supported by one hundred volunteer instructors matriculating at the University of California, Los Angeles, University of Southern California, and Musicians Institute in Hollywood. In March of 2013, SLAM! became a fiscally sponsored project of Community Partners in order to support growing demand for SLAM! programming at additional schools. SLAM!’s Advisory Board recently completed a formal strategic plan which will guide the organization’s strategic priorities and financial growth from an operating budget of $170,000 to a projected $300,000 budget in the coming three years.

 

Executive Director Job Description 

The Executive Director of SLAM! Program Los Angeles is responsible for partnering with the Advisory Board to develop and implement the overall vision and strategic objectives for the organization. The individual will report directly to the Advisory Board, currently comprised of 9 members, and supervise 3 full-time and part-time staff members who oversee the delivery of our program model at each of our university chapters and middle and high school partners.

 

SLAM! offers a unique opportunity for an entrepreneurial, high-energy, and self-directed leader to build the foundation for growing our movement. The ideal candidate for this role is a passionate, committed organizer who can drive the impact of a lean and high-performing start-up organization. S/he will bring experience managing a team, executing against an agreed upon strategic direction, and familiarity with the broad education landscape in Los Angeles. The Executive Director’s responsibilities include: Fundraising and Development, Program Operations and Management, Board Governance and Strategic Vision, and Marketing and Community Relations.

 

Fundraising and Development (40%)

  • Provide organizational leadership in all aspects of fundraising and development, establishing personal relationships with key funders and donors in order to facilitate the creation of new and renewed sources of major gifts and philanthropic support
  • Work closely with the Advisory Board to develop annual fundraising plans and resources, consistently meeting or exceeding established goals
  • Work with relevant staff members to prepare grant proposals and reports, identify new grantmaker prospects, and meet all grant compliance requirements
  • Develop a robust individual giving program to cultivate existing donors for ongoing support and seek new and diverse donor prospects
  • Identify and maintain strong relationships with key community partners to diversify and expand the organization’s donor base

 

Program Operations and Management (25%)

  • Communicate and collaborate consistently with Community Partners, SLAM!’s fiscal sponsor, regarding all financial management, human resources, and legal counsel needs
  • Provide guidance, coaching, and supervision to the staff team in the high quality implementation of the SLAM! program model at all university chapters and partner schools
  • Oversee the school outreach and intake process as a liaison and ex-officio member of the Advisory Board in alignment with the organization’s projected growth
  • Execute a rigorous, timely, and professional hiring process for any available staff positions
  • Orchestrate the purchase, storage, and upkeep of a comprehensive equipment and supplies inventory across all SLAM! partner sites and central storage facilities
  • Encourage staff satisfaction and retention by fostering meaningful opportunities for their professional development and growth
  • Review position descriptions, ensuring they are up-to-date and that compensation is current with industry standards, and complete annual professional performance reviews
  • Appropriately address job performance issues in a timely and direct manner
  • Supervise financial activities in consultation with Community Partners’ Finance team to ensure that all revenues, obligations, reports, and filings are collected, paid and submitted

 

 

Board Governance and Strategic Vision (20%)

  • Provide visionary and inspirational leadership to all board members, staff, and volunteers, helping to build an innovative, entrepreneurial and nimble organization that is responsive to the needs of volunteers, school partners, and broader community
  • Establish strong working relationships with board members during and outside of board meetings, encouraging all members to participate actively and facilitating their involvement beyond board meetings
  • Provide the board with appropriate materials prior to each meeting and inform board members of any critical issues that need to be addressed
  • Oversee the annual preparation and monitoring of the budget in consultation with the board
  • Identify new board members whose talents, background, interests, experience, and commitment will further the mission and expand support

 

Marketing and Community Relations (15%)

  • Create and implement a comprehensive marketing and communications plan including: brand consistency, social media engagement, online communications, and related activities
  • Provide leadership and guidance to staff members and board members responsible for supporting marketing and communication efforts
  • Develop and distribute consistent digital communications to all organization stakeholders
  • Actively participate in the Los Angeles arts and education communities, attending conferences, receptions, workshops, and events to boost the organization’s visibility
  • Increase widespread knowledge of SLAM!, ensuring that the public as well as current or potential partners and funders understand its value and potential

 

Qualifications

 

Qualified applicants will have:

  • A deep passion for arts education, youth mentorship, and leadership development
  • A minimum of 5 years experience in a leadership role within an organization
  • Demonstrated track record of fundraising or business development through corporate and private foundations, event planning, and individual giving
  • Demonstrated ability to inspire, empower, and uplift others in a professional setting
  • Expertise in planning, organizational development, and team or culture building
  • Ability to balance day-to-day demands with big-picture vision and strategy
  • Familiarity with the Los Angeles school system and education policies specific to after school program providers
  • A broad network of contacts and potential partners eager to move the mission forward
  • An entrepreneurial mindset and interest in social entrepreneurship
  • Strong attention to detail and ability to balance multiple priorities
  • Excellent organizational skills, strategic thinking, and problem solving orientation
  • Strong interpersonal communication skills, both oral and written, with individuals across a variety of developmental and professional stages
  • Strong technological fluency (Microsoft Office Suite, Google Apps for Nonprofits, Mailchimp, WordPress, and database management, etc.)
  • The ability and flexibility to travel to partner schools across Los Angeles and work remotely with consistent access to:
    • High speed internet
    • Personal laptop with current operating system capabilities
    • Quiet and professional environment for phone or online meetings
  • A bachelor’s degree, master’s degree preferred

 

Compensation and Benefits

Position can be structured as a full or part time role. A comprehensive compensation package commensurate with experience is provided through Community Partners and includes full medical, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance benefits. SLAM! Program Los Angeles, a fiscally sponsored project of Community Partners, is an equal opportunity employer. The organization will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.

 

For more information, please visit www.slamprogram.org and www.communitypartners.org.

 

To Apply

Please submit a resume and cover letter to Jobs@slamprogram.org with your name in the subject line and all attachments. Applications accepted until position is filled.

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Pillar Executive Search News! RainCatcher’s Executive Director (Remote or Malibu, CA)

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Pillar's New Search

Pillar Search is pleased to have been selected by RainCatcher to manage their search for the Executive Director.  For more information on this exciting opportunity, please contact Pillar Search’s CEO, Cindy Joyce, at cjoyce@pillarsearch.com.

 

This is an ideal role for a nonprofit professional with a passion for RainCatcher’s mission of implementing affordable and sustainable methods for providing clean water for everyone. The successful Executive Director candidate will have international experience, a proven track record of growing the diversity of fundraising sources and the amount raised, and has grown and managed a Board of Directors.

 

 

Organization

RainCatcher is dedicated to healing communities by providing clean water for children in the developing world using affordable and sustainable solution.

 

RainCatcher’s innovative system uses durable, inexpensive components to harvest an abundant existing natural resource: rainwater. It cleans and filters even the dirtiest water on the spot including existing contaminated water sources where rain is not abundant. There are no wells required, no pumps, no electricity, and no irrigation systems. The beauty of the RainCatcher system is its ease of use.

 

For more information about the exciting work that RainCatcher does, please visit www.raincatcher.org.

 

Position

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director (ED) will have overall strategic and operational responsibility for RainCatcher’s staff, programs, expansion, and execution of its mission.

 

Responsibilities

Leadership & Management:

  • Develop, maintain, and support a strong Board of Directors: serve as ex-officio of each committee, seek and build board involvement with strategic direction for both ongoing local operations as well as for the national rollout
  • Ensure ongoing local programmatic excellence, rigorous program evaluation, and consistent quality of finance and administration, fundraising, communications, and systems; recommend timelines and resources needed to achieve the strategic goals
  • Actively engage and energize RainCatcher volunteers, board members, event committees, alumni, partnering organizations, and funders
  • Lead, coach, develop, and retain RainCatcher’s high-performance staff
  • Ensure effective systems to track scaling progress, and regularly evaluate program components, so as to measure successes that can be effectively communicated to the board, funders, and other constituents

Fundraising & Communications:

  •  Expand revenue generating and fundraising activities to support existing program operations and expansion
  • Deepen and refine all aspects of communications—from web presence to external relations with the goal of creating a stronger brand
  • Use external presence and relationships to create new opportunities

Strategic Planning & New Business:

  • Design strategic business planning process for program expansion into new markets
  • Build partnerships in new markets, establishing relationships with the funders, and political and community leaders at each expansion site
  • Be an external local and international thought leader, publishing and communicating program results with an emphasis on the successes of the local program as a model for replication

 

Qualifications

The Executive Director will be committed to RainCatcher’s mission. All candidates should have proven leadership, fundraising, coaching, and relationship management experience. Concrete demonstrable experience and other qualifications include:

  • Advanced degree, ideally an MBA with a focus in international development; track record of effectively leading and regionally and/or nationally scaling a performance- and outcomes-based organization or project; ability to point to specific examples of having developed and operationalized strategies that have taken an organization to the next stage of growth
  • Experience working with an international nonprofit is required
  • Past success working with a Board of Directors with the ability to cultivate existing board member relationships and grow the Board
  • Fundraising experience is required, including a proven track record of diversifying fundraising sources and amounts
  • Experience working in unstable and developing countries managing staff, program delivery, and engaging local stakeholders
  • Unwavering commitment to quality programs and data-driven program evaluation
  • Excellence in organizational management with the ability to coach staff, manage, and develop high-performance teams, set and achieve strategic objectives, and manage a budget
  • Strong marketing, public relations, and fundraising experience with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders and cultures
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills; a persuasive and passionate communicator with excellent interpersonal and multidisciplinary project skills
  • Action-oriented, entrepreneurial, adaptable, and innovative approach to business planning
  • Ability to work effectively in collaboration with diverse groups of people
  • Passion, idealism, integrity, positive attitude, mission-driven, and self-directed
  • Travel to Malibu, CA and Africa as needed

 

Location:

RainCatcher is located in Malibu, CA. The Executive Director can work remotely from anywhere in the United States.

 

How to Apply:

Qualified applicants who are excited by the work of RainCatcher are encouraged to apply for the Executive Director role by sending their resume and cover letter to Cindy Joyce, CEO of Pillar Search, at cindy@pillarsearch.com.    Pillar Search and RainCatcher are committed to diversity and equality in employment, and encourage applications from women, ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities and all veterans.