Executive Director Job Opportunity.pdf

Executive Director Job Opportunity

The Los Altos Educational Foundation (LAEF) is a catalyst for educational excellence for students throughout the Los Altos School District (LASD). We believe strong schools are the foundation of a thriving community. In addition to being one of the top-ranking school districts in the nation, all nine of our district schools are recognized as California Distinguished Schools and National Blue-Ribbon Schools. As a non-profit organization led by parent volunteers, LAEF has raised over $35M since its founding in 1982.

LAEF is a crucial component of the District budget, funding enrichment programs and personalized learning so that every one of the 5,000 students in LASD receives a well-rounded, top-tier education. LAEF’s Executive Director works in partnership with a 20-member Board of Directors, 2 part-time staff, a handful of specialty contractors, 60+ school-level volunteers, principals, district administrators and, most importantly, thousands of donors to enthusiastically engage our community in raising nearly $4M annually.   

The Board and staff have identified the following strategic priorities for the next 12-18 months to optimize what we do best, while expanding our major gifts strategy in response to changing District opportunities and needs.

• Leadership: Onboarding next ED and forming effective Board-ED partnership
• Funding: Achieving annual grant fundraising goals, broadening donor base beyond the parent community, and launching campaigns to fund longer term District educational initiatives
• Grant Making: Communicating evolving funding structure/priorities
• Community Involvement:  Engaging with community organizations to strengthen our visibility and community involvement
• Governance: Diversifying the Board of Directors and continuing to focus on governance structure/processes and Board engagement
• Infrastructure: Aligning staffing, systems, and infrastructure to accomplish our goals

The Ideal Candidate

The Foundation is seeking a collaborative leader and self-directed manager who will continue to inform and steward the efforts of our highly effective and efficient pass-through foundation. The incoming Executive Director will bring enthusiasm and his/her experience as a relationship builder, volunteer leader, and strategic thinker to the work. He/she should have a proven track record of attracting and sustaining a broad base of volunteer and financial support as well as effective communication skills. Candidates should enjoy working in a volunteer-driven organization that values a diverse cultural and economic base of support. This is a full-time, exempt position based in Los Altos and allows for flexible work schedule.  

Essential Requirements

The ideal candidate will have many of the following skills and experience:

• Fundraising experience with a proven track record of developing and executing multi-million-dollar volunteer-led campaigns. Major gifts experience is helpful.
• Exceptional communication skills including writing, public speaking, meeting facilitation, and consensus building.
• Financial and/or business management with similar revenue streams, including budgeting and oversight, nonprofit compliance and reporting.
• Demonstrated capacity to build alliances and sustain collaborative relationships with community members from diverse cultural, economic and political perspectives.
• Senior management experience in a comparably focused educational or fundraising organization.
• Experience working and partnering with a highly-engaged community-based Board of Directors.
• Ability to attract, develop, and retain paid and volunteer staff, maintain a high level of performance, and effectively utilize their talents.
• Ability to steward the foundation toward shared visions and effective fundraising plans in response to District needs and opportunities.
• Bachelor’s Degree

In addition, candidates will need to:

• Effectively use collaboration suites such as Google G Suite or Microsoft Office 365; social media; accounting and fund development applications. QuickBooks and Salesforce experience helpful.
• Work occasional nights as needed to support Board and community events  
• Provide own car, insurance, and valid driver’s license or other means to travel throughout the Los Altos Area
• Pass a comprehensive background check.

Deadline for applications:  July 10, 2017 or until the position is filled. Interviews will be held in mid-July

Estimated start date: August/September 2017

Compensation: LAEF is prepared to offer a competitive nonprofit compensation package that includes 30 days of PTO a year (federal holidays, vacation and sick), a flexible parent-first work schedule particularly during the summer; and the option of enrolling children in LASD.

Confidential Application Process: Email your cover letter (Word or PDF document) summarizing your interest, fit with each of the essential qualifications listed, compensation requirements, and experience along with a current resume to: LAEFsearch@nonprofitmentor.org with “LAEF ED Search” in the subject field. Resumes must have a cover letter to be considered. Inquiries from candidates are welcomed and should be directed to Margaret Donohoe, our transition consultant, at (408) 979-0572.

LAEF Executive Director Job Responsibilities

* Approximate percentages provided as a guideline to the incoming Executive Director given the organization’s priorities for the first 12 to 18 months of the job.

Drive External Relations and nearly $4M in Parent Fundraising (50% of job responsibilities*)

• Provide a credible and informed presence for LAEF in the community.
• Maintain effective relationships with schools, District, parents, and the community at large to build a strong awareness of LAEF’s ongoing commitment to ensuring an excellent education for all students.
• Partner with the development committee in establishing annual campaign goals, participation levels, messaging and supporting events.
• Develop communication strategies and content for collateral materials including the website, social media, annual report, newsletter, donor and promotional materials.
• Oversee the planning and execution of targeted fundraising strategies including direct appeals, leadership circle, corporate donors, and phone-a-thon.
• Develop a major gifts campaign in support of district education initiatives.
• Ensure stewardship of donor relations and integrity of record keeping.  
• Provide financial oversight, seeing that all funds are disbursed in transparent manner.

Partner with Volunteers and the Board of Directors (20%*)

• Assist the Board in identifying, recruiting, and onboarding, volunteers with the essential skills to support the mission and vision.
• Effectively engage and motivate volunteers at all levels to ensure productive and constructive experiences.
• Assist the Board and committees in their roles and responsibilities by supporting the creation of annual work plans and execution, as well as monitoring performance.
• Serve as an active, non-voting member of Board and committees.
• Report regularly to the Board and committees about organizational objectives, the organization’s financial status and other relevant issues.
• Ensure that Board policies are implemented.

Manage a Fiscally Sound Organization and Positive Work Environment (20%*)

• Work in partnership with the volunteer CFO to ensure sustainability through thoughtful and realistic budget planning and monitoring.
• Oversee monthly financial reporting and payroll, approve expenses and invoices for payment, and sign checks.
• Regularly evaluate internal systems, policies and procedures for efficiency and effectiveness.
• Facilitate the annual audit and tax filing.
• Lead by example and recruit, train, and retain a strong staff team with a broad range of skills.
• Ensure compliance with personnel policies established by the Board and with all federal and state regulations.
• Ensure accuracy of current staff job descriptions and completion of regular performance evaluations.

Spearhead Strategic Planning, Evaluation and Continuous Improvement (10%*)

• Maintain a working knowledge of local and state issues and trends impacting public education and funding.
• Provide the Board and Committees with adequate information to reach strategic decisions and to formulate necessary policies and goals.
• In partnership with the Board, develop and implement short and long-range priorities, budgets, and growth plans that are realistic and reflect the mission, values and goals of the organization.
• Ensure ongoing evaluation of systems, practices and policies to leverage best practices and lessons learned.