Monday, November 3, 2008

Executive Director, Reading Is Fundamental Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh, PA

Posted: 11/3/08

Background

RIFPittsburgh’s mission is to provide the resources, opportunities, motivation and skills to help children ages 2-12 to read. All of RIF’s programs aim to make reading fun and help develop lifelong readers and learners. For over 25 years RIFPittsburgh’s Book Distribution Program, operated with support from national RIF, Inc. and in collaboration with local schools, after-school programs, churches, and other programs, has provided free new books for children to promote reading and build home libraries. Current distributions serve approximately 10,000 children with over 30,000 new books at over 60 sites annually. RIFPittsburgh also has operated after-school tutoring programs, a Read To Your Parent program, and other literacy promoting activities. RIFPittsburgh is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with offices and book processing facilities located in the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh.

Position Summary

The Executive Director is the Chief Executive Officer of the organization, providing financial and operational management and oversight, fundraising, program planning, staff supervision, board support and development, strategic vision and leadership to the organization. Primary responsibility is to ensure that adequate funds are secured to maintain program operations and to implement the strategic plans of the organization.

Specific Responsibilities

Strategic Management

Assists the Board of Directors in developing and implementing strategic direction of RIFPittsburgh through short and long-term strategic and business planning.
Monitors emerging trends in youth literacy for best practices and strategic opportunities, and assists the Board in determining which opportunities are in the best interest of the organization, the children served and other stakeholders.

Board Relationships

Assists the Board of Directors with board development, including the development and implementation of goals for board recruitment, committee work, and other key activities related to the board’s fiduciary role
Ensures preparation and timely distribution of materials for Board and committee meetings

Participates with the Board of Directors in annual goal-setting and evaluation of work as executive director, using the organization’s approved strategic and/or business plan as a guide

Fundraising

Ensures aggressive cultivation of institutional, government, corporate and individual donors to increase support for the organization and maintain existing relationships with previously identified institutions
Ensures timely completion of grant and other funding requests and reports, annual appeals, Annual Report, and other documents and reports as may be directed by the Board of Directors

Financial Management

Develops and monitors long-range, annual and project budgets, as well as cash flow projections, to allow the organization to anticipate and plan for financial needs, and to help ensure the organization’s overall financial health
Oversees daily operations of the annual budget; implements and monitors financial and accounting controls and performance
Ensures timely invoicing and bill paying activities
Prepares timely and accurate financial reports for the Board of Directors
Works with external auditors to manage annual audit and preparation of the organization’s 990 and other required filings

Program Management

Ensures programs are operated with the highest levels of efficiency and integrity with appropriate policies in place to protect participating children and organizations
Ensures that periodic, regular evaluations are conducted to assess effectiveness of all RIFPittsburgh programs and that mechanisms are in place to utilize evaluation results in program development

Administrative Management and other

Provides supervision to staff including the setting of goals and completion of evaluations at least annually
Acts as primary public spokesperson for the organization
Directs implementation of the organization’s communication strategy including website, newsletters, Annual Report, program brochures and reports
Develops, maintains, and expands relationships with other agencies and organizations including neighborhood community groups and other literacy organizations

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
The organization is seeking an innovative and pragmatic individual to assume the position of Executive Director. The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors and oversees a small administrative and youth literacy program staff. A successful candidate should be a strong and caring leader and proven fund-raiser. She/he will have the ability to take the organization to the next level to develop innovative, effective, and financially viable programming to achieve the organization’s mission. We are looking for a dynamic leader with the following qualifications:
Qualifications and Attributes

Bachelors Degree (Masters preferred) and five years of management experience, preferably in a youth literacy and/or non-profit environment
A capacity and appreciation for working in diverse urban communities
A demonstrated track record of successful and pro-active leadership in fundraising from a variety of sources including individuals, foundations, corporations, and government
Ability to manage staff and work as part of a team
Prior experience in youth literacy, program development, or program evaluation desirable
Prior experience advocating for a cause, engendering support from a diverse constituent base, and leveraging the support of volunteers to extend the reach of activities
Excellent communication skills including verbal, written and public speaking
Strong problem solving skills
Sound and creative instincts and judgment

Compensation
This full-time position offers a competitive compensation and benefits packet that is commensurate with the candidate’s skills and experience.

TO APPLY: Qualified individuals should submit a cover letter, resume, short writing sample, three references with affiliations and contact information, and salary expectations by email to kaavoss@gmail.com. Resumes accepted until position filled.

Please mention that you heard about this opportunity from Dewey & Kaye Jobs Watch in your cover letter when applying for this position.

The Dewey & Kaye division of McCrory & McDowell LLC provides strategy development, planning, financial sustainability, facilitation, training and executive search services to help nonprofits, foundations, community collaboratives and government agencies address strategic, operational and administrative issues.

Founded in 1951, McCrory & McDowell LLC today ranks as one of the largest accounting and consulting firms in the region, offering a wide range of services through distinct, but integrated groups that include Dewey & Kaye, Diversified Medical Management, Three Rivers Institute, and McCrory & McDowell's accounting, tax, and business consulting practices.