Executive Director
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Position Description
The National Center for Youth Law seeks an Executive Director, committed to ensuring that low-income children and youth have what they need for a healthy and productive future, who will promote and strengthen the organization, provide vision and leadership, maintain and promote organizational excellence, and advance the organization’s mission.
THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR YOUTH LAW
Established more than forty years ago, the National Center for Youth Law (www.youthlaw.org) (NCYL) is one of the nation’s pre-eminent social justice organizations dedicated to using the law to improve the lives of low-income children and youth.
Since its founding in 1970, NCYL has adapted to changing needs and circumstances. It is a public interest law firm that employs litigation and policy advocacy as tools to create change on behalf of children and youth. Today, NCYL’s activities cover adolescent health, mental health, foster care, juvenile justice and public benefits for children. In addition, it has a number of special initiatives that address emergent needs.
As an institution, NCYL deeply values diversity, creativity, and collaboration and has a staff committed to making a difference on behalf of low-income children and youth.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The new Executive Director will serve as the organization’s principal strategist as well as its leader in other respects including management of the organization. Working in collaboration with the Board of Directors and staff, the Executive Director will work to advance NCYL’s mission.
The Executive Director will represent NCYL in a variety of diverse communities and settings, and must be able to navigate relationships confidently, gracefully, and respectfully. The new Executive Director will be charged with establishing and maintaining partnerships with funders and other stakeholders key to NCYL’s operational success. The new Executive Director will share the values of deep collaboration, teamwork, and mentorship, as well as embrace the benefits of diverse perspectives.
The new Executive Director is expected to start work between July and October and will work from NCYL’s Oakland office.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Leadership
- Provide vision and inspiration for the strategic direction of NCYL, increasing the impact and reach of its work.
- Establish and maintain positive relationships with the Board of Directors, current or potential funders, the legal community, partner groups, legislators, media representatives, businesses, and the broader children’s rights advocacy field in pursuit of NCYL’s vision as a hub of leadership on children’s advocacy.
- Set a tone in the organization of expectation of the highest quality and greatest impact work.
Fundraising
- Working with the Board and staff, develop, oversee, and manage a comprehensive fundraising program including foundation support, major gifts, annual support, special events, and other fundraising programs. Monitor results and assist the Board in evaluating the effectiveness of the organization’s fund development programs.
- Lead efforts to identify, engage and build relationships with foundations and major donors to secure new funds for the organization. Partner with the Board and staff members to manage their participation in cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding funders.
Organizational Management
- In partnership with the Board of Directors and staff, develop and monitor plans to guide the overall direction of NCYL’s work and deepen relationships with key donor prospects, legal and policy influencers, and children’s rights advocacy groups.
- Present accurate, effective and timely reporting to the Board; manage Board communications with the goal of achieving the highest standards of governance and transparency.
- Lead, develop, and mentor a highly experienced team of professionals to achieve NCYL’s goals, and foster an organization that has at its core a culture of collaboration and professional excellence while nurturing and supporting all members of the team.
- Evolve and manage an efficient and effective organizational infrastructure; ensure that the work of staff is aligned with the mission, that all staff is provided with proper guidance and support, and their work is evaluated at regular intervals.
- Oversee development and execution of a comprehensive communications plan and serve as NCYL's chief spokesperson to the public, funders, media and other audiences.
- Oversee NCYL’s operating budget and overall financial management.
EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
The successful candidate will likely have:
- A JD with litigation experience preferred.
- Proven commitment to, and extensive experience in social justice advocacy. Strong preference for experience in child advocacy and other social policy work, and/or complex litigation.
- A high degree of sophistication in developing a fundraising strategy with foundations and major gift solicitations.
- Significant leadership and demonstrated management experience.
- Achievement in the legal field in the private, public or non-profit sector.
- An energetic, entrepreneurial background that combines analytical skills with political savvy.
- The ability to articulate a vision that motivates internal and external stakeholders toward common goals.
- An inclusive, transparent leadership style both in and out of the public spotlight.
- Excellent written and oral skills, as well as strong listening skills.
- Great integrity and a commitment to personal and professional excellence.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercising the highest level of tact and discretion in both internal and external interactions.
- Experience in budget development and financial oversight of an organization of comparable size and complexity.
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
- Commitment to NCYL’s core values of respect, collaboration and diversity.
- Entrepreneurial spirit–ability to set the direction for the team and work toward organizational goals.
- High degree of commitment to and enthusiasm for collaboration.
- Ability to coach and mentor others positively.
- Ability to build and maintain strong relationships.
- Excellent communication skills including the interest in learning by listening and the ability to build trust.
- Political astuteness, and the ability to navigate a complex social network.
- “Can-do” solutions-oriented attitude.
- Strong work ethic coupled with an optimist’s enthusiasm and a pragmatist’s desire for action.
NCYL is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, age, ethnic background, sex, disability, or sexual orientation. Applicants of color are strongly encouraged to apply.
The Board is expected to begin candidate interviews in April 2015.
For additional information please contact: Anthony Tansimore at 650.517.7225; anthony(at)theolivegrove.com.
To apply, please send a letter of interest and resume to search@theolivegrove.com with “NCYL – ED” in the subject line.