ABOUT CHANGING WORLDS
Changing Worlds' mission is to foster inclusive communities through oral history, writing, music, and art programs that improve student learning, affirm identity, and enhance cross-cultural understanding. Changing Worlds works towards its mission through separate, yet interconnected, program areas that include in-school and after-school partnerships, teacher professional development workshops and seminars, and community outreach initiatives such as traveling exhibits, collaborative partnerships, and special events.
Supported through both public and private funding sources, Changing Worlds employs nine (9) full-time staff and four (4) contractual staff, the latter which include a grant writer and administrative assistant, along with 57 teaching artists; and is led by a governance Board. Over 20,000 youth hailing from 36 schools and community organizations in 21 Chicago neighborhoods and its surrounding suburbs benefit from Changing Worlds’ programming.
ABOUT THE POSITION
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director is responsible for driving the vision of Changing Worlds; owning and executing its strategic plan, and managing its daily operations.
The Executive Director supports the Board, directs the staff, builds and maintains stakeholder relationships, develops and manages sources of income, and ensures the quality and effectiveness of programs and services. The Executive Director provides direction for all organizational affairs in accordance with its mission as defined by its by-laws, mission statement, guiding values and principles and policies established and approved by the Board.
ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- Work with the Board to create and implement the organization’s strategic plan with a focus on identifying, developing, and implementing measurable objectives, strategies, budgets, funding strategies, and timelines.
- Implement plans to grow the organization that are collaborative and promote opportunities for partnerships.
- Create a positive culture of “yes, we can” to support innovation and proactive thinking by the Board and staff to refresh current practices and promote organizational growth; is committed and understands how to leverage the strengths of staff, volunteers and other stakeholders.
FUNDRAISING AND EXTERNAL RELATIONS/ COMMUNICATIONS
- Oversee dynamic public relations and fundraising programs in an energetic way to inform the general public, civic, and social organizations about Changing Worlds services and needs. Be an articulate, passionate, and visible spokesperson for the organization.
- In collaboration with the development team and Board committee, build and maintain strong, long-term relationships and partnerships with current and prospective key donors, community leaders, volunteers, and other organizational partners.
- Cultivate new fundraising prospects in philanthropy, corporate partners, individual donors, and major gifts, as well as the growth of existing funder relationships.
FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT
- Demonstrate strong financial/operational management skills in planning, forecasting, strategy development and decision-making in the management of non-profit budgets.
- Steer the development, preparation, and administration of the budget to ensure that the organization operates within budget guidelines.
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND SERVICE DELIVERY
- Oversee and evaluate all programs and personnel within the framework of established policies. Ensure all programs and services operate at the highest level of excellence and align with best practices in the industry.
- Identify opportunities for expansion, replication, and leverage to increase impact of programs and staff.
- Monitor the development and implementation of all programs and services so they are in compliance with all funding sources and local, state, and federal regulations.
- Provide leadership, direction, and motivation to staff as they work to execute their responsibilities, creating a cohesive team.
- Previous experience in and/or understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion tenets and program integration within a non-profit environment.
- Demonstrated enthusiasm for Changing Worlds and its mission supported by significant experience in similar programmatic and nonprofit organizations.
- Demonstrated ability to create highly productive teams via training, mentoring, and retaining effective staff and Board members, building teams, and ensuring professionalism throughout the organization.
- Demonstrated ability to lead an organization through strategic collaborations and partnerships.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate well, in both written and verbal form, and across diverse communication platforms.
- Demonstrated ability to fundraise, to establish and sustain donor relationships, and to manage organizational finances.
- Knowledge of trends in service delivery and organizational management for growth.
- Direct experience in the areas of arts education, community collaborations, youth programming and philanthropy/development.
- At least five years of leadership experience in working with youth populations or within the Chicago Public School system is preferred.
- Five or more years of experience as a director or executive-level nonprofit leader.
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required; Master’s degree in Art, Education, or Business Administration or equivalent experience preferred.
The salary range for this position is $100,000 - $115,000 annually; additionally, Changing Worlds offers a competitive benefits package.
Changing Worlds has retained Morten Group, LLC to conduct this search. Applicants should complete the form available at www.mortengroup.com/executive-placements/cw-ed, including the submission of a cover letter (including salary requirements) and resume in PDF format. Cover letters will be evaluated as a writing sample. For best consideration, applications should be received by Friday, May 20, 2022. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Changing Worlds is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the bases of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.