The Position: Chief Executive Officer
Camp Fire Alaska has served Alaskan families for more than 100 years, and our 20+ year CEO is retiring. Our next CEO has the opportunity to build on a legacy of success and provide leadership for best serving Alaska’s children and families today!
We seek an experienced, committed, innovative, relationship-oriented leader to oversee and guide an operating budget nearing $7M, a highly effective and involved team of 120 employees, and a dedicated network of donors, volunteers, and stakeholders.
Camp Fire Alaska makes a difference for more than 5,000 youth annually and impacts families and communities across our vast state. In a world that is constantly shifting and changing, one thing remains the same—every child should have the opportunity to discover the best in themselves and others in a fun, safe, learning environment. With your leadership, Camp Fire Alaska programs remain vital to our youth and are affordable and accessible to everyone.
The salary range is $145,000-$180,000 commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Learn more about the position, employee benefits, and how to apply at https://www.forakergroup.org/site/index.cfm/cboard-view/8937
Key Responsibilities
The Chief Executive Officer has the dual role as leader of the internal team and champion and advocate for Camp Fire’s mission across Alaska. Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Internal
- In partnership with the Board, serve as Camp Fire Alaska’s visionary and strategic leader, setting the organization’s course and implementing strategies and actions for advancing mission
- Ensure successful business operations and financial resiliency, including ensuring compliance with all funding and regulatory agencies
- Engage in the organization’s strategic fund development activities to support the delivery of high-quality programs
- Hire, supervise, and evaluate direct reports; encourage and set tone for staff development organization-wide, strategically develop future leaders; and ensure effective recruitment and retention practices
- Cultivate a culture of gratitude and caring throughout the organization, including employees, Board, partners, donors, youth, and families
- Ensure mission, values, and commitment to an inclusive environment are woven into all aspects of Camp Fire’s programs and interactions, both internally and externally
- Provide support to the board of directors and their committees, regularly reporting the organization’s status and progress
- Implement and maintain standardized and legally compliant operating practices, policies and procedures; ensure adequate risk management of organizational activities and assets
External
- Manage public communications and serve as the spokesperson for Camp Fire Alaska to families, key audiences at the local, state, and national levels
- Develop, expand and deepen relationships with relevant stakeholders to understand the larger landscape of opportunities and work collectively to address challenges
- Alongside staff and board, develop, expand, and deepen relationships with individual, corporate, and foundation philanthropic donors and government funders, and volunteers, to fully understand community needs, build responsive programming, and increase youth participation in successful programs
- Be an informed advocate for Camp Fire Alaska by staying up-to-date on issues impacting the field of childcare and youth development and a strong voice for the needs of all youth and families at the local, state and federal level.
Qualifications of the Ideal Candidate
While no one candidate will embody all the qualifications enumerated below, the ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional and personal abilities, attributes, and experiences:
Qualifications
- Fully dedicated to youth development as a primary focus of interest and experience; ability to articulate a sincere care for youth and families
- A Bachelor’s degree is required, Master’s or additional education and certifications are preferred. As affirmed by our mission, Camp Fire Alaska is a learning organization and supports an environment of growth and discovery
- At least seven years of leadership experience is required; five years of nonprofit leadership experience working in partnership with a Board and leading a large staff is preferred
- Experience in formal childcare or youth development
- Demonstrated ability to clearly communicate organizational vision and strategic direction and respond calmly and creatively to unexpected challenges and opportunities
- Strong financial acumen, including experience diversifying and expanding revenue streams and managing a similar sized budget
- Experience actively leading an organization through significant change, growth, or expansion
- Demonstrated history of building and maintaining strong working relationships with staff, board, and external stakeholders fostering an environment of trust and transparency
- Demonstrated ability to think strategically, confidently make decisions under pressure, and skillfully engage staff to inform decision-making when appropriate
- Demonstrated experience coaching, managing, and developing diverse and high-performing teams
- Ability to effectively navigate high stress situations with grace; experience with de-escalation and mediation
- Experience serving as a spokesperson and representative for an organization
- Experience and/or connection to Alaska is preferred
- Experience in rural and remote communities is preferred
Personal Attributes
- Values-driven individual committed to the Camp Fire Alaska mission of supporting youth to achieve their full potential, with a desire to be a voice for the needs of all Alaska’s children and families
- Strong belief in the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion, with a leadership style that values all voices and backgrounds and fosters a welcoming workplace environment
- An approachable leader with high emotional intelligence; possesses a spirit of humility and patience; fosters a culture of learning, gratitude, and collaboration
- An active listener with an empowering, flexible, and engaged leadership style
- Passionate and inspirational leader with a growth mindset, a belief in every team member’s potential, and an ability to empower staff to become the best versions of themselves
Flexible and adaptable with a bias toward action and innovation
The salary range is $145,000-$180,000 commensurate with qualifications and experience. Camp Fire offers the following benefits for employees: health and life insurance, flex benefits, 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching opportunities based on longevity, 10 paid holidays, employee assistance program, and free childcare for age appropriate dependents. Employees can purchase health benefits for their dependents.
Learn more about the position, employee benefits, and how to apply at https://www.forakergroup.org/site/index.cfm/cboard-view/8937
Camp Fire Alaska is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age or veteran status. Camp Fire Alaska is especially interested in candidates whose background and experience have prepared them to grow our commitment to engagement and inclusion with culturally diverse audiences. Camp Fire Alaska is looking for engaged employees that believe in our mission and uphold our core values. Individuals are encouraged to apply even if they do not meet all qualifications.