Co-Executive Director (LS)

Literary Source; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, vision, and dental coverage

403(b) contributions

Generous leave time

Support for professional development

Job summary

Literacy Source seeks a Co-Executive Director to partner with the Educational Director in a co-led model guiding a nonprofit focused on adult literacy and educational services in Seattle. You will shape strategy, operations, and community partnerships to fulfill the mission.

The role emphasizes inclusive leadership, fundraising, financial oversight, and collaboration with the Board to sustain programs and growth while serving a diverse learner population in Lake City and greater Seattle.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or progressively-responsible experience.
• Experience leading nonprofit staff and boards.
• Ability to develop and execute fundraising strategies.

Responsibilities

• Provide joint leadership with the Educational Director to guide Literacy Source.
• Develop partnerships with community partners and funders.
• Oversee finances, fundraising, communications, HR, and center operations.
• Collaborate with the Board of Directors to set strategic direction.
• Foster an inclusive, equitable, and collaborative organizational culture.

Skills

Leadership

Fundraising

Financial management

Diversity & inclusion

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Co-Executive Director Opportunity at Literacy Source

Full consideration will be given to applications received by 5pm Pacific time, June 19, 2020. Early applications are encouraged. Consideration will be given to applications as soon as they are received.

Literacy Source is looking for a Co-ED, Managing Director to partner with its Co-ED, Educational Director in an innovative co-leadership model. Together, this leadership team will further develop Literacy Source as a high performing nonprofit that supports adult learners with tools to improve their quality of life and create a more hopeful future. Literacy Source provides a variety of classes and tutoring assistance for adults: reading, writing and basic math skills, ESOL instruction, GED and citizenship preparation, and digital learning and computer skills. Students are welcomed into an inclusive and supportive environment where every learner’s life experience and learning style are valued and respected.

The ideal candidate will welcome this opportunity to co-create a new model of collaborative leadership at Literacy Source. The two positions have shared responsibilities and individual areas of focus. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Co-Executive Directors will have overall strategic and operational responsibility for Literacy Source’s staff, programs, budget, and fulfilment of its mission.

The Managing Director will focus on Literacy Source as a high performing nonprofit organization. They will be responsible for developing and maintaining partnerships with community partners and funders and will ensure that the finances, fundraising, communications, human resources, and center operations are effectively and efficiently supporting the organization to fulfill its mission.

The Managing Director will be an inclusive and collaborative leader who demonstrates a real commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. Ideally, they will have deep understanding and empathy for the students and communities that Literacy Source serves, who are predominantly low-income, immigrants and/or refugees, or non-traditional adult learners. They will be an inspiring and skilled manager of nonprofit staff and board teams and demonstrate aptitude in nonprofit financial management and fundraising. Literacy Source will welcome either an experienced director or an emerging leader who has proven potential to grow and develop their nonprofit management skills. This is an opportunity for someone who is excited to co-lead an organization and team in a truly collaborative manner.

ABOUT LITERACY SOURCE

MISSION

Literacy Source partners with adults working to gain skills and education to create new opportunities for themselves, their families and the community.

VISION

We envision an inclusive and equitable society providing education and opportunities for all adults.

VALUES

LIFELONG LEARNINGWe believe that all adults can learn and grow.

EQUITYWe create equal access to education because systemic injustices and oppression lead to unequal opportunities and barriers to participation.

INCLUSIONWe foster an inclusive and multicultural space in which all cultures, traditions, social identities, and ways of knowing are respected and welcomed.

COLLABORATIONWe seek out the knowledge and experience of our community and work with others on shared goals.

INTEGRITYWe are honest and accountable to each other and our community.

CELEBRATIONWe believe learning is fun and empowering and deserves to be celebrated alongside the community we’re building together.

Literacy Source helps low-income adults gain the basic literacy and language skills needed to succeed in school, find a job, and create a better, more hopeful future. The combination of low literacy and limited English language skills puts many at a huge disadvantage in our economy.We believe in education, equity, and opportunity for all- and provide free tutoring, classes, and support to help individuals reach their goals and build a stronger, more vibrant community for all.

In addition to offering classes at our main Learning Center in Lake City, we partner with a variety of organizations to provide instruction at various offsite locations throughout Seattle and South King County. Our students range in age from 18 to 90, speak50 languages, and represent68 nations.They face great challenges and strive for success against tremendous odds: over97% of our students are low-income, 88% are immigrants and refugees, and 13% are seniors. 55% of our students have less than 12 years of school and 31% less than 8 years. All of our students, however, share one common element - the desire to learn, to achieve, and to live a better life. Learn more about our programshere.

Literacy Source began in 1986 and operates as an independent 501c3 nonprofit with 12 full-time and 12 part-time staff members and an annual budget of approximately$1 million.

ABOUT OUR CO-LEADERSHIP MODEL

As Literacy Source operates as an adult education school in a nonprofit form, it needs executive leadership with expertise in both adult education and nonprofit management. Recognizing that these are two different skill sets requiring different areas of expertise, our model has two Co-Executive Directors to jointly lead and manage the organization. Together they will work closely with the Board of Directors and staff to shape Literacy Source’s future, incorporating diversity, inclusion, and equity into all aspects of its operations.

The Managing Director will focus on Literacy Source as a high performing nonprofit organization. Specifically, they will be responsible for developing and maintaining partnerships with community partners and funders and will ensure that the finances, fundraising, communications, human resources, and center operations are effectively and efficiently supporting the organization to fulfill its mission.

The Educational Director, who has been hired and will begin July 1, will focus on Literacy Source as an adult education school. They will be responsible for developing and maintaining high quality educational programs and instruction and for representing Literacy Source in the Adult Education community. They will oversee evaluation, development and implementation of educational policies, and will ensure adherence to governing standards for program quality .

Key Responsibilities of the Managing Director:

• Staff Leadership & Support: Hire, supervise, and prioritize the professional development of a high performing and diverse staff team. Ensure that staff have what they need to be successful in their roles. They will directly supervise the Finance & Contracts Manager, Fund Development & Communications Manager, Data Manager, Volunteer Program Manager, and Center Operations Coordinator.
• Fund Development: Lead the organization’s fundraising efforts, working with the Development and Communications Manager, including garnering support for Literacy Source’s continued impact by developing a comprehensive fundraising strategy, engaging in major donor cultivation, grant writing, supporting board members in fundraising efforts and building philanthropic and corporate partnerships.
• Financial Management: Provide overall financial oversight of the organization. Working with the Finance Manager and the Finance Committee, maintain sound financial practices, prepare the annual budget to reflect organizational needs, and ensure sufficient funds in support of the strategic plan.
• Partnerships & Communications: Foster and strengthen relationships with strategic partners in support of Literacy Source programs and students and serve as a primary spokesperson to convey the mission and vision of the organization.
• Program Development & Management: In partnership with the Educational Director, provide leadership and vision for program development aligned with the strategic plan, budget, and community needs and opportunities. Ensure best practices in organizational administration, including compliance with regulations and accountability with contractual obligations.
• Center Operations: Working with the Center Operations Coordinator, ensure effective operations at Lake City Learning Center.

Shared Responsibilities with the Educational Director:

The Educational Director and Managing Director will jointly lead and manage the organization and will both report to the Board of Directors. They will work collaboratively in making organizational decisions and in representing Literacy Source in the community. Shared Responsibilities include:

• Organizational Health: Foster and support a highly collaborative and team-oriented work environment, with meaningful and appropriate staff input and involvement in decision-making.
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Build the organization’s capacity as an anti-racist, multi-cultural organization incorporating diversity, equity and inclusion into all organizational realms.
• Board Relations: Partner with the Board of Directors to ensure effective governance and board member participation. Support board committees and serve as a bridge between staff and board to ensure effective communication and collaboration.
• Strategic Direction: Lead and implement strategic planning with Board of Directors.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

We seek a highly collaborative leader with diversified skills and experience. While we don’t expect everyone to be an expert in everything, we seek a leader who has self-awareness about which of the skill sets described below they will need to develop further to be successful, and someone who is willing to dive into that learning as needed. They should be excited for the opportunity to work closely with the Educational Director as they together refine this new leadership model for maximum success.

• Commitment to the mission of Literacy Source and appreciation of the life-changing impact that education has in improving individual, family, and community well-being.
• Connection to and/or experience with the diverse cultures and populations that Literacy Source serves.
• Demonstrated commitment to leading with an equity lens, including ability to co-lead a comprehensive process to infuse diversity, equity and inclusion into all Literacy Source practices.
• Expertise developing and managing high-performing staff teams in a collaborative work culture, including involving staff effectively in decision making.
• Experience in budget development and financial management, ideally in a small nonprofit setting.
• Experience or aptitude in creating a diversified fundraising plan and cultivating and stewarding relationships with donors.
• Skills and enthusiasm for cultivating and working with a nonprofit board of directors.
• Demonstrated ability in building strategic and sustainable partnerships.
• Excellent communication skills including listening, giving constructive feedback, facilitating difficult conversations, and resolving differences.
• Ability to reflect and think strategically, conceptually, imaginatively, and with an open mind and flexibility to achieve organizational success in these times.
• A Bachelor’s degree or progressively-responsible experience.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

This is a full-time exempt position that reports to the Board of Directors. The expected annual salary range is $65,000 - $70,000.

Literacy Source offers medical, vision, and dental coverage, life insurance, 403 (b) contributions, generous leave time, and support for professional development. Literacy Source’s Monday – Thursday office hours encourage excellent work-life balance, and the culture of the organization is supportive, collaborative and respectful.

Literacy Source is located in the Lake City neighborhood in north Seattle, in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. The position requires occasional travel to other program sites around Seattle, King County, and statewide as part of the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.

COMMITMENT TO EQUITY

Literacy Source is committed to being an anti-racist organization that proactively addresses and breaks down systems and policies that exclude or unjustly treat people based on race or any other social identity or status. Literacy Source believes that having a staff and board with diverse personal and professional backgrounds enhances our ability to meet our mission and creates a vibrant environment where all members of the Literacy Source community can thrive.

Literacy Source is an equal opportunity employer that celebrates and honors diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, race, color, physical or developmental ability or ethnic origin in the hiring of its personnel.

We strongly encourage applications from people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ community and other underrepresented and historically marginalized groups.

Online applications only, please no email or paper submissions. You will be asked to upload a cover letter and resume. In your cover letter, in addition to sharing why you are interested in this job, please include a description of your connection to the mission and in serving in a co-leadership model.

Full consideration will be given to applications received by 5pm on June 19, 2020; early applications are encouraged. Consideration will be given to applications as soon as they are received. All applications will be acknowledged via an email receipt.

The search for this position is being facilitated by Clover Search Works, a search firm that provides a full range of search services to nonprofit organizations in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Clover Search Works is honored to partner with Literacy Source to recruit a Managing Director who will provide leadership to realize its important mission.