EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Go For Broke National Education Center – Torrance, California
Position:
President
Job Description
GFBNEC is currently seeking a President to guide the organization through its next stage of growth. This growth will include expansion of GFBNEC's educational programs into additional regions of the country, and the construction of a permanent headquarters for the organization. The organization is expected to grow from approximately fourteen staffers operating from a $2.5 million budget to an organization of between twenty to thirty staffers and an annual budget over $3 million.
The President is responsible for the overall management and operation of the organization and is the bridge between the Board and the staff. He or she will lead long-term planning efforts with both staff and Board, and is charged with executing the mission, strategic goals and objectives approved by the Board of Directors. The President reports directly to the Board of Directors. The President assembles his or her team of senior staff, who are then empowered to recruit, hire, and manage their departmental subordinates. The President supervises department directors for management of all day-to-day operations.
With regards to the Board, the President is responsible for communicating with the Board, leading strategic planning efforts, and coordinating the actions of the Board. The President then brings the Board's plans to the staff for implementation. The new President will be the face of the organization and must be eager to accept that responsibility.
Introduction - Mission
Go For Broke National Education Center is dedicated to educating the public about the responsibilities, challenges, and rights of American citizenship by using the life stories of the Japanese American soldiers of WWII.
Organizational Overview
To preserve the legacy of these Japanese American veterans of WWII, GFBNEC first constructed a memorial monument in Los Angeles' Little Tokyo. Over the past twelve years, GFBNEC has instituted an oral history program which, to date, has recorded over 1,000 oral history interviews with Japanese American veterans of WWII. Looking to future generations, GFBNEC has developed successful, nationally-recognized teacher training programs which are now utilized in schools in California and Hawaii. GFBNEC is now coordinating with school districts in two additional strategic regions, Houston, TX and Washington, D.C., to expand delivery of its programs.
To provide a lasting home for the organization, GFBNEC is engaged in planning a new building in Little Tokyo, adjacent to the monument. The new 15,000 to 20,000 square foot building is projected to cost approximately $8 to $15 million. Over $5.5 million has been committed to date, leaving a goal of $3 to $9.5 million. The annual budget is now nearly $2.4 million, with nineteen full- and part-time staffers. The organization also seeks to develop an endowment.
Key Responsibilities
The President is responsible for the following:
- Operational oversight, leveraging his or her strong administrative skills to effectively continue the growth of the organization and delegate tasks to staff.
- Maintain an atmosphere of collegiality and integrity.
- Communicate effectively with the Board, staff, volunteers and donors.
- Leading staff in the implementation of strategic goals and objectives as identified and approved by the Board.
- Participating in organizational planning efforts, both short- and long-term.
- Hiring, supervising, and reviewing all Department Directors.
- Supervising Department Directors to ensure organizational targets are being met.
- Working with the Department Directors to supervise the creation of annual performance reports, press releases, and special literature.
- Working with the Board and Department Directors to develop the annual budget, perform fiscal planning, ensure filing of appropriate tax filings, complete any audits, and ensure grant compliance and fulfillment.
- Working with Department Directors to update organizational policy (E.g., Investment Policy, Donor Recognition Policy, Rights and Reproductions Policy, Collections Policy, etc.).
- Recommendation of new policies for Board consideration.
- Representing the organization to donors and supporters.
- Working and traveling with other staff, and volunteers, to plan and conduct visits, presentations and events.
- Working with staff leadership to develop and implement relationships with GFBNEC's strategic areas: Hawaii, Washington D.C., and Houston.
- Working with the VP of Development to develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy, including working with Congressional leadership and Department of Defense leadership to secure funding for the new building and ongoing programs.
- Working with staff and Board to identify new prospects and research potential donors that are not currently affiliated with GFBNEC.
- Working with the VP of Development and development staff to identify and cultivate major donors.
- Working with national leadership of veterans' organizations, Japanese American organizations, educational organizations, etc. to support our national expansion.
- Oversight, with the VP Development , of a $10 to $20 million capital campaign, including a donor recognition program for the new building.
- Working with consultants and the board's building committee to plan, design and build the new building.
Ideal Experience:
The ideal candidate will have the following experience and qualifications:
- Proven administrative and leadership skills.
- Ability to delegate tasks to staff.
- Experience leading an organization through structural changes.
- Proven track record of identifying needs, solving problems, and managing risks.
- Minimum of 10 years leading a not-for-profit institution, with twenty to thirty staffers, multiple geographic regions, and a budget of over $3 million.
- Experience communicating consistently and effectively with a diverse Board of Directors.
- Proven track record of fundraising from governmental (State and Federal), corporate, and individual sources.
- Proven track record in securing individual and corporate donations of $1 million.
- Ability to multitask and work on multiple projects simultaneously.
- Successful track record as an effective communicator who is articulate and persuasive in written and verbal communication.
- Experience developing and implementing organizational plans and policies.
- BA degree from an accredited college or university and knowledge of development techniques.
- Computer skills in Microsoft Suite, Raiser's Edge
- Successful track record of work with volunteers, particularly Board members and donors, is extremely helpful.
- Experience leading an organization through a construction project is desirable.
- Experience leading an organization through a capital campaign of $10 to $20 million is highly preferred.
Personal Characteristics
The ideal candidate will have the following personal characteristics:
- Experienced leader running a mid-sized nonprofit, education or museum organization.
- Strong administrative and communication skills.
- Strong planning skills.
- Eagerly accept being the face of the organization
- Experienced in fundraising, capital campaigns, and building projects
- Comfortable speaking with and interacting with a wide variety of people, from local volunteers to Congressional leaders.
- Committed to the organization and enthusiastic about its mission.
- Willingness for extensive travel across the country
- Willingness for irregular hours meeting donors.
- Collaborative work style to interact with staff, Board, and donors in a manner that reflects the understanding of the mission of GFBNEC.
- High professional standards and integrity; someone who is discreet, confidential and shows professional maturity when dealing with donors and Board.
