Executive Director

Published on: March 26, 2007

This job posting expired and applications are no longer accepted.
Foundation For Sustainable Development Published: March 26, 2007
Skill Level
Senior Level, Senior Level
Job Type
Full-time
Categories
Admin/ Gen Mgmt

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Description

The Executive Director (ED) is responsible for the administration, management and implementation of all international programs as well as the administration and management of our domestic office and financial development activities.

The principle objectives for the Executive Director are to successfully manage the organization's high levels of growth by closely managing the international staff, continuing the implementation of programmatic standards and best practices and ensuring that the existing business plan is effectively carried out.

The position requires extensive hands-on management of the international staff, daily operations, and program development efforts.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

A. Organizational Leadership and Management (approximately 15% of the time)

  • Provide leadership and direction for an international development and cultural exchange program working in eight developing world locations.  
  • Manage the daily operations of a small San Francisco based staff and a medium-sized international contingent of staff and contract workers.  
  • Refine and develop an organizational approach that supports FSD's mission of enhancing international NGO development through the use of intern placement, technical training and strategic financial support.  
  • Work with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to manage the budget, providing overall structure and guidance based on programmatic needs.

B. Program Management and Development (approximately 30% of the time)

  • Plan, develop and implement program/project development activities that support the strategic growth and development of FSD initiatives.  
  • Work directly with Program Directors (PDs) and Program Coordinators (PCs) to ensure that consistent understanding and adherence to programmatic objectives are being achieved.  
  • Coordinate with PDs and PCs to provide tools, trainings and other approaches to develop the capacity and capabilities of our partner host organizations.  
  • Ensure that clear communication paths exist between the potential interns and FSD so that intern expectations and questions can be managed in a way that benefits their internship experience and creates more positive impact in communities.  
  • Develop and expand the diverse components of the FSD internship to provide a richer, more focused volunteer/internship experience. Bring focus and insight to training interns on the fundamentals of sustainable development theory and instigate new approaches on how this training is applied to the internships.

C. Human Resources (approximately 15% of the time)

  • Recruit, train and support domestic and international staff which includes but is not limited to; Program Coordinators, Interns for the home office, International Program Directors and US-based staff.  
  • Refine training and support materials that facilitate development of the skills and training necessary for staff to achieve their professional objectives.  
  • Provide personnel reviews and objective setting for full-time San Francisco staff and all Program Directors.  
  • Coordinate and leverage the voluntary efforts of 8-12 San Francisco-based office interns.  
  • Review and adjust the hiring and organizational structure to take advantage of changes occurring due to growth. Provide Board with suggestions for any major changes to current staffing patterns.

D. Fundraising and Donor Relations (approximately 15% of the time)

  • Lead FSD's organizational fundraising efforts including the individual donor campaign and meetings with individual donors and foundation representatives.  
  • Identify, establish and communicate fundraising goals and strategy to all FSD staff. Establish appropriate systems to achieve specific goals for fundraising efforts.  
  • Coordinate with the Board to develop materials, strategies and execution of fundraising plans.  
  • Ensure that fundraising activities are diverse and well-executed including event planning, donor follow-up and information dissemination.  
  • Help provide direction of the development of a grant-writing program led by the CFO.

E. Board Development (approximately 10% of the time)

  • Increase the involvement and engagement of the Board to help the organization achieve its fiduciary and programmatic objectives.  
  • Envision and facilitate the creation of meaningful roles for the Board to play in achieving FSD's strategic plan.  
  • Help identify and recruit additional Board members that enhance the overall capacity of the Board and that provide a strong, influential force for developing and introducing FSD's mission and objectives in appropriate venues.  
  • Work cooperatively with the Board to develop and refine FSD's strategic plan.

F. Academic and Strategic Partnerships (approximately 10% of the time)

  • Assess and develop relationships with academic institutions, programs and professionals for intern recruitment purposes.  
  • Identify and facilitate the development of strategic relationships with other international organizations working to achieve similar objectives.  
  • Create working relationships with donors or grant makers to facilitate the process of writing successful funding requests.

G. Other (approximately 5% of the time)

  • Perform other related duties and activities to support the overall efficiency and development of the organization.

Expected Outcomes:

  • Effectively execute organization's existing business plan.  
  • Increase in-country staff's capability to carry our programmatic objectives.  
  • Increase the organization's intern placements 25% per year.  
  • Increase the organization's total contributed support (not including grants) 20% per year.  
  • Increase the organization's total revenue 15% per year while maintaining a positive cash flow and net earnings.  
  • Maintain the intern's overall satisfaction with their internships and community impact as measured by select standardized program evaluations.  
  • Ensure that the overall programmatic safety standards are improved as measured by perception of safety (from program evaluations) and actual documented incidents (from program generated incident reports).  
  • Increase Board participation and involvement as measured by direct and indirect financial support (indirect financial support are donations solicited by a Board member) and total participation in committee activities.  
  • Increase the overall capacity of the staff as measured by average years of work experience and total years of formal education.

Supervision and Guidance

The Executive Director (ED) functions under the indirect supervision of the Board of Director. The ED is expected to carry out most job functions independently. Performance evaluation is based upon successfully meeting the objectives set out in this Position Description. Evaluation of the position will be provided by the Board bi-annually.

Additional Qualifications:

Desired Qualifications

  • Education: University degree in International Development, International/Regional Studies, Business or a related field. Master's Degree or more preferred.  
  • Prior Experience: A minimum of five years work with international development or related projects.  
  • Language Proficiency: Spoken and written fluency in English. Fluency or near fluency in Spanish is required.  
  • Knowledge: Extensive knowledge of development issues and approaches. Strong working knowledge of global culture/history/current events; demonstrated ability to provide leadership and turn an organizational vision into tangible plans.  
  • Skills and Abilities:

    o Ability to represent FSD effectively with public, applicants, and clients.
    o Excellent interpersonal skills.
    o Excellent oral and written communication.
    o Organizational and administrative skills.
    o Excellent computer skills in word-processing and database management - proficiency in Excel a must.
    o Motivation and commitment to work independently.
    o Ability to independently assess needs and develop creative solutions. 

To Apply:

Please send resume, cover letter, and salary history by email. 

Please do not contact us by phone.

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until filled. Early submission is encouraged.

When you apply for this position, please say you saw this job on Green Dream Jobs!!

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