Executive Director, Student Advocacy

February 19th, 2020
Executive Director, Student Advocacy

Executive Director, Student Advocacy

  • Full Time
  • Senior Level
  • Applications have closed
Job Category: Executive
Location: Westchester
Job Sectors: Education, Other
Salary Range:

Background 

 

SA is a nonprofit that provides legally based education advocacy.   Since 1982, Student Advocacy’s outstanding team of dedicated attorneys and educational advocates have represented students and their families who are denied access to school or are struggling and often at risk of failing or dropping out. 

 

Student Advocacy is the only organization of its kind serving students in Westchester and Putnam Counties. Last year, SA directly represented over 500 children and families and made a lasting impact on nearly 3,000 others including students, parents and professionals, through technical assistance, self-advocacy tools and policy work.

 

The students SA represents are challenged by learning, emotional and/or physical disabilities and are denied the education to which they are legally entitled. The nonprofit provides its services at no charge to the student or family, or on a sliding-scale basis.

 

Student Advocacy has an exceptionally high success rate, with 86% of the families served reporting their child’s school experience as transformed just three months after the advocacy work is completed. They note academic progress, improved attendance and attitude, and fewer disciplinary problems.

The Role

Reporting to the Board with regular communication with the Board Chair, the Executive Director is responsible for overseeing the overall operation of the organization, including managing the budget, optimizing operational efficiency and providing leadership and inspiration for staff.   As the primary face of the organization, the ED must be able to cultivate and maintain relationships with a wide range of partners, including individual donors and grant making organizations. 

Student Advocacy has a budget of approximately $1 million and is poised for growth. The incoming ED will be responsible for increasing the visibility of the organization and will have the opportunity to lead the organization in the implementation of short and long-term strategic goals. These include raising the organization’s public profile, conceiving of and creating mission aligned revenue generating programs, and expanding access to Student Advocacy’s knowledge for families advocating for their children as well as for professionals working with families whose children may be experiencing school-related difficulties. 

A data-driven and strategic vision and a collaborative work style are integral to success. 

 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities 

Leadership and Management

• Serve as both the internal leader and external face of Student Advocacy.

• Provide strategic vision and leadership for Student Advocacy. 

• Effectively communicate mission and vision as the organization’s “Storyteller-in Chief.”

• Provide inspired and motivational leadership to the staff; foster collaboration and consensus building at all levels of the organization.

• Encourage and promote growth.

• Communicate regularly with the Board about execution of mission and strategy; deepen and diversify Board involvement to advance the organization’s mission and to meet strategic objectives.

Finance and Administration

• Ensure fiscal oversight and accountability.

• Perform personnel management functions including performance management, create training/professional development opportunities, staff supervision and hiring/termination. 

• Ensure that talent, data and technology are aligned to measure and meet goals and expectations.

• Develop and manage the annual budget and oversee the preparation of other relevant reports.

• Monitor and maintain impact of Student Advocacy’s core work. 

• Oversee the organization’s infrastructure.   

Fundraising

• Develop strategy to diversify fundraising sources. 

• Lead and oversee fundraising efforts with individual donors, public sector, foundation sources and community organizations. 

• Make the case for Student Advocacy with passion and clarity of vision and “make the ask.”

• Oversee, partner with and support the Development team.

• Secure relationships with existing major donors and establish meaningful, long term relationships with new donors.

• Identify grant sources and assure best practices for grant identification, writing and management. 

 

Qualifications

 

• 7-10 years of progressively responsible relevant experience with a minimum of four years managing a professional staff. 

• Bachelor’s Degree required; Master’s Degree in a related field preferred.

• Demonstrated track record of success, leadership, strategic thinking and management, preferably in a related field such as advocacy, children, education, family, mental health or disability.

• Proven ability and strong interest in cultivating donors, soliciting major and institutional donors. 

• Strong interpersonal and public presentation skills; excellent written and verbal communication.

• Demonstrated success in building capacity and organizational growth (moving the needle).

• Ability to build, manage and motivate a results-driven team with emotional intelligence, authenticity, transparency and compassion; reputation for making staff feel heard and involved.

• Strong analytical skills and business judgment in developing and managing financial and other resources.

• Experience overseeing finance and budgets, managing data and metrics. 

• Results and data driven.

• Proven success in growing relationships with board members, staff, partners and collaborators.

• Technologically capable and computer savvy; proficient in Excel.

• Experience with donor management and legal case management software a plus.

 

This position description is based upon material provided by Student Advocacy, 

an equal opportunity employer.

 

DRG Search - DRG Search is partnering with Student Advocacy on a search for an Executive Director

  • 275 Madison Ave
  • New York, NY 10016
  • US
  • Phone: 212-283-1600