Opening: Executive Director
Job Type: Full time
Looking for a meaningful position? If so, you will love working at The Schools Foundation because our work matters. The saying “schools cannot do it alone” is why we exist, and when people rally to support their public schools, you see communities become stronger.
The Schools Foundation is looking for a leader who can bridge the gap between the business and education community while supporting more than 56,000 students. If you like variety, this position may be for you as no two days in this role are the same. You will balance responsibilities from event planning to school visits to fundraising and working with the media. Working on the weekend and/or in the evening is sometimes necessary.
To thrive in this role, you will need to use your excellent communication skills in a variety of ways to be an effective voice for the foundation's mission with its many constituencies.
About The Schools Foundation
The Schools Foundation’s (TSF) mission is to support Huntsville City, Madison City, and Madison County public schools through programming, funding, and advocacy for principals, teachers, and students. Since 2000, TSF has led several successful initiatives and programs to benefit schools. TSF works with area businesses, school districts, educators, and other stakeholders to help enhance the quality of education for more than 56,000 students throughout Madison County, and as a result, helps to strengthen our community. TSF will celebrate its 25th anniversary in the summer of 2025.
TSF’s vision is to be recognized statewide as a driving force for excellence in public education that helps create world-class schools in Huntsville City, Madison City, and Madison County Schools of Alabama.
Job Description
The Schools Foundation Board of Directors is seeking an Executive Director to lead the nonprofit organization in the growing metropolitan area of Huntsville/Madison County; to maintain current and build future funding sources; to develop mutually beneficial, community relationships; and to keep the organization’s mission first while strategically and enthusiastically strengthening public education in Madison County. The Executive Director reports to a 15-member, volunteer board of directors. The Executive Director’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Responsibilities:
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Provide strategic and tactical direction for the organization.
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Oversee the organization’s financial health and growth of operating reserves, the TSF Agency Endowment Fund, and programmatic support.
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Solicit individual and corporate support through donations and grants. In addition, identify and develop new revenue sources for TSF and to benefit schools in Madison County.
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Represent the organization in the community at various events to build organizational awareness and strategic relationships.
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Interact on a continual basis with education and community leaders at the city, county, and state levels to ensure the organization is part of discussions about public school needs and is aware of and can communicate to stakeholders and/or the public decisions or proposed legislation which may affect K-12 schools in Madison County.
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Produce and manage new and existing, quality programs which support the K-12 education systems in Madison County, i.e. Principally Speaking Network and RECHARGE Our Teachers.
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Participate in executive committee meetings and activities for the Raise Your Hand initiative with community partner Huntsville Committee of 100 and Creative Cities Fund.
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Work closely with TSF partner Huntsville Utilities to increase awareness and participation in Sign Up to Round Up program and to identify other activities or events, like Eats 4 Education, to increase awareness and raise monies for the Foundation.
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Develop and execute a communications strategy for TSF. Tactical tools include, but are not limited to, an electronic newsletter through Constant Contact, social media (Facebook and Twitter), direct mail, website, PowerPoint presentations, and an annual report.
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Coordinate and lead a signature event for the organization to ensure annual operating funds each fiscal year.
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Serve as the media spokesperson and manage media relations for TSF.
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Maintain data and utilize tools in the donor management system Donor Perfect.
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Coordinate bi-monthly, board of directors meetings and related board committee meetings such as the Finance Committee Meeting, Nominating and Governance Committee, etc. Assist with recruitment of new board members and the New Board Member Orientation.
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Recruit and manage staff, volunteers, and/or interns to ensure the successful operation of the organization.
Desired work attributes:
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Energetic and passionate professional with a deep commitment to public education.
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Excellent strategic communicator with persuasive writing, editing, public speaking, and media relations skills.
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Experience working with financial data and significant fiscal responsibility.
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Excellent organizational and time management skills to oversee multiple responsibilities and prioritize tasks based on the organization’s needs.
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Ability to problem solve and to create internal systems that facilitate efficiency of operations.
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Superb collaborative, interpersonal, and teamwork skills, particularly when working with diverse constituencies with diverse needs.
Skills required:
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Experience using Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
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Experience with social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
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Experience using QuickBooks Online and managing and interpreting financial reports.
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Ability to learn/use Donor Perfect, a donor management system.
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Preferred experience using Canva and Wix, TSF’s current website platform.
Job Type:
This full-time position allows for flexibility with work schedule from week to week. The Executive Director will have the opportunity to determine his/her schedule based on workload needs with the approval of the Board. Work hours and weeks may vary based on Foundation events.
Job Salary: $70,000.
To Apply:
Send a resume before or by August 18, 2023, to liz@theschoolsfoundation.org. Please, no phone calls.
The Schools Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.