President Position with Steppingstone Scholars, Inc.

Posted by on November 11, 2005

POSITION: President
REPORTS TO: Board of Directors
ORGANIZATION: Steppingstone Scholars, Inc. (<a href="http://www.tsf.org">http://www.tsf.org</a>)
LOCATION: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Steppingstone Scholars, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preparing talented, hard-working, economically disadvantaged urban school children for acceptance and success at the top college preparatory schools in the Philadelphia area. The Steppingstone program is based on the premise that most children, regardless of circumstance, can earn life transforming opportunities if they apply themselves in a focused, demanding, and result-oriented academic environment.

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the President will be responsible for all activities and results of the organization’s programs. He or she is also responsible for strategic planning, fundraising, financial planning, administration, and oversight of the organization. He or she will also work very closely with the Director of Development to broaden the funding base to include more money coming in from grants and individual donors. In addition, the President will need to interact with a broad set of constituencies and stakeholders that include staff, parents, students, independent school administrators and leaders, Board members, the corporate sector and philanthropic community, and many others in the community.

With an entrepreneurial style, a can-do attitude, and a hands-on and strategic orientation, the successful candidate must have excellent skills in building relationships and communicating effectively with a myriad of individuals and groups. The ideal candidate will be mission-minded and have an intimate understanding of independent schools. The person must possess a demonstrated track record of raising money from multiple sources with a particular emphasis on grants and major gifts from individual and corporations. The person must have the gravitas and executive presence to make effective and persuasive presentations. He or she also must exercise strong leadership and strategic thinking abilities that will position and strengthen the organization in the future. The person must have a flexible personality, be articulate, resourceful, and organized. The person must also have experience and be adept with managing a committed staff of individuals. Finally, he or she must be externally-focused and possess marketing and public relations savvy.

RESPONSIBILITIES

? Provide leadership skills to create a strategic plan to position the organization going forward.
? Ensure that the Scholars Program runs well and effectively.
? Establish and maintain strong relationships with the various stakeholders that include staff, parents, students, independent school administrators and leaders, Board members, the corporate sector and philanthropic community, and many others in the community.
? Develop and execute a broad and comprehensive fundraising plan that includes specific goals for increasing the level of giving from foundations, corporations, and individuals.
? Provide strong financial management and oversight of the operating budget.
. Direct staff and manage all administrative duties sufficient for appropriate office operations.

REQUIREMENTS

? A minimum of a Bachelor&’s degree.
? Demonstrated fundraising experience in securing grants and major gifts from
corporations and individuals is required.
? Familiarity and relationships with key stakeholders in the Philadelphia region within the corporate sector (senior level executives), the philanthropic community and the education community (public, private and parochial schools).
? Knowledge and understanding of independent and public school culture/environment is important.
? Demonstrated experience with managing annual budgets ensuring financial stability.
? Experience in setting the tone of an organization as one that functions on a professional level with a culture of accountability, formal reporting, teamwork and by creating an environment where general office protocol and best business practices are expected, embraced and institutionalized. Managing a staff of dedicated and committed individuals is a must.
? Experience with Board management and cultivation of Board members. Existing relationships with individuals (who are in senior level positions) that can be recruited for the Board and can help increase the organization?s financial support base as well as heighten the visibility of Steppingstone in the Philadelphia region is preferred.

Individuals who wish to recommend others and/or express confidential interest in the position may contact:

Mackie MacLean and Andrew Wheeler
Managing Director
Diversified Search, Inc.
215 656-3548
Mackie.maclean@divsearch.com
Andrew.wheeler@divsearch.com