Executive Director, Philadelphia Children’s Commission

Posted by on June 16, 2006

Executive Director
Philadelphia Children?s Commission

Overview

The Executive Director of Philadelphia?s Children?s Commission has primary responsibility for supporting and advancing the work and priorities of the Commission and its individual members. The Director must be a respected leader and spokesperson on behalf of the Commission, and most importantly, on behalf of children and youth in Philadelphia. This includes identifying the critical challenges facing children and interpreting the trends of well being as noted in documents such as the Children?s Report Card.

Primary Responsibilities:
The Executive Director will:
? work cooperatively with other child-serving and advocacy organizations to create a forward-thinking agenda for children;
? track legislative and budget issues as they emerge, keep Commission members informed, and develop strategies and materials for Commission action and response;
? track and analyze children and youth data as provided in the Children?s Report Card, Children?s Budget, Community Report Cards and all other pertinent sources;
? meet regularly with Commission members and provide updated reports on new and specific issues as requested and develop responsive strategies and communications;
? monitor progress in advancing the Commission?s priorities, prepare the co-chairs and members for their quarterly meetings, provide written materials to the members and to the broader community related to the Commission?s priorities;
? work with city administrators, senior officials, City Council, federal and state legislators and policy makers to promote the Commission?s priorities and facilitate greater coordination across these levels of government;
? work with city operational staff to support common goals and implementation strategies as prioritized by the Commission;
? assure preparation for all Commission meetings and events and accurate minutes of all Commission meetings; assist Commission members in conducting subcommittee meetings and; provide Commission members with relevant information between their formal meeting schedule.

Qualifications

The Executive Director will:
? be a senior level individual with extensive experience in the area of human service, education or health care. He/she will have extensive knowledge and experience with the city?s social, educational, juvenile justice, and health care services for children and youth;
? be experienced with working with state and federal government, especially as they relate to services for children. Knowledge of human service research, data systems and budgeting are a required skill;
? have excellent oral and written and communication skills and a history of significant leadership efforts. He/she must be able to represent the Commission across the public/private sectors, with all levels of government, the corporate, philanthropic, and faith-based communities, and with community leaders and families;
? have demonstrated analytical skills and the ability to summarize complex, human service, educational and health care related information for general audiences;
? be adept at consensus building and creating non-partisan support for children?s programs. The ability to reach across diverse audiences, build strong relationships and create a momentum towards systemic improvement is at the center of this person?s responsibilities;
? have supervisory or management experience, and/or a demonstrated history of project management and working with collaboratives to achieve performance and organizational objectives;

Educational requirements include an advanced degree in Human Services, Health, Education or a related field and at least 10 years of progressive administrative experience. Preference will be given to applicants possessing an understanding of the city?s neighborhoods and community resources.

Please send a cover letter and a resume by June 30, 2006 to ccsearch@philasafesound.org