Executive Director, Need in Deed

Posted by Need In Deed on June 18, 2018

NEED IN DEED
Organizational Background Need in Deed (NID) was established thirty years ago when a group of Philadelphia parents endeavored to increase their children’s involvement in their school-based community service and, in doing so, to make the students’ academic curriculum material more engaging and meaningful. These ideas formed the basis of Need in Deed’s mission – service-learning – a teaching pedagogy that gives students a voice in their classroom while allowing them to make authentic connections between learning and the real world. For thirty years, Need in Deed has strengthened student’s educational experiences by helping their teachers ground their lessons in service-learning initiatives that make academic concepts real and relevant.

To accomplish its mission, Need in Deed trains teachers and partners with local nonprofits, government agencies, and companies to provide classroom experts in the social issues chosen by the students. The result, as identified by a study conducted by Research for Action, is that Need in Deed students had a superior ability to determine causes and effects, greater trust in their teachers, and better math and reading PSSA scores and fewer suspensions than their non-Need in Deed peers. Need in Deed classrooms are more conducive to learning and teachers are participants in a community of support that validates and strengthens their educational approach which ensures that their impact expands exponentially each year as they guide a new set of students.

In the 2017-18 school year, Need in Deed is working with 150 3rd-8th grade teachers in 63 of Philadelphia’s traditional public and charter schools, reaching 3,900 students.

Organization Web Address: http://www.needindeed.org/

The Position
Title: Executive Director
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Reports to: Board of Directors

Summary: The Executive Director (ED) will have strategic and operational responsibility for NID’s staff, programs, resource development, vision and execution of its mission. The new ED will be a skillful thinker who will work in concert with the Board to develop a long term, multi-dimensional development strategy, raise the organization’s public profile and create a plan for the organization’s future growth. The ED will have a notable track record of strong leadership, knowledge of public educational systems and particular strengths in communications, resource development, strategic planning and general management.

Specific Responsibilities

Fundraising and Communications
• Champion and expand revenue generating and implement a strategy for the organization’s fundraising efforts, which encompasses corporate, foundation, government, and major gifts.

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with influential external stakeholders including funders, community partners, heads of other non-profits and leaders in the greater Philadelphia community

• Streamline and enhance all aspects of internal and external communications with the goal of creating a stronger NID brand

Leadership & Management

• Develop a deep understanding of NID’s mission and work toward the expansion of the NID program to ensure that both fiscal and mission goals are aligned

• Actively engage board members, staff, event committees, the Need in Deed teacher network, community partners and funders

• Develop and support a strong Board of Directors, assist each committee head as needed, and enable board involvement with strategic direction

• Ensure ongoing programmatic excellence, program evaluation, and consistent quality of administration; recommend timelines and resources needed to achieve these strategic goals

• Generate new ideas and insight that will grow the organization and enhance the achievement of the mission of NID

• Cultivate new and existing donor relationships, community partners, and other key stakeholders

• Oversight of planning and execution of fundraising events

• Work creatively and collaboratively in the supervision of NID’s program team

THE PERSON

• Significant (10+ years) management experience, including:
o Strong fundraising and development experience with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders and donors
o A track record of effectively managing a program-based organization and staff
o A track record of developing and implementing strategies that have taken an organization to the next stage of growth

• Strong written and verbal communication skills; a persuasive and passionate presenter with excellent interpersonal and multidisciplinary project skills

• An affinity with public education and working knowledge of the education processes, legislative and financial landscape, and training and development

• Past success working with a Board of Directors and cultivating board member relationships

• Flexible approach to working with a team of talented NID program managers

• Actively listens and communicates with clarity, honesty and transparency. An articulate and inspiring communicator and learner. Someone able to foster an open, collegial, trusting work environment through communication

• A Bachelor’s degree is required; advanced degree is preferred.

Personal Characteristics

• Action-oriented
• Entrepreneurial
• Collaborative
• Adaptable
• Intellectually curious and innovative

Contact Information
DavidWayneAssociates
Brett Weisberg
bweisberg@david-wayne.com
610-862-4472