Executive Director, CeaseFirePA

Posted by on May 29, 2012

Position Announcement
Executive Director
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Website: http://www.ceasefirepa.org

Description of Organization

CeaseFirePA is a statewide organization- a network of communities, survivors, and citizens who are dedicated to taking a stand- committed to reducing gun violence throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Each year in Pennsylvania, in its cities, small towns and rural areas, more than 1200 individuals die from gun related incidents, including homicides, suicides and accidents.

At CeaseFirePA, we believe the first step to reducing gun violence is to begin a conversation about remedies to protect our neighborhoods. By uniting neighbors across communities, and communities across the state, we can send a clear message that it is time for action to reduce gun violence. We are partnering with community groups, local officials, law enforcement, and individual citizens across Pennsylvania to build a coalition of real people who are taking a stand against gun violence. We supply the tools for local action and a channel to make people’s voices heard in the halls of power.

As Pennsylvania’s leading gun violence prevention organization CeaseFirePA is dedicated to reducing and preventing gun violence through education, awareness and advocacy. It seeks enactment of sensible gun safeguards, monitors enforcement of existing laws and serves as an alternative voice to the traditional gun lobby. Its efforts include strengthening grass roots advocacy, supporting public officials who favor reforms that help reduce gun violence and increasing public awareness to spark the beginnings of a new conversation on guns and gun violence prevention in Pennsylvania.

CeaseFirePA is registered as a 501(c)(3) organization with the Internal Revenue Service, has a separate 501(c)(4) organization, and a state political action committee.  The organization is funded by individual donations as well as foundation grants.

Founded in 2002, CeaseFirePA is governed by a volunteer board consisting of a diverse array of Pennsylvania citizens, including physicians, psychologists, lawyers, community leaders, philanthropists, business people, and family victims of gun violence.

CeaseFirePA has offices in both Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

Position Description:

The executive director serves as the primary leader, strategist, spokesperson, relationship builder, and chief champion for the organization. The ED is responsible for oversight and management of the organization, including its staff and volunteers. Reporting to the Board of Directors and working closely with the Board’s President, the ED is accountable for ensuring the development and achievement of the organization’s operational and strategic goals, including building its capacity and ensuring long-term sustainability.

Responsibilities:
Strategic Visioning: Plan for maximum organizational sustainability, constituency building and fund development. Position the organization and its policy issues strategically; develop and build upon a planned vision to achieve the most impact on the issue of gun violence prevention.
Administration and Financial Management: Establish and manage fiscally sound budgeting, forecasting, expense management, and cash flow for a budget near $500,000. Ensure timely correspondence with stakeholders and payment of invoices.

External Relations: Communicate CeaseFirePA’s position on key issues effectively and creatively to thepublic, officials and key stakeholders, using both traditional and social media techniques; cultivate and maintain relationships with news editors, reporters, and bloggers.

Policy: Keep abreast of policy developments as they relate to gun violence on the local, state and federal levels; formulate CeaseFirePA’s position on various policy and legislative initiatives.

Advocacy:  Deliver testimony to the legislators, speak at community events and rallies, organize a coalition of other organizational supporters, write opinion pieces for the local newspapers, plan one-on-one meetings with legislators, participate in rallies where appropriate.

Collaboration/Relationship Building: Identify and work closely with key stakeholders and organizations to advance CeaseFirePA’s mission.

Resources Development: Along with the board, proactively seek revenue opportunities from foundations, individual donors, and events; maintain existing grants including submission to funders of quarterly and year-end reports.

Board Development:  Work with Board Chair and Governance Committee to identify and cultivate potential board members who will advance the mission of CeaseFirePA.

Staff Management: Support the growth and development of professional staff members. Establish and reinforce job descriptions to ensure effectiveness in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications:
•    Experience with and understanding of legislative and political process and understanding of political landscape in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
•    Demonstrated ability to think strategically and implement tactically
•    Strong verbal communications skills and demonstrated ability to write clearly and persuasively
•    Working knowledge of and experience with new social media techniques and concepts
•    Ability and experience working in nonprofit management, preferably in a leadership role for 3-5 years
•    High energy, positive “can-do” attitude, mature, flexible, teamwork and attention to detail; high degree of initiative
•    Demonstrated ability to network effectively and develop effective work teams and develop consensus within the organization, community and key stakeholders.
•    Passion for and commitment to CeaseFirePA’s mission of making our communities safer by reducing gun violence
•    Strong relationship management skills; ability to build and sustain relationships with legislators, media, other advocacy organizations, and individual citizens
•    Bachelor’s degree required with an advanced degree in law, policy or non-profit management a plus

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and salary requirements via email to Amy Holdsman at amy@essentialleadership.net.