Executive Director, Urban Tree Connection

Posted by Urban Tree Connection on January 4, 2016

URBAN TREE CONNECTION – EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Urban Tree Connection (UTC) seeks to hire its next visionary leader as the founding director, Skip Wiener, retires after nearly three decades of service. This experienced nonprofit executive will lead the organization during a time of exciting growth and development. The right candidate is hands-on, ambitious, and can demonstrate a track record of visionary leadership, dedication to increased positive impact on the community, and increasing and diversifying revenue streams for a growing mission-driven non-profit organization. The new Executive Director will lead the dedicated UTC staff to accelerate the dynamic, multi-generational programming at UTC.

Since 1989, UTC has worked with the residents of Haddington in West Philadelphia to reclaim vacant land and build community. In the last three years, UTC has replicated their innovative model in other communities in both Philadelphia and Chester, PA. Neighbors once isolated from each other now connect through the gardens and farms and are active partners with UTC in developing a food production and distribution cooperative aimed at making affordable, locally-­‐grown produce available to all. UTC’s land revitalization and agricultural projects serve as important catalysts for cultivating strong neighborhood leaders, fostering deep community cohesion and, ultimately, creating livable communities. Learn more about UTC’s programs at http://urbantreeconnection.org and http://neighborhoodfoods.org

Core Function: To provide dynamic and inspired leadership as Urban Tree Connection staff and volunteers work toward implementing programs and projects that help us achieve our annual objectives, strategic goals and mission.

Reports to: Board of Directors

Major Responsibilities: Organizational and Financial Leadership: Assure the successful completion of all administrative and managerial tasks of UTC as a non-­‐profit enterprise, including:
• Developing and implementing effective strategies for organizational fiscal health and program development
• Providing leadership in the implementation of the organization’s strategic priorities
• Engaging and strengthening connections with volunteers, community members, policy makers, community partners, individual donors and foundations
• Negotiating and assuring compliance with contractual agreements
• Overseeing acquisition and maintenance of UTC’s facilities and equipment
• Ensuring compliance with local, state and federal laws
• Preparing and managing the organization’s annual budget

Fundraising, Development and Communications: Collaborate with the UTC Development Director by:
• Serving as the face of the organization while creating and maintaining strong ties to the community and advocating on behalf of UTC
• Developing and executing strategies that ensure sustainable and diverse funding
• Cultivating new donors and strengthening major donor programs while expanding the donor base
• Exploring, creating and supporting earned-­‐revenue opportunities
• Working with Development and Program Directors to manage corporate and foundation grant programs
• Assuring UTC and its mission, programs and services are consistently presented with a strong, positive image to the pubic

Board Support: Ex-officio member of the Board, participating in development and successful achievement of strategic and annual goals to ensure the sustainability, success and growth of the organization. The ED acts as liaison between the Board and other UTC staff by:
• Collaborating closely with the Board to execute the strategic priorities and vision for long-­‐term growth and sustainability
• Providing regular program and financial reports to the Board and attend monthly board meetings
• Ensuring effective communication between staff and Board members
• Working with the Board to identify, cultivate and enlist new members, using the strengths of each member effectively, and providing orientation to new members
• Working the with Board to ensure safe and legal operation of the organization for all stakeholders, including staff and volunteers

Team Leadership, Human Resources and Program Development: Directly supervises all departmental managers, administrative and bookkeeping staff while:
• Cultivating an environment of innovation, inclusion, collaboration and dedication to the mission and goals of the organization
• Providing day-to-day leadership and encouraging strong engagement and accountability as well as personal and professional growth for growing staff of 15
• Supervising program directors and managing staff by performance evaluations, employee policies, and benefits
• Overseeing program design and new partnership development in collaboration with leadership team.

Qualifications:
• Strong, collaborative leadership and management capabilities
• 5­-10 years of progressive non‐profit leadership in a community based organization
• Knowledge of principles and practices related to nutrition, food access, food justice and community organizing work
• Experience working with diverse groups, including ability to reach across racial, ethnic, generational, socioeconomic, rural/urban and denominational lines
• Experience working in racially, culturally & economically diverse communities. A commitment to social justice, building leadership & self reliance in low income communities of color
• Articulate and well spoken, excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Comfortable working collaboratively with internal staff and externally with a diversity of stakeholders, including participating in informal networking to making more formal presentations
• Demonstrated success with fundraising in a non-­‐profit setting, preferably with local connections.
• Computer literacy required, and willingness to become comfortable with various software programs including donor management systems, all Microsoft office suite programs, email, cloud based file sharing such as SharePoint
• Passion for the mission of sustainable agriculture. Experience in agriculture a plus
• Solid financial skills with experience creating and evaluating annual and long-­‐term department and project budgets.
• Minimum education – Bachelors degree

Work Environment/Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Urban Tree Connection is committed to a diverse & inclusive workplace, whose leadership is representative of the communities where we work. UTC is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. Women, people of color, LGBTQ people, and people of differing abilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

UTC provides equal opportunity employment and promotion to all qualified employees and applicants. No person shall be discriminated against in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other status or condition protected by applicable federal or state statutes.

Compensation This is a full‐time, year‐round position and will require a high level of flexibility in scheduling. Early morning, evening, and weekend work will be required. Competitive compensation and benefits package offered based on credentials and experience.

Selection Process Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the deadline for submission is January 31, 2016. During the interview process candidates should expect to meet with the Selection Committee made up of board and staff, Founding Director, COO and other staff/community members to insure a good cultural fit for both parties.

Qualified professionals should submit a statement of interest, resume, writing sample and 3 professional references (references will not be contacted until you are a final candidate and not without your permission).

TO APPLY, GO TO: https://utc2015.recruiterbox.com/jobs/fk0hefs