Executive Director

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JOB DESCRIPTION

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Organization Background

The mission of Building Futures is to teach young people the skills needed to excel in the 21st century. This mission is being furthered by providing K-12 students design and build project-based classes in schools, online classes, free Saturday workshops and summer camps. The classes provide a hands-on problem-solving experience with an emphasis on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art/Architecture and Math). During the 2019-2020 school year over 1,500 K-12 students attended Building Futures workshops, primarily from underserved communities of color. For more information, please visit their website, www.building-futures.org.

Position

Building Futures seeks a dynamic individual who possesses visionary leadership and a passion for education and helping people. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will advance the mission of Building Futures and serve as the primary face and voice of the organization.

The Executive Director is responsible for strategic planning and program development, has a collaborative and inspirational management style, a strategic fundraising sensibility, and a drive to continually innovate, learn and develop; for which all these qualities are integral to success.

The Executive Director will be an important conduit of information to the public and staff. As such, this person must have excellent communication skills including public speaking, written communications, and knowledge of public relations, traditional, and social media skills.

The Executive Director must be able to cultivate, build, and maintain strong and authentic relationships with a wide range of partners, including students, school administrators, teachers, community leaders, and funders.

Unassailable integrity, a deep commitment to the mission and maintaining a sense of humor are essential.

Responsibilities

Strategic Vision and Leadership 

• • Provide leadership to the organization and oversee its day‐to‐day operation.

• • Oversee the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the programs and services and that they uphold the mission.
  • Develop and manage an operational plan that incorporates short and long-term objectives that work towards the strategic direction of the mission.
• Financial 
  • Work with staff and the Board to prepare a comprehensive budget.

• • Manage the organization’s financial resources

• • Administer the funds of Building Futures according to the approved budget and monitor the monthly cash flow

• Staff 
  • Determine staffing requirements for organizational management and program delivery; ensure appropriate salary wage structures are maintained.
  • Recruit, interview, select and mentor exceptional staff; ensure all staff are appropriately onboarded and trained for their duties; support staff with ongoing professional development growth opportunities.

• • Implement a performance management process for all staff; monitor performance of staff on an on-going basis; conduct annual performance reviews.

• • Create a supportive work environment by providing constructive instruction and guidance, while emphasizing transparency throughout the reporting structure
  • Create systems and conduct regular staff meetings to engage staff in program development and evaluation; encourage staff input
  • Prioritize the recruitment of diverse staff and educating staff on working in diverse communities.

Fund Development 

• Develop and implement a fundraising plan that diversifies the donor base by identifying and cultivating relationships to generate revenue from major donors, foundations, government agencies, and corporations. 
• Ensure that the flow of funds permits Building Futures to make continuous progress towards the achievement of its mission and that those funds are allocated properly to reflect present needs and strategic goals. 
• Manage all private funding contracts/grants and ensure compliance with all fiscal, programmatical, and reporting requirements. 

• Oversee the development of Products for Sale whose profits will provide an additional revenue stream that will be used to sustain the organization. 

Governance and Board Liaison 

• Cultivate a strong and transparent working relationship with the Board of Directors and its committees. Ensure open communication about the measurement of financial, programmatic, and the community impact of programs. 
• Engage the staff and Board of Directors to update the Strategic Plan to guide Building Futures into the future. 
• Draft policies for Board approval; prepare procedures to implement organizational policies: review existing policies on an annual basis and recommend changes to the Board, as appropriate. 

External Relations 

• Serve as the public face and voice of Building Futures to partners, stakeholders, funders, decision makers, and city officials and act as a spokesperson on issues of concern to the organization 
• Manage the external communications efforts, ensuring an appropriate level of public visibility of its mission, and shape Building Futures public presence, using both traditional and new social media.
   
• Sustain and grow Building Futures as a leading organization in both the Maker movement and STEAM education. 

Executive Director

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Director of Education

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JOB DESCRIPTION 

DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION 

Organization Background 

The mission of Building Futures is to teach the skills needed to excel in the 21st century.  This mission is furthered by providing K-12 students design and build problem-based classes in schools, free Saturday workshops, summer camps and on-the-job trade skills training.  The classes provide a hands-on problem-solving experience with an emphasis on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art/Architecture and Math).   

Position 

Building Futures seeks a dynamic individual who possesses visionary leadership and is passionate about education and helping people. Reporting to and working closely with Executive Director. 

The Director of Education must be able to cultivate, build, and maintain strong and authentic relationships with a wide range of partners, including students, school administrators, teachers, community leaders, and funders. 

Integrity, a deep commitment to the mission and maintaining a sense of humor are essential qualities for all the Building Futures team. 

Responsibilities 

Strategic Vision and Leadership 

• Provide leadership to the organization and oversee its day‐to‐day operation of all classes and programs. 
• Oversee the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all classes and programs and that they uphold the mission of Building Futures. 
• Develop and manage an operational plan that incorporates short and long-term objectives that work towards the strategic direction of the mission. 
• Work with department heads and faculty to compile annual budget requests based on documented program needs 

Curriculum 

• Oversee development of curriculum, both individually and with the assistance of the teaching staff and consultants.   
• Supervise the implementation of the curriculum in classes 
• Evaluate effectiveness of the classroom exercises, both individually and with the assistance of the teaching staff and consultants.   
• Promote a positive, caring climate for learning. 
• Develop, maintain, and use information systems to maintain and records to track academic excellence indicators. 

• Knowledge of Project Based Learning approach to education.  Facilitate the development of a Project Based Learning curriculum. 
• Knowledge of a STEAM based curriculum.   Facilitate the development of a STEAM focused curriculum. 
• Oversee the requisition of supplies and equipment as needed to implement the curriculum, check supplies and equipment inventory and verify receipts for supplies and equipment. 

Staff 

• Determine staffing requirements for organizational management and program delivery; ensure appropriate salary wage structures are maintained. 

• Recruit, interview, select and mentor staff; ensure all staff are appropriately onboarded and trained for their duties; support staff with ongoing professional growth opportunities. 
• Implement a performance management process for all staff; monitor performance of staff on an on-going basis; conduct annual and/or interim performance reviews.   
• Help plan daily school activities by participating in the development of class schedules, teacher assignments, and extracurricular activity schedules. 
• Supervise reporting and monitoring of student attendance 
• Create a supportive work environment by providing instruction and guidance, while emphasizing transparency throughout the reporting structure 

• Prioritize the recruitment of diverse staff and educating staff on working in diverse communities. 

Qualifications 

• Expertise in leadership and management principles, as they relate to non-profit/voluntary alliances. 
• 3 years’ experience as a teacher or educational administrator.   
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills  

• Working knowledge of overall curriculum organization, state/national learning standards and instruction.  
• Ability to evaluate instructional program and teaching effectiveness, manage budget, supervise personnel, implement policy and procedures and interpret data  
• Adept at working independently and as part of a team including teachers and school administrators. 
• A demonstrated commitment to recruiting, maintaining, and supporting a diverse, multi-cultural workforce. 
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment. 

• Computer and web proficiency, and experience Microsoft Office software. 

Compensation 

This is an outstanding opportunity for a highly motivated professional to assume a pivotal role in the evolution of a fast-growing, well-respected organization. We are seeking an individual of outstanding quality with enthusiasm and dedication to achieving our mission. Building Futures is prepared to offer a comprehensive compensation package, including a competitive base salary (range $55,000 – $65,000), health insurance and vacation/sick leave benefits. 

Candidates:

Please submit a cover letter expressing your interest and alignment with the above capabilities, along with a resume, to info@building-futures.org by November 30, 2021. 

Director of Education

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