Executive Director
Executive Director
- Hours: Full-time, 40 hours/week
- Salary Range: $75,000-83,200
- Location: Portland, Maine
- Reports to: Board of Directors
- Supervises: Development Director, Publications Director, Programs Director, Communications Manager
- FLSA Status: Exempt
- Travel: Local travel required. Must have access to reliable transportation.
- Application Deadline: July 10, 2021
ABOUT THE TELLING ROOM
Mission: At The Telling Room (TR), we empower youth through writing and share their voices with the world. Focused on young writers ages 6 to 18, we seek to build confidence, strengthen literacy skills, and provide real audiences for our students. We believe that the power of creative expression can change our communities and prepare our youth for success both now and in the future.
Culture: The Telling Room is a creative organization dedicated to creating a supportive environment for all community members. We pursue excellence and have fun in the process, making sure to center joy and celebrate the accomplishments of our community. We nurture learning at all levels of the organization and highly value feedback. The Telling Room strives to build an antiracist organization that is culturally responsive, and that centers youth voices and historically marginalized perspectives. Our writing center is more like a living room than a classroom; it’s a safe and brave space for youth to explore their identities, tell their stories, and express their creativity.
Commitment to Equity: As an organization dedicated to encouraging youth in their creative expression, personal growth, and academic success, The Telling Room values diversity at all levels and in all aspects of our work. In order to build and maintain a safe, supportive environment for youth, we commit to inclusion and equity as we strive to put our values into action through planning, decision-making, budgeting, and community-building.
The Role: The Telling Room seeks a visionary leader who shares our belief that writing has the power to transform lives and communities. The Executive Director (ED) has overall strategic and operational responsibility for the Telling Room’s staff, programs, and implementation of its organizational goals. Relationship building is at the center of the role. We are looking for someone who can authentically connect with a variety of stakeholders that make up our community, including partners from Maine’s coastal and rural towns, and greater Portland’s diverse immigrant communities. The ED will lead The Telling Room into its next phase of growth, which includes the post-pandemic transition back to in-person learning and developing the organization's next strategic plan. We seek a courageous leader who will work collaboratively to advance racial equity work and continue to build an inclusive organization.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Leadership & Strategy
-
In partnership with the staff and
Board of Directors, continues to steward the TR’s mission and
vision
Ensures that the planning process and
resulting strategic plan(s) align with the mission, vision, and
core values
Works with management team to
operationalize priorities and goals
Builds and maintains community
partnerships to amplify the impact of the programs
Advances racial equity and inclusion
strategies
Fundraising & Communications
-
Oversees the team (Directors and
staff) in meeting all fundraising goals, including corporate,
foundation, and government support, special events fundraisers,
individual, major donor, in-kind contributions, and earned income
streams
Actively pursues new opportunities
for funding, and works with the Finance Committee and Development
Director to ensure that income is comprehensive and
diversified
Increases the number of donors and
size of gifts by working with the Development Director and Board of
Directors to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors and
funders
Oversees communications initiatives
and serves as spokesperson for press coverage
Oversees public relations,
communications, website, newsletters, and advocacy
Seeks out nonprofit, government, and
corporate partners and raises the TR’s visibility in the
community
Financial Management
-
Ensures sound fiscal management to
keep the TR sustainable and financially viable
Develops and manages the TR’s budget
and regular financial reports, in collaboration with Treasurer of
the Board of Directors
Ensures financial protocols are
followed by reviewing and seeking professional counsel when
necessary
Oversees annual financial
review/audit and the creation of the Annual Report
Works to ensure compliance with city,
state, and federal policies
HR & Personnel Management
-
Embodies the TR’s organizational
culture and values through their personal and professional
conduct
Sets high expectations for an
inclusive environment where staff, volunteers, and stakeholders
from all backgrounds thrive
Hires, supervises, evaluates, and
mentors direct reports
Ensures compliance with TR personnel
policies and laws, including those for compensation,and benefits
administration
Develops and reviews staffing plan
and organizational chart to meet TR strategic goals and fulfill
mission
Builds strong culture of learning
where professional development is prioritized for every team
member
Conducts necessary disciplinary,
termination, and other personnel actions in accordance with
organizational policies
Operations & Facilities Management
-
Ensures the integrity of all program
personnel and students
Ensures the physical and emotional
safety of students, staff, and volunteers at all times
Leads risk mitigation, crisis
management and communications
Oversees contracts and memos of
understandings (MOUs) with key organizational
partners/agencies
Keeps the TR in compliance with all
laws regarding student safety
Board of Directors
-
Serves as primary organizational
liaison, works closely with the Board Chair to prepare for meetings
and produce regular financial statements
Supports development, governance, and
succession planning
Supports the Board’s decision-making
by providing accurate and timely information, recommending
appropriate action, and ensuring policy and program
implementation
Ensures adequate staff support for
Board committees
Performs other duties as assigned by
the Board
Program Development & Evaluation
-
Works with the programs and
publishing staff to operate high-quality programs
Ensures the evaluation of programs
and the effective incorporation of results to inform future program
delivery
Promotes the creation of new
evaluation tools and research to enhance understanding of program
impact
QUALIFICATIONS
Education & Experience
-
Experience in Education, Arts
Education, Writing, or Nonprofit Fundraising and Administration
with 5+ years of relevant experience that includes supervisory and
administrative experience, or: Bachelor’s degree in a related
field, such as Education, Arts Education, Writing, or Nonprofit
Administration with 5+ years of relevant experience that includes
supervisory and leadership experience
Skills & Competencies
-
Set organizational priorities and
goals
Lead with transparency and
integrity
Advance racial equity and
inclusion
Create a vision and then motivate and
inspire others to action
Manage the team and hold direct
reports accountable for their functional areas
Solve problems efficiently and
creatively
Multi-task with ease
Engage in public speaking effectively
and persuasively
Write and communicate
effectively
Work independently to meet tight
deadlines
Collaborate effectively with staff,
Board of Directors, nonprofits, community partners, schools,
foundations, and corporations
Serve as a strong advocate and leader
in the field of writing and arts education
We are an equal opportunity employer. We prioritize the leadership of people of color and LGBTQ individuals, and we strongly encourage people of all historically marginalized identities to apply. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition or any category protected by local, state, or federal laws.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply, please complete this form. In lieu of a cover letter, please answer the questions provided. You will be prompted to upload your resume and a list of three references at the end of the form. The Application deadline is July 10, 2021. Please email edsearch@tellingroom.org with questions. No phone calls, please.
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