Executive Director (Hybrid)

Reports to: Board of Directors
Job Status: Full Time, Exempt, Hybrid
Location: Philadelphia, PA

Job Overview

The Executive Director is responsible for the planning, organizing, staffing, directing, and managing of The Monkey & The Elephant (M&E), Philadelphia’s first and only non-profit coffee shop committed to supporting former foster youth through employment and development of professional and personal skills. Under the guidance of (and in collaboration with) the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will further advance M&E’s mission, impact, and funding.

This role requires a strong business acumen coupled with substantive knowledge of issues and best practices related to foster care youth, youth transition services, social service supports, and workforce development. The Executive Director will be required to maintain and expand fundraising efforts as it will determine the speed at which M&E can further scale the impact of its café and program operations. The ideal candidate will be a strong leader who is passionate about providing professional growth opportunities to youth aging out of the foster system. 

About the Organization

The Monkey & The Elephant is a nonprofit with a mission to fortify former foster youth with personal and professional skills, employment, and the supportive community needed to lead a sustainable, independent life. We advance our mission through the Employment Training Programs at our non-profit coffee shop in the Brewerytown neighborhood of Philadelphia. Participants complete an intensive employment training program combining paid professional development and a part-time job. Our goal is to help under-resourced young adults acquire the confidence and skills they need as they embark on their employment journey. Learn more about The Monkey & The Elephant's story and work at www.themonkeyandtheelephant.org/.

Duties & Responsibilities

Mission Advancement & Strategy Development

• Assume ownership of M&E’s mission, and shape and establish a clear vision and strategy in collaboration with the Board of Directors.
• Articulate goals and objectives and implement a strategy with key performance measures needed to realize the vision.
• Develop tracking and reporting of Board-adopted performance goals while evaluating opportunities for improvement.
• Share performance updates and plans for improvements with the Board and external stakeholders bi-annually.
• Establish opportunities for Board and Staff interaction on a regular basis to build knowledge of the organization’s programs and key team members.

 Financial Management and Development

• Develop and expand additional funding and revenue channels through relationship-building with private sector donors (including individuals, foundations, and corporations) while ensuring the financial sustainability of the organization.
• Develop, lead, and champion all requisite fundraising initiatives.
• Manage the budget and ensure the stewardship of organizational financial resources.
• Ensure appropriate financial controls and systems are in place, and that all financial and tax-related documents are properly prepared and filed in a timely manner.
• Balance M&E’s mission while making business-savvy financial decisions.

Organizational Leadership / Café Operations & Management

• Provide leadership and direction to ensure the effective operation of café business and delivery of youth development programs.
• Establish and maintain a culture of accountability, evaluation, measurement, and transparency; which attracts, motivates, and retains a diverse staff of top-quality people.
• Empower café and program management staff by ensuring the appropriate systems and procedures are in place to facilitate the day-to-day operations of the organization.
• Recruit, lead and develop a qualified staff and ensure an environment that facilitates the achievement of youth development outcomes.
• Establish job descriptions, performance expectations, and clear, measurable performance objectives for direct reports with the appropriate level of accountability and performance evaluations.
• Establish policies and practices for evaluating program performance against stated goals.

Public and Stakeholder Relations & Communications

• Cultivate relationships with key stakeholders: community and business leaders, funders, community organizations, program partners, news outlets, and local and/or state government agencies and officials.
• Proactively develop and maintain good public relations.
• Increase the visibility of the café and program, and build the organization’s brand recognition.
• Oversee all organization and external communications including social media.

NOTE: The above represents details of the primary responsibilities and functions of the Executive Director but is not intended to be an exhaustive or inclusive list. These responsibilities serve as a guide for the areas of direct responsibility of the Executive Director which generally should not extend to direct management of youth participants, café, or program staff not at a management level.

Professional Requirements / Qualifications

• 3 - 5 years of leadership experience, including staff management, within a nonprofit and/or social enterprise.
• Bachelor’s degree, MBA or Master’s in Nonprofit Leadership is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a diverse, engaged staff and board.
• Growth mindset with strong orientation toward coaching and mentorship, driven by a desire to help team members grow personally and professionally.
• Proven relationship-driven fundraising experience resulting in increased individual and large donors.
• Mission-aligned, and already knowledgeable of and networked within Philadelphia’s youth and workforce development ecosystem with a well-developed understanding of related social justice issues such as racial equity and systemic oppression.
• Collaborative and empathetic problem solver and project manager.
• Advanced organizational abilities including planning, delegating, and systems and best practices development.
• Hands-on budget and financial management skills with experience owning a P&L.
• Exceptional internal and external communication skills.
• Ability to balance commitment to the mission with the financial needs of the organization.

Ideal Candidate Traits:

• Energetic self-starter with an entrepreneurial spirit.
• Passionate about helping young adults who have aged out of foster care.
• An influential servant-leader with strong operational management expertise.
• Ability to facilitate a collaborative team environment while also working independently.
• Must possess a bold vision for M&E and be a pivotal factor in its continued growth.

Covid Policy: M&E’s Covid-19 protocols are updated regularly to comply with current CDC recommendations and are made in the best interest of the staff.

Compensation and Benefits

• $75k - $90k + bonuses based on fundraising benchmarks.
• Health insurance contribution.
• Generous PTO.
• M&E has committed resources for leadership, professional, and team development (e.g., conferences, programs, etc.).
• Free coffee!