Executive Director, Mississippi Programs

Overview:

Objective
The Executive Director is responsible for the leadership and management of the AmeriCorps programs in Mississippi. This individual will set the vision and direction for the program in and will effectively lead their team to maximize impact for individuals served by the program, while also providing an exceptional service experience for our AmeriCorps members and partnering sites. This individual will be responsible for fundraising and relationship management with key stakeholders.

Essential Functions

1. Leadership & Management

• Set the vision and strategy for the program, with clear articulation of annual goals, strategies, tactics, timelines and progress in meeting stated goals. With a “roll up your sleeves” mentality, jump into doing whatever it takes and problem solving to remove barriers to keep the team moving forward.
• Ensure ongoing local programmatic excellence, rigorous program evaluation, and consistent quality of finance and administration, fundraising, program implementation, member recruitment, and compliance systems; articulate timelines and resources needed to achieve the strategic goals.
• Lead, coach and develop a high performing, talented team to deliver the programs in a way that is highly efficient and effective; ensure you have the human capital necessary to execute against goals to deliver on the mission and vision.
• Monitor activity in state legislatures and state agencies regarding educational issues. Communicate to external stakeholders, government agencies, advocates, and legislative bodies.
• Review and respond to program evaluation reports, engaging in a cycle of continuous improvement to maximize impact for individuals served by the program.
• Manage and engage a strong local advisory board to advise on how the programs can best be adopted within the local community, political and educational landscape.
• Nurture external relationships to support the program.
• Be a part of the Executive Leadership Team of the organization, providing strategic leadership for the good of the organization.

2. Fundraising

• Work in collaboration with the Chief Advancement Officer to develop a fundraising plan and corresponding fundraising targets; this position is responsible for achieving fundraising targets annually.
• Work with the local advisory board to motivate key influencers to raise the funds necessary to meet the annual and long-term revenue goals by leveraging stewardship strategies.
• Develop a plan to increase private sector revenue through identification, cultivation, and management of relationships with corporations, foundations, family foundations to build a sustainable private revenue mix.
• Responsible for managing all aspects of philanthropic and/or state funds necessary to successfully operate the program(s) each year; including identifying and cultivating potential funders, submitting LOIs, writing grant applications, timely grant reporting and fulfillment of grant requirements.
• Use external presence and nurture relationships and/or partnerships to garner new opportunities. Collaborate with the Chief Advancement Officer regarding external relations and partnerships. Direct and oversee stakeholder visits to partners sites.
• Work in collaboration with the marketing department to deepen and refine all aspects of communications - from web presence to external relations with the goal of creating a stronger brand.

3. Program Management

• Provide leadership and direction to ensure staff provide exemplary customer service to partner sites and AmeriCorps members while effectively managing the program with a high degree of fidelity and in compliance with federal regulations to ultimately help students improve their educational outcomes.
• Ensure fidelity to the program model, as defined by the national office.
• Provide strategic leadership and accountability to member recruitment and retention, with the goal to achieve 100% enrollment and 85% retention. Collaborate with the marketing department to outline and execute a member recruitment marketing plan (e.g. digital ads, earned media, collateral).
• Provide strategic leadership to expansion into new communities. Oversee the process for identifying and onboarding new sites, ensuring they are adequately prepared to implement the program in the next year.
• Lead internal monthly data review meetings to review implementation data and create action plans as needed.

4. Budget and Grant Management

• Prepare and manage program operating budget(s) of approximately $2 million annually to start; identify annual fundraising targets based on this budget.
• Monitor and plan for expenditures to ensure program expenses are within the approved budget.
• Understand and ensure compliance to federal rules and regulations and other grant requirements associated with funding secured to support the program(s).
• Fulfill duties, as required, for the submission of federal AmeriCorps grant applications and reporting.

Minimum Education

• Bachelor’s degree (required)
• Post-graduate work (preferred)

Minimum Experience

• Ten years in related fields including organizational leadership, program coordination and/or project management.
• Person with deep local community connections preferred.
• Experience managing strategic partnerships, including philanthropic partnerships. Proven track record hitting fundraising goals.
• Experience with public policy and navigating political environments to garner fiscal and policy support for a program.
• A proven track record of building complex, multi-tiered networks, with a focus in the fundraising arena. Experience with both local and national governmental agencies is a plus.
• Experience in developing and executing against a strategic plan, and has a proven track record of success (i.e. regularly achieved or exceeded desired goals and objectives).
• Ability to translate complex concepts and issues into a practical, understandable language to facilitate the development of practical solutions.
• Strong sense of responsibility for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Commitment to develop equity skills and cultural competence of self and others
• The individual should have a strong belief in service as a strategy to solve our nation’s most pressing issues. Additionally, has a strong desire to be part of a growing, mission-driven organization that is committed to the success of the students and clients it serves.

Ampact offers an excellent benefit package including Medical, HSA, Dental, Vision, FSA, Life, Disability, PTO and 401(k).

Ampact will not discriminate for or against any AmeriCorps service member or applicant on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, marital or parental status, familial status, military service, or any other category protected by law. Reasonable accommodations provided upon request.