Posted on January 27, 2013

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Executive Director

Women’s Initiative for Self Employment is one of the nation’s largest microenterprise training organizations. Founded in 1988, its mission is to build the entrepreneurial capacity of women to overcome economic and social barriers and achieve self-sufficiency. Since its inception, Women’s Initiative has served more than 25, 000 women in the San Francisco Bay area by helping them to start or expand their businesses. From photography studios to catering companies and mechanic shops, Women’s Initiative is empowering women to start businesses and create good jobs. In 2012 alone Women's Initiative created and retained over 5,300 jobs. Over half of the Women’s Initiative community participates in classes offered in Spanish through the Alternativas para Latinas en Autosuficiencia (ALAS) program, which boasts extensive networks that propel Latina entrepreneurs into business success. By targeting low-income women and focusing on the needs of traditi onally underserved groups including minorities, immigrants, and welfare recipients, Women’s Initiative continues to contribute to the economic growth of communities, with a proven 30:1 return on investment in the local economies it serves.

In 2011, Women’s Initiative began expansion efforts to become a national organization, beginning with New York City. There is now an active New York regional board in place and training classes have begun. With a highly successful and replicable model of empowering women, Women’s Initiative is looking for a passionate individual to build and lead the New York office and help women in this region create jobs for themselves and others and increase their economic self-sufficiency.

The Position:
Women’s Initiative is seeking an Executive Director (“ED”) to serve as the lead fundraiser, spokesperson, and partnership executive in the expansion to New York. This is a critical and high profile job requiring knowledge of the NYC non-profit, government and philanthropic communities in order to ensure the successful expansion. The ED will employ major donor and development expertise to build strong relationships and elicit significant support among private and public funding sources, financial institutions, community organizations, and the media to successfully position the New York office.

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the ED will direct and support the New York Regional Board, including Board recruitment, strategic planning and successful achievement of Board fundraising goals. The ED will oversee all management and program operations for metropolitan New York, and will hire and supervise staff, consultants, interns, and volunteers. The initial team will include a part-time Development Associate, part-time Client Services Coordinator, and contract business trainers. Additional support for the New York team for centralized functions (i.e. MarComm, Public Policy, HR, etc) will be provided out of the bay area by Headquarters staff.

The successful candidate will be a mature, multi-talented, high energy self-starter with experience and success in an entrepreneurial/start-up environment and a passion for building the people, processes and programs that will uphold Women’s Initiative’s 25-years of success in California. He or she will have serious commitment to meeting the economic needs of lower income people, possess a sterling business and community reputation, and share the culture of fast-paced, self-directed innovation and results. The ED must be an articulate and influential communicator in order to build the Women’s Initiative brand in New York and cultivate new support.

Responsibilities

Fundraising and Brand Building

• Along with a part-time Development Associate and Regional Board, raise approximately $1.5 million in 2013 from diverse funding sources including government, foundations, corporations, small businesses, events and individuals including Board members
  
• Recruit, develop and support an influential New York Regional Board that will be successful in raising capital, building brand recognition and advancing the mission
  
• Design, produce and manage successful cultivation and other fundraising events
  
• Seek opportunities to position Women’s Initiative as a leader in microenterprise in the New York market

Program Management

• Lead the New York office in implementing all successful program components, including training, business technical assistance, lending programs, and business and personal support services including:
• Hire, supervise, recruit and motivate staff, committee members, and volunteers, and promote development of their skills and leadership abilities
  
• Find office and training space
  
• Develop and maintain external relationships with women’s organizations, community agencies and groups, business assistance organizations, financing institutions and public agencies
  
• Build highly effective business partnerships, volunteer and in-kind resources that propel clients’ skills and business success
  
• Supervise day-to-day service delivery ensuring that all targets are successfully met

Coordination with Corporate Office

• Act as the principle staff liaison between Women’s Initiative New York and California headquarters
  
• Participate in weekly leadership team meeting to help coordinate and steer system-wide initiatives and major organizational decisions
  
• Ensure that there are systems of reporting, fund development cultivation and overall strategy between Women’s Initiative New York and national headquarters
  
• Build culture among the New York team and ensure that they feel connected to the entire organization and its mission
  

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience, including a background in nonprofit management, fundraising, entrepreneurship or economic development.
  
• Degree in nonprofit, public or business administration, community and or economic development or related field of interest is preferred, or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
  
• Expert relationship management skills, including experience in board and community relations and personnel supervision
  
• Proven fundraising experience including major donor cultivation, especially in metropolitan New York
  
• Leadership and management experience; strong work ethic
  
• Excellent communication and public speaking skills; sense of humor
  
• Experience working with diverse groups of people and lower income women
  
• Knowledge of the microenterprise field is desirable
  
• Compensation is commensurate with experience. For more information about Women’s Initiative, please visit www.womensinitiative.org
  
• Women’s Initiative is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
  

Application Instructions

To Apply:
Women’s Initiative has retained the services of Harris Rand Lusk to conduct this search. Inquiries, nominations, and applications may be directed in confidence to:
Jack Lusk, Managing Partner
or
Allison Cahn Silver, Director of New Business Development
Harris Rand Lusk
261 Madison Avenue, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10016
WomensInitiative@harrisrand.com