Posted on June 23, 2012

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Executive Director

Who We Are

Every child deserves an opportunity to pursue his/her educational dreams. The Colorado I Have a Dream Foundation, started in 1987, is a long-term, comprehensive high school drop-out prevention nonprofit organization based on Mr. Eugene Lang's original investment to support these dreams. Our vision is that all young people graduate from high school. CIHAD works with whole cohorts of young people starting in 3rd grade - earlier from future cohorts - from the most economically challenged neighborhoods in Denver with some of the most struggling schools. For many of these kids, our program is the first time that someone has reached out to help them and stuck with them to make sure that they have the chance to break out of the cycle of generational poverty that has affected their families. CIHAD stays with these cohorts of Dreamers - as the youth in the program are called - through high school completion and then provides partial educational assistance for post-secondary training and formal education. Each current Colorado cohort has about 50 Dreamers.

The Colorado chapter of the national I Have a Dream Foundation is one of the most active in the country and has completed eight cohorts of Dreamers for a total of 361 students. We currently have five current classes not yet graduated.

Through our intensive approach of focused tutoring and mentoring, we have consistently doubled and tripled anticipated high school completion rates. We have achieved this success in strong partnership between a highly dedicated staff and a community Board recognized for its vision and leadership, as well as its passion to make a significant difference in the lives of the Dreamers.

Role of Executive Director

The Executive Director oversees all organization activities. The Executive Director, in consultation with the Board, is responsible for developing a clear strategy for the Colorado I Have a Dream Foundation's mission-based activities and executing those activities.

The Executive Director:

• Provides direction and leadership toward the achievement of the organization's philosophy, mission, strategy, and its annual goals and objectives.
• Implements the strategic goals and objectives of the organization.
• With the President of the Board, enables the Board to fulfill its governance function effectively and professionally.
• The Executive Director is responsible for a $1.3 million annual budget and a regular staff of 10 plus 7 AmeriCorps volunteers.

Desired Leadership Qualities and Experience

• Strategic and visionary balanced with pragmatic approaches to ensure results are obtained consistently. Minimum of 7 years as a leader in managing staff and volunteers.
• Experience in and commitment to managing diverse staff by fostering effective internal communication, collaboration, consensus-based decision-making as appropriate, and mutual respect.
• Wide range of communication skills, including presentation, persuasive, diplomatic and listening.
• Experience in working with and in engaging media, political, and community leaders successfully.
• Enthusiasm for fundraising and developing ongoing relationships with donors, especially individual donors and foundation representatives.
• Direct experience in advocating for the needs of young people who are severely at risk is preferred; passion for working with young people and personal interest in connecting with them required.
• Proven ability to partner with other organizations to achieve objectives and to maintain long term relationships with partnering agencies.
• Proven ability to manage operations including budgets and programs.
• Board development, board relations and board motivational skills gained through experience as a nonprofit manager or engaged board member.
• Strong values revolving around the value of education and its role in breaking the cycle of generational poverty. An appreciation for the richness and diversity of the Dreamers and an unwavering commitment to supporting their growth and development.
• Flexible person who welcomes positive change and can create an environment for staff and constituents to embrace such change.
• Proven experience in leading growth of organizations and their resources.
• Possess the highest levels of integrity, transparency, and discretion.
• Knowledge of how to use social media tools to increase awareness of CIHAD and connection to its programs and Dreamers. Experience in using other technology resources to advance the work of a distributed organization.
• Experience in recruiting, motivating, and engaging volunteers in meaningful work.
• Willing to be an active member of the Denver community and to engage actively in the communities served by the Foundation.
• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred; degrees in social sciences, nonprofit management, public or business administration preferred.
• Knowledge of Spanish preferred.

We seek candidates who are entrepreneurial, strategic, and collaborative leaders. We want an Executive Director who can build on the Foundation's strong track record of success while significantly increasing the partnerships with donors and other service providers needed to support more Dreamers in our community. Thriving in our environment are people who are committed, personable, humble, highly professional, confident, focused, and caring. We seek a leader who embodies those characteristics and who can strengthen the Foundation in its abilities to deliver on its vision.

How to Apply

Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply for this position by sending their resume, cover letter, and salary requirements to Carolyn McCormick of Peak HR Consulting, LLC at Carolyn.McCormick@peakhrconsulting.com. All applications are to be submitted via email. To learn more about the Colorado I Have a Dream Foundation and this position, please visit us at www.cihadf.org.

The Colorado I Have a Dream Foundation is committed to equal opportunity and does not discriminate against its employees, volunteers, member organizations, clients or the public on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, disability, national origin, citizenship, age, gender or gender variance, sexual orientation, or veteran status. This policy of nondiscrimination prevails throughout every aspect of the employment, including recruitment, selection, placement, training, compensation, promotion, transfer, layoff, recall, and termination. It also prevails throughout all client and volunteer activities.