Posted on October 17, 2012

print

Executive Director

MOUSE is an innovative youth development organization that empowers underserved youth to learn, lead and create with technology, while building skills essential for their academic and career success. Founded in 1997 in New York City, MOUSE programs have had a positive and lasting impact for more than 23,000 students providing valued technical support and leadership for more than 1.8 million students, teachers and administrators. In FY12, MOUSE had over 4,000 students in over 350 sites across the country, including in New York, California, Illinois and Texas. MOUSE is a financially strong organization with net assets of over $2M, with 27% of our revenue is derived from earned income.

MOUSE has two core programs. MOUSE Squad trains students to become digital media and technology experts in their schools, improving the use of technology to enhance learning, while also building confidence and developing skills for 21st century innovation. MOUSE Corps is a design and technology program that fosters leadership, professional and technical skills of high school students from MOUSE Squads across NYC.

MOUSE is at a very exciting time in its history as we are significantly expanding our impact nationally. Our expansion will focus on reaching more students through building infrastructure, evolving programming, and building new partnerships. MOUSE currently employs ten staff members and an array of consultants to support our work. MOUSE has been recognized by Opportunity Knocks as a winner of the Peoples Choice Best Nonprofit to Work For Awards (2011). For more information, please visit: www.mouse.org.

POSITION:

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Leadership and Growth

• Develop and execute strategies on implementing and expanding the vision for the next stage of MOUSE’s evolution.
• Monitor, assess and respond to to how external forces influence how MOUSE achieves its mission.
• Provide leadership on MOUSE expansion planning and ensure that the organization is effectively structured to support that growth.
• Engage and provide leadership with the MOUSE Board of Directors.

External Relations

• Development:

• Partner with Director of Development to identify, cultivate and engage new individual, foundation, and corporate donor investments in New York City and nationally.
• Maintain and expand on established relationships to raise funds to ensure annual operating expenses are covered and program expansion effectively financed.
• Capitalize on a strong network of individual connections to cultivate and increase major gift opportunities and expand the MOUSE Board.
• Help to identify in kind partnerships (affiliates, mentors, internship hosts, professional services) that support MOUSE’s mission.
• Continue to expand MOUSE’s strong connections within the all levels of government (local, state and national). It would be helpful to have strong relationships with New York City and the Department of Education.

Communications:

• A thought leader, compelling communicator and strong advocate for empowering youth through digital media and technology.
• Work closely with Communications Director to implement a comprehensive communications strategy (internal/external) that supports marketing, media relations, social media and branding.
• Strong marketing, public relations, and external relations acumen with the ability to engage and influence a wide range of stakeholders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; a persuasive and passionate communicator with excellent interpersonal and multidisciplinary project skills.
• Events (partner briefings, program visits, annual events): Identify effective ways to connect the MOUSE community to support partnership development, outreach and community building.
• Policy: Actively engage in policy and leadership conversations in NYC and nationally on important issues affecting MOUSE’s youth.

Talent Development and Retention

• Recruit, lead, inspire and mentor MOUSE staff. Lead an annual review process to support staff development and reflection.
• Maintain and enhance a trusting, supportive, and professional environment for staff, Board, youth, and partners that is fostered through meetings, communications, collaboration and an annual staff retreat.
• Lead efforts to support MOUSE’s dynamic organizational culture with practices and benefits that support a growing and diverse staff.

Fiscal Management

• Work closely with financial team (staff/Board/consultants) to ensure that MOUSE is able to support short- and long-term organizational goals.
• Provide leadership on budgeting, audit and financial investments to ensure fiscal stability of MOUSE.
• Utilize innovative financial management to leverage numerous financial methods for supporting MOUSE--earned income, balanced investment strategy, etc.

Board Management

• Effectively engage Board members to further support of MOUSE’s mission.
• Work with Board leadership to continuously evolve MOUSE’s Board to support the evolving needs of the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A passion for improving education and a commitment to MOUSE’s mission to empower and inspire underserved youth.
• Proven track record of leading an outcomes-based organization and staff; specific examples of having developed and executed strategies that have advanced an organization through various growth cycles.
• Demonstrated success cultivating and securing philanthropic investments and managing relationships with key constituencies in New York City and beyond, including knowledge of corporations, foundations, and government agencies.
• Outstanding communication skills (oral and written), with the ability to build, cultivate and leverage personal and professional networks and relationships, develop and deliver successful presentations.
• Leadership experience and style that is transparent and authentic and furthers innovation and creativity.
• At least 10 years of relevant professional experience, with at least 5 years in a senior management role with demonstrated success in achieving ambitious growth, fundraising, and partnership development goals.
• Ability to inspire and connect staff, students, partners, donors and volunteers on behalf of MOUSE’s mission.
• Experience in a fast-paced, dynamic, creative, fun, and entrepreneurial environment.
• Ability to collaborate and negotiate effectively.
• Commitment to professional development and mentoring.
• Action-oriented, entrepreneurial, adaptable, and able to develop innovative solutions to complex problems.
• Passion, idealism, integrity, positive attitude, mission-driven, self-directed and a great sense of humor.
• Bachelor’s degree required; an advanced degree in business, education, public policy or related field is strongly preferred.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Application Instructions

MOUSE is an equal opportunity employer committed to building high-performing teams that can effectively support the communities we serve. Please email your resume and cover letter to the MOUSE Search Committee at info@mouse.org. In your cover letter, please clearly state your interest in becoming the Executive Director of MOUSE and why you are the right person to lead MOUSE in the coming years. Feel free to share additional materials to support your candidacy.