PALMER SCHOLARS. Job Opportunity Announcement. Executive Director $75,000 - $85,000 annually Desired Start Date: November 13, 2018

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1 PALMER SCHOLARS Job Opportunity Announcement Executive Director $75,000 - $85,000 annually Desired Start Date: November 13, 2018 Palmer Scholars seeks an Executive Director to lead and grow the mission and goals of a successful nonprofit organization that serves students of color and their families in Pierce County. This full-time position is based in Tacoma, Washington. We encourage interested candidates to visit the Palmer Scholars website to gain insight into our organization s mission, goals, and vision. Palmer Scholars: Creating Hope and Opportunity through Education In the 35 years since its inception, Palmer Scholars has helped over 450 low-income students of color from Pierce County earn a post-secondary degree with low or even no-debt, within and outside the state of Washington. An education changes not only the trajectory of their lives but that of their entire family and the community around them. These students represent the new faces of leadership in Pierce County and in other communities around the country. Our Mission We are committed to supporting underrepresented Pierce County students of color to overcome financial, cultural, and social barriers in their pursuit of higher education. Our Programs We provide provision of up to $5,000 per year of financial support, connection with a mentor who will walk alongside Scholars pre-enrollment through graduation, pre-college readiness training to maximize their potential for college success, and ongoing support, networking opportunities, and connection with volunteer and career opportunities. Equity We are an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create an inclusive working environment that respects diverse backgrounds. Individuals from diverse gender, racial and ethnic backgrounds, religions and creeds, and national origins, individuals with any disabilities or the use of a trained service dog or service animal, individuals over 40 years of age, individuals in honorably discharged veteran or military status and individuals of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Please include your name and preferred pronouns in your application, to ensure that we address you appropriately throughout the application process. Duties The Executive Director serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Palmer Scholars and reports to the Board of Directors. The Executive Director is responsible for the organization s consistent achievement of its mission and financial objectives and additionally brings leadership, vision, community presence, and finance and development expertise. The Executive Director consults with schools and community partners in order to achieve the mission and goals of the organization. The Executive Director serves the community, schools, family, students, and donors of Pierce County by:

2 Ensuring that the organization has a long-range strategy for achieving its mission in its educational, social, and spiritual dimensions, toward which it makes consistent and timely progress. Providing leadership in developing and implementing the strategic plan, including program, organizational, and financial strategies, with the Board and staff; carry out plans and policies authorized by the Board. Key Responsibilities In program development and administration, the Executive Director will: Program: Ensure the effective conduct of a scholarship program, mentor program, and training programs that include the participation of the board, staff, and volunteers. Volunteers: Promote active and broad participation by volunteers and alumni in all areas of the organization s work. Office: Maintain an attractive physical location that is welcoming to the organization s constituents. Records: Maintain official records and documents, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local government regulations as well as those of institutional funders. Nonprofit, public education, college life, admissions, and financial aid: Maintain a working knowledge of significant developments and trends in these fields. In resource development, the Executive Director will: Financial Management: Be responsible for developing and maintaining sound financial practices as directed by the Board of Directors. Donor Relationships. Manage and maintain relationships with existing donors and cultivate new relationships with individual donors. Financial Policies and Budget: Work with the staff, Finance Committee, and the Board in preparing a budget; see that the organization follows its financial policies, operates within budget guidelines, and provide timely financial reports to the Board of Directors. Fundraising: Ensure that adequate funds are available from diversified funding sources (individuals, businesses, churches, alumni, community organizations, foundations, etc.) to permit the organization to carry out its work. Fundraising Events: Work with the Board and volunteers to conduct effective annual events, including the community-based program celebration and fundraising luncheon.

3 Foundations: Effectively work with local and regional foundations in securing grants, including well-written proposals, excellent grant administration, communication, and the development of appropriate relationships with foundation leaders. Endowment: Encourage donors to participate in developing the organization s endowment fund, and carry out the decisions and policies of the Board in relationship to the fund. Correspondence and legal documents: Jointly with the President and Secretary of the Board of Directors, conduct official correspondence of the organization, and jointly with designated officers, execute legal documents. Other: Carry out other responsibilities as directed by the Board of Directors. In relationships, the Executive Director will: Board Communication: See that the Board is kept fully informed on the condition of the organization and all important factors influencing it. Board Leadership: Lead and manage the organization and work in partnership with the Board Chair who leads and manages the Board of Directors. Board Governance: As an ex officio member of the board, work in partnership with its members in supporting matters related to effective governance. Employment: Be responsible for the recruitment, employment, and release of all personnel, both paid and volunteer. Job Performance: Ensure that job descriptions are developed and updated, that regular performance evaluations are held, and that sound human resource practices are in place. Management: See that an effective management and program team, with appropriate provisions for succession, is in place. Provide ongoing supervisory support to all staff, currently supporting three full-time, one part-time, and one intern; this reporting size and/or structure may change over time. Personnel Development: Encourage board, staff and volunteer development and education, and assist program staff in relating their specialized work to the total program of the organization. Work Environment: Maintain a climate that attracts, keeps, and motivates a diverse staff of topquality people, both paid and volunteer.

4 In community building, the Executive Director will: Marketing: Publicize the activities of the organization and its programs and goals. Community: Establish sound working relationships and cooperative arrangements with community groups and organizations. Ambassador: Represent the programs and points of view of the organization to agencies, organizations, donors, alumni, and the general public. Advisor Group: Work with the board to create a community advisory group outside of the board. Required Qualifications: Graduate of a post-secondary institution. A minimum of five years of program, personnel, and/or organizational leadership experience in education, youth development, community development, and/or social justice reform. Experience working and collaborating with diverse multi-ethnic and socio-economic groups. Experience and extensive knowledge managing a budget that includes grants and donations. Experience building, participating in and leading collaborative teams and partnerships with diverse groups of internal and external stakeholders, including foundations and donors. Ability to communicate efficiently and effectively across a broad array of education groups and stakeholders in the education system. This includes writing and editing correspondence and technical documents using a strong command of English grammar, editing rules and practices for punctuation, composition, and formatting; and proof reading written correspondence and technical documents. Maintain the highest standard of personal, professional and ethical conduct. Desired Qualifications: Pierce County resident (current or future). Proficiency using Microsoft Office Suite including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and SharePoint or similar virtual learning programs. Able to compile, synthesize and make recommendations on organization direction based on data gathered from a variety of sources. Compensation The annual compensation for the position is $75,000 - $85,000 per year and depends upon experience, educational background and qualifications. Palmer Scholars offers a generous benefit package including health, vision, and dental insurance, retirement, as well as substantial paid-time-off/vacation leave. Application Process Those interested in this position must apply by ing mrathbone@palmerscholars.org. Applications must include the following documents in MS Word or PDF format only:

5 A current resume; A list of three or more professional references; and A letter of interest specifically addressing the following questions (no more than one page): o Why is it important to serve youth in communities? o What are your three most unique skills that apply to this position s key responsibilities? Please your complete application by 5 pm on October 5, 2018 to mrathbone@palmerscholars.org.