Sobrato Early Academic Language (SEAL) Model Executive Director

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1 Position Description March 2017 Sobrato Early Academic Language (SEAL) Model Executive Director SEAL seeks a leader committed to social change to transition existing and successful English language learner practice, research and policy/advocacy initiatives into a new 501(c)3 nonprofit, expand the organization s footprint throughout California, and develop new program funding streams. The Sobrato Early Academic Language (SEAL) Model is a program of the Sobrato Family Foundation (SFF) that provides intensive, enriched language and literacy education for English language learners (ELL), to ensure that these students perform as well as their peers. The model involves professional development for teachers, school and district change. Techniques employed by SEAL were developed by Dr. Laurie Olsen, a nationally recognized expert in English language education, and program objectives are achieved by integrating English language teaching and learning into the day of each student, and by building the capacity of preschools and elementary schools to deliver this model. English learners represent the fastest growing student population in the US, and these students must learn English while also trying to master increasingly rigorous grade-level academic content. The SEAL model promotes the development of bi-literacy, affirming and supporting both English and the home language. This promotes development of core literacy skills that can be applied across languages, and eases competition between languages within the household so that children develop high levels of proficiency in both Spanish and English. The model is anchored by six research-based foundational components that infuse all aspects of teaching and learning throughout the school day: Alignment of preschool and the K-3 systems around a shared vision of powerful language development as the foundation for academic success with support for transitions across systems and levels. Simultaneous academic language and literacy (including bilingual options). Language-rich environments and instruction with an emphasis on expressive and complex oral language development and enriched vocabulary. Text-rich curriculum and environments that engage children with books and the printed word, and lead to the appreciation and love of reading and writing. Language development through academic thematic units based upon science and social studies standards. An affirming learning environment that brings together teachers and parents to support strong language and literacy development at home and at school. The Sobrato Family Foundation has successfully incubated SEAL, and seeks to transition the English language learner practice, research and policy/advocacy initiatives into a new 501(c)3 nonprofit. The SFF will continue to invest in ELL and apply a variety of tools to ensure statewide progress in improved ELL outcomes, enhanced ELL policy, and increased philanthropic funding in support of enhanced ELL practice and policy. SEAL is currently operating in 89 schools across 16 districts statewide, with plans to expand further geographically in this current year. It has a current staff of 6 full time and 17 part-time

2 or contractors. The annual operating budget is approximately $7.5M. Revenue is received from school districts for implementation of the model and from the Sobrato Family Foundation. ABOUT THE POSITION Reporting to the Board of Directors through the Chief Executive Officer of the Sobrato Family Foundation, the Executive Director will be responsible for the overall direction and management of SEAL/the new organization. He or she will recruit and manage an executive team, build the capacity for an expanded and distributed team, lead fund development activities, and serve as the public face of the organization. The ED and staff will have a highly collaborative relationship with the Sobrato Family Foundation and The Sobrato Organization (which provides shared services). The Executive Director will oversee the development of the following initiatives: PRACTICE Continue to innovate and refine teaching and learning practices; Continue to innovate the school and district change strategies related to implementation and sustainability of the SEAL model; Implement the SEAL model to fulfill a 100-school mandate, then continue a modest, strategic expansion of sites and new programs throughout California; Support schools to sustain the model after the initial 3-year implementation period; Continue refinement of professional development for bilingual teachers, and develop new tools and services to help districts design and implement new bilingual/dual immersion programs; Build SEAL s capacity to create and distribute stand-alone materials to impact the field more broadly and support implementation of SEAL principles for those who are not implementing the full SEAL model; Continue to refine and strengthen SEAL s preschool component; Begin implementation of a grades 4-6 component of the SEAL model; Maintain and develop demonstration sites that show the effectiveness of the model to educators, policy makers, researchers, and community stakeholders. RESEARCH Continue to evaluate and refine the SEAL model in alignment with research-based practices, Common Core Language Arts standards, the new California English Language Development standards, California ELA/ELD Framework, and new generation content standards; build modest additional systems to engage in more ongoing, formative data analysis of current SEAL schools and expanded programs; Further develop evidence-based research on SEAL including current federally funded research being carried out within the Los Angeles Unified School District; Work in collaboration with partners in the field to prioritize and advance new research priorities; create and coordinate gatherings of researchers and practitioners to better understand the state of research on ELL and identify current caps or unmet needs. 2

3 POLICY AND ADVOCACY Lead policy and advocacy implementation efforts to drive adoption of SEAL-aligned principles throughout California; Explore opportunities for grassroots advocacy capacity and/or supporting aligned groups, particularly in school communities, in order to mobilize around state and local policy initiatives; participate in local and statewide coalitions of youth, family and education advocacy groups. IMMEDIATE PRIORITIES Thoroughly understand SEAL and SFF history, ambitions, culture, programs, personalities, constituencies and unique offerings; Develop the trust of the Sobrato Family Foundation board of directors and CEO; develop collaborative, respectful relationships with current SEAL leadership team and staff and with SFF and The Sobrato Organization as a whole; Review and assess SEAL s existing state of play and evaluate programs, processes and strategies; ensure that short-term capacity is strengthened, and prepare the organization for future growth, scale and funding; reach out and develop relationships with partner organizations; Recruit Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer, Director of Development and Senior Director of Programs. ONGOING RESPONSIBILITIES LEADERSHIP AND VISION Oversee all new organization and SEAL activities; create a road map to ensure systematic coordination of expanding model elements, policy and research activities; Develop an organizational structure to support a growing statewide program, ensuring that appropriate HR, IT, accounting and other support functions are in place and functioning effectively; With the leadership team, continually review and refine plans for growth and innovation and make adjustments accordingly. MANAGEMENT, ADMINISTRATION, FINANCE With the COO/CFO, ensure the development and management of all administrative and financial functions so there is sufficient but flexible infrastructure to support staff, facilities, and technology systems for a growing, distributed organization while transitioning to more operational independence; Ensure that programmatic growth and implementation develops on a steady course; recruit, hire and onboard new staff on a near-continual basis to support an expanded SEAL program with new components, more schools and expanded geography; develop and maintain a staffing/hiring process that is competitive and robust in order to attract and retain the best talent; Ensure that progress is being made toward achieving 501(c)3 status. 3

4 EXTERNAL RELATIONS Lead the development of strategic communication and advocacy activities that leverage practice and research work to achieve policy goals; continue to engage the interest of existing and prospective partners, including school districts and superintendents to promote SEAL and other local policy initiatives; Represent the organization at the state and local level, with funders, with the media, and at other opportunities to convene, collaborate and influence. FUND DEVELOPMENT / MARKETING Work with the Director of Development and the board to build a sustainable funding base; set fundraising goals, strategies and targets for all donor and funding segments including individuals, foundations, government and corporations; communicate goals, strategies and progress to board; Personally drive donor cultivation, stewardship and direct solicitations; seek to build fundraising activities in sophistication and scope; create initiatives to develop diverse sourcing of revenue; identify special donor cultivation opportunities; Lead the branding and positioning of the new organization s name to effectively communicate its mission and establishes a distinctive profile as an independent entity; ensure that the SEAL name is used and branded for all practice activities. GOVERNANCE / BOARD RELATIONS Keep the board informed of the new organization s operations and any critical matters; provide updates on plan/model progress; provide timely and concise financial and fundraising assessments; In partnership with the board chair, coordinate efforts of various board committees and task forces; develop board meeting agendas, schedules, retreats or other activities; monitor and support the achievement of committee objectives; develop and recommend policies and procedures as requested by the board; implement approved board policies, program goals and objectives; Act as liaison between the board and community organizations, public bodies, funding sources and other entities; encourage board member involvement in the new organization s range of activities, including fundraising; Assist in identifying and recruiting new board members whose talents, backgrounds, commitment and fundraising abilities are aligned with the new organization s needs and mission. IDEAL EXPERIENCE The Executive Director will be an entrepreneurial leader, roll-up-your-sleeves manager and a big-picture thinker whose work includes the following experiences and qualifications: Seven or more years of senior level leadership experience in areas that intersect with SEAL, including education reform, English Learner/bilingual education, immigrant education, civil rights, policy, advocacy, research, etc.; a reputation as a leader/influencer in the field; not-profit leadership as an executive or as board member is a plus; 4

5 Experience working in a fast-paced, start-up and sometimes ambiguous environments; successfully grown, scaled or transformed an organization; Success at having built strong teams whose skills and experiences will help to advance the mission; familiarity in leading a distributed organization and with the technologies necessary to build a cohesive team that can communicate and collaborate effectively; A track record of attracting financial support from individuals, foundations, corporations and government, or if coming out of the commercial or government sector, success in obtaining funding for initiatives; Demonstrated ability to work effectively with representatives, advocates and professionals with different backgrounds from various communities; experience as a problem-solver, facilitator, catalyst for new ideas; experience developing strategically meaningful relationships; Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, excellent public speaking skills for formal and extemporaneous presentations. Bilingual (Spanish/English) skills are a plus. Master s degree is required, as is the ability to travel regularly throughout the state. CHARACTERISTICS A mission-driven, decisive, and resourceful individual with a belief in and a commitment to social change and the direction of schooling, with the organizational sensitivity to gain support of the board and staff at all levels; An individual who is straightforward, shares information easily, listens well and offers advice, respects the abilities of others, imparting trust and integrity, and guiding others in a similar vein; A competent and confident team builder with strong management skills who understands the subtleties of recruiting, motivating, directing and retaining a diverse workforce; An individual possessing a sense of humor, able to maintain balance and perspective. For more information, please contact Lisa Grossman 650/ or lisag@moppenheim.com m/oppenheim Associates 425 Market Street, Suite 1020 San Francisco, CA