Executive Search for the Executive Director of Dress for Success Triangle February 20, 2017 1
Organization Dress for Success Triangle Position Description: Executive Director https://trianglenc.dressforsuccess.org Applications will be accepted until March 31, 2017 or until the position is filled In 2016, Dress for Success Triangle (DFST) helped empower 2,300 women to find meaningful employment and economic security by providing career services and professional attire. Last July, the organization celebrated service to its 10,000th client since its founding in 2008. DFST is pleased to announce the majority of its clients have found employment in a variety of fields including technology, management, professional services, sales, medicine, healthcare and retail to name a few. Companies such as Lenovo, Quintiles, SAS, SunTrust, Wells Fargo, Measurement Inc., Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina and Starbucks have served as partners in this mission. It is a very exciting time to be a part of this organization that is leading efforts to ensure all women can achieve economic security. DFST is part of a network that includes over 130 affiliates all over the world. Its mission is to empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. The Dress for Success Triangle affiliate is strengthening its focus on the job placement component of this model to help ensure that women entering or re-entering the workforce are earning livable wages. The hallmark of DFST is its career development program, where women who are referred from over 150 Triangle partner agencies receive ongoing support as they transition to employment. Each client works one-on-one with a career coach to develop a cover letter and resume, and prepare for a job interview. Job-ready clients then meet with trained image coaches to select appropriate clothing and accessories for interviews, and after employment is secured, each client receives 5 days of work-appropriate clothing. Dress for Success Triangle offers ongoing assistance through the Career Development Center; the Going Places Network, a ten-week job acquisition program; and the Professional Women's Group. The Triangle affiliate, founded by Pat Nathan to help disadvantaged women gain and keep meaningful employment, is governed by a nineteen-member Board of Directors with a wide range of expertise, connections, and business leadership, all of whom are deeply committed to the mission. In addition to the new Executive Director (ED), the organization has eight full-time staff members, two part-time staff and a paid intern. More than 350 volunteers augment the work of the staff by providing career coaching, image consulting and support at the excess inventory sales. DFST is one of only four affiliates nationwide operating multiple branches, one at 1812 Tillery Place in Raleigh and the other at Northgate Mall in Durham. DFST has a $1,000,000 annual operating budget generously funded through gifts and grants from individuals, corporations, foundations and revenues earned through excess inventory clothing sales and in-kind contributions. Each of these sources contributes 25 percent to the organization s operating budget. In 2014, DFST launched a 3-year Strategic Plan to deepen its services to women seeking employment opportunities. With these goals in mind, the organization is seeking a dynamic and seasoned leader who is deeply committed to its mission and will work closely with the Board of Directors to manage and implement successfully the organization s long-range goals. 2
Candidate Description The new Executive Director will lead an established yet growing organization looking to strengthen services and advocacy for women who are seeking meaningful employment and economic security. This will require a strong and visionary leader who is deeply passionate about the organization s mission, while at the same time, understands the emerging economic issues facing unemployed and underemployed women; can engage volunteers and donors; and will maintain the quality of its programs. The Triangle affiliate has experienced extraordinary growth since its founding in 2008: revenues and clients served have doubled over the last five years; the Wake County office has moved to a larger, more accessible location; and the staff size has nearly doubled. The Board is seeking an Executive Director who has exceptional organizational and management skills, and one who has expertise in managing an increasingly complex organization with many moving parts. The new Executive Director must be able to evaluate current programs, activities and operations; identify needs; and work with the team to plan and implement processes that will optimize productivity and ensure the organization can successfully deepen its impact over the long-term. The successful candidate will need to be a savvy manager with a good working knowledge of how to manage internal affairs including being able to implement effectively the use of technology to streamline processes and partnering with others to understand and manage a complex financial budget. Financial acumen, a strong understanding of financial operations, and the ability to secure an ongoing and growing base of support are critical components of this leadership position. The candidate must be fiscally responsible; optimize financial expenditures aligned to the budget; and ensure timely and accurate financial reporting to the Board of Directors and Dress for Success Worldwide. In addition to understanding internal operations, the Executive Director must be a consummate networker and communicator with a demonstrated history of strong fundraising success. The successful candidate must be a talented and proven fundraiser who embraces fundraising and knows how to implement the elements of a successful fundraising operation; is comfortable and successful with making asks of $10,000 or more; and is driven to exceed fundraising goals. The new Executive Director will be joining a team of colleagues dedicated to the mission in an environment where teamwork, communication, efficiency and organization are critical. Building strong teams and managing and mentoring staff and volunteers will be at the core of what the Executive Director will do to be successful internally and externally. The new Executive Director must be a strong and caring leader with the ability to utilize staff and volunteer talents to their fullest. The Executive Director must lead the team by example with a spirit of encouragement and camaraderie, but at the same time be able to ascertain organization and operational needs with an eye toward strategic priorities. Volunteers represent 90 percent of the Dress for Success Client Services workforce, providing thousands of donated hours to help the organization fulfill its mission. The successful candidate will ensure that volunteers are supported and engaged in cooperative and meaningful ways to address ongoing needs. At the same time, the Board is seeking an individual who knows that it is the Executive Director s responsibility to manage and make the important decisions with enthusiasm and skill. The next Executive Director will need to become a part of the fabric of the communities served through participation in local groups, initiatives and events and by being strategic in promoting speaking engagements and private meetings. The ability to inspire and move people into action 3
through the spoken and written word will be critical. DFST has special relationships with key donors, volunteers, and agency partners that must be maintained and nurtured. The new Executive Director should be knowledgeable and passionate about the challenges and needs facing its clients including how they can be better supported; understand the critical role of staff and volunteers; and have a thorough understanding of leading an established nonprofit including fundraising, financial management, human resources management, technology and operations. The Executive Director will have the support of a strong team but will lead the organization in these endeavors, all in the service of helping women who are seeking long term economic stability and employment. This position requires extensive travel throughout the Triangle and a willingness to work nights and weekends during events and other times, as needed. The Executive Director will lead by example, demonstrating a commitment to hard work and dedication. Responsibilities Leadership Lead internal operations. Manage an increasingly complex organization and be able to monitor, plan and implement a course of action for meeting long-range strategic goals. Provide strategic, visionary leadership to the organization. Lead the organization in achieving strategic priorities. Maintain and implement the strategic plan in coordination with the Board and staff and ensure its monitoring and evaluation. Be the voice of DFST and its mission; work with Marketing Committee of the Board to create an annual marketing/communications strategy to strengthen the organization s status and reputation in the local communities. Become part of the fabric of the community through participation and leadership in local events and panels and through speaking engagements. Develop relationships with the Board members, local leaders and donors that will lead to longterm support and advocacy on behalf of DFST. Maintain a strong relationship with Dress for Success Worldwide and ensure compliance with annual reporting requirements. Exemplify the spirit of care and ensure the highest quality experience for all clients who seek DFST's help. Be knowledgeable about the issues facing unemployed and underemployed women. Serve as an advocate for women s issues and ensure that leadership is knowledgeable about the top issues facing women today. Fundraising and Financial Management Take responsibility for developing, managing and reporting on the organization s budget and finances; reporting requirements to funders, auditors, the Board, Dress for Success Worldwide and local, state and federal authorities. Develop a strong and thorough understanding of the organization s finances and accounting methods and be able to effectively communicate and share financial information with Board, staff and others. Work closely with the Board Treasurer. 4
Work closely with the development staff on the organization s fundraising efforts and help build a diversified development plan; assist in stewarding major existing donors and help with soliciting leads and major gifts to support an annual operating budget of $1M, $750,000 of which comes from traditional fundraising and the remaining $250,000 comes from excess inventory sales. Work with the Board to identify expansion parameters and to plan for significant investments in staffing and infrastructure. Develop a thorough knowledge of the funding, history, major accomplishments and challenges of DFST; engage with key donors, volunteers, and agency partners who are critical to the organization's success while working closely with the Development Committee and staff. Operations and Programs Create a healthy, supportive, productive and safe work environment. Evaluate and monitor ongoing processes, operations and systems; identify critical needs; and plan and implement strategies for addressing gaps and improving efficiencies. Lead and manage day-to-day activities, routines and processes of DFST including client programs and services, the role of volunteers, inventory management and sales, and the physical plant needs of the facilities. Supervise, evaluate and mentor staff; make hiring and retention decisions; work closely with the Human Resources Committee to ascertain staffing and volunteers needs and act accordingly to meet those needs. Take a leadership role in the implementation and expansion of Salesforce and be able to use new technology to streamline processes within the organization. Oversee and ensure the updating of the organization s personnel manual and the policies and procedures critical to the success of the organization. Create an environment supportive of the volunteers, both those who work with clients, those who help with fundraising and other ways. This environment should encourage and engage volunteers to participate in the operations, programs, fundraising, and general needs of the organization. Board Relations Report to and be accountable to the Board of Directors; keep the Board informed of issues of importance to the organization and keep staff informed of Board decisions. Play an active role in the recruitment of new Board members and seek ways to maximize each member s contributions. Keep former Board members engaged. Support the Board s strategic governance to align with future growth and development. Assist the Board leadership in creating a culture of philanthropy and support through personal giving, Board involvement in fundraising and positioning the organization for success. Keep and maintain open communications regarding all programs (client success and needs) and operations (fundraising, finances, staffing) reported monthly to the Executive Committee between quarterly Board meetings. Prepare and provide materials and mailings for quarterly Board meetings. Be able to reach consensus through collaboration. Education and Preferred Qualifications Bachelor s degree required; graduate degree preferred. 5
Five or more years of progressive leadership experience. A minimum of three to five years of management level positions. A strong passion for issues facing women: employment, wage equity, child care and discrimination. Experienced with the financial and operational side of a nonprofit or business including, but not limited to, budgets, finances, audits, and required reporting. A proven track record in fundraising success. High degree of emotional intelligence, maturity and integrity. Caring and empathetic; optimistic by nature and can run business operations with a heart. Strategic and creative thinker with a proven history of leading an organization to reach ambitious goals and the wisdom to know when changes are required. Exceptional networker and relationship builder, with a track record of creating links with individuals, community groups, institutions and corporations. Stellar communication skills with the ability to listen, engage, inspire and educate. Experienced mentor who encourages staff to reach organizational and personal goals and sets clear expectations for performance; has the ability to make the difficult personnel decisions when required. Energetic and diplomatic with a sense of humor. Compensation: Commensurate with experience and abilities and reflective of salary levels in nonprofit organizations. To apply: Submit a cover letter and resume in one document, including your salary and benefit requirements, and send via email to dfssearch@mossandross.com. Applications will be accepted until March 31, 2017. Dress for Success Triangle is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Writing samples and references will be required from finalists who will be notified after the application deadline. Academic, credit and criminal checks will be conducted before a final offer is extended. At least three references will be required by finalists. 6