Recruitment Profile Executive Director Secular Coalition for America Atheists. Agnostics. Humanists. Americans. August 26, 2015 WBB+McCormack 1775 E. Palm Canyon Drive Suite 110-202 Palm Springs, CA 92264 323.549.9200 Fax 323.549.9222 www.wbbmccormack.com
THE CLIENT Established in 2002, the Secular Coalition for America is the premier 501(c) (4) advocacy organization and 501 (c) (3) education fund whose purpose is to increase the visibility of and respect for nontheistic viewpoints in the United States, and to protect and strengthen the secular character of our government as the best guarantee of freedom for all. Located in Washington, D.C., the organization lobbies the U.S. Congress on issues of special concern to its constituency. Its 17 member organizations are established 501(c) (3) nonprofits who serve atheists, agnostics, humanists, freethinkers and other nontheistic Americans. Governed by an elected 10- person Board of Directors, the coalition has a six- person staff and an annual operating budget of approximately $800,000. The coalition was founded to formalize a cooperative structure for visible, unified activism to improve the civic situation of citizens with a naturalistic worldview. The Secular Coalition for America is committed to promoting reason and science as the most reliable methods for understanding the universe and improving the human condition. It affirms the secular form of government as a necessary condition for the interdependent rights of religious freedom and religious dissent. The Coalition holds an annual lobby day and policy conference, publishes yearly Congressional report cards and voter guides and in 2013 published its first Model Secular Policy Guide for Legislatures. It collaborates closely with older and larger organizations with a more general mission, such as Americans United for the Separation of Church and State and the American Civil Liberties Union. The Secular Coalition also has state chapters, whose trained volunteers track and lobby on local legislation. The Secular Coalition for America addresses issues arising out of what they see as the inappropriate presence of religion into public policy, such as government funding of religious ministries (the Faith Based Initiative or charitable choice ); tuition vouchers for religious schools; federally funded abstinence- only sex education; access to birth control and emergency contraception; religious exemptions from LGBT protections; the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, etc. The Coalition is active in challenging what it perceives as discrimination against non- theists by government chartered organizations like the Boy Scouts of America. Similarly, it works to keep military chaplains from actively sharing their beliefs with service members. The Coalition also welcomes and works in cooperation with religious groups regardless of affiliation when the religious groups share their beliefs of freedom of conscience and separation of church and state. The Secular Coalition for America espouses religious tolerance to people of all religions and those without. THE POSITION The Executive Director serves as the Chief Executive Officer for the Secular Coalition for America, a 501(c) (4) organization, and its sister organization, the Secular Coalition for America Education Fund, a 501(c) (3) organization. The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors and is a non- voting member of the Board. The Executive Director is responsible for the organization's achievement of its mission and financial objectives. The Executive Director oversees the lobbying and public education efforts for the Coalition and its member organizations and serves as the chief spokesperson. The Executive Director supervises all staff, including:
Director of Operations and Finance Legislative Manager Legislative Associate Development Associate Communications Assistant Specific duties and responsibilities include the following: PUBLIC POLICY DEVELOPMENT & ADVOCACY Working with the Board of Directors and member organizations to identify and execute legislative and policy priorities. Strengthening and formalizing the state affiliate network to amplify the coalition s voice in state capitals and on Capitol Hill. Directing all the lobbying and advocacy work of the Secular Coalition for America. Developing and fostering positive relationships with Members of Congress, the Administration and their staffs, as well as other advocacy organizations and partners and undertaking other efforts to achieve the Coalition s legislative goals. FINANCIAL PLANNING, MANAGEMENT AND OVERSIGHT Ensuring that the organization is fiscally sound by adhering to rigorous accountability and transparency standards, maintaining full compliance with grant and budget tracking, and ensuring all bookkeeping, accounting, and financial activities are fully compliant with all regulatory bodies. Developing, presenting and monitoring an annual budget and quarterly financial reports for review and approval by the board; ensuring that expenditures are within the budgeted amounts; and preparing budget revisions as needed through the year. Obtaining contributions, contracts, grants, and in kind donations to support the organization s programs and operations. Ensuring the organization s cooperation with the board, funders, member organizations and regulatory bodies. FUNDRAISING & DEVELOPMENT Working with the Board of Directors and the Development Committee to set annual fundraising goals. Leading major donor cultivation, solicitation and stewardship efforts. Overseeing annual direct mail, online and other fundraising efforts directed to mid and small donors. Developing a sustainable comprehensive multi- year fundraising model for organizational success. PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND ADMINISTRATION Assuring that the organization has a long- range strategy which achieves its mission, and toward which it makes consistent and timely progress.
Providing leadership in developing program and organizational plans with the Board of Directors and staff, and carrying out plans and policies authorized by the board. Promoting active and broad participation by volunteers in all areas of the organization's activities. Maintaining official records and documents, and ensuring compliance with federal, state and local regulations. Staying current on significant developments and trends in the field. COMMUNICATIONS Seeing that the board is kept fully informed on the condition of the organization and all important factors influencing it. Publicizing the activities of the organization, its programs and goals. Establishing sound working relationships and cooperative arrangements with the Board of Directors, staff, member organizations and sector allies. Representing the programs and point of view of the organization to agencies, organizations, and the general public. STAFF RECRUITMENT, TRAINING AND SUPERVISION Supporting and retaining staff by recruiting, selecting, orienting, and training employees; maintaining a safe, secure, and legal work environment; and developing personal growth and advancement opportunities. Accomplishing staff results by clearly communicating job expectations; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results; coaching, counseling, and disciplining employees; developing, coordinating, and enforcing systems, policies, procedures, and productivity standards. Fostering a positive work environment by analyzing and resolving employee concerns; identifying trends; recommending system improvements. Preparing for the anticipated growth of the organization; developing and implementing appropriate human resource policies and procedures, including training, career development, hiring and firing, succession planning, and performance management for all staff. PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS Our client is seeking a candidate with demonstrated management experience. Ideally, the candidate will have supervisory experience with an advocacy organization working at the federal or state level. The successful candidate will have a demonstrated capacity to communicate with legislators, agencies, the media and other stakeholders and opinion leaders. Preference will be given to candidates who have a record of effective advocacy and public policy campaign leadership skills - - Capitol Hill experience is a plus. Candidates should be familiar with secular legal, legislative and public policy matters and be able to work with and represent the interest of a diverse coalition of atheists and humanists. A graduate level education in the law, public policy, or related field is a plus. The candidate should be ready to manage fundraising and finances, train and supervise staff, coordinate and build coalitions, as well as provide leadership in lobbying.
The ideal candidate will come with a vision of how SCA can grow its influence in Washington to be commensurate with representing its fast- growing constituency of secular American citizens. PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS The candidate must have excellent verbal and written communications skills and public speaking ability. As a coalition leader, the Executive Director will possess the critical thinking, relation management, negotiation and diplomacy skills needed to resolve conflicts and foster cooperation. The Executive Director must have the highest of ethical standards and a strong work ethic. The leadership skills to create and maintain a healthy work environment are essential. COMPENSATION Our client is offering a competitive salary for this position, along with a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, life and long- term disability. Although a local candidate is strongly preferred, they are prepared to negotiate basic relocation expenses, if necessary, for the exceptional individual they are seeking. OPPORTUNITY Recent Supreme Court decisions, as well as conservative legislative efforts, have highlighted the need and importance of the work of the Secular Coalition for America and its member organizations. As a diverse and multifarious society, we need to ensure that no particular faith- based or religious agenda is imposed on the majority by a zealous few and that First Amendment rights are guaranteed for all. CONTACT Please submit a brief cover letter and résumé as attachments via e- mail to: Joe McCormack, Managing Partner Michelle Kristel, Search Consultant WBB+McCormack 1775 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite 110-202 Palm Springs, CA 92264 Tel 323.549.9200 Fax 323.549.9222 Email search@wbbmccormack.com Online www.wbbmccormack.com All inquiries or referrals will be held in strict confidence. Please note that your education, dates of employment, compensation, and other information provided will be verified prior to employment.
WBB+McCormack works only with equal opportunity employers. People of color, people with disabilities and people of diverse sexual orientations, gender expressions and identities are encouraged to apply.