Director Search

First Chance for Children is accepting applications for the position of Executive Director.

The Director supports the work of a 15 member Board of Directors, and is responsible for growing the agency into a sustainable 501 (c) 3 organization that provides positive outcomes for children who live in poverty by 1) cultivating relationships; 2) building public and private investments; 3) developing operations that are accountable to outcomes, and 4) raising public awareness about the importance of early childhood education. The agency is seeking a motivated individual with over five years experience in fundraising and operational management of a 501 (c) 3 agency. Demonstrated skills in financial and personnel management, with strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office programs and data management required, as well as a bachelors or advanced degree in early childhood education, public affairs, organizational communications or related area.

The Executive Director will also coordinate proposals across related agencies and diverse populations, thus requiring superb communication skills. Duties will include managing all grants and contracts for regional services, providing information and preparing grant and contract proposals for Board approval, actively seeking new and continuing sources of revenue from public and private sources to maintain organization function, and managing a staff of 5-6 people. Must be a team player with initiative as well as the ability to work independently on a variety of projects and be available for evening and weekend work when necessary. Approx. compensation $60,000/yr plus benefits. Expected start date June 15, 2010. Application with resume and references due by April 1, 2010 to FCFC office at Faye St. Columbia, MO 65201.

Further job description:

Directing a regional initiative aimed at building a model early learning system that increases the number of children who enter school ready to succeed
Overseeing all agency activities to ensure operational effectiveness including personnel hiring, staff orientation and staff development
Directing the agency's administrative and financial management systems, which currently includes an annual operating budget of approx $1 million
Developing the organizations resources through fund-raising, grant writing, and initiatives to seek public and private funding support
Serving as the agency's primary liaison with local, state and federal funding partners
Overseeing agency public relations and serving as the chief spokesperson to include media interviews, public speaking and giving testimony
Planning, developing, implementing and monitoring contractual relationships with local, state and federal funding partners
Overseeing the planning, implementation and evaluation of services that provide parent education support and services for families who live in poverty, and support to child care providers who care for children from low-income families
Forging partnerships and building consensus among community partners to support coordinated resources and regional early childhood agenda
Gathering and analyzing outcomes data to support mission of organization
Building relationships with and engaging community and business leaders in early childhood initiatives
Serving on the community-based Early Childhood Coordinating Board aimed at coordinating community resources to support early childhood education
Facilitating discussion among Board of Directors and agency partners to support ongoing development of agency strategic plan
Tracking, monitoring and reporting progress of all agency activities and providing updates to Board of Directors
Developing system to provide timely acknowledgment of monetary donations, in-kind donations and volunteer support for agency

Desired skills, abilities and qualities:

Attention to detail with strong project management and special event skills
Demonstrated ability to write analytically with superior business math skills
Ability to think strategically, with an entrepreneurial spirit
Excellent interpersonal communication skills
Effective problem solver with superb organizational skills
Experience with and a desire to work with a diverse population
Genuine commitment to education
Superior and demonstrated computer skills, including extensive experience with and knowledge of all Microsoft Programs (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook) and be highly skilled in e-mail, internet use and data base management
Success in identifying and cultivating high level prospective donors and experience soliciting five and six figure gifts