Executive Director

Executive Director

Santa Clara City Library Foundation and Friends (SCCLFF)

The Santa Clara City Library Foundation and Friends is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation founded in 2001. SCCLFF strengthens the Santa Clara Libraries, a pillar of Santa Clara’s diverse and thriving community, through philanthropic funding and active partnership. The organization has grown significantly in the past decade in its scope and impact and is seeking an Executive Director (ED) to lead and steer the organization to its next phase of growth and maturity.

What It’s Like to Be an ED at SCCLFF

You will lead a team of staff and volunteers and work with an engaged, skilled and diverse board that love the library and believe in its potential to change lives. The primary function of this role is fund development and management, which will be used to maximize the impact to the community through events and programs like Summer Reading, Comic-Con, ESL Conversation Club and Girls Who Code.

SCCLFF is a highly visible organization and you will get to interact, develop, influence, and grow relationships with public sector leaders, corporate and individual donors, library staff and community leaders. You will actively collaborate with library staff to create solutions that meet the changing needs of the library and the community.

You will have the opportunity to continually stretch yourself to develop professionally and personally. At SCCLFF, attending lively events and engaging with high-spirited individuals from different walks of life is not a perk, it’s our way of life. If you are passionate about making a difference in people’s lives and interested in leading and shaping a successful organization to its next level, you will find yourself at home.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate has high energy and passion with the ability to think strategically. They will need to simultaneously work with the big picture and the details in mind. They will have the ability to develop and maintain relationships and influence across a wide spectrum – public sector leadership, donors, library leadership and staff, foundation staff, board members, and volunteers. They have experience, expertise, and a proven track record in fund development in other corporate and / or non-corporate settings as well as the leadership skills to lead the organization to its next phase of growth and maturity.

The Role

Working with the Board, the ED will work systematically and strategically to meet the organization’s goals. The ED will secure and manage funds, execute strategy and vision, build the culture, lead the staff and forge partnerships with various stakeholders.

The ED will raise private funds to support programs, enhancements, and improvements that are otherwise not provided through the annual city-funded budget. They will engage with the city and library management at all levels as well as civic, philanthropic, business and community leaders to facilitate strong, collaborative working relationships.

Reporting Relationships

The ED reports to the Board of Directors. All members of staff and volunteers report directly or indirectly to the ED.

Responsibilities

• Fund development and management¹ (elements broken down further below)
• Represent SCCLFF to internal and external constituencies
• Operationalize strategic and financial priorities
• Financial, operational, nonprofit management and budgeting
• Community engagement to include the Foundation board, donors and city leadership
• Library advocacy
• Engage city leadership to foster strong relationships and align goals for effective planning and funds management
• Digital marketing and media to increase the visibility of the Foundation within the community using print, electronic and web-based sources 
• Program management
• Provide oversight and support to a large and diverse volunteer base
• Support board recruitment, orientation and development
• Grant writing and reporting
• Compliance with reporting requirements for federal, state and local entities 

¹Fund Development and Management Responsibilities

• Design and direct activities to increase revenue
• Build an extensive, profitable donor base of corporate, private, and individual supporters 
• Foster continued giving with formal and timely acknowledgment of all gifts and donor stewardship
• Support and manage the used book selling operation - a key source of revenue
• Develop and implement the Foundation’s comprehensive short- and long-term fundraising strategies 
• Continue existing special events and initiate new events

Qualifications and Requirements 

• Bachelor’s degree or above
• Five or more years of senior nonprofit management experience 
• Knowledge and demonstrated accomplishment of fundraising principles, practices, and strategies and the operations of a nonprofit organization 
• Experience in budgeting, program development, marketing development, project management, task facilitation, and grant/technical writing experience
• Ability to engage, motivate, and collaborate with diverse groups including volunteers, donors, and board members
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including public speaking ability
• Knowledge and understanding of the cultural, political, business and philanthropic history of the Santa Clara, CA area or the willingness and ability to quickly acquire it

Other Information

The position is part time (30 hours a week) with the possibility in the future to move to full time based on mutual need. Occasional evening, weekend and holiday work may occur in accordance with Foundation meetings and events. Attendance at Foundation meetings and events with occasional commute among the library branches is required.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit a resume and a thoughtful cover letter outlining the relevancy of their skills and experience to this role and how it will help them be successful

Equal Opportunity and Employer Policy

SCCLFF is an equal opportunity employer fully committed to creating an environment and team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, styles, and experiences.  We encourage all to apply because we believe a diversity of voices leads to better discussions, decisions, and outcomes for everyone.

Relevant links

SCCLFF Website

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