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Executive Director

Employer
The Telling Room
Location
Portland, Maine
Salary
Salary range: 75,000-83,200
Closing date
Jun 24, 2021

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Focus Areas
Arts / Culture / Humanities, Education, Youth Development
Job Function
Executive / Senior Management
Position Type
Full Time
Degree Level
Bachelors
Willingness to Travel
up to 25%
Experience Level
Executive

Executive Director
 

ABOUT THE TELLING ROOM

Mission: At The Telling Room (TR), we empower youth through writing and share their voices with the world. Focused on young writers ages 6 to 18, we seek to build confidence, strengthen literacy skills, and provide real audiences for our students. We believe that the power of creative expression can change our communities and prepare our youth for success both now and in the future.

Culture: The Telling Room is a creative organization dedicated to creating a supportive environment for all community members. We pursue excellence and have fun in the process, making sure to center joy and celebrate the accomplishments of our community. We nurture learning at all levels of the organization and highly value feedback. The Telling Room strives to build an antiracist organization that is culturally responsive, and that centers youth voices and historically marginalized perspectives. Our writing center is more like a living room than a classroom; it’s a safe and brave space for youth to explore their identities, tell their stories, and express their creativity. 

Commitment to Equity: As an organization dedicated to encouraging youth in their creative expression, personal growth, and academic success, The Telling Room values diversity at all levels and in all aspects of our work. In order to build and maintain a safe, supportive environment for youth, we commit to inclusion and equity as we strive to put our values into action through planning, decision-making, budgeting, and community-building.

The Role: The Telling Room seeks a visionary leader who shares our belief that writing has the power to transform lives and communities. The Executive Director (ED) has overall strategic and operational responsibility for the Telling Room’s staff, programs, and implementation of its organizational goals. Relationship building is at the center of the role. We are looking for someone who can authentically connect with a variety of stakeholders that make up our community, including partners from Maine’s coastal and rural towns, and greater Portland’s diverse immigrant communities. The ED will lead The Telling Room into its next phase of growth, which includes the post-pandemic transition back to in-person learning and developing the organization's next strategic plan. We seek a courageous leader who will work collaboratively to advance racial equity work and continue to build an inclusive organization.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership & Strategy 

  • In partnership with the staff and Board of Directors, continues to steward the TR’s mission and vision 
  • Ensures that the planning process and resulting strategic plan(s) align with the mission, vision, and core values
  • Works with management team to operationalize priorities and goals
  • Builds and maintains community partnerships to amplify the impact of the programs
  • Advances racial equity and inclusion strategies

Fundraising & Communications

  • Oversees the team (Directors and staff) in meeting all fundraising goals, including corporate, foundation, and government support, special events fundraisers, individual, major donor, in-kind contributions, and earned income streams
  • Actively pursues new opportunities for funding, and works with the Finance Committee and Development Director to ensure that income is comprehensive and diversified 
  • Increases the number of donors and size of gifts by working with the Development Director and Board of Directors to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors and funders 
  • Oversees communications initiatives and serves as spokesperson for press coverage
    Oversees public relations, communications, website, newsletters, and advocacy
  • Seeks out nonprofit, government, and corporate partners and raises the TR’s visibility in the community

Financial Management 

  • Ensures sound fiscal management to keep the TR sustainable and financially viable
  • Develops and manages the TR’s budget and regular financial reports, in collaboration with Treasurer of the Board of Director
  • Ensures financial protocols are followed by reviewing and seeking professional counsel when necessary
  • Oversees annual financial review/audit and the creation of the Annual Report
  • Works to ensure compliance with city, state, and federal policies

HR & Personnel Management 

  • Embodies the TR’s organizational culture and values through their personal and professional conduct
  • Sets high expectations for an inclusive environment where staff, volunteers, and stakeholders from all backgrounds thrive
  • Hires, supervises, evaluates, and mentors direct reports
  • Ensures compliance with TR personnel policies and laws, including those for compensation,and benefits administration
  • Develops and reviews staffing plan and organizational chart to meet TR strategic goals and fulfill mission
  • Builds strong culture of learning where professional development is prioritized for every team member
  • Conducts necessary disciplinary, termination, and other personnel actions in accordance with organizational policies

Operations & Facilities Management

  • Ensures the integrity of all program personnel and students 
  • Ensures the physical and emotional safety of students, staff, and volunteers at all times
  • Leads risk mitigation, crisis management and communications 
  • Oversees contracts and memos of understandings (MOUs) with key organizational partners/agencies
  • Keeps the TR in compliance with all laws regarding student safety 

Board of Directors

  • Serves as primary organizational liaison, works closely with the Board Chair to prepare for meetings and produce regular financial statements
  • Supports development, governance, and succession planning
  • Supports the Board’s decision-making by providing accurate and timely information, recommending appropriate action, and ensuring policy and program implementation
  • Ensures adequate staff support for Board committees
  • Performs other duties as assigned by the Board

Program Development & Evaluation 

  • Works with the programs and publishing staff to operate high-quality programs
  • Ensures the evaluation of programs and the effective incorporation of results to inform future program delivery
  • Promotes the creation of new evaluation tools and research to enhance understanding of program impact

QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience

  • Experience in Education, Arts Education, Writing, or Nonprofit Fundraising and Administration with 5+ years of relevant experience that includes supervisory and administrative experience, or: Bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as Education, Arts Education, Writing, or Nonprofit Administration with 5+ years of relevant experience that includes supervisory and leadership experience

Skills & Competencies

  • Set organizational priorities and goals
  • Lead with transparency and integrity
  • Advance racial equity and inclusion
  • Create a vision and then motivate and inspire others to action
  • Manage the team and hold direct reports accountable for their functional areas
  • Solve problems efficiently and creatively
  • Multi-task with ease
  • Engage in public speaking effectively and persuasively
  • Write and communicate effectively
  • Work independently to meet tight deadlines
  • Collaborate effectively with staff, Board of Directors, nonprofits, community partners, schools, foundations, and corporations
  • Serve as a strong advocate and leader in the field of writing and arts education

We are an equal opportunity employer. We prioritize the leadership of people of color and LGBTQ individuals, and we strongly encourage people of all historically marginalized identities to apply. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition or any category protected by local, state, or federal laws.

HOW TO APPLY


To apply, please complete this form. In lieu of a cover letter, please answer the questions provided. You will be prompted to upload your resume and a list of three references at the end of the form. The Application deadline is July 10, 2021. Please email edsearch@tellingroom.org with questions. No phone calls, please.

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