Executive Director

About the Children’s Environmental Literacy Foundation (CELF)

CELF is an educational non‐profit focused on establishing sustainability as an integral part of every child’s K‐12 learning experience through the authentic exploration of real‐world problems, centered in and around the school community. Using sustainability as a guiding framework, we help schools embed place and project‐based learning into existing curriculum, across all subject areas. CELF’s facilitators work side‐by‐side with educators as they design programs that integrate both the Big Ideas of Sustainability and Education for Sustainability – EfS – principles and practices into their existing curricula while creating EfS classroom and school‐wide learning opportunities.

Position

The Executive Director of CELF will work collaboratively with the Board of Directors, serving as the chief storyteller for the foundation’s mission, partners, programming, and fundraising. The Executive Director will have an opportunity to help build the capacity of a dynamic organization poised for significant expansion. The director is responsible for overseeing the administration, programs, and strategic plan of the organization. A thought leader in the areas of education and/or sustainability, the director will lead efforts to recruit more partners and expand programming and revenue streams for the organization. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a deep commitment to the work of educational non‐profits, leading a small and passionate team with compassion, dedication, and joy.

Preferred location is Westchester, NY, Houston, TX or remote option for the right candidate. The position focuses on CELF’s current key markets of NY and TX, with secondary markets in CA, CT, and MA, and virtual reach nationally and internationally. The Executive Director reports directly to the Board of Directors.

Responsibilities:

Bold, Strategic Leadership

• Set strategic goals and action steps for the continued growth and success of the organization through a collaborative planning process.

• Provide inspirational leadership and direction to the CELF team by serving as a model of commitment to CELF’s mission, fostering constructive and healthy working relationships, and supporting the individual growth of each staff member.

• Demonstrate commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of the organization’s work and in line with CELF’s core values.

• Lead the development of new and varied programming in ways that reflect the evolving educational landscape to take advantage of a growing demand for integrated educational models for sustainability K‐12.

• Cultivate a strong and transparent working relationship with the Board, engage them in the marketing, branding, and fundraising strategies, and communicate in a clear and timely manner about the fiscal well‐being of the foundation and its programmatic growth.

  Development and Marketing

• Focus and drive the cultivation of donors with the Director of Advancement and serve as chief steward of those relations through effective communication with donors and opportunities to experience a deep connection to the work of the foundation.

• Lead development of comprehensive marketing and branding strategies that will ensure consistency of message to partners and funders and enhance revenue, including funding from private foundations, corporate giving, and public sector funding.

• Serve as the “face” of CELF by being active and visible in the community and by working closely with other professional, civic, and private organizations.

  Operations

• Recruit, hire, and retain a diverse, mission‐aligned staff who are passionate about CELF work and commitments.

• Ensure CELF’s alignment with best practices in hiring and employment as well as compliance with all laws and regulations and in line with CELF’s core values.

• Oversee the financial status of the organization including developing long‐ and short‐range financial plans, monitoring the budget, and ensuring sound financial controls are in place.

  Qualifications:

• Enthusiastic, entrepreneurial, and visionary leader with outstanding interpersonal skills and theabilitytoconnectwithandbuildtrustwithavariety ofcommunitystakeholders

• 5+ years professional experience in an Executive Director role

• Experience with K‐12 education, reform and/or leadership preferred

• Experience working with state agencies, county and district leaders, curriculum leaders, and

  educators to introduce innovative, inquiry‐based instructional materials and learning tools

• Experience with professional learning

• US and international work experience

• Expertise in business development, sales & marketing

• Strategic thinker with excellent listening and communication skills, including making succinct

  and compelling pitches for the organization

• Successful track record of fundraising and stewarding relationships with funders, board

  members, and community members

• The ability to set clear priorities, delegate, and guide investment in people, programming, and

  processes in line with an organization’s mission

• Knowledgeable on issues and regulations applicable to charitable giving (accounting, legal,

  investment, etc.)

• Ability to recognize and adapt to different perspectives and cultures in order to effectively pursue CELF’s mission in a broad range of communities

• Substantial experience in non‐profit management and leadership, including board relations, budgeting, and strategic planning

• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusivity in education and/or workplaces

• Commitment to educating for a more sustainable and healthy future for the planet

  Your application package should include the following:

  • A cover letter indicating why you are particularly interested in and qualified for the position.

  • A current résumé.

  • The names, addresses, and telephone numbers of three references. (We will obtain permission from candidates before contacting references.)

    At CELF, we don't just accept difference - we celebrate it, support it, and we thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, our teachers and students, and our community.  CELF is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer.

    Candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to Maureen@celfeducation.org. The deadline for submission is November 24, 2021.