Breakthrough Houston | Executive Director

THE OPPORTUNITY

Since its founding, Breakthrough Houston has pursued excellence in learning by fulfilling its dual mission to (1) offer rigorous academic enrichment and life skills to motivated students from under-resourced communities; and (2) train the next generation of educators.  The results speak for themselves: 94% of current BTH high school students attend a competitive college preparatory school; 100% of BTH high school seniors are accepted into college; and nationally, 76% of the teaching fellows go into education careers, and 56% go into classroom teaching careers.  BTH is poised to expand its offerings to more districts, students, and potential teachers.  With a strong Board, solid fundraising efforts, and a dedicated internal team, Breakthrough Houston is looking for its next Executive Director to lead its great work and achieve even more.  

THE ROLE

The Executive Director will provide the visionary leadership, management, and planning necessary to ensure that Breakthrough is strategically positioned to reach over 700 students and 200 teaching fellows.  Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will be based in Houston, Texas. Managing an annual budget of $2.5MM, 17 employees, and summer programs on three campuses, the Executive Director will broaden the organization’s impact in the greater Houston area while also further defining and executing our strategic plan. Cultivating valuable relationships with a range of stakeholders – including Breakthrough Collaborative, Breakthrough Central Texas, AmeriCorps, philanthropic organizations and individuals, school districts, middle and high school students, and potential teaching fellows (college students) - will continue to be crucial.

A dynamic leader with the natural ability to work closely with these diverse groups of stakeholders, the Executive Director should possess a deep understanding of and experience in addressing unequal access to education. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

As the Executive Director, you will spend your time working with a strong team and Board to accomplish the following:

Leadership & Organization Management

• Build and coach a strong, results-driven team, increase internal staff capacity, and ensure that direct reports are maximizing their potential as a team and as organizational leaders.
• Drive a positive organizational culture through communication, meaningful relationship development, and an ongoing cycle of feedback and improvement while taking into account a diverse set of needs and personalities of staff.
• Set annual targets, budgets, and organizational priorities that drive impact and align direct reports and the organization at large.
• Realize strategic plan goals by collaborating with staff to develop work plans and support ongoing progress.

Board Governance

• Promote active Board involvement, providing information necessary for the Board to make informed decisions and fulfill its responsibilities.
• Ensure appropriate preparation and support for Board and Committee meetings.
• With the board chair, recruit and support an effective, diverse Board of Directors focusing on organizational stability and fundraising.
• Provide ongoing partnership with the Board, Advisory Board, and its Committees to ensure ongoing communication of progress, successes, risks, and challenges and to provide information necessary to make informed decisions in a timely and accurate manner.

Organizational and Programmatic Oversight 

• Ensure programmatic and operational success across all three BTH sites, approve curriculum at all sites for the summer, school year, and college-bound programs.
• Ensure the homestay program for teaching fellows is successful.
• Negotiate with and oversee the fulfillment of contractual obligations with existing and new district partners.
• Anticipate and recognize trends in educational equity to meet the ever-evolving needs of a diverse community of students and school communities.
• Evolve systems to foster expansion to more students with our current district partners and lead the development of relationships with additional districts and charter schools throughout Houston.

External Relations & Communications

• Serve as the external face of Breakthrough Houston with a wide range of partners to raise awareness and advance the organization’s reputation.
• Act as Breakthrough Houston’s local and national representative with stakeholders at the partner BTH sites, Breakthrough Central Texas and Breakthrough Collaborative (BTC), and other affinity organizations.
• Work with local media to expand public awareness of Breakthrough Houston’s programs and successes and publicize the activities of the organization.

Fundraising 

• Play a primary and collaborative role with the Development Director in cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding key funders to increase participation and contributions to secure at least $2.5MM annually.
• Continue to grow a sustainable, diversified local funding base that includes investments from individuals, corporations, and foundations.
• Ensure financial stability and sustainability by maintaining healthy cash flow and adequate reserves through revenue generation, fundraising, and development.

Financial Management/Business Operations 

• Work with an outside accountant and BTH Board to prepare annual budgets and periodic financial reports while ensuring that the organization operates within budget guidelines.
• Ensure all the systems are in place and are continually updated to allow for efficient operations of the organization.
• Maintain the current systems and continually update to allow for efficient operation and compliance with HR, tax, audit, IRS regulations, and any other legal requirements for a 501(c)(3).

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

We are seeking an energetic, visionary leader who deeply understands the value of all children having equitable access to quality education and teachers committed to their success. Strong candidates for the Executive Director position will demonstrate many – though perhaps not all – of the following skills, experiences, and characteristics:

• Passion for our mission of closing opportunity gaps for students and preparing the next generation of teachers.
• Prior experience working with our students, or share their lived experience.
• Prior exposure to working within or adjacent to K-12 education, college access programs, or teacher preparation programs is strongly preferred.
• Proven record of success in leadership, with experience building and implementing strategic plans, managing teams, and overseeing budgets.
• Strategic thinker who can guide a team from vision to results, establishing appropriate goals and work plans and providing resources to fulfill them, addressing barriers to success, and sustaining positive morale.
• Experience and success in motivating, recruiting, developing, and retaining high-performing, mission-driven, results-oriented teams; fosters a culture of positivity, accountability, empowerment, inclusivity, and appreciation. 
• Strong communicator with an ability to convey Breakthrough's mission, impact, and needs across the community in an authentic way that honors our students and their families and inspires audiences to take action.
• Strong cultural competence; proven track record of commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Experience in fundraising and/or partnership-building, including success in securing philanthropic gifts, working with a Board, and/or building district/school partnerships.
• Skilled relationship-builder, advocate, and networker, with experience representing an organization to donors, partners, and community members.
• Strong integrity, humility, compassion, team orientation, and sense of humor.
• Familiarity and hands-on approach with diverse business functions including marketing, public relations, human resources, budgeting, accounting, and general management.
• Strong financial acumen with an ability to build and manage a budget and lead financial operations of the organization.
• Good analytical, problem-solving, and technical skills, with an ability to use data to make decisions and recommendations.
• 8+ years of progressively responsible and successful leadership of a similar or larger size nonprofit and/or related entity.
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree a plus.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates should apply here. We will receive letters of interest and resumes until April 14, 2023.  BTH offers a competitive salary and benefits package that includes a generous PTO policy, and medical, dental, and life insurance. We also offer access to an FSA/HSA, short-term and long-term disability insurance, and a 401k plan with matching.  We provide compensation that takes into account each candidate’s experience and responsibilities. This position is located in Houston, Texas, and travel across Houston to the site locations is expected. 

Breakthrough Houston seeks to fully represent our community and constituencies, particularly low-income communities and communities of color. Therefore, we actively encourage candidates from broad, diverse backgrounds to apply. 

Breakthrough Houston is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, status as a veteran, disability, or other federal, state or local protected class.