Executive Director

Executive Director of the Children’s Literacy Project

Full-time position (40 hours/week) that may require some evening and weekend availability for Board of Directors meetings and community partner events. While the position is hybrid, it requires 2-3 in office work days in Durham, NC per week.

BASIC FUNCTIONS:

The Executive Director is responsible for ensuring the organization consistently achieves its mission, develops and executes its strategic plan, meets its financial objectives and maintains operational excellence. Additionally, the Executive Director is responsible for providing reports to the Board of Director that outlines progress, challenges and strategic initiatives. They serve as an active community leader and advocate for the mission of the Children’s Literacy Project.

Specific duties include, but are not necessarily limited to, four key areas:

Leadership/Strategy

The Executive Director is ultimately responsible for providing fiscal, organizational and programmatic leadership to the organization’s staff and extended volunteer community. The Executive Director would create & maintain a climate that attracts, develops and retains a diverse staff of top-quality talent. This individual would promote collaboration and engagement between all staff, volunteers and community partners to achieve mission-centric work. They will also serve as the primary spokesperson and advocate effectively sharing the organization’s mission, vision and values to all stakeholders. They will also make sure that staff clearly understand their job descriptions, undergo regular performance evaluations and are encouraged to engage in professional development and education. 

Operations

The Executive Director will ensure effective day-to-day operations by maintaining policies, procedures and technological tools to support program accessibility and fidelity. The ED will implement sound human resource practices. The ideal candidate is a learner who continues to develop and grow, and encourages those around them to do the same. 

Finance

The Executive Director is responsible for ensuring that the organization develops and follows sound financial practices and procedures. They work alongside the staff, Finance Committee and the Board of Directors to prepare an annual budget and ensure that the organization operates within those guidelines. They must also provide the Board of Directors with timely and accurate financial information and updates. In addition, they are responsible for meeting all audit and 990 requirements.

Fundraising

The Executive Director works collaboratively with the staff to publicize the activities of the organization, its mission, its programs and its goals to support fundraising efforts. This includes garnering new opportunities to create working relationships and cooperative agreements with partner schools, community groups and like-minded organizations. They also manage comprehensive fundraising strategies, including donor cultivation, grant writing and corporate sponsorships. 

REQUIREMENTS:

• Minimum 3-5 years of management experience effectively leading an organization and executing strategy.
• Excellence in organizational management with the ability to coach, manage and develop high-performance teams.
• Ability to set and achieve strategic objectives.
• Financial acumen and experience with preparing and managing a budget, as well as, ensuring the organization’s financial stability.
• Proven experience with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Action-oriented, entrepreneurial, adaptable, and innovative.
• Ability to work effectively in collaboration with diverse groups of people.
• Passionate, of high integrity, positive attitude and mission-driven.
• A Bachelor’s degree; an advanced degree or other commensurate experience is preferred
• Familiarity with the Orton Gillingham approach and the science of reading
• Strong knowledge of the elementary education landscape
• Ability to meet in-person with CLP team members, volunteers, and community members in the Durham, NC and the greater Triangle area
• Ability to create and foster community relationships throughout the Triangle area

COMPENSATION:

Base salary range is $65,000-$75,000 based on experience with additional benefits.

EQUITY LENS:

We strongly encourage applications from Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQIA+, women, people with disabilities and/or those with lived experience with learning differences, difficulty learning to read, or poverty. Children's Literacy Project is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and adheres to all applicable civil rights laws.