Position Profile
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Executive Director
National Students of AMF Support Network
The Organization
The National Students of AMF (deceased or "Ailing Mothers, Fathers," or loved ones) Support Network is dedicated to supporting college students coping with the illness or death of a loved one and empowering all college students to fight back against terminal illness. Incorporated as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in April 2006, National Students of AMF Support Network helps students establish Campus Chapters on college campuses nationwide, provide information and support through their website, and raise awareness of the needs of grieving college students.
National Students of AMF Support Network hosts the annual National College Student Grief Awareness Week and the National Conference on College Student Grief. Other national-level activities include the annual Boot Camp 2 Beat Cancer, the AMF Banquet, and fundraising events. There are currently 26 Campus Chapters across the United States. Each Campus Chapter includes a peer-led Support Group for students coping with the illness or death of a loved one to share with others “who understand,” a Service Group open to all student to participate in service projects to fight back against terminal illness, and an Angels Program, which involves faculty members being paired up with members of the Support Group.
Recently, National Students of AMF Support Network has begun to grow and mature as an organization, and seeks to hire its first full-time, paid Executive Director. The 20-member Volunteer Executive Leadership Team has managed all aspects of the organization, and defines and leads an internal culture hallmarked by high levels of creativity, professionalism, and dedication. The right Executive Director will be essential to the organization’s success in accomplishing the significant program growth planned for the near future.
THE AREA
The Executive Director of National Students of AMF Support Network may be located in either Washington, DC or in the Triangle area of North Carolina.
More than just the nation’s capital, Washington, DC is a vibrant city with extensive cultural, historical, and educational resources, with extensive, varied neighborhoods and suburbs. Washington is the site of numerous national landmarks, monuments and museums, and serves as the headquarters for many multinational organizations. The city sits at the center of the region traversed by the Potomac River. In addition to the city proper, many of the Capital area’s attractions and resources are found in Northern Virginia and the Maryland suburbs. Today, the Washington, DC area is a high technology center spawned by military, medical and other governmental research. In addition, an increasing number of nationally known non-profit organizations make their home here.
The Triangle area of North Carolina includes Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. Located within the area are the Raleigh-Durham International Airport and Research Triangle Park, home to corporate giants and the destination for many corporate relocations. Geographically, the Triangle is located in the center of North Carolina with only short drives to both the beaches and the Blue Ridge Mountains. North Carolina is noted for its beautiful countryside, rivers, sounds and forests. The Triangle is also an area of outstanding educational resources offering seventeen universities and colleges, as well as one with tremendous resources where cultural and performing arts organizations thrive.
THE CANDIDATE
The Executive Director, reporting to the Board of Directors, is responsible for overall implementation of the mission of the organization. The Executive Director will be a strategic leader who can develop, manage, market and evaluate the programs and provide direction for the organization. The Executive Director will oversee all aspects of fundraising, including developing strategies and initiatives for increasing and diversifying sustainable funding sources and long-term community partnerships. This individual is responsible for building the support base for new and expanding programs and leading the efforts to advance the mission.
The successful candidate will have proven nonprofit start-up/expansion and management skills, knowledge of budget setting and finances, experience working with a Board of Directors, flexibility and the ability to communicate the long-term vision of the organization. The successful candidate will be a self-starter who thrives in a hard-working environment. This person must have excellent written communication and oral presentation skills, and understand the dynamics involved in successful fundraising. He or she must be a strategic thinker with strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
The environment at National Students of AMF Support Network is cultivated by the committed, collaborative leadership of individuals passionate about the mission. The Executive Director plays a key role in this vibrant organization which requires that the individual have a confident, polished professional approach. Exceptional interpersonal skills are required to interact with staff, board, volunteers, local government officials, funders and community members in a motivating and productive way. The leadership team and volunteers are sociable and friendly. The successful candidate must be personable, genuine and enthusiastic, while expressing empathy and compassion. The successful candidate will be creative and cooperative, with an innovative orientation, a strong sense of community and a genuine interest in working with college-aged students.
THE POSITION
This is a great opportunity for the new Executive Director to grow this position and organization and create a legacy. In this role, the Executive Director will be part of the leadership team responsible for strengthening and enhancing the current organizational scope, and expanding it to include additional chapters through quality growth, with a plan to significantly increase the budget and programs in the next few years. This high-energy position serves as a primary representative for the organization, requiring an individual who is familiar with and well-connected to the community, and able to effectively convey the mission and work of the organization.
Essential duties and responsibilities of the position include the following.
- Maintaining the financial health of the organization in keeping with high non-profit standards:
- Effectively manage the finances and general operations of the organization;
- Develop, implement and monitor budgets;
- Ensure that expenses are paid according to the budget, plan and established procedures;
- Establish and implement a comprehensive and diverse development plan;
- Cultivate, maintain and expand individual donor base and other funding sources;
- Identify and solicit foundation, corporate and government support (e.g. grant writing skills);
- Identify and cultivate relationships with community partners;
- Coordinate and produce financial, budget, and other special reports, proposals, and analyses for management including tax information requested by donors and ensure compliance with tax regulations.
- Establish and manage the administrative office and address business operation issues as they arise
- Coordinating the work of the organization to effectively achieve its mission:
- Facilitate the operation of an effective and engaged Board of Directors, Volunteer Executive Leadership Team (VELT) and volunteers;
- Work collaboratively with volunteers and VELT to plan and execute activities effectively, including Awareness Week and AMF Weekend
- Ensure appropriate VELT management of online profiles
- Coordinate and manage 1 VELT meeting, 1 Board of Mental Health Professionals meeting, and 3 Board of Directors meetings annually;
- Work with the Board of Directors, volunteers and VELT to carry out multi-year strategic planning and evaluation
- Facilitate the operation of an effective and engaged Board of Directors, Volunteer Executive Leadership Team (VELT) and volunteers;
- Conveying effectively the work of the organization and coordinating communication within the organization:
- Cultivate and develop strategic relationships to promote the organization;
- Represent the organization in communities, on campuses, and at events;
- Participate in community activities and in appropriate conferences;
- Identify and organize community relations opportunities;
- Write and distribute all press releases; create relationships with the press and media outlets
- Create and manage correspondence, collateral materials and other relevant items;
- Correspond with students who request to start a chapter, and communicate request with appropriate VELT members;
- Maintain the website;
- Serve as primary contact for questions regarding the organization, and correspond with individuals and institutions who request information about the organization;
- Communicate with students from established or emerging chapters to encourage successful chapter development and existence
- Cultivate and develop strategic relationships to promote the organization;
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
- Bachelor's degree
- Minimum of 1-3 years’ experience in a nonprofit organization
- Successful management of volunteer-implemented activities and initiatives
- Expertise in principles of philanthropy and fundraising
- Experience creating and implementing comprehensive development plans; proven success in fundraising with individuals, foundations and corporations
- Exceptional relationship-building skills with diverse individuals
- Strong interpersonal skills to handle sensitive and confidential situations
- Ability to professionally advocate the organization’s positions on issues
- Proven exceptional written and oral presentation skills; ability to convey organization’s mission and maintain clear communication on all levels
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects in various stages of development, each with a unique timeline
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, and Power Point
- Willingness and ability to travel occasionally
- Experience working in chapter-based organization preferred
- Knowledge and expertise in nonprofit board development and management preferred
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