Chief Executive Officer

Job overview/purpose

The chief executive officer (CEO) is responsible for the day-to-day leadership of the organization, and for its effective management. Working in collaboration with the chair of the board, the CEO enables the board to fulfill its governance function and facilitate the optimum interaction between management and the board. The CEO directs and formulates the plan for achieving the organization’s vision, philosophy, mission, strategy, annual goals, and objectives. Additionally, accountable for managing the programs and operations of the organization, leading and managing staff resources, and coordinating professional relations.

Position reports to the Board of Trustees. Regularly prepares and presents formal reports of the organization’s performance to the Board of Trustees. The position requires a commitment to continuous learning, and participation in internal and external professional development activities.

Duties and responsibilities

The position performs the following duties in accordance to organizational policies, applicable laws and regulations, and industry standards.

Chief Executive–Board Partnership

• Work with the board chair to

• develop annual goals for the board subject to board review and approval
• identify key issues for board deliberations
• develop agendas for board meetings
• oversee administration of board meetings and actions
• oversee preparation of board agenda books to facilitate the work of the board
• ensure materials that facilitate board analysis of issues and decision making are provided for board meetings in a complete and timely manner
• arrange for documentation of the deliberations at all board meetings
• track all recommended board actions and maintain a reporting process to the board
• ensure that all agenda items have appropriate and adequate input from the relevant oversight committees and are likely to result in approved recommendations
• support the development of individual directors as board members

Strategy and Business Planning

Coordinates the comprehensive annual planning for all aspects of the organization’s current and planned programming/product offerings, including but not limited:

• Develop an annual plan of work for CC PREP to be approved by the board.
  • The plan will describe how CC PREP will achieve its mission during the time period of the plan.
  • The plan will include operational goals, implementation activities, performance measures, and a supporting budget.
• Provide clear, concise reports to the board at each regularly scheduled board meeting that assess the accomplishment of the plan.

Revenue and Financial Management

• Planning for adequate cash flow to cover operational needs.
• Guide revenue-generating activities in order to provide adequate income to the organization, including
  • Expansion, discontinuation of current programs and services; development of new products, programs, and services in response to market demand and compatible with the CC Prep’s vision and mission
  • Lead fundraising efforts, including supporting the board’s involvement in fundraising, personally cultivating and soliciting donors, and supervising development staff and implementation of fundraising plans and policies approved by the board.
  • Lead grant and proposal efforts, including grant search, cultivating relationships with grant-making organizations, criteria for selection, and supervising staff preparing grant applications.
• Providing regular, timely internal financial statements to the board that compare performance to budget and to the previous year or other benchmark.
• Conducting multiyear financial analysis, analyzing trends, and engaging the board in strategic discussions about financial stability and sustainability, including the development of adequate operating reserves.
• Ensure that the financial affairs of CC PREP are conducted in accordance with policies and guidelines established by the board and generally accepted accounting principles.
• Ensure that sound risk management policies are in place and adhered.
• As part of a comprehensive approach to resource management, ensure the organization implements vendor management and/or vendor relationship management system to build effective and efficient working relationships and partnerships with third-party contractors and maximize the use of their work (example, bids and vendor selection, managing contracts, workflow pipelines, etc.)

Leadership and Management of CC PREP Programs and Operations

• Ensure that the actions of the board are implemented, and the results of the actions are reported to the board in timely, concise reports.
• Develop, implement, and monitor policies determined by the board; provide regular, clear, and concise reports on the impact of policies.
• Ensure that appropriate services and support are developed and provided to clients and stakeholders.
• Ensure that an optimal level of communication exists to promote the smooth development and implementation of CC PREP projects and services.
• Demonstrate substantive knowledge of CC PREP’s programs and services.

Staff Performance Management

• Ensure that effective mechanisms are in place to determine the organization’s human capital needs (professional and nonprofessional staffing)
• Develop and maintain organizational culture that fosters satisfied and engaged qualified staff
• Ensure appropriate personnel policies and procedures are developed and maintained
• Ensure adequate staff support for all CC PREP programs, operations, and committees
• Supervise senior leadership staff and conduct performance reviews; foster collaboration by providing coaching, ongoing feedback and constructive criticism
• Develops and delivers presentations on trends and issues related to CC PREP for staff meetings and internally hosted professional development activities

Professional and Community Relationships

• Work with the board, the board chair and President to identify, establish, and maintain relationships with peer organizations, employers, professional and community organizations, and government agencies.
• Work with the board and the board chair to identify, establish, and maintain liaison with professional organizations, community groups and government agencies related to emerging industry sectors or stakeholder issues as they become important for the future of CC PREP.
• Ensures marketing efforts and engagement are consistent and enhances the organization’s brand and positive market perception.
• Hosts networking and community events on behalf of the organization.
• Represent CC PREP as an ambassador and subject matter expert at local, regional, national meetings as directed by the board and/or board chair.

Qualifications

Education level: A minimum of a Master's degree from an accredited college or university, or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Terminal degree preferred.

Experience: 10 years of work experience in senior strategic leadership with significant experience in the nonprofit sector, including minimum of 8 years of supervisory experience.

Specialized knowledge

• Nonprofit management and organizational development
• Data and Reporting:  Ability to analyze and use data (ex. Economic indicators, labor market) for the purposes planning, development and implementation of strategic actions.
• Business Acumen, Management and Planning:
  • Experience with strategic management, marketing or business planning a plus
  • Expertise in grants management and nonprofit administration a plus
• Relationship Management: Ability to build and manage productive relationships with partners and peer organizations.
• Adult Learners: Working knowledge or willing to learn Adult Learning theory/principles
• Public Charter Schools: Working knowledge of (or willing to learn) public charter schools in the District and public charter school performance measures
• Coaching: General knowledge of (or willing to learn) coaching principles in conjunction with performance management
• Local jurisdiction: Working knowledge of the District, including but not limited to its government, economy and neighborhoods

Skills

• Technical
  • Proficient with common productivity (office) suite of applications, especially spreadsheets (example, Microsoft Office, G Suite, Zoho)
  • Experience using customer relationship management (CRM) software or student information system/database
  • Experience with communication, collaboration and document sharing tools or software (example, Slack, Quip, DropBox)
  • Experience with business intelligence software a plus
• Leadership
  • Capable of managing change, problem solving, taking risks and innovating, setting vision and strategy, strong business acumen, and managing politics and influencing others
  • Demonstrate high ethical character and integrity, drive and purpose, increasing capacity to learn, adaptability and self-awareness
  • Values diversity and difference with the capacity to communicate effectively be inclusive, develop others and build collaboration

Abilities

• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, excellent attention to detail, and self-confidence
• Ability to manage diverse tasks with frequent interruptions, meet deadlines with competing demands.
• High performer working independently as well as working within a team
• Strict adherence to maintaining confidentiality

Other characteristics or attributes such as personal characteristics

• Believe in the mission, vision and philosophy of the organization
• Comfortable with public speaking
• Sense of humor

Professional Memberships, Certification or other credentials

• Maintain active membership to related professional and/or industry associations, as assigned by the organization

Licenses

N/A

Working conditions

This position is based in Washington, D.C. and requires frequent travel within the District and the surrounding counties, attendance to networking and community events, and evening and weekend hours.

Physical requirements

For this position, the incumbent maybe required to stand for extended periods of time, lift heavy objects on a regular basis (approximately 25 lbs.) and do repetitive tasks with few breaks.

Direct reports

The position supervises the following personnel:

• Administrative Assistant
• All Board-designated Senior Executives