Executive Director
Long Beach, CA
As a leader in providing programs and services to youth and their families for over a century, Camp Fire, a national nonprofit, has carved out a unique niche in the youth development movement in America.
Camp Fire serves youth of every race, religion, socioeconomic status, disability, sexual orientation, or other aspects of diversity. Camp Fire’s coeducational programs help both girls and boys cultivate their unique talents and skills. More importantly, Camp Fire offers all families, whatever family may look like in today’s society, life-enhancing experiences, and the opportunity to serve, play, and grow together. They hold the belief that optimal youth development occurs within small group settings, providing youngsters with the chance to engage with both adults and peers in a secure and enjoyable environment. This setting facilitates the cultivation of individual skills and the establishment of lasting relationships.
Five essential elements derived from the mission statement and core values drive every program Camp Fire offers:
We are youth-centered. Youth take an active role in determining program content and activities.
We engage the entire family in fun and outcome-rich activities. We are youth-centered and family-focused.
We are welcoming and inclusive.
We build youth and adult partnerships.
We provide service to others.
Camp Fire of Long Beach (Camp Fire) is a $2 million 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and affiliate of the national Camp Fire organization. It has a dedicated Board of Directors and a staff of 10 FTE in the main office, 50 during the school year and up to 100 over the summer. Their long-tenured Executive Director and former Program Director, Georgia Stewart will be retiring in the second quarter of this year and Sterling Search has been charged with finding their new Executive Director.
As with any leadership departure, it provides the Board of Directors an opportunity to re-assess the organization. Although Camp Fire has proved to be a long-tenured, reliable community asset and created impactful programs, there is so much more that can be achieved, firstly in the Long Beach area, and in the future, other areas in Los Angeles which fall within its service area.
The outcomes of Camp Fire programming are critical to the health and well-being of its community, especially for its most underserved children and families. As with many nonprofits, Camp Fire, who is contracted with the Long Beach Unified School District for their school programs, has suffered with program attendance during and following COVID. With a new and invigorated Executive Director, there will be plenty of opportunity to rebuild Camp Fire’s program attendance, its fundraising, and to further itself as an integral and vital resource in youth development for the communities it serves.
This is a tremendous opportunity for a leader who has a vision for Camp Fire’s mission and is ready for transformational change and growth. The Board of Directors is excited to see candidates who, with great passion for mission, will bring a new style of leadership and collaborative visioning to the Agency, realizing the wealth of opportunities that lie before them, yet still operating under the premise of pioneering the highest quality of programs.
THRIVE{OLOGY}
Our Proven Path to Youth Success
Position Description
The new Executive Director will be an innovative and accomplished visionary leader who will inspire staff, board, and volunteers. They will be charged with building on Camp Fire’s track record of success by further developing the organization’s vision, and achieving its goals for continued financial stability, community engagement, and enhancing the impact of its programs. The Executive Director must bring an entrepreneurial spirit and a demonstrated track record of transformative change management and revenue diversification and growth.
This individual must possess intellectual horsepower and be naturally persuasive and fair, and value accountability for themselves and others. The new Executive Director will lead based on the core ethics of collaboration, self-improvement, and the drive for excellence, ensuring that the best programs are being delivered to the families and children it serves.
This is a phenomenal and rare nonprofit Executive Director opportunity to work with an Agency that has exceptional programs, a strong balance sheet, and a Board of Directors and staff who are excited for the next stage of Camp Fire’s growth.
The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors and acts as Camp Fire’s fiduciary leader, translates its mission & vision into a strategic plan developed with the Board’s direction, keeps the organization financially and operationally strong, manages day-to-day operations and fundraising, and provides best-in-class programming.
The Executive Director serves as Camp Fire’s overall spokesperson, representative and agent of change, and cultivates strong working relationships with funding agencies, elected officials, community leaders, program partners, stakeholders, donors, and others.
Overall, the Executive Director builds, fosters, and maintains a balanced organizational culture that combines the richness and relevance of services with the efficacy of best business practices, fiscal accountability, and institutional impact.
Discover sparks, gain self-confidence, and learn life-changing life skills to thrive now!
Thrive{ology} is our research-based program framework founded on the pillars of Social Emotional Learning (SEL), and it works:
Specific Duties and Responsibilities
Leadership:
Works closely with the Board of Directors, establishing a shared vision for the future of the organization and develops and manages appropriate goals and strategies to advance the mission and growth of Camp Fire.
Oversees the development and implementation of short- and long-range asset and fiscal strategic planning initiatives to ensure that current and future services and fiscal goals/needs are clearly identified and addressed.
Leads a collaborative process with the Board of Directors and its committees, executing decisions effectively and ensuring that the Board of Directors and its committees are informed of critical developments in a timely and effective manner.
Inspires through best practices, goals, and rewards systems.
Guides the increased awareness and impact of the organization, clearly articulating its mission, vision, services, and strategic direction.
Models respectful, collaborative, and empowering interactions with the Board of Director, staff, volunteers, vendors, national Camp Fire leadership, donors, and the children and families Camp Fire serves.
External Affairs/ Public Relations/ Funding:
Represents the organization’s interests at the local and city levels for the constituents it serves.
Serves as chief fundraiser sustaining current funding levels and, also actively expanding networks from which new funding can be cultivated across a diverse mix of corporate, foundation, individual, public sector funders etc.
Engages with community groups and other nonprofits and school districts in the community to assess community needs, evaluating partnership opportunities to promote and support the mission.
Builds and stewards successful relationships with all funding donors/agencies.
Program Management:
Leads, develops, and mentors the program directors in the achievement of program deliverables & outcomes.
Identifies gaps in services and staffing and directs available resources to address these.
Develops processes and continuous quality improvement systems with program staff to monitor the organization’s program outcomes and adjust as necessary.
Cultivates community resources to ensure program stability.
Human Resources:
Oversees human resources and ensures the organization is compliant with all Federal, State, and local laws and regulations.
Manages and implements an effective performance management system for all employees which will include setting objectives and evaluation on an annual basis.
Develops staff recognition programs and engenders a collaborative environment which encourages staff opportunities for growth within the organization.
Define and execute the strategy of effectively mobilizing volunteers in support of the organization.
Financial and Risk Management:
Oversees the preparation of the annual budget for the Board of Directors’ financial management, allocation, and expenditure controls for the operations of the organization.
Oversees the development, implementation, and evaluation of objectives, policies/procedures, and operations for contract service areas to ensure maximum revenue reimbursement and funder compliance.
Directs the management of information technology functions including systems applications and development, database administration, and financial systems.
Oversees the asset management of Camp Fire’s real estate.
Provides for proper compliance and risk management, ensuring strict contract compliance with funder requirements.
Administration and Operations:
With the Board Chair, coordinates the efforts and initiatives of: Camp Fire’s Board Committees and Task Forces, Board meeting agendas, Board retreats; recruits diverse, talented, and experienced new Board members; encourages and plans Board members’ involvement in a range of the organization’s activities including in development of the strategic plan, fundraising, financial oversight, program review, etc.
Develops and recommends policies and procedures as requested by the Board of Directors, implements approved Board policies, program goals, and objectives, and works collaboratively to enable the Board, its committees, and individual board members to fulfill their governance functions.
Directs day-to-day operations and oversees the administration, coordination, and implementation of organizational policies, procedures, strategic planning, and services.
Regularly provides concise reports to the Board on the state of the organization (key compliance issues, program delivery and outcomes, revenue and expenses, and related administrative matters toward the development and execution of the organization’s mission, policy, and procedures).
Oversees facilities management and safety.
Executes all other reasonable duties as assigned by the Board of Directors.
We are seeking candidates offering the following qualifications:
Have a passion for the mission of Camp Fire.
A minimum of 7 to 10 years of senior management experience, with increasing levels of responsibility and management of staff, preferably with direct stewardship of Boards of Directors.
A demonstrated track record in revenue growth through fundraising and stewarding relationships with individuals/corporations/ foundations and government entities.
Proven track record of management success with comparable P&L, planning, and operations responsibilities.
Experience leading an organization through significant change and growth.
A demonstrated ability to plan and operate strategically, to build public support, to strengthen infrastructure, to inspire staff and the Board of Directors, and to develop effective services.
A strong interpersonal and communication skill set and demonstrated ability to work effectively with and gain the respect and support of varied and changing constituencies, including clients and their families, staff, Board members, potential donors, volunteers, community leaders and others.
Proven track record of diversifying and growing funding streams.
Exceptional financial, organizational, and administrative skills.
Excellent knowledge of fiscal management, budgeting, and cash flow management.
The ability to plan, set, and achieve goals and objectives, organize, and follow through.
A team builder with a track record of effective staff management, including hiring, rewarding, and retaining talented managers and administrative staff members.
Ability to juggle many responsibilities at once and to operate both independently and with the flexibility to be part of a team.
Computer literate: Knowledge of Word and Excel and ability to learn software.
Bachelor’s degree required, with an advanced degree preferred.
The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following capabilities:
Commitment to the mission of Camp Fire, with the credibility and persuasiveness to secure support from others.
A manager who leads by example and exemplifies the values and ethics of the organization.
An organized individual with strong creative and conceptual skills.
A hands-on, engaged leader who functions effectively without being autocratic or political; must be a team player who is inclusive, flexible, creative, energetic, and fair minded.
A decisive and resourceful individual with the willingness to accept responsibility and take charge of results.
A self-starter who is confident enough to express opinions, forging ahead when appropriate and holding back when necessary, and sensitive to the feelings and opinions of others.
An energetic person who is emotionally mature and dependable, a collegial individual.
Compensation
A salary of $150,000 to $175,000 plus benefits will be offered to attract an outstanding candidate.
Please contact Sarah Agee for a confidential conversation and to learn more about this opportunity.
Phone: (949) 903-281 or (917) 670-1555
Email: Sarah@SterlingSearchInc.com or Vanessa@SterlingSearchInc.com
Please direct all correspondence, emails, and telephone calls to Sterling Search, Inc. Any communication with Camp Fire will be redirected back to Sterling Search.
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