Executive Director - Job Announcement
About Umoja
The Umoja Community Education Foundation (Umoja) is a Nonprofit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to a community of educators and learners committed to the academic success, personal growth, and self-actualization of African Americans and other students. The Umoja Community seeks to educate the whole student—body, mind, and spirit. Informed by an ethic of love and its vital power, the Umoja Community deliberately engages students as full participants in constructing knowledge and critical thought. The Umoja Community seeks to help students experience themselves as valuable and worthy of an education.
About the Role
The Umoja Community Education Foundation Board seeks an experienced leader of proven effectiveness to serve as Executive Director of the Umoja Community Education Foundation. The role offers the opportunity to play a key role in advancing the educational and personal development of African American and other students, while also contributing to broader efforts to address systemic inequality and promote social justice.
The executive director will lead a staff charged with translating a vision for equality and social justice into programs and activities that entail a variety of partnerships with internal and external partners. As the top executive of Umoja Community, the executive director would shape the organization's vision and strategy, and work closely with staff, volunteers, and partners to develop and implement programs that promote academic success, personal growth, and self-actualization for African American and other students.
In addition, the executive director of the Umoja Community Education Foundation is responsible for building partnerships with colleges and schools, community organizations, and funders to develop and implement joint initiatives that have a greater impact on the community.
Overall, the role of the executive director of Umoja Community Education Foundation is both challenging and rewarding, offering the opportunity to make a significant difference in the lives of African American and other students and to contribute to broader efforts to promote equity and justice in society.
Core Responsibilities
The executive director of the Umoja Community Education Foundation plays a critical leadership role in advancing the organization's mission and goals. As the top executive, the director is responsible for managing the organization's day-to-day operations, developing and implementing strategic plans, overseeing staff and volunteers, and fundraising to support the organization's programs and initiatives.
Overall, the executive director of Umoja Community is a critical leadership position that requires a strong commitment to the organization's mission and values and the ability to manage complex operations, build partnerships, and inspire others to support the organization's work.
Specifically, the executive director of the Umoja Community Education Foundation would be responsible for:
- Leadership: Providing overall strategic leadership and vision for the organization and overseeing staff and volunteers to uphold Umoja Community's mission and values.
- Program Development: Collaborating with other staff members to develop and implement effective programs that promote academic success, personal growth, and self-actualization for African American and other students.
- Fundraising: Developing and executing fundraising plans to secure resources and funding for the organization's programs and initiatives.
- Partnerships: Building and maintaining partnerships with key stakeholders, including colleges and schools, community organizations, and funders, to advance the organization's mission.
- Financial Management: Ensuring that Umoja Community operates within its budget and that all financial records and reports are accurate and up-to-date.
- Advocacy: Representing Umoja Community and advocating for its mission and goals in the community, with policymakers, and in other public forums.
Qualifications
The preferred candidate will be a proven professional with demonstrated successful experience in managing a staff team, leading business and resource development activities, expanding mission-relevant programs, and ensuring organizational effectiveness. This strategic leader will bring the following experiences, skills, and knowledge:
Minimum Requirements:
- Master’s Degree from a regionally accredited institution
- A minimum of five years experience in a senior management position, preferably with a nonprofit organization
- Experience in grantmaking and grant management
- Strong project management skills
- Experience with state and federal government agencies, contracting, and task agreements
Desired Qualifications:
- Certified Association Executive (CAE)
- Previous experience as executive director in an education-related nonprofit organization
- Experience with governmental agencies
- Demonstrated sensitivity and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Adaptability and flexibility in the face of changing conditions; tolerance for adversity and uncertainty
- Proven leadership skills and the ability to inspire and motivate others
- Excellent organizational development, marketing, communication, administrative, and personnel management skills
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to resolve conflicts and find common ground
- Excellent oral and written communication skills and comfort with public speaking
- Diplomatic approach and the ability to be sensitive to and inclusive of various perspectives
- Comfort making decisions among diverse individuals and organizations
Supervisory Responsibility
Facilitate and oversee a highly productive, collegial, team environment for geographically distributed staff. This position is responsible for the performance management and supervision of all Umoja Community employees and staff.
Travel
Regular travel throughout the State of California is required. Some out-of-state travel may also be required.
Salary and Benefits
This senior-level position has generous benefits, including health/flex, vacation, and retirement package. Salary is commensurate with experience, with a salary range of $131,750 - $178,250.
Physical Requirements
Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.
Location
The Umoja Community Education Foundation has an office in Sacramento. Some staff work out of the Sacramento office, while others are located in other parts of the state and work remotely, occasionally attending in-person staff meetings. The ED is expected to live in California and have some on-site presence in the Sacramento office to meet with and supervise staff; however, the nature and frequency of that presence are negotiable (i.e., remote work is possible).
How to Apply
To indicate your interest in the position, please submit a cover letter and resume/CV to: recruiting@umojacommunity.org. Review of applications will begin immediately. Materials received by Monday, May 15 will receive priority consideration, but applications will continue to be accepted and reviewed until the position is filled.