Higher Achievement, a nationally acclaimed education nonprofit organization, seeks an Executive Director at the Baltimore Affiliate.
The Organization
Higher Achievement believes that talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. We work to close the achievement gap for motivated - yet underserved - students from low-income communities. We intervene during the critical transition to middle school by providing year-round, multi-year support for students in the 5th – 8th grades. As students prepare to graduate from our program in the 8th grade, we help them transition successfully to advanced high school programs that keep students on track for college. As a result, 95% of Higher Achievement scholars graduate high school on time.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Management
- Actively engage and energize Higher Achievement scholars, families, staff, volunteers, partner organizations, and funders
- Build, manage, and maintain a strong affiliate advisory board towards reaching fundraising goals and enhancing Higher Achievement’s profile in the community
- Build external relationships that support programmatic and development goals and the long-term sustainability of Higher Achievement
- Maintain ultimate responsibility for the Baltimore operating budget, including expenses, revenue, and grant compliance
- Lead efforts to develop an office culture that embraces Higher Achievement’s core competencies (relationship builder, candid communicator, pursuer of excellence, growth mindset, and solutions-oriented)
- Collaborate with the National office on issues of financial and human resources management
Development, Fundraising & Communications
- Responsible for meeting affiliate annual revenue goals, with support from the Baltimore and National development staff
- Supervise the Director of Development, and oversee the creation of a multi-year fundraising plan, mapped to anticipated growth
- Serve as the main ambassador and champion for Higher Achievement and its scholars across the Baltimore community, developing rich and meaningful relationships with a wide and growing body of supporters, including local public, foundation, corporate, and individual investors
- Manage and engage the advisory board as champions and fundraisers
- Expand local revenue through new foundation grants, annual fundraising event, and specific individual campaigns
- Oversee all donor cultivation and stewardship efforts
- Develop strong relationships with key donors and prospective donors
Programs
- Maintain ultimate responsibility for local programmatic excellence and rigorous program evaluation
- Supervise the Director of Programs and ensure the success of annual program goals as determined in the annual operating plan
- In conjunction with the Director of Programs, nurture existing school district and partner relationships, building new, strategic partnerships to support growth and sustainability
For more information about this position, please visit the job description here
