Job Title:            Executive Director

Organization:     Better Basics, Inc.

Reports to:         Board of Directors

FLSA Status:      Exempt

Location:            Birmingham, AL

 

Job Overview

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Better Basics is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization advancing children’s reading and mathematics literacy in Central Alabama. Founded in 1993 by John Glasser, who saw the direct correlation between poverty and illiteracy, Better Basics reaches children from birth to 18 years through academic programming and community outreach. Better Basics delivers a comprehensive range of research-based intervention and enrichment programs through collaboration with public schools, partners, and community organizations, while providing books and literacy outreach services directly to vulnerable communities.

 

Position Summary

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The Executive Director is responsible for the overall leadership and management of the agency with the goal of measurably increasing reading and mathematical literacy among vulnerable populations in Central Alabama. Specifically, the Executive Director provides strategic and operational direction and leads/manages personnel in the execution and growth of the mission.  The Executive Director directly supervises the Director of Development, Director of Programs and the Finance Manager.  The Executive Director reports to the Board the Directors.

 

Responsibilities 

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Leadership & Management

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• In conjunction with the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will be responsible for agency oversight, which includes but is not limited to:

  • ongoing local programmatic excellence

  • rigorous program evaluation

  • consistent quality of finance and administration

  • fundraising communications and systems

  • timelines and resources needed to achieve the strategic goals

  • elevating integrity across all processes

  • transparent and effective communication with staff, board and partners

• Actively engage and energize Better Basics volunteers, board members, event committees, alumni, partnering organizations and funders.

• Develop, maintain and support a strong Board of Directors; serve as ex-officio of each committee; seek and build board involvement with strategic direction for growth

• Lead, coach, develop and retain Better Basics’ staff

• Ensure effective systems to track scaling progress, and regularly evaluate program components, so as to measure successes that can be effectively communicated to the board, funders, and other constituents.

• Work with Finance Manager and Board of Directors to prepare and execute annual budget

• Ensure compliance with all local, state and federal regulations. 

 

Fundraising & Communications

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• Expand local revenue generating and fundraising activities to support existing program operations and strategic expansion.

• Build Better Basics brand and marketing efforts in coordination with Director of Development to strengthen and leverage internal and external communication tactics for fundraising, programs, and brand awareness in local media and community.

• Nurture relationships with education and community partners.   

• Use external presence and relationships to garner new service and funding opportunities.

 

Planning & Business Development

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• Design and oversee a strategic business planning process for the program growth and effectiveness with current partners or new partners.

• Build partnerships with stakeholders including existing and potential school partner organizations, community organizations, government officials and donors.

• Be an external area presence that publishes and communicates program results with an emphasis on the successes of the local programs as a model for regional replication.

• Evaluate current research/best practices regularly and modifies programming in cooperation with the Director of Program Services.

 

Qualifications Required 

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• Significant administrative and senior management experience, preferably with a non-profit organization or in a related field with a track record of effectively leading a performance- and outcomes-based organization and staff.

• Experience engaging a broad group of stakeholders deemed critically important to the organization’s mission and goals, through development and implementing of effective communication strategies to earn and maintain trust and creditability.

• Excellence in organizational management with the ability to coach staff, manage, and develop high-performance teams, set and achieve strategic objectives, and manage a budget.

• Unwavering commitment to quality programs and data-driven program evaluation.

• Past success working with a Board of Directors with the ability to cultivate existing board member relationships.

• Strong marketing, public relations and fundraising experience with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders and cultures.

• Outstanding interpersonal skills and the ability to relate well to a broad and widely diverse group of employees and clients. 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 

• Demonstrated skill and aptitude for managing multiple projects simultaneously. 

 

Preferred 

• Master's degree preferred in related field, but not required

• Fundraising experience preferred 

 

Estimated hiring range for this role is competitive and based on experience.  Final offers will be based on experience. Any offer is contingent on a background

check.

 

Better Basics is an equal opportunity employer. We hire, promote, and take all other personnel actions without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, genetic information, military service connection, disability, age or any other unlawful basis. Better Basics prohibits discrimination against employees or applicants because of some perception that they may be disabled or because they are related to or associated with a person with a disability.

 

To apply or inquire: Aaron@brightstreetsolutions.com