Position Description: Executive Director
Organization: Street Samaritans.
Location: Chicago, IL.
Reports to: Board of Directors.
Salary: $70,000 - $75,000 (Commensurate with Experience).
About Street Samaritans:
Street Samaritans is a grassroots nonprofit organization dedicated to street outreach and case management for people experiencing homelessness. Our mission is to intervene in the cycles of homelessness and poverty by connecting people to solutions and walking with them on their journey. With a team of five, we strive to provide compassionate, direct services to those in need while advocating for systemic change to address the root causes of homelessness. Our annual budget is approximately $500,000, funded through a combination of grants and donations.
Position Summary:
Street Samaritans is seeking an innovative and dynamic Executive Director to lead the organization in its mission to support individuals experiencing homelessness. The ideal candidate will possess strong business acumen, with a proven track record in nonprofit fundraising, financial management, strategic planning, and administration. This role requires a hands-on leader who is passionate about making a tangible impact, is well-versed in the unique challenges of the Chicago landscape, and brings a fresh, forward-thinking approach to the nonprofit sector. The successful candidate will be values-driven, embodying the principles of accessibility, curiosity, compassion, respect, and integrity in their leadership.
Key Responsibilities:
Fundraising and Financial Management:
- Develop and deploy a strategic fundraising plan with clear tactics and revenue streams to maximize Street Samaritans' financial position, aiming for a minimum of $200K in funds raised through a diverse fundraising strategy and a minimum of 15 grant applications submitted annually.
- Lead fundraising efforts, including grant writing, donor relations, and diversifying revenue streams.
- Ensure renewal of all existing grants through effective grant management and funder stewardship.
- Responsible for developing a proposed annual budget and monthly financial statements in partnership with the Executive Leadership Team.
- Ensure fiscal management that generally anticipates operating within the approved budget, maximizes resource utilization, and maintains the organization in a positive financial position.
- Oversee financial planning, budgeting, and reporting to ensure the organization’s fiscal health and sustainability.
- Manage resources effectively to maximize impact and operational efficiency.
Organization Mission and Strategy:
- Work with the board and staff to ensure that the mission is fulfilled through programs, strategic planning, and community outreach.
- Implement Street Samaritans’ programs that carry out the organization’s mission in close partnership with the Director of Impact.
- Support strategic planning to ensure that Street Samaritans can successfully fulfill its mission in the future.
- Enhance Street Samaritans’ brand and image by being active and visible in the community and by working closely with other professional, civic, and private organizations.
Leadership and Strategy:
- Provide visionary and strategic leadership to advance the mission of Street Samaritans.
- Develop and implement strategic plans that align with organizational goals and community needs.
- Foster a positive and collaborative organizational culture that encourages innovation and excellence.
Communication and Advocacy:
- Serve as the primary spokesperson for Street Samaritans, effectively communicating our mission, vision, values, and impact to various stakeholders.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with community partners, government agencies, donors, and the public.
- Advocate for policies and initiatives that support individuals experiencing homelessness.
- Develop and implement a comprehensive marketing and communications strategy to enhance the organization’s visibility and public image.
- Oversee the creation of marketing materials, including newsletters, social media content, press releases, and annual reports.
The Open Hearts Gala:
- Plan, coordinate, and execute the Open Hearts Gala, the organization’s largest annual fundraising event.
- Work closely with staff, volunteers, and the board to ensure the event’s success, including sponsorship solicitation, event logistics, and donor engagement.
- Develop and implement strategies to maximize fundraising revenue and donor participation at the event.
Board Governance:
- Report to and work closely with the Executive Leadership Team to seek their involvement in policy decisions, fundraising, and to increase the overall visibility of the organization.
- Oversee organization Board and committee meetings.
- Collaborate with the Board of Directors and the Associate Board to fulfill the organization’s mission.
- Provide regular updates to the boards on organizational activities, financial status, and strategic initiatives.
- Support board development, including recruitment, training, and engagement of board members.
Operational Management:
- Oversee day-to-day operations, ensuring that programs are effective, efficient, and aligned with the organization’s goals.
- Work closely with the Director of Impact to ensure the highest quality of street outreach and case management services.
- Develop and implement administrative systems and processes to support organizational growth.
- Oversee and implement appropriate resources to ensure that the operations of the organization are appropriate.
- Responsible for the hiring and retention of competent, qualified staff.
- Responsible for staff oversight and quality control in partnership with the Director of Impact.
- Ensure the effective administration of Street Samaritans' operations.
- Develop and implement administrative systems and processes to support organizational growth.
- Ensure compliance with all legal, regulatory, and funder requirements.
Policies and Processes:
- Establish and maintain organizational policies and procedures that promote accountability, transparency, and ethical practices.
- Continuously evaluate and improve internal processes to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness.
- Ensure that staff are trained and supported in adhering to organizational policies and procedures.
Community Engagement and Relationship Building:
- Engage with the local community to understand the landscape and tailor services to meet the specific needs of individuals experiencing homelessness in Chicago.
- Cultivate strong, collaborative relationships with diverse community stakeholders to enhance the organization’s reach and impact.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, Social Work, or a related field (advanced degree preferred).
- Minimum of 5 years of senior nonprofit management experience.
- Proven success in securing and managing grants, building donor relationships, and developing innovative fundraising strategies.
- Strong financial acumen, with experience in budgeting, financial analysis, and reporting.
- Three or more years of grant writing and proposal presentation development experience.
- High-level strategic thinking and planning. Ability to envision and convey the organization’s strategic future to the staff, board, volunteers, and donors.
- Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to articulate the organization’s mission and impact effectively.
- Demonstrated ability to oversee and collaborate with staff.
- Previous success in establishing relationships with individuals and organizations of influence, including funders, partner agencies, and volunteers.
- Solid organizational abilities, including planning, delegating, program development, and task facilitation.
- Strong financial management skills, including budget preparation, analysis, decision-making, and reporting.
- Strong written and oral communication skills.
- Strong public speaking ability.
- Strong work ethic with a high degree of energy.
- Passion for the mission of Street Samaritans and a commitment to making a difference in the lives of those we serve.
- Resourceful, adaptable, and willing to be hands-on in the field as needed.
- A values-driven leader with a commitment to accessibility, curiosity, compassion, respect, and integrity in all aspects of the role.
Street Samaritans is an equal-opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from individuals who bring diverse perspectives and experiences, including those with lived experience of homelessness.
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