The Center for Urban Transformation, or CUT, is searching for an entrepreneurial and passionate visionary for its Executive Director position.

CUT is an exciting start-up organization representing a unique collaboration of organizations committed to developing innovative strategies for transforming the 5th Ward neighborhood and being a model for other neighborhoods. CUT’s mission is to create opportunities for 5th Ward families to overcome the adverse effects of racism, poverty, and other inequities by implementing programs that encourage growing prospects for survival and success.

The 5th Ward, one of Houston’s oldest and most impoverished neighborhoods, while amidst revitalization, has systemic problems that are rooted in inequitable access to resources, generational poverty, and environmental blight – all of which are impediments to creating a community of choice where people enjoy living, working, and playing. To build on the momentum of growth and revitalization in 5th Ward and to address unmet needs, CUT was launched under the collaboration of the Fifth Ward Community Redevelopment Corporation, a 30-year-old housing and economic development nonprofit; Pleasant Hill Ministries, a 93-year-old church; Houston Habitat for Humanity; Legacy Community Health, which operates the local health clinic; and the Berg & Androphy law firm.

CUT is focused on five core approaches:

Incubate new programs that cross sectors and address gaps in services
Coordinate services among partners in a systemic way
Use research and data to improve services
Build leaders in the community
Train professionals in diverse and relevant fields to understand the needs of Fifth Ward

CUT provides several programs and initiatives. Its Juvenile Justice Diversion program seeks to break the school-to-prison pipeline by offering case management, restorative justice-based activities, and mentorship to youth involved in the justice system. Its restorative justice work extends beyond juvenile justice to also provide training in empathy-based conflict resolution to community members and others. CUT also provides wrap-around services, helping families access legal services, food, rental and crisis assistance, workforce development, and more. Finally, CUT is launching an initiative to bring together community stakeholders to strategically address social determinants of health and reduce health outcome disparities.

Position description

Competencies and skills

Strategic thinker and visionary
Familiar with systems-approach to social change and reform
Able to both listen to and influence decision-makers within and outside of the collaboration
Passionate about equitable community development with a career commitment to social justice
Excellent communication skills and able to deliver complex messages to diverse audiences
Integrates compassion into all aspects of work
Able to lead and coach others to lead

Board development, community engagement, and communications

Support CUT board development by recruiting additional members, managing communications, preparing for meetings, and completing tasks identified by the board for governance
Build and manage relationships with other partners outside of the collaborative and essential to the success of CUT, including elected officials, business partners, civic leaders, and other community organizations
Facilitate the 5th Ward Public Safety Leadership Council and Health Initiative Council.
Manage and monitor partnership agreements so that partners are clear on their roles, responsibilities, and benefits
Prepare and manage reports and communications to board, funders, and partners
Build relationships with community leaders in order to build trust, stay updated with local issues, understand diverse local perspectives, and develop a nuanced view of how CUT can best impact the neighborhood
Develop and implement a communications plan that engages both community members and organizations through various methods including presentations and online communications

Planning, project management, and fundraising

Draft and implement project plan(s) to implement the priorities in the CUT Strategic Plan, with clear timelines, tasks, and resources
Develop and define the objectives and outcome targets for CUT, integrating the vision for CUT, the goals for the collaboration, and community needs. Do so in partnership with staff and board.
Develop and manage a budget for implementation and for operations
Determine and execute plan to measure and report outcome metrics for short-term and long-term CUT objectives
Lead strategic fund development and fundraising to sustain the organization and meet the needs of growth
Recruit, orient, and onboard staff in coordination with current staff and according to organization chart and board direction
Oversee programs, ensure quality services, and oversee data management
Prepare and enforce policies to ensure consistent and high-quality programs, services, and initiatives

Service provision and staff management

Supervise program and case managers for juvenile justice diversion program.
Ensure quality services for juvenile justice diversion by overseeing and planning for staff training, data management, and service provider relationships
Manage consultants as necessary, including consulting leading the Social Determinants of Health initiative under CUT

Qualifications

At least seven years of relevant work experience with progressively increasing responsibilities and at least one year of experience managing staff.
Master’s degree preferred in a related field such as social work, public policy, and public administration, law, etc.
Have an entrepreneurial spirit in order to build on the successes of CUT as a start-up organization, continuously strengthen its foundation, and be adaptive in a fast-paced environment
Ready to engage in fund development and fundraising
Experience managing a budget is preferred
Experience in strategic planning, systems analysis, program design, and program management will serve you well in this position
Enthusiasm to partner with diverse communities and work alongside people of diverse backgrounds
Preference given to those who have experience working with marginalized and/or vulnerable populations

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Fifth Ward Community Redevelopment Corporation jobs

Executive Director