State Director, California

The State Director, California will assume leadership for Citizen Schools operations in the state of California and will join a dynamic organization dedicated to high quality after-school programming, powerful educational outcomes and aggressive expansion.  Under the direction of the Executive Director of the National Network, the State Director will oversee Citizen Schools programs in California; cultivate state and local funds for California-based growth; supervise a state staff team of 40+; manage relationships with key constituents at five existing Citizen Schools campuses in Northern California and cultivate new relationships in expansion cities; build state partnerships to source staff and volunteers; champion the Citizen Schools brand; and deepen Citizen Schools’ impact on local and state-wide policy. All efforts will happen in coordination with Citizen Schools Headquarters in Boston, MA.
Citizen Schools currently operates five programs in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties, including two in Redwood City, one in East Palo Alto, and two in Campbell.  By 2008/2009, Citizen Schools plans to operate nine campuses across five communities.  The ideal candidate has practical leadership and fundraising experience, entrepreneurial zeal, familiarity with the California non-profit, policy and after-school and/or education landscapes, and a deep commitment to youth and community development.  This is a full time role reporting to the Executive Director of the National Network.  This position will be based in Redwood City and occasional travel to Boston is required.

Responsibilities Include:

State Strategy & Development

• Lead development of state strategy including potential expansion to Southern California and assist Executive Director of National Network with national growth strategy
• Source and develop local and regional philanthropic, political, corporate and educational contacts to serve as Citizen Schools champions and partners in resource cultivation (financial and volunteer)
• Research, cultivate and launch new sites and secure related partners - i.e., schools, school districts, funders, Community Based Organizations  (CBOs)

Fundraising, Public Policy, and Brand Building

• Raise funds locally to sustain regional programming and fund Northern California expansion, in partnership with National Headquarters.  The California state budget for FY2008 is $1.2M and is projected to grow to approximately 3.0M by 2010
• Steward local relationships and national fundraising with national corporate partners located in Northern California
• Author reports for regional and national intermediaries and funders
• Inform and advance organizational public policy initiatives
• Serve as regional spokesperson for Citizen Schools and secure state and local media attention
• Ensure brand compliance of sites

Organizational and Program Leadership

• Supervise State Program Director in the delivery of support and technical assistance to California Campus Directors, State Development Director, Talent Manager and State Coordinator with regards to fundraising, staff hiring and management, school relations, evaluation, and volunteer recruitment
• Facilitate interaction among state-based programs to share best practices and create network efficiencies; initiatives include staff sharing, regional meetings/trainings and state team building events
• Manage regional office and collaborate with Headquarters staff on administrative compliance issues
• Serve on council of Citizen Schools’ Director level staff  to help inform and guide organization’s strategic direction
  

Qualifications:

All candidates should have demonstrated leadership skills, a passion for education and community, and effective collaboration skills.  Other qualifications include:

• At least ten years of work experience, and at least 5 years of management and fundraising experience, preferably in an executive role
• Entrepreneurial self-starter; capable of self-managing in a complex environment with multiple stakeholders
• Knowledge of the region and well developed professional network
• Proven fundraising and/or sales experience
• Experience with non-profit organizations, management, program operations, and boards
• Familiarity with Citizen Schools program and/or experience in an education environment preferred
• Ability to interact at all levels of an organization and with all constituents and stakeholders
• Excellent presentation, verbal and written communication skills
• Strong organizational, follow-up, logistics skills and attention to detail
• Ability to travel regularly within the region and to Boston 4-6 times a year
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity
• Ability to model Citizen Schools’ core values: Pride, Joy, Respect, Courage, Teamwork, Perseverance, and Vision
• Minimum of Bachelors degree from accredited institution. Advanced degree preferred
  

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation will be commensurate with experience and include excellent benefits including health care, 403B, three weeks vacation, and extensive training.

Next Steps

Please send cover letter and resume via e-mail to jobs@citizenschools.org or post to Kristin Brennan, Interim Director of National Recruitment, Citizen Schools, 308 Congress Street, Boston MA 02210. Candidates will be reviewed on an on-going basis

Citizen Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, cultural heritage, ancestry, political belief, age, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability or veteran status.