Job Opening

YOUTH ALIVE!

Position Announcement: Oakland, CA

POSITION SUMMARY

The Executive Director of Youth ALIVE! oversees the fund development, program planning, policy and research development, strategic planning, and capacity building for the agency.  Youth ALIVE! seeks a leader with success, passion and experience in preventing youth violence, plus extensive non-profit management-level experience and demonstrated ease and leadership in working at the highest levels of local and state government and with leaders of community and public agencies and elected officials, who will continue to expand the success of this innovative organization.  Youth ALIVE! for twenty years has provided leadership in  preventing violence in California across a spectrum of strategies, from policy and program research to intervention programs for youth.

ABOUT YOUTH ALIVE!

While countless medical and law enforcement dollars are spent after violence occurs, there are few agencies that work to stop youth violence before it begins. Youth ALIVE! was created to fill that critical gap. Our mission is to prevent youth violence and generate youth leadership in California communities, in particular in communities strongly impacted by violence. Youth ALIVE! is a non-profit public health organization that  addresses the epidemic of violence through prevention, intervention and advocacy by working closely with local, state and national partners.

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES:

Youth ALIVE! completed a strategic planning process in 2007 which it will revisit this year.  Key strategic priorities are: 

• Strengthen and raise funding for the advocacy component of the agency (initial funding raised, staff hired, now seeking sustainable funding for possible state-wide young adult gun violence prevention advocacy project).
• Develop and raise funding for a formal system for disseminating successful YA! program models (accomplished); and
• Expand research and publishing arm, explore formal relationship with UC Berkeley.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS AND OVERVIEW

The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors and works closely with the Board President.  The ED supervises the senior management staff including Program and Administrative Directors and consultants.  Roughly half of the Executive Director’s time is dedicated to public advocacy and fundraising (including marketing).  The ED is an essential external leader and messenger in the public health field of youth violence prevention and key internal leader who galvanizes both staff and the Board of Directors to achieve Youth ALIVE!’s mission.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Youth Violence Prevention Advocacy: Acts as spokesperson, educating and advocating on behalf of youth violence prevention policies in public arenas. Develops and maintains collaborative working relations with key strategic partners.
• Institutional Advocacy:  Acts as agency spokesperson, educating and advocating on behalf of Youth ALIVE!’s participants and policies in public arenas.  Develops collaborative relationships with key strategic partners.
• Fund Development:  Takes overall responsibility for fund development; actively cultivates relationships and opportunities with a broad spectrum of funders; identifies and executes development strategies and promotes the visibility of Youth ALIVE!.
• Program:  Ensures high quality program planning, development and performance to maintain high standards that support agency mission.
• Leadership:  Provides leadership to keep Youth ALIVE! focused on its values and mission in how operations and programs are carried out in a changing socio-political-economic environment.  Leads the execution and updating of the agency’s strategic plan.  Assumes an active role in organizational development and maintains a positive organizational environment.
• Board of Directors:  Provides leadership and support for the Board’s fulfillment of its governance responsibilities, capacity building and major donor cultivation.
• Financial Management:  Oversees financial management and fiscal sustainability and accountability.
• Administration and Personnel: Works with the Administrative Director who implements contracts and ensures compliance with legal obligations, together creates a positive staff environment and facilitates opportunities for professional development for all staff; and maintains strict accountability for hiring, evaluation, and personnel action.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of 10 years of experience as a successful leader and manager in the nonprofit sector focused on public health (ideally) or in related medical field, or public or private sector work in health or education with demonstrated strategic and planning capability.  Work experience and knowledge of public health, hospitals, schools, youth, and other fields relevant to Youth ALIVE!’s mission.
• Masters level degree in public health, social work, public policy or related field, including medical care.
• Entrepreneurial self-starter and visionary who produces results.
• Proven strong advocacy and policy skills, as demonstrated by leadership in successful policy (systems, legal, legislative) passage and implementation relevant to Youth ALIVE!’s mission.  Ability to communicate in a compelling manner to multiple types of audiences.
• Successful record of 10 years of raising funds from foundation and government sources with increasing amounts from $500,000 minimum annually ; high level close foundation contacts; outstanding grant and report writing ability.
• Successful management experience with a highly capable team of senior staff using outcomes measurement and goal-setting, including fiscal, program, personnel and advocacy.
• Demonstrated ability to make strategic decisions in complex situations.
• Extensive experience staffing boards of directors, and ideally serving on them as a volunteer.
• Positive high-level community relations experience with multiple institutions/organizations/individuals in the health, education, criminal justice, non-profit and philanthropic fields, and demonstrated director and board-level relationships of leaders within these fields and with local, state and nationally elected representatives.

COMPENSATION:

Youth ALIVE! is offering a competitive salary and benefits package, including:

• Medical/Dental/Vision/Vacation/Holidays/Sick leave/Retirement/Education Reimbursement.  
• Compensation will be based on the selected candidate’s experience and qualifications and be consistent with organizations of Youth ALIVE!’s size and budget. The position is Full Time (40 hours per week) plus some evenings and weekends. This is an exempt position.

TO APPLY:

Send cover letter, resume, published articles and unpublished manuscripts to Youth ALIVE!

Position will remain open until filled.

Youth ALIVE! is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Please click below to apply.