Teen Voices Launches Search for Executive Director

Posted: 02/02/12" 

Location: Boston, Mass.

Teen Voices supports and educates teen girls to amplify their voices and create social change through media.

Teen Voices is one of the first writing programs to serve urban girls of color from low-income families. It supports girls as they become confident writers, editors and producers of the award-winning Teen Voices magazine which includes content contributed by girls from around the world.

Teen Voices was founded as Women Express in 1988 by two young women who believed girls could create social change through writing and art. In recent years Teen Voices has begun to reach girls via online and social networking tools, and currently sees its Facebook and Twitter followers and website hits increasing rapidly.

Teen Voices has attracted a strong, highly professional group of stakeholders from academic, nonprofit and corporate backgrounds who serve on the board, national advisory board and as individual donors.

The Opportunity

Teen Voices seeks an executive director to lead this highly respected girls' organization as it moves forward with its commitment to broaden reach and increase service to girls, both locally and globally. The new leader will work closely with the board to implement a strategic plan that will take the organization to the next stage of development characterized by program replication, expansion of media outlets, and national multiyear funding. The ED will lead a growth strategy that includes development of strategic alliances which enhance and extend Teen Voices' impact.

Background

An extensive strategic planning process has identified four critical goals which, when implemented, will significantly enhance Teen Voices' impact and sustainability. These goals are:

1. Strategic visioning: Developing a competitive organizational offer that includes programs, products and services that advance mission and secure desired results

2. Expand organizational capacity and leadership: The wide range of capabilities, knowledge and resources needed to be vital and effective

3. Increase financial stability: Adequate financial resources for delivering high-quality programs, products and services

4. Improve brand: Recognition of organization, core program and products by key stakeholders

The priorities for the coming years will include evaluating and realigning the program, product and service mix; expanding organizational capacity; and development of new funding sources.

The Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate must be a leader who can connect with local program leaders and participants in meaningful ways while focusing primarily on strategic goals. Specifically, Teen Voices is looking for a candidate with significant executive experience in a dynamic organization that has grown through program expansion and strategic partnerships.

The successful candidate will demonstrate the following experience, skills and attributes:

• Systemic and strategic thinker and planner; can see Teen Voices beyond its current program and service delivery methods; is able to conceptualize and align programs, products and services with clearly articulated outcomes
• Demonstrated success in national and local fundraising with special interest in major donors and multi-year funders
• Can seek out and engage strategic partners and capitalize on opportunities to extend the reach and impact of services
• History of involvement with women's and girls' organizations and initiatives
• Working knowledge of journalism
• Able to develop commitment to a shared vision and engage staff, board and stakeholders (national advisory board members and others) in accessing and leveraging resources to achieve the vision
• Seasoned in nonprofit management, leadership, governance and board development
• Able to develop, oversee and manage a balanced budget
• Excellent communicator; acts as an articulate, effective and visible spokesperson and advocate for the organization through public appearances, community participation and written communications
• Is aligned with and deeply values the core of Teen Voices' history and culture that is grounded in lives and experiences of urban low-income girls
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice
• Compassion for the participants and staff

A graduate degree in a related field is preferred and 5 to 7 years of leadership experience is required.

Application

Competitive salary and benefits package is offered, commensurate with experience.

This search is being conducted by Third Sector New England's Executive Transitions Program with Transition Consultant P Stewart Lanier. To apply, please click here.

Please include cover letter, resume, salary requirements and where you learned of the position. Only electronic submissions will be considered.

Applications will be reviewed until a candidate is hired, with a final deadline of March 14, 2012.

Teen Voices is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and actively seeks a diverse pool of candidates.