Co-Executive Director- Operations

Black Swan Academy (BSA) is a non-profit organization based in Washington, DC committed to creating a pipeline of Black youth leaders who are committed to transforming themselves, as well as their communities.

We have a proven track record of raising awareness about social issues disproportionately harming Black youth and advocating for the elimination of structural and institutional barriers such as inequitable school funding, punitive school discipline policies and practices and police in schools, as well as insufficient student mental health staffing. BSA’s work is directed by BSA’s middle and high school youth members and a growing base of young people and adult allies who learn, unlearn, gain skills and practice them to move issue-based campaigns forward.

Reporting to and working with the Board of Directors, the Co-Executive Director of Operations co-directs the organization with the Co-Executive Director of Programming, providing direction and leadership toward achieving the organization’s philosophy, mission, strategy, goals, and operations objectives.

DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

STRATEGIC VISION, DIRECTION SETTING AND LEADERSHIP

• Ensures Black Swan Academy achieves its mission and commitment to youth-led social change
• Engages align staff and board members in developing and stewarding a clear vision, strategic plan and organization strategies that meet the moment.
• Works with Co Executive Director-Programs to set strategic goals and objectives for programs.
• In partnership with the Co-Executive Director - Programming , leads the leadership team and creates a pipeline of Black youth leaders committed to transforming themselves and their communities.
• Evaluates organizational metrics to assess progress, opportunities and needs and makes appropriate shifts in resources and/or work.
• Centers local community members and local culture in the organization’s work and vision.

BOARD AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS

• Engages with the Board Chair and Board of Directors to enable the fulfillment of organizational governance requirements for growth and sustainability.
• Communicates effectively with the Board by providing timely and accurate information necessary to make informed decisions.
• Supports the operation and administration of the Board by advising and informing members, interfacing between Board and staff, and implementing the plans and policies authorized by the Board
• Recommends yearly budgets for Board approval and effectively manages the organization’s resources within those budget guidelines according to current laws and regulations.

FINANCE AND OPERATIONS

• Provides leadership in developing organizational and financial plans, in collaboration with the Board and staff.
• Creates long- and short-range financial planning to ensure sustainability and that capital is appropriately allocated, monitor program evaluations, record keeping, and statistical reporting.
• Together with the Co-ED, Programming, oversees the administration and management of Black Swan Academy to meet the mission of the organization to ensure quality programming.
• Builds relationships for effective management of the program both internally and externally.
• Manages marketing of programs and campaigns in order to promotes mission-based programs to develop Black youth leaders committed to transforming themselves and their communities.
• Together with the Co-ED of Programing provides direction and supervision to team leads and other staff.
• Oversees fiscal sponsorship program and maintains relationships with partners
• Oversees the organization’s support fund for staff and youth members
• Provide regular budget statements and forecast analyses that accurately reflect the financial condition of the organization.
• Manages external financial consultants and partners.
• Responsible for fiscal management that anticipates operating within the approved budget, ensures maximum resource utilization, and maintenance of the organization in a positive financial position.
• Partners with the Board Treasurer to review and present quarterly financials to Board of Directors

PEOPLE MANAGEMENT

• Overall responsibility for the management of all support/administrative staff and contractors. Direct reports include the Communications Coordinator, Administrative Coordinator.
• Build a culture of staff-centered care and belonging which attracts and retains staff and encourages them to bring their authentic selves to work.
• Support and motivate the staff; facilitate cross-department collaboration and strengthen internal communications with staff throughout the organization.
• Assure managers engage with teams to ensure job descriptions are developed up-to-date, and that regular performance evaluations are held, and that sound human resource practices are in place and followed
• In partnership with the Co-Executive Director - Programs, support staff development and education to build a skilled, knowledgeable, diverse workforce capable of attaining short and long-term organizational goals and objectives.
• Ensure all organizational policies and procedures follow federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

FUNDRAISING AND DEVELOPMENT

• Lead the organization’s fundraising and resource development activities to support Black Swan Academy’s mission.
• Responsible for writing and submitting grants and generating reports on grants funds provided
• Develops and implements resource development strategies and activities, including identification of funding opportunities
• Develops and implements strategies for cultivating relationships for campaign development for major gifts.
• Facilitates solicitation meetings with major donor prospects, working closely with the Board of Directors

DESIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated commitment to and deep understanding of systematic change, youth leadership, and racial justice.
• Experience effectively managing staff and organizational resources.
• Experience in working with a governing body.
• Ability to build relationships with diverse groups.
• Excellent communication, public speaking, and presentation skills

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Three to five years of experience in operations management in a nonprofit organization.
• Experience managing private and/or public funding resources.
• Proven budget and financial management experience.
• Excellent writer, researcher, and storyteller.
• Proven experience in nonprofit fundraising, including writing and management grants, stewarding foundation relationships and cultivating major gifts.
• Interest in collaborative leadership structures and operating in a co-director environment
• Knowledge of Google and Microsoft Office Suite