Career Opportunity: Executive Director
POSITION TITLE: Executive Director DEPARTMENT: Executive Staff
REPORTS TO: Board of Directors
POSITIONS SUPERVISED: Leadership Team, Others as Chosen
STATEMENT OF NECESSITY:
Having completed a new strategic plan in 2022, The Nonviolence Institute (NVI) seeks a new leader to continue building a beloved community of nonviolence in Providence, Rhode Island and beyond. NVI’s history establishes an expertise and effectiveness in preventing and responding to violence in the community. A recent study documents NVI’s vital role alongside other strong community institutions in rendering the rate of violent crime in Providence and the surrounding areas lower than in comparable communities around the country. NVI celebrates that record of success while seeking to continue as thought leaders on building a beloved community. NVI’s existing platform of services include building a better network of upstream institutions engaged in the vitally important social service work that is proven to prevent violence. The new ED can help enhance NVI's credentials and fund added capacity to grow NVI's effectiveness in violence prevention, enhance diversify, and balance NVI’s staff’s involvement upon their impact on nonviolence, all while fulfilling the mission to build a beloved community.
STATEMENT OF DUTIES:
The Executive Director of The Nonviolence Institute (NVI) is an experienced and creative leader that provides stewardship and oversight of NVI’s Mission, Vision, Values, Principles, and Beloved Community. Reporting to NVI’s Board of Directors, the Executive Director provides leadership, strategic direction, fiscal oversight, and direction for the development and achievement of NVI’s planned outcomes and goals. The Executive Director will provide guidance for the organization’s short-term and long-term operating objectives and the foresight needed to achieve the Institute’s strategic plan.
A large focus for the Executive Director will be on the well-being and success of NVI’s team members/staff and the community served. A compassionate and dynamic leader, the Executive Director will be an expert in creating community, have excellent communication skills, be fully self-aware, and understands the holistic approach needed to be successful at an organization fully vested in civic service to a diverse population.
The Executive Director’s outward-facing responsibilities are significant and vital to the Institute’s success. The Executive Director networks and builds relationships with corporate, nonprofit, governmental, funding sources, and the public, which expands the Institute’s visibility and creates opportunities for significant growth and financial support. The Executive Director informs and engages current and potential stakeholders by representing the Institute at strategic functions, serving as the Institute’s media spokesperson, and leveraging influential speaking opportunities.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Community:
· Advances the integrity and reputation of the Institute by establishing and maintaining excellent board, community and governmental relations through outreach and collaboration.
· Builds long-term relationships with local, regional, and national philanthropic organizations, businesses and governmental agencies for funding and programming.
· Promotes the Institute’s visibility and strengthens the Institute’s image and brand in the community.
· Brings a dynamic and energetic vision to the diverse communities served.
· Acts as the key communicator for the Institute to the general public and community stakeholders.
· Consistently aligns strategic outcomes and community involvement with the Institute’s six principles, 6 steps, the Beloved Community, vision, and mission.
· Fosters an atmosphere of harmony, respect, and commitment to nonviolence throughout the community.
· Communicates NVI’s core purpose to inspire staff, business partners, and community stakeholders; mobilize the board, staff, and volunteers to transform the vision into action; and projects confidence in the Institute’s ability to succeed.
· Creates “big picture” understanding of critical issues affecting society and the community that the Institute serves; advances the Institute as a key community partner and thought leader in providing nonviolence training and services throughout the community; and encourages others to take action in their communities to support a nonviolent community.
Administration
· Leads the board of directors and senior management team in shaping and implementing NVI’s strategic initiative while also gaining organizational support.
· Maintains and oversees the annual budget, outside audit, and overall financial strategy.
· Directs and guides the Institute in the development of priorities and objectives to ensure the work of the Institute is driven by its strategic goals and supports the continued growth and development of the programs and services in accordance with the Institute’s Board of Directors.
· Ensures that the Institute’s operations are conducted in a manner consistent with the organization’s policies and procedures, as well as federal, state, and local laws and regulations, to mitigate risk.
· Identifies, recruits, trains, and develops a talented diverse team who can lead critical departments and manage strategic business functions.
· Works to drive excellence in day-to-day administration and operations.
· Brings effective business management practices to the critical functions of development and grant writing, human resources, programs and training, communications/marketing, fiscal management, data analysis, and community service.
· Mentors and encourages NVI’s staff and community to be high performers by demonstrating leadership and courage, and by fostering a culture that encourages success between staff and community stakeholders.
· Sets clear working goals and follows through for the entire organization.
· Supports staff through sound principles and policies, including professional development, peer engagement, mentorship, and staff well-being.
· Ensures the enacted policies and procedures are relevant to the goals and outcomes desired for success.
· Identifies potential sources of investment and organizes fundraising efforts.
· Maintains key partnerships with Board of Directors; provide perspective, insight, and data to keep the board proactively informed of Institute happenings and engaged in effective decision-making.
· Facilitates an open exchange of ideas by fostering an atmosphere of open communication with all constituents; establishes a climate that encourages creativity and sound risk taking; consistently develops and sustain cooperative working relationships within the organization and with external stakeholders; and create a culture that fosters high ethical standards.
Other Duties As Assigned
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
· Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
· At least 5 years of demonstrated executive level leadership experience in the nonprofit sector or like field.
· Progressive responsibility in management.
· Commitment to the Institute’s mission, vision, and guiding principles; Commitment to the study and practice of nonviolence.
· Experience working in diverse urban communities; underserved communities.
· Extensive skills and accomplishments in areas including fundraising, strategic planning, community relations, communications, financial management, marketing, property management, and program delivery required.
· Demonstrated accomplishments in fostering superior community service.
· Experience working with Boards of Directors.
· Holds strong ideals, self-awareness, dynamic leadership qualities, and creates a positive work environment for staff.
· Possesses a combination of vision, strategic, and operational planning abilities and can serve as a role model for internal and external stakeholders.
· Embraces partnerships, is collaborative, and empowers stakeholders to work together towards common goals and outcomes.
· Recognized as a community leader and has a strong commitment to serving the community and people from all social and economic backgrounds. Possesses the ability to cross borders of differences – from race to class to gender to country of origin to languages spoken – and effectively communicate and build consensus.
· Experience with grant writing and grant implementation.
· Strong supervision and team building skills, including direct supervision experience.
· Demonstrated excellent problem-solving skills, ability to look at each problem individually and create solutions for those problems.
· Outstanding oral and written communication skills.
· Demonstrated proficiency with Office 365, including Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel.
· Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation in order to travel to and from meetings, trainings, or campus and community locations as required.
· Be available during nontraditional working hours, including nights and weekends.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
· Master's degree.
· Ability to speak a language in addition to English.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The employee must meet the physical demands and work environment of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable those with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Work varied hours, including weekends and holidays.
POSITION STATUS: This is a full-time position with benefits.
SALARY: Hiring salary $95,000 to $130,000 commensurate with education and experience.
TO APPLY: Please send a letter of interest (cover letter) and resume to: “Executive Director” at ednvi2023@nonviolenceinstitute.org
NOTE:
· All candidates must have legal authorization to work in the United States.
· A pre-employment criminal background check will be conducted for all positions.
The Nonviolence Institute is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We value diversity and equity and are committed to creating an all-inclusive community free from discrimination and harassment.
Nonviolence Institute Background:
The Nonviolence Institute (“the Institute”) seeks to teach by word and example the principles and practices of nonviolence, and to foster a community that addresses potentially violent situations with nonviolent solutions. The Institute has helped to significantly lower violent crimes in the Rhode Island core cities, particularly youth violence. The institute has five core programs that are designed to intervene in and prevent street-level violence and create safe spaces within all types of communities: Nonviolence Training, training adults and youth in nonviolence; the Street Outreach Workers, an acclaimed intervention and outreach program; the Victim Support Center; the Youth Employment & Education Program, and Adult Reentry.
Please visit The Nonviolence Institute’s webpage to learn more: https://www.nonviolenceinstitute.org/
Posted: June 2023