Job Description

Requirements include significant non-profit experience at the executive level and demonstrated grant writing and fundraising skills. Highly desirable: located in Southern California with a network of connections there.

EngAGE lives by transforming affordable senior, family, and intergenerational housing communities into vibrant centers of learning, wellness, and creativity. We serve thousands of older adults and families living in more than 50 housing communities in California and Oregon, providing programs in well-being, the arts, lifelong learning, intergenerational connectivity, community building, and civic engagement.

EngAGE has developed a model for co-creating intentionally designed and programmed affordable housing that fosters beneficial social connections and a strong sense of belonging and purpose for our residents and partners in the communities that we serve. This has been demonstrated to reduce feelings of loneliness and improve well-being. We achieve this by:

● Providing professionally delivered, free, on-site programs in well-being, the arts, lifelong learning, and community building.

● Creating connections across generations.

● Encouraging and providing ways for residents to contribute to their communities in meaningful ways.

● Building strong collaborations with local community partners to expand our impact in each neighborhood.

Our programs operate on a semester basis and at the end of each semester there is a culminating event that gives residents the opportunity to share and celebrate their skills and visions in real-world ways with the larger community. Culminating events include art shows, performances, intergenerational programs, and community events.

EngAGE is committed to housing equity for low-income renters. The communities and residents we serve are diverse in race/ethnicity and age. Our programming is culturally specific to best improve the lives of the people we serve and whenever possible, we engage community partners, staff, and teachers who are representative of the communities in which we work.

Position Purpose: The Chief Executive Officer of EngAGE reports to the EngAGE Board of Directors and is responsible for leadership, innovation, strategic planning, affordable housing developer relationships, fundraising, financial performance, the viability of the organization, and management oversight to effectively carry out EngAGE’s mission. The CEO works closely with the Board and Leadership Team (the EngAGE COO and the Executive Director, EngAGE Northwest in Oregon) to represent EngAGE’s interests to its constituencies including funders, educators, developer partners, the media, and the housing, aging services, philanthropic, and arts communities.

The CEO oversees the administration of EngAGE’s budget, programs, and activities, manages the staff, and ensures EngAGE has the appropriate organizational structures and resources to accomplish its annual goals. The CEO is responsible for ensuring board governance practices and sound board management for the EngAGE, Inc. board and, with the co-oversight of the Executive Director Northwest, the EngAGE Northwest board.

Position Vision: The CEO is a passionate advocate of intentionally designed affordable housing with programs that uplift the lives of the residents who live in our communities. As a spokesperson in the fields of affordable housing/programs, aging, arts programs, and intergenerational community building, the CEO articulates a compelling strategic vision that galvanizes stakeholders to turn that vision into a reality. The CEO and staff work in partnership with our developer partners and funders to sustain lasting relationships that support the EngAGE mission and vision.

The CEO must be able to make critical decisions, fundraise, and innovate to meet the demands of a changing landscape. This individual must be a creative leader with excellent project management skills and must be an effective communicator, able to inspire others with EngAGE’s mission, values, and strategic plan. The CEO is ultimately responsible for the financial stability, smooth operation, and programmatic success of the organization.

Key Result Areas

The list below represents some of the essential duties required to perform this role but is not an all-inclusive list. Other duties may be assigned to fulfill EngAGE’s mission, vision, and strategic plan objectives.

Board Relations:

● Collaborate with the leadership team and board of directors to shape the vision for EngAGE’s future, actively soliciting their input on key priority issues in a timely manner to formulate recommendations for consideration by the board and/or its respective committees, taking into consideration that input as well as other appropriate considerations.

● Communicate transparently with and guide the leadership team and board of directors in affairs of EngAGE and in issues that require policy decisions, evaluations, and direction for new policies, procedures, or programs to improve the overall operations and programs.

● Work with the board to identify and recruit potential new developer partners, funders, collaborative organizations, board members, etc. to expand the footprint of EngAGE and to establish governance expertise in identified areas.

Organizational Leadership:

● Guide a talented management team to provide leadership for staff in a manner that promotes initiative, fosters a healthy workplace, and, when appropriate, creates individual growth opportunities.

● Manage collaborative relationships with all stakeholders and guide staff and teachers/teaching artists in fulfilling the vision of the organization.

● Oversee all aspects of organizational health: finance, partnerships, funding, audit/tax returns, budget, planning, governance, etc.

● In conjunction with the board, establish employment policies and procedures related to hiring, retention, succession, and supervision of competent, engaged, qualified staff and contractors.

Strategic Planning:

● Create and communicate with the leadership team, board, and staff clear strategies for achieving the organization’s mission and expanding its impact.

● Develop and implement long- and short-term strategic objectives and goals to ensure that EngAGE fulfills its mission, remains true to its core values, and uses its resources efficiently and effectively.

● Monitor and evaluate the outcomes and impact of EngAGE’s programs and initiatives to ensure quality, mission alignment, and good use of EngAGE’s resources.

● Build out the organization’s strategy for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

Contract Negotiations:

● Work with the leadership team to secure housing developer partner contracts for program delivery.

● Oversee and manage relationships with developer partners to meet annual goals for program fee-earned revenue.

Fundraising:

● Oversee staff and lead the process of setting and reaching annual fundraising goals.

● Initiate and nurture close, productive relationships and collaborations with key donors, colleagues, and supporters of EngAGE who are in a position to advance the mission, and personally solicit major gifts.

● Provide organizational leadership for all fundraising including for special campaigns and annual gifts, sponsorships, government grants, and other needs as they may arise.

Community Advocacy and Public Relations:

● Serve as the chief spokesperson for the organization to the community, constituents, and stakeholders.

● Facilitate effective relationships with all external stakeholders including visitors, community partners, the press, funders, and public officials.

● Build collaborative strategic alliances to further advance EngAGE’s mission.

● Promote EngAGE’s mission and leadership role in the field while also fostering a supportive collegial atmosphere among partner organizations.

Fiscal Responsibility:

● Develop appropriate annual and long-term financial objectives; lead EngAGE in consistently achieving these objectives, including a balanced operating budget.

● Assure legal compliance.

● Execute contracts, agreements, or any other documents which legally commit the organization.

● Manage the budget to strategically grow earned and contributed revenue for the organization and implement growth plans.

Job Qualifications

Experience:

● Significant nonprofit leadership experience with a track record of success (it would be a plus to have worked in Southern California and have relationships with local funders, and highly desirable to have worked with affordable housing developers).

● Strategic planning and implementation experience.

● Fundraising experience with success in soliciting major gifts from individuals and all contributed income sources.

● Experience with institutional funding sources including government grants, foundations, and sponsorships.

● Track record of being an inspiring and service-oriented leader who can set a long-term vision and effect change, is capable of imparting credibility, trust, integrity, and enthusiasm, and is able to motivate and inspire others.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

● Solid relationship-building skills and success managing people, projects, and budgets.

● Knowledge of nonprofit governance policies.

● Skilled fundraiser.

● Ability to multitask and work calmly under pressure.

● Diplomatic skills and the ability to make and communicate hard decisions.

● Sense of humor.

● Professional experience in the aging and arts community.

● A demonstrated passion for aging services, arts, and affordable housing and an understanding of their ability to effect change.

● Excellent communication skills.

● Ability to delegate.

● Ability to work with diverse communities and varied personalities including an understanding of best practices for inclusivity.

● Outstanding interpersonal skills with the ability to create a supportive community.

● Collaborative worker with mission-driven motivation.

● Creative, innovative thinker.

Important Requirements:

● Highly desirable to be located in Southern California with network of connections there.

● Deadline to Apply: December 31, 2023.

● Send Cover Letter and Resume to: CEOsearch@engageforlife.org.

Compensation Range: $145,000-$160,000 per year, plus a full package of benefits.

EngAGE is an equal opportunity employer and encourages all qualified applicants regardless of gender identification, race, ethnicity, or religion.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $145,000.00 - $160,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Choose your own hours

Ability to commute/relocate:

• California: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Experience:

• Fundraising and grant: 3 years (Required)
• Nonprofit executive: 3 years (Required)

*Please mention you saw this ad on CaliforniaCareers.*

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