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Executive Director, Horizons at Greens Farms Academy
Position: Executive Director
Functional Area:
Organization: Horizons at Greens Farms Academy
Location: Westport, CT
Metro Region:
Overview:
Modeled after the national Horizons Student Enrichment Program, Inc., Horizons at Greens Farms Academy (GFA) is primarily an academic program that includes cultural and recreational enrichment designed to help under-served students from the Bridgeport Public Schools reach their full potential. Working in partnership with Horizons families, sending schools, and the host school, Horizons at GFA is committed to developing the whole child through experiences that build problem-solving skills, foster awareness of community responsibility, instill respect for self and others, and encourage a life-long interest in learning. The program currently serves approximately 150 students in grades K-8. At the heart of Horizons is a six-week summer program that emphasizes academics (reading, writing, and math) and afternoon swimming instruction. A primary goal of Horizons is to reverse the trend of summer learning loss which adversely affects our students. In addition, year-round programming provides meaningful connections and academic support through multiple Saturday sessions. Horizons at GFA has recently expanded this work to include high school programming that allows them to continue to support students through that critical phase in development.
Position:
Horizons at Greens Farms Academy is seeking a motivated and dynamic Executive Director to oversee all activities for this vibrant program and lead the organization into its next phase of growth. Reporting directly to the Co-Chairs of the Horizons Board and the Head of School at Greens Farms Academy, the Executive Director is responsible for building and managing critical relationships with a wide range of key constituencies: families, faculty, donors, board members, the Bridgeport Public School system and the community of Greens Farms Academy. The Executive Director is specifically responsible for fundraising, financial oversight, program oversight, staff management, public relations and coordination with partner organizations, and working with the board to develop and implement a strategic vision. Working in collaboration with the full time and seasonal staff, the Executive Director will lead the organization forward driven by a belief in the value of learning in helping students reach their full potential.
Responsibilities:
- Provide overall strategic leadership and tactical implementation for organizational strategy development, fundraising, financial management, programmatic growth and quality and infrastructure development
- Manage overall budgeting, financial planning and reporting for the organization
- Recruit, train and manage both seasonal and permanent staff and ensure that they successfully reach organizational, personal and professional goals
- Plan and execute all aspects of the both the summer program and academic year programming, including but not limited to the recruitment of students, the coordination of volunteers, academic curriculum, enrichment programming, contract and coordination of food and bus service
- Work alongside the Board to develop and implement a sustainable fundraising strategy for the organization
- Identify and solicit new sources of funding; build and maintain strong relationships with funders; prepare grant requests and all required reporting and plan and oversee special fundraising events in cooperation with the Board
- Coordinate all public relations and communications activities including media relations, the preparation of collateral and extensive community outreach
- Serve as a liaison between Horizons and GFA, the National Horizons Program, and Bridgeport partner schools and organizations
Qualifications:
- A strong commitment to Horizon’s mission and a passionate belief in the value of education in helping students reach their full potential
- 5+ years of leadership experience with responsibility for fundraising, programs, finance and operations
- Demonstrated success with all aspects of fundraising
- Experience managing strategic planning, organizational development, and performance management processes
- Experience with financial management, including budgeting and managing to a budget
- Experience leading and inspiring a growing and highly effective team
- Excellent relationship-building skills and a customer-service orientation that leads to sustainable and mutually beneficial external partnerships
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required; Master’s degree preferred.
To Apply:
Please upload a resume and thoughtful cover letter, outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position and stating how you heard about this opportunity, both in Word format, to Erin Reedy at http://jobs.cgcareers.org/application.aspx?id=1801 with subject line “Executive Director.” Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
