Position Profile
Executive Director
National Students of AMF Support Network
www.StudentsofAMF.org
Position Filled
The Organization
The National Students of AMF Support Network’s (National Students of AMF) mission is to support college students grieving the illness or death of a loved one. National Students of AMF accomplishes this through campus chapters. Chapters consist of a support group where bereaved students can relate to peers who are also facing the unique challenges of grief during their college years and a service group, open to the entire campus community, which helps raise awareness and funds for causes important to chapter members. Incorporated as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in April 2006, there are currently 37 Campus Chapters across the United States. In addition to developing campus chapters, National Students of AMF also raises awareness about the needs of grieving college students and puts on events, such as the annual National Conference on College Student Grief and the Spring Soiree.
The organization was led by a volunteer Executive Director, David Fajgenbaum, the co-Founder and Board Chair, for its first three and a half years. The first full-time, paid Executive Director was hired in September 2009 and she took the opportunity to strengthen the foundation of the organization, open the organization’s first office (3344 Hillsborough St Raleigh, NC 27607) and grow the campus chapters in level of impact and numbers. In an effort to continue to grow and mature as an organization, National Students of AMF seeks to hire their second full-time, paid Executive Director.
From the inception of the organization, there have been approximately twenty Volunteer Executive Leadership Team members (unpaid, volunteer staff) that have managed all aspects of the organization. These volunteers continue to lead an internal culture hallmarked by high levels of energy, professionalism, and dedication. The right Executive Director will be essential to the organization’s continued success in accomplishing the significant program growth planned for the near future.
The Executive Director of National Students of AMF will work from the National Students of AMF Headquarters, which is located in the Triangle area of North Carolina.
THE CANDIDATE
The Executive Director will be a strategic and tactical leader who can work with and challenge the Board of Directors to continue to strengthen and expand the current organizational scope. The successful candidate will have an entrepreneurial spirit and proven nonprofit start-up, expansion, and/or management skills, knowledge of budget setting and finances, an interest in working with college students, and must be willing to work hands-on to accomplish the day-to-day needs of the organization. The successful candidate will be a self-starter who will work full-time with limited oversight. He or she will be expected to minimize problems by careful planning and preparation and will be expected to provide contingencies to deal with problems as they arise. This individual is responsible for building the volunteer support base and leading the efforts for new and expanding chapters and initiatives in accordance with the strategic plan. This person must have excellent written communication and oral presentation skills to influence with limited authority and motivate chapter leaders as well as our team of dedicated volunteers.
The committed, collaborative leadership of individuals passionate about the mission cultivates the environment at National Students of AMF. The Executive Director plays a key role in this vibrant organization, which requires that the individual have a confident, polished professional approach. Exceptional interpersonal skills are required to interact with staff, board, volunteers, local government officials, funders and community members in a motivating and productive way. The successful candidate must be personable, genuine and enthusiastic, while expressing empathy and compassion. The successful candidate will be creative and cooperative, with an innovative orientation, a strong sense of community and a genuine interest in working with college-aged students.
THE POSITION
With a desire by the Board of Directors to significantly increase the budget in the next few years, the Executive Director will have the opportunity to strengthen the current organizational scope and expand it to include additional chapters and new programs and create a legacy of their own. This high-energy position serves as a primary representative for the organization, requiring an individual who is familiar with and well-connected to the community, and able to effectively convey the mission and work of the organization.
The organization is focused on five strategic areas: chapter development, fundraising, strategy and programming, business and legal operations, and public relations/marketing. The Executive Director, reporting to the Board of Directors, is responsible for overall implementation of the mission of the organization and maintains responsibility for each of the five strategic areas. There are five Board committees dedicated to each area, which are composed of Board members, volunteer Staff, and former/current student chapter members. The Executive Director works along with each of these Board committee to execute their responsibilities and achieve their goals.
Essential duties and responsibilities of the position are broken up among the five strategic areas and personnel management. While the Executive Director maintains overall responsibility for each duty and responsibility, there are a host of dedicated volunteers, current and former student chapter members, Board of Directors, Board of Mental Health Professionals, and Board of Advisors members who have experience and are capable of successfully completing delegated work.
Chapter Development:
- Overseeing chapter development operations, with support from the Chapter Development Committee and the Board of Mental Health Professionals;
- Serving as the key point of contact for all chapters. This involves having frequent correspondence and building relationships with students who are developing new chapters as well as those who are growing successful chapters. The Executive Director should be aware of the status of all chapters and have correspondence with each chapter leader at least monthly.
- Working with individual chapter leaders on ongoing issues and as a resource;
- Updating and improving supporting documentation and resources for our campus chapters;
- Communicating with, and advertising to, university officials, current members, and potential future student leaders to proactively encourage chapter development and sustainability;
- Developing the agenda for, and leading, the monthly chapter leadership conference calls;
- Developing and maintaining an alumni database to keep students engaged after graduation through ongoing communication and volunteer/leadership involvement in the organization.
PR/Marketing:
- Overseeing PR/Marketing operations, with support from the PR/Marketing committee;
- Conveying the work of the organization and the issues among grieving college students in communities, on campuses, and at events; the Executive Director will be asked to speak at various events and conferences;
- Proactively developing relationships with the community and press to advocate on behalf of the organization;
- Utilizing marketing avenues to increase and expand the current number of chapters and programs;
- Writing and distributing all press releases;
- Creating and managing correspondence, collateral materials and other relevant items;
- Maintaining and updating the website and online media profiles;
- Responding to all inquiries from the local community and around the country via phone, email, and through the website as well as corresponding with individuals and institutions who request information about National Students of AMF in a timely fashion;
- Planning and executing the annual National College Student Grief Awareness Week campaign.
Fundraising:
- Overseeing all aspects of fundraising, with support from the Fundraising committee and the Board of Advisors;
- Developing initiatives and campaigns for increasing and diversifying sustainable individual, corporate, and foundation funding sources within a comprehensive fundraising plan in order to raise enough funds to achieve our mission in the short and long term;
- Brainstorming and troubleshooting ways for an organization like National Students of AMF to overcome challenges and efficiently fundraise;
- Executing the fundraising plan, including soliciting individual, corporate and foundation donations through direct mail, donor cultivation, and e-mail, among others.
- Organizing, planning and executing fund-raising events in Raleigh, such as the annual Spring Soiree, and other cities and broadening the attendee base;
- Organizing, planning, and executing the return of the annual “Boot Camp 2 Beat Cancer” or “Boot Camp 2 Build Chapters;”
- Cultivating, maintaining and expanding the individual donor base and other funding sources;
- Identifying and soliciting foundation, corporate and government support (e.g. grant writing skills);
- Developing and executing at least one National Marketing/Fundraising campaign each year.
Strategy & Programming:
- Overseeing updates to the strategic plan and the development of appropriate national programming and events, with support from the Strategy & Programming Committee and under the approval of the Board of Directors;
- Conducting a needs assessment for the organization, updating the strategic plan and utilizing this information to drive the budget and programming;
- Planning and executing the annual National Conference on College Student Grief;
- Identifying and participating in community activities and at least one non-AMF-run appropriate conference per year to help raise awareness about the organization, network with similar organizations, and bring back innovative ideas to share with the Board for growth and sustainability;
- Identifying and cultivating strategic partnerships to promote the organization.
Business & Legal Operations:
- Maintaining the financial health of the organization and compliance with local, state, and federal reporting requirements, with support from the Business & Legal Operations committee and Finance Sub-Committee
- Managing the administrative office, including the services, facilities, equipment, and information systems efficiently;
- Managing the finances and general operations of the organization efficiently;
- Developing, implementing and monitoring the annual budget based on proactive forecasting and the profitability of events and programs; the budget is developed along with the Finance Sub-committee and then presented to and approved by the Board of Directors.
- Administering and managing programs in accordance with budgetary guidelines and constraints, cash flow projections, and sound financial management practices;
- Coordinating and producing financial, budgetary, and other special reports, proposals, and analyses for management;
- Assuring proper internal accounting control.
Personnel Management/Governance:
- Coordinating, with support from the Governance committee, volunteers or human resources working for the organization in order to effectively achieve the mission;
- Recruiting, hiring, supervising, inspiring, and working collaboratively with interns, volunteers, Board members, and future professional staff;
- Developing strong relationships with Board members in order to help maintain an engaged, informed, and effective Board of Directors;
- Communicating with the Board of Directors, Board of Advisors, and Board of Mental Health Professionals regularly to keep them informed about National Students of AMF’s operations and to remain informed about changing community needs;
- Attending and participating in all scheduled Board and Committee meetings and activities;
- Assisting with Board development through fundraising training and integrating new Board members;
- Developing, creating, and refining a guide to the organizational structure, processes and procedures;
- (Likely in the near future, based on raising enough funds) searching for, hiring, and managing an employee or employees;
- Preparing and communicating twice-monthly internal status reports to the executive members of the Board and volunteer staff.
Logistical Considerations:
Salary: National Student of AMF will offer a competitive salary that will reflect the value of work and experience of the new Executive Director; the Board of Directors will also give a performance-based bonus or bonuses.
Benefits: Benefits will be provided in addition to a competitive salary
Office: The Executive Director will be based out of the National Students of AMF Headquarters (3344 Hillsborough St, Ste 260 Raleigh, NC 27607) and be expected to manage the day-to-day operations of the office and organization from that location.
Staff: The Executive Director will be the single paid employee of National Students of AMF, with the understanding that the Board’s goal is to significantly increase the budget, programming and number of employees in the near future. There is already a sizeable base of volunteers from the Board of Directors, Board of Mental Health Professionals, Board of Advisors, Volunteer Executive Leaders, the Student/Alumni Advisory Board, community volunteers and student volunteers.
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
- Bachelor’s degree
- 1-3 years experience working in a non-profit organization
- Independent and proactive self-starter with an entrepreneurial spirit; proven non-profit start-up/expansion skills valuable
- Commitment to this cause and desire to leave a legacy through new ideas and programs
- Experience or interest in mental health, social support, public health, and/or the development of nonprofits
- Proven excellent written and oral communication skills; ability to convey the organization’s mission and maintain clear communication on all levels
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects in various stages of development, each with a unique timeline
- Compassion and exceptional interpersonal skills to handle sensitive situations with diverse individuals and organizations
- Experience creating and implementing comprehensive fundraising plans, with proven success in fundraising with individuals, foundations and corporations; grant writing skills valuable
- Superior management, leadership, administration and organizational skills (including recruiting, hiring, training, and supervising a professional and/or volunteer staff)
- Proficiency and experience with MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint software; experience with QuickBooks and SalesForce highly valuable
- Experience working in chapter-based organization valuable