Hiring Organization Information
Position Information
The Position: Executive Director
Sprout Family Services (Sprout) seeks a seasoned professional with nonprofit experience and a passion for promoting the healthy development of children, in partnership with families and community, to serve as its next Executive Director (ED). Partnering with the Board of Directors, the ED provides leadership, strategic direction, and vision for the achievement of Sprout’s mission. The incoming leader will be met with an exceptional team of transdisciplinary professional staff and a charge to continue deepening and expanding organizational resilience and stability. The ideal candidate will be a resourceful and compassionate leader with a proven history of managing high-performing teams, demonstrated success in nonprofit and financial management, and experience creating and fostering mutually beneficial partnerships.
The Organization
A 501(c)3 nonprofit, Sprout Family Services has a 37-year history of providing comprehensive, Infant/Early learning Program (ILP) services to promote healthy development in children in partnership with families and community. Sprout uses a lens of trauma/healing-informed care to meet families as they are, partnering together to ensure that all children are valued and nurtured, and will give the same to the next generation. It is the organization’s belief that parents, and primary caregivers are a child’s most valuable asset, and their relationship needs to be nurtured and tended with the same generosity.
Key Responsibilities
Reporting to the Board, the Executive Director has the dual role as leader of the internal team and champion and advocate for Sprout’s mission. Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Leadership:
- Partner with the Board to set Sprouts vision and strategic direction and implement strategies and actions for advancing mission.
- Hire, directly supervise, and collaborate closely with 4 direct reports, and 9 additional team members.
- Lead, support, mentor, and indirectly supervise Sprout staff while ensuring that all programs, policies, and procedures align with the values, mission, and strategic direction set by the Board.
- Promote positive communication and strong working relationship with the board, provide regular reporting and recommendations to assist in decision-making, support board (including committees) and serve as an intermediary between Board and staff.
Executive Functions:
- Assure successful business operations through sound fiscal management practices, including developing and executing the annual budget with board approval, supervising development of accurate and timely financial statements, approving expenditures, and ensuring compliance with all funding and regulatory agencies.
- Initiate and steward ongoing fund development efforts, including grant writing, fundraising, and donor relationships.
- Provide oversight for Sprout’s human resource functions, including compliance, employee relations, compensation and benefits, and recruitment and professional development of staff.
Communications and External Relations:
- Create and cultivate collaborations and strategic community partnerships to effectively deliver on mission.
- Build relationships and facilitate effective communication with local and statewide partners and Sprout stakeholders.
- Serve as the spokesperson and advocate of Sprout, with support from members of the Board and other staff, ensuring Sprout and its mission and programs are consistently presented in strong, positive ways to relevant stakeholders, public platforms, and media outlets.
- Represent Sprout in community, professional, governmental, civic, and private agencies.
Qualifications of the Ideal Candidate
While no one candidate will embody all the qualifications enumerated below, the ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional and personal abilities, attributes, and experiences:
Skills and Expertise
- At least three years of organizational leadership and management experience; nonprofit-specific experience is strongly preferred.
- At least three years of experience leading, managing, and developing high-functioning teams, including recruiting and retaining staff and nurturing a positive workplace culture.
- A strong knowledge of Alaskan culture, history, and work experience in rural settings is highly desired.
- Proven ability in designing and implementing fund development strategies, including grant writing and fundraising.
- Demonstrated history of partnering with a nonprofit board of directors to help build and lead organizational vision, mission, and strategic direction.
- Experience guiding and building Board capacity, governance, and engagement.
- Proven ability to develop and monitor budgets while maximizing operational resources; experience with Municipal, State, and Federal grants and managing complex revenues a plus.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to communicate effectively and comfortably to a variety of audiences.
- Proven ability to build and sustain relationships, working effectively in collaboration with all members of a community.
- Bachelor’s degree or higher or equivalent experience with progressive leadership experience.
- Background in early childhood education, intervention, and/or therapeutic models preferred.
- Must have or be able to secure a valid Alaska driver’s license.
- Willingness to work a flexible schedule including evenings and weekends.
Attributes
- Excitement to make a meaningful impact in supporting Sprout’s mission.
- A collaborative and approachable leadership style consistent with building and maintaining strong relationships and an environment of trust and respect.
- Able to think strategically, see the full picture, and integrate available resources to efficiently and effectively meet mission.
- An inclusive approach that respects and values diverse life experiences, ensures that all voices are valued and heard, and fosters a sense of community.
- Self-starter who stays curious about how to make continual improvements.
- Strong attention to detail and highly organized.