Executive Director

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION:

The Steve Fund is the nation's leading organization focused on promoting the mental health and emotional well-being of young people of color during the pivotal transitions from adolescence to adulthood. The Steve Fund works with colleges and universities, nonprofit organizations, researchers, mental health experts, families, and young people to promote programs and strategies that build awareness and assistance to ensure the mental and emotional health of the nation’s young people of color. As it enters its sixth year, the Steve Fund is positioned to build capacity to take its programs and services to scale. In December 2019, the Steve Fund was awarded a multi-year grant from Morgan Stanley and announced as one of the inaugural members of the Morgan Stanley Alliance for Children’s Mental Health. This funding helps to build organizational capacity and also invests in new approaches to extend the organization's reach to a larger population of students and stakeholders. This leadership transition also comes at a moment when conversations about racial equity, mental health, wellbeing, and the promise of American’s young people of color are at the forefront of our nation's collective conscience. 

To learn more about the Steve Fund, please visit https://www.stevefund.org

ABOUT THE POSITION:

The Executive Director is a unique leadership opportunity for a visionary individual who can inspire and build organizational growth and transformation. This individual will provide the leadership, strategic direction, and management expertise for one of the nation's most needed mental health organizations. 

Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the new Executive Director will lead and manage the Steve Fund’s virtual team. They are responsible for fundraising and development, programming, marketing, fiscal, and budgetary management. 

Strategy, Vision, and Leadership

• Serve as a thought leader on future visioning and strategic direction for the Steve Fund 
• Represent the organization externally with a variety of stakeholders: students and families, mental health professionals, higher education and nonprofit leaders, philanthropy partners, program partners, peer organizations, and others
• Work with the Board of Trustees to develop and achieve strategic planning goals and fulfill the Steve Fund’s mission 
• Promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that is committed to excellence 

Fundraising and External Affairs

• Oversee the development and implementation of the organization's annual fundraising plan to secure the resources to execute the Steve Fund’s mission
• Support relationships with current funders including foundations, individuals, and corporations 
• Leverage external presence and relationships to garner new opportunities and cultivate a broader pool of funders 
• Maintain, strengthen and develop relationships with program partners, peer organizations, funders, and the media
• In partnership with directors, work to identify highly talented prospects to be considered for the organization’s growing governing Board
• Serve as the organization's primary spokesperson 
• Deepen and refine all aspects of communications—from web presence to external relations to create a stronger awareness and sterling reputation 

Organizational Leadership and Management

• Facilitate the ongoing development and management of a highly skilled professional staff of four as well as work with our “extended enterprise” of long-term contractors (e.g. business and finance, experts in mental health and education) to ensure the smooth running of the organization.  
• Provide oversight to all financial aspects of the organization, ensuring that sound, efficient financial procedures, controls, and accurate reporting systems are in place
• Report regularly to the Board of Trustees regarding organizational strategies, objectives, achievements, and challenges
• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal and state nonprofit governance, requirements, and regulations 

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS:

• Critical interest in the mission, programming, and approach of the Steve Fund with a deep commitment to racial equity
• Demonstrated ability to develop and lead fundraising strategy with a track record of attracting and growing philanthropic support from foundations, corporations, and individuals
• Excellent, persuasive communication skills with the ability to serve as the lead spokesperson and ambassador to build awareness of the Steve Fund’s work and impact
• Strong management experience with a demonstrated and distinguished track record running a complex organization with multiple stakeholders and managing a diverse, geographically dispersed staff
• Demonstrated facility with analyzing and employing data to drive innovation and growth
• An inclusive leadership style that seeks out and values diverse backgrounds and perspectives
• A supportive, emotionally intelligent leader with excellent interpersonal skills who fosters internal trust
• A collaborative management style that motivates staff, provides clear and consistent direction and fosters accountability.
• Possesses an entrepreneurial spirit; is an energetic, collaborative and proactive team leader who can productively impact both strategic and tactical initiatives. 
• Seven years minimum executive and senior management experience
• An undergraduate degree and a graduate degree is preferred

LOCATION: 

Location flexible within the United States