Executive Director

DIY Girls’ mission is to increase girls’ and gender-expansive youth’s interest and long-term success in technology, engineering, and making, through innovative educational experiences and mentor relationships. DIY Girls provides STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) - based programs and workshops designed to promote engagement and exploration with technology, encourage self-confidence, and support aspiration to technical careers.

The Executive Director (ED) will have overall strategic and operational responsibility for the execution of DIY Girls’ mission and multi-year strategic growth plan, managing a current operational budget of $1.5 million. The ED will serve as the organization’s lead fundraiser and external representative, leading efforts to expand DIY Girls to more schools and increase the organization’s reach and impact in a sustainable manner. The ED will also oversee the implementation and evaluation of our programs and engage the DIY Girls’ Board. The ED will directly manage 3 Director-level employees and oversee a team of 10 FTEs and 7 PTEs.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership and Management

• Lead the organization through strategic plan implementation, sustainability, and growth.
• Provide strategic direction and leadership for all staff and departments within DIY Girls.
• Maintain positive school and community partnerships and strong program excellence.
• Ensure quality of programs, overseeing program implementation and evaluation.

Board of Directors Engagement and Partnership

• Work with the Board executive officers on setting quarterly agendas, and Committee Chairs to set goals, prioritize objectives, develop committee agendas, etc.

Development, Communications, and External Relations

• Serve as a spokesperson and key liaison for DIY Girls.
• Direct fundraising and marketing and communications strategies to raise funds from corporations, foundations, government, and individuals.
• Cultivate and maintain long-term donor and funder relationships.
• Oversee grant proposals and reports for current and prospective funders.

Financial Management, Organizational Compliance, and Human Resources

• Oversee the management of financial processes through the implementation of proper accounting, budgeting, and financial forecasting; approve financial activities.
• Ensure DIY Girls remains in compliance with all laws, regulations, and ordinances across all governmental entities (federal, state, county, municipal, LAUSD).
• Cultivate a culture of belonging and inclusion within the work environment and among all constituencies, partners, allies, and stakeholders.

Required Qualifications & Skills: Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 5 years’ experience in a management role in a nonprofit environment, as well as interest in STEAM education.

Desired Skills and Experience

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience managing a team; ability to model and lead a culture of wellness and collaboration.
• Excellence in leadership and management capabilities, with a proven track record of growing nonprofit resources, partnerships, community relations, and fundraising.
• Ability to engage and communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Demonstrate initiative and a high level of emotional intelligence.
• Outstanding written and oral communication and meeting management skills.
• Ability to travel up to 25%, and work evenings and weekends.
• Ability to coach staff, manage, and develop high-performing teams, set and achieve strategic objectives, and manage an organizational budget.
• Proficiency with Google Suite, Microsoft Office, and CRM databases.
• Strongly embedded roots in the Northeast San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, California.
• Spanish language proficiency is a plus.
• Livescan Fingerprinting, background, and reference checks will be conducted.

Physical requirements

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to push, pull, carry, and lift up to 20 pounds at times.
• Comfortable with occasional exposure to soldering, at office and program sites, following all safety protocols and PPE requirements.