Managing Director, Defy Nor Cal

You care deeply for advancing social change and “leveling the playing field” for individuals impacted by the criminal justice system. You like a challenge and know how to develop and execute strategies that achieve aggressive fundraising goals and expansion of Defy's network of volunteers and supporters in the Bay Area.  You are an experienced, resourceful, and strategic leader, with proven skills to cultivate local individual, foundation, and corporate support and a network of passionate volunteers to support sustained growth and advancement of our mission. You are an effective facilitator and comfortable leading volunteers and program participants (whom we call Entrepreneurs in Training, or EITs) through programmatic events in prison and in the community. You are dynamic, entrepreneurial, and relational, and are most satisfied when your work has deep, meaningful impact. You are at home in a collaborative and participatory culture.

You will have the support of teammates who look out for you and want you to succeed. You will make a difference in one of the most important and challenging social justice movements in the country. This is a full-time, hybrid position that is based in the Bay Area Oakland office, with at least 2 days per week expected in the office. 

Responsibilities

·       Ensure financial stability of the Defy NorCal chapter (projected chapter budget of $450,000) by stewarding and growing the current community of champions and financial investors to meet existing revenue goals and support program expansion

·       Source and develop relationships with high-net-worth individuals, foundations, and corporations to fund the Northern California area (Central Valley to Oregon Border) program budget and in support of national priorities

·       Manage and write grants, with support from national team

·       Recruit and engage diverse business professionals in Defy’s mission as volunteers for Defy’s various volunteer programs in prison and the community (e.g. business plan competition judges, guest speakers, mentors and coaches)

·       Raise Defy’s profile through marketing, local speaking engagements, and one-on-one networking with key stakeholders, media outlets and the general public to engage prospective volunteers, Entrepreneurs in Training (EITs), employers, and donors

·       Lead and facilitate program-related events both in prisons and in the community with inspirational leadership that motivates EITs, volunteers, and donors

·       Partner and collaborate with the Defy NorCal program team to support high-quality program events and long-term growth

·       Leverage and expand an established Northern California network to support local program development and success

·       Identify and cultivate partnerships within the Northern California criminal justice reform community and with correctional system partners

·       Cultivate relationships with employers who will provide career opportunities to EITs

·       Lead and manage the Defy NorCal advisory board

·       Oversee and manage volunteer clearance and registration process, maintaining sensitive volunteer information in compliance with secure information protocols

·       Prepare materials, communicate with volunteers, and manage logistics for volunteer events

·       Providing relevant orientation and training for volunteers

Requirements

·       Proven track record of fundraising and initiating, cultivating, and stewarding relationships with key constituencies, including with corporations, foundations, and community-based organizations;

·       Proven ability to write grants

·       Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build, cultivate and leverage personal and professional networks and relationships, lead events, develop and deliver successful presentations, and collaborate and negotiate effectively

·       Superb organizational skills, with the proven ability to create and implement efficient operational systems, plan strategically, allocate work, set and manage objectives, analyze and mitigate risk, and create and manage projects

·       Strong competency in diversity, equity and inclusion work; emotional intelligence, and experience and comfort working with underserved communities

·       BA/BS preferred

·       Significant local non-profit or multi-sector experience (including non-profit) preferred

·       Lived Experience a plus

·       Must be able to receive required clearances from prison partner facilities

·       Entrepreneurship experience a plus

·       Valid driver’s license, reliable car

·       Proficiency with Google Suites or Microsoft Office

About Defy Ventures

Defy Ventures’ mission is to shift mindsets to give people with criminal histories their best shot at second chance.  We are working to cut the recidivism rate in half by leveraging entrepreneurship as a tool to increase economic opportunity and inspire personal transformation. Defy’s prison and post-release programs provides entrepreneurship, employment, and personal development training to support formerly and currently incarcerated people to successfully reenter society by obtaining meaningful employment and, when ready, to start a small business. Entrepreneurs in Training (EITs) “defy the odds” through our program which includes intensive leadership development, Shark Tank-style business pitch competitions, and executive mentoring. We seek to build a redemptive, authentic community between EITs and our volunteer community.

The Defy NorCal chapter was established in 2016 and provides programming across 4 prisons, serving approximately 300 Entrepreneurs in Training annually across all programs.

Defy Ventures is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.