Executive Director

Full-time (exempt) (hybrid)

About the EFA

The Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA) advances excellence within its dynamic international community of freelance editorial professionals by providing opportunities for business development, learning, and networking. Its resources help its members and their clients build successful collaborations. The EFA offers its more than 3,200 members online courses and webinars, in-person and virtual networking opportunities, a member directory, a job listing service, discount programs, and 28 chapters around the U.S.

Evolving Leadership Structure

The EFA’s steady growth has led to the development of the association’s new mission and vision statements and its first strategic plan in its fifty-year history. The Board is now working with an interim executive director to shape the organization’s leadership structure. The goal is to establish a clearer separation of operational and governance roles so the staff and the Board can work as effective partners. The incoming executive director will: 

• Support the Board in performance of its governance roles and responsibilities as it transitions away from operational management functions 
• Partner with the Board in developing and monitoring yearly organizational goals
• Engage in a long-range planning process with the Board to define the direction of the organization’s growth and impact in the community 

Position Summary

The executive director oversees the EFA, managing day-to-day operations and the implementation of the organization’s strategic plan. The executive director is ultimately responsible for making operational decisions (soliciting feedback from staff in thoughtful consideration of the institutional memory and knowledge they hold) and consulting with the Board of Governors on any decisions with larger policy implications for the organization and its members. The executive director works closely with the Board of Governors to support and facilitate effective oversight and direction setting, including advocating for organizational and staff resources, programs, policies, and systemic changes that promote organizational development and advance the organization’s mission. The executive director reports to the Board’s co-executives and works closely with staff, board members, and volunteers to provide strategic oversight and direction.

Job Scope

• Strategic Leadership
• Strategic Plan: Drive activities that support organizational strategy regarding education, membership growth and retention, governance, DEI, and communications.
• Business Plan: In consultation with the Board, conduct horizon scanning and market analysis to better articulate the organization’s unique value proposition (in addition to the member value proposition) as well as its long-term business goals and specific business objectives. Develop business implementation and marketing plans and ensure they are adequately resourced and that roles/assignments, tasks, and milestones are clearly communicated with staff and the Board. Develop, maintain, and communicate emergency preparedness and business continuity plans. 
• Reporting: Keep the organization, Board of Governors, and co-executives apprised of new business goals, objectives, issues, and concerns. Communicate effectively with Board members and provide, in a timely and accurate manner, all information necessary for the Board of Governors to function properly and to make informed decisions.
• Operational Leadership
• Change Management: Originate forward-thinking initiatives to accomplish operational objectives, which may include organizational restructuring, process reengineering, and technological enhancements.
• Administration: Provide day-to-day management of the organization. Orchestrate human resources functions, such as maintaining the employee handbook, compliance, time records, and payroll. Provide enhanced organizational support for human resources, accounting and finance, information technology, and other essential back-office services. Oversee procurement and monitoring of vendors and service providers.
• Staff Leadership & Resources: Recruit, lead, and support staff members in a manner that fosters work/life balance while bolstering their commitment to achieving organizational goals through recruitment, selection, training, development, coaching, and mentoring. Assist direct reports with goal-setting/prioritization, and provide strategic guidance to department heads. Ensure that all staff receive consistent assessments, reward excellent performance and encourage improvement, and address concerns. Boost staff morale.
• Financial Due Diligence: Oversee the organization’s financial plan and budget. Closely monitor the budget, tracking revenue generation and expenditures. Oversee and review all contracts and purchase requests. Continuously monitor financial performance and develop and implement revisions to financial strategies as needed.
• Policy Enforcement: Manage and coordinate activities according to established policies and procedures and recommend policy modifications to the Board of Governors. Ensure compliance with all regulatory directives.
• Community Engagement
• Programming: Develop and oversee program plans, evaluations, and aspects of programs. Work with staff to ensure that programmatic work is in alignment with the strategic plan. Major programs include Membership, Education, Chapters, Job List, and Discussion List.
• Volunteers: Empower chapters, local groups, and partners by effectively recruiting, inspiring, managing, and retaining member volunteers.
• External Relations and Partnerships: Serve as the public face of the organization. Build and steward relationships with peer organizations such as ACES, CIEP, Editors Canada, and IPEd, exploring potential strategic partnerships. Cultivate relationships with the media, publishing and communications industry executives, association executives, policymakers, etc., to create greater visibility for the organization and to better advocate for its members and for freelance editorial professionals more broadly. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience. Master’s degree preferred (Educational qualifications may be waived depending on work history) 
• Minimum of 5–10 years’ progressive experience managing a nonprofit organization or professional association of similar size or larger and with strong volunteering cultures
• Successful senior-level experience managing an organization, including programs, strategy, human resources, finances, and systems/infrastructure
• Strong strategic fiscal management, oversight, and budgeting skills
• Proven ability to respond quickly and on own initiative to changing complex circumstances, maintaining a clear view of overall strategic picture
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion within the workplace
• Experience translating strategy into delivery through plans, programs, people, and culture
• Evidence of working collaboratively and bringing people together

Skills & Attributes

• Strategic thinker, good at making decisions with an understanding of how they impact the big picture
• Proficiency in applying a creative approach to generate innovative ideas that drive/support organizational objectives  
• Team builder who is good with coaching staff to high levels of performance 
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, high emotional intelligence
• Credible change agent with ability to persuade and foster trust
• Strong and transparent decision-making and exceptional planning and coordination skills
• Empowering and enabling leader with ability to build, manage, and engage people, and able to manage remotely
• Work with clear focus, with the ability to be open, transparent, and inspiring
• Ability to quickly provide sound solutions to a variety of problems, issues, and concerns that surface
• Ability to negotiate winning solutions for all parties and supporting relationships
• Must be extremely organized, diligent, able to multitask, and operate with only the highest degree of integrity
• Interest in researching and implementing technological solutions. Able to provide excellent customer/member service
• Able to work independently with a high degree of initiative and collaboratively with a small team

Technical Skills and Knowledge

• Knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, database, and slide presentation software. Familiarity with MacOS, QuickBooks, cloud collaboration applications (e.g., Dropbox, Google Suite/Drive, Slack, Asana), Zoom, and Groups.io
• Ability to troubleshoot basic technical issues independently
• Experience with WordPress, association management software, Google Analytics, and Mailchimp a plus

Additional requirements

• Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship
• Successful applicants will be required to complete equity, diversity, and inclusion training modules provided by the EFA
• The EFA strongly encourages all staff to correctly wear high-quality face masks (N95, KN95, KF94, or equivalent) when interacting with colleagues in the EFA office and at EFA events

Working conditions

• This is a hybrid role where work will be done primarily virtually but which will require commuting to our New York City office for periodic meetings with staff (currently every two months) and to handle other business functions.
• Extensive computer use and regular videoconferencing. 
• Occasional evening and weekend work and travel (with advance notice). 
• Frequent use of phones and e-mail will be required to communicate with stakeholders. Slack and Discord chat apps will be required to communicate with colleagues. 

Compensation 

This is a full-time, exempt position. The salary range is $100,000–$130,000 depending on experience and skills. Benefits include:

• 16 days per year of paid time off 
• More than 12 paid holidays
• An allowance for health care expenses
• 401(k) with match
• Professional development funds
• Full EFA membership with associated privileges 
• Access to all EFA online educational materials for self-study

How to Apply 

All qualified candidates are invited to apply by submitting a resume and cover letter to staffing@the-efa.org. 

All applications will be acknowledged and reviewed as they are received. The priority deadline for applying is May 8, and early submission is encouraged. Applications received after the deadline will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. 

The EFA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, body type or appearance, national origin, veteran, or disability status.

• 16 days per year of paid time off 
• More than 12 paid holidays
• An allowance for health care expenses
• 401(k) with match
• Professional development funds
• Full EFA membership with associated privileges 
• Access to all EFA online educational materials for self-study