President

YouthBuild USA
Boston, Massachusetts

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

YouthBuild USA, a nationally celebrated organization offering low-income youth and communities a new future through combined community service, on-the-job training, education, and leadership development, is seeking a new President. YouthBuild USA has existed since 1990 and has been restructured in order to create an international arm that will grow to be equal to YouthBuild USA. The YouthBuild organization now houses two equal divisions: YouthBuild USA and YouthBuild International. The current founder and president of YouthBuild USA will become the CEO of YouthBuild, creating a new position for President of YouthBuild USA. The President of YouthBuild USA will work closely with founder and YouthBuild CEO Dorothy Stoneman and the senior leadership team to lead YouthBuild USA as the domestic branch of the organization. The new President will engage collaboratively with YouthBuild USA’s staff, partners and youth to implement and evolve the strategic plan for the organization’s future that encompasses program development, staff development, fundraising, movement development, youth leadership development, and policy priorities.

This is an extraordinary opportunity at a remarkable and exciting time of renewed national engagement and a reinvigorated focus on engaging youth as critical community assets. YouthBuild USA seeks a dynamic, enterprising, experienced, well rooted, and politically astute President who knows and deeply cares about low-income youth and their communities. His or her role will be to ensure that the organization sustains and maximizes its leadership role in diminishing poverty, developing community leaders, building programmatic success on the ground and policy impact nationally.

The new President will nurture YouthBuild USA’s proven model and existing relationships while expanding the organization’s reach and deepening its positive impact across the country. The President will guide the public-private partnership that is a characteristic of the federal YouthBuild program created through YouthBuild USA’s advocacy. The President will be a forceful advocate for low-income youth, a seasoned and sophisticated leader equipped to assume many of the critical organizational responsibilities currently held by YouthBuild’s founder, and a tireless relationship builder with the capacity to meaningfully connect with and strategically leverage extensive networks of affiliates, stakeholders, funders, government agencies, and policymakers. S/he will utilize extraordinary communication, strategic planning, and organizational management skills to engage and inspire YouthBuild USA, its partners, its supporters, and its next generation of youth.
 

HISTORY AND MISSION

At this critical juncture in American history with a shifting political landscape, a failing education system, and more communities in dire need than we’ve seen in recent history, YouthBuild USA is strategically positioned to broaden and improve upon its track record of service to America’s underserved youth and communities. The recent establishment of the umbrella organization to YouthBuild USA and YouthBuild International, has also opened a new chapter for the organization internally. The future, with the right leadership in place, is bright with opportunity.

The YouthBuild program was started in 1978 when Dorothy Stoneman, then a teacher working in East Harlem, partnered with her students to create a program that enabled disenfranchised youth to improve their communities while receiving on-the-job experience that would tangibly improve their neighborhoods while they also pursued their own education, in order to be prepared for college or good jobs and to take responsibility for community development. Fueled by a vision of unleashing the positive energy of youth, Ms. Stoneman and the youth joined forces to form the Youth Action Program, the forerunner of YouthBuild, and together with community supporters they began renovating abandoned and neglected tenement buildings. In 1984 they began a City-wide Coalition that led to the program obtaining City funds to replicate in five New York City neighborhoods. Uniquely operating at the intersection of youth leadership and community service, employment, affordable housing construction, education, social justice and racial equality, YouthBuild’s compelling program model captured national attention. Its transformative results won policy advocates and political champions at all levels of government and within the private and nonprofit sectors.

YouthBuild USA orchestrated the growth of YouthBuild to 226 communities nationally. Over 84,000 participants, in 44 states, have produced 18,000 units of affordable housing. The YouthBuild Coalition, run by YouthBuild USA, has brought over $700M in federal funding to communities in need. The national YouthBuild network sponsors and provides technical assistance to over 220 community nonprofit, faith-based organizations, and public agencies that sponsor local YouthBuild programs. YouthBuild USA’s extensive reach reflects its savvy in attracting varied private sector investment and its skill in navigating bipartisan and federal politics to create a federal YouthBuild program operated by the US Department of Labor and to secure an annual appropriation for that program from the US Congress. It also obtains complementary grants from multiple federal agencies for innovation and expanded impact..

YouthBuild USA is distinguished as one of the earliest and largest partners in the national service field and was granted close to $4 million dollars to launch the YouthBuild AmeriCorps Rebuilding project to establish new programs and to rebuild 300 homes in Mississippi destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.

The leadership of YouthBuild has given thoughtful and careful consideration to the future of the enterprise, including the increased demand for YouthBuild’s program work internationally, and believes that now is the opportune time for a mission-driven, savvy, dynamic and entrepreneurial leader to join YouthBuilld as the champion of YouthBuild USA’s next chapter.

RESPONSIBILITIES, OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR THE PRESIDENT

The President of YouthBuild USA will come to YouthBuild at a critical juncture in the organization’s history as the founder and long-time President, now CEO, Dorothy Stoneman plans a future transition from leadership. With the benefit of the CEO’s continued counsel and overall organizational leadership, the new President will assume primary responsibility for maximizing the quality and impact of domestic programs consistent with YouthBuild USA’s mission of rebuilding communities and young lives while diminishing poverty and reflective of YouthBuild USA’s unique culture that exemplifies commitment to the values of respect, responsibility, knowledge, community, and love.

The President will lead YouthBuild USA’s national operations and will partner effectively with the umbrella organization’s senior leadership team to broaden the enterprise’s strategic development such that YouthBuild USA and YouthBuild International’s co-presence creates synergy between exceptional domestic and international programming while expanding global impact. The President will ensure the effective management and oversight of critical aspects of the organization’s internal operations including strategic planning, and day-to-day operations. The President will participate in both the executive management team and the senior management team while overseeing and supporting the work of the senior program team. S/he will supervise approximately 7 direct reports which will include both vice presidents and department heads, a national staff of 60, an annual operating budget of $12M and an annual grant-making budget of $10M. Externally, the President will join with the CEO in advocacy and fundraising activities and will both build strong relationships within the new presidential administration and Congress and work to increase annual federal appropriations, raise funds to support and expand the work of YouthBuild USA, insure a healthy and creative public-private partnership with the US Department of Labor, oversee the achievement of deliverables in funded initiatives, and enhance visibility and favorable policy. Additionally, s/he will participate in the YouthBuild USA Affiliated Network, the Directors’ Council, Young Leaders’ Council, the YouthBuild National Alumni Council, the State YouthBuild Coalitions, and the National Coalition, joining the CEO in providing leadership to the movement-building aspect of YouthBuild USA’s work.

During the first 12-18 months of his or her tenure, the new President will have many challenges and opportunities. Key areas of focus for the new President include:

Working closely with founder Dorothy Stoneman and YouthBuild senior leadership team to establish the new role of President at YouthBuild USA and furthering the breakthrough growth process that is currently the organization’s goal. Under President Obama there is potential for exponential growth that needs to be achieved and implemented wisely.

The new President will work closely with the CEO to implement and develop the ongoing growth and quality improvement strategies for YouthBuild USA. The new President will establish strong collaborative relationships with the Vice Presidents responsible for all major program areas and actively support their leadership to ensure ongoing excellence in implementing YouthBuild USA’s model and initiatives for maximum quality and impact. The new President will work to deepen and enhance the productive, collaborative, respectful organizational culture at YouthBuild USA, with attention to the quality of staff development and engagement with the YouthBuild field. S/he will build strong relationships with the leadership of the National Directors Council, Young Leaders Council, and National Alumni Council to lead constituent engagement in program and policy development.

Expanding financial support for YouthBuild USA and the overall YouthBuild movement by cultivating new funding sources while maximizing existing revenue streams.

With an eye toward preserving and strengthening YouthBuild USA’s long-term financial health, the new President will work to support the CEO in all aspects of external development and networking activities. While s/he will invest in fostering strong, productive relationships with existing funders, investors, and major donors, the new President will also be expected to bring his or her own contacts to YouthBuild and to capitalize on these existing relationships and networks to broaden YouthBuild’s support network. S/he will be charged with continuing to leverage federal national service and DOL funding with significant corporate and foundation support and will also focus considerable attention on securing pass-through funds from diverse sources.

Supporting the CEO in advocating for legislation and policy positively affecting youth in the United States and diminishing poverty.

As a national champion for inner city and low-income youth, the President will effectively navigate the political landscape to advance an agenda that equips America’s challenged youth with opportunities and resources that build assets and reduce obstacles to individual productivity while improving community health. S/he will identify and pursue opportunities to represent and integrate YouthBuild priorities into policy and legislative initiatives, ably communicating YouthBuild’s impact on key constituencies. The new President will steadily take on increased responsibility to nurture and maintain relationships Dorothy Stoneman has forged with key political leaders and their staff.

Partnering with the CEO and Senior Management Team to oversee the continued development and implementation of effective programs, informed by on-going evaluation, and to identify program areas in need of additional support from YouthBuild’s fundraising and advocacy efforts.

The new President will devote considerable time and undertake extensive travel accompanying the CEO and other senior staff to acquire first-hand knowledge of YouthBuild USA’s infrastructure, funding and advocacy relationships, and programming. The new President will benefit from on-going qualitative and quantitative analysis designed to support the effective delivery of high quality programs and shape organizational processes and directions. S/he will work with the Senior Vice President of Program Excellence to use feedback mechanisms to ensure agency priorities, staffing, and operations adapt to the changing needs of its constituencies and will implement necessary steps to achieve these goals, ensuring program implementation is aligned with program budgets and development efforts. She will ensure that YouthBuild USA delivers on all its commitments to funders and to constituents.

Establishing new and deepening existing organizational collaborations and strategic partnerships with leading national organizations addressing issue areas intersecting with YouthBuild USA priorities.

Through in-depth experiences in the field, deep personal and professional networks, and a passion for YouthBuild USA’s mission the new President will forge strong positive relationships with partner organizations, field level affiliates, constituent youth, alumni and other relevant communities and stakeholders. YouthBuild enjoys a history of strong alliances with powerful advocates and exemplary organizations focused on eradicating poverty, expanding affordable housing, harnessing national service for social change, and promoting youth empowerment. The new President will actively manage current partnerships and will identify and form additional relationships and collaborations that will strengthen YouthBuild USA’s impact and enhance its mission. The President will be an active spokesperson for youth and will cultivate and secure opportunities to serve in the leadership of high-profile national coalitions addressing YouthBuild USA priorities. In these roles, s/he will work to orchestrate a trajectory of coordinated development and enhanced visibility for key organizational subsets including YouthBuild USA, the YouthBuild Coalition, the YouthBuild USA Affiliated Network, and the YouthBuild Alumni Association.

QUALIFICATIONS OF THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

This is an exceptional opportunity for a strategic, passionate, and organizationally savvy entrepreneur who can bring a steadfast confidence and humble leadership to the complex responsibilities of YouthBuild USA’s national advocacy and programming efforts. The President will have a minimum of ten years or more of notable senior-level nonprofit leadership along with a demonstrated track record of success in national and grassroots fundraising. Successful candidates will also hold a postgraduate degree in business, public policy, non-profit management, education, youth development, social work, or a related field. Individuals who have deep roots and strong personal ties to YouthBuild’s program network and/or to the low-income communities where they operate are strongly encouraged to apply.

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:

Required Qualifications:

• A strong passion for and commitment to YouthBuild’s mission, combined with the ability to persuasively articulate the imperative for low-income youth to have opportunities for productivity, educational success, community contribution, and leadership.

• An understanding of the power of love combined with opportunity as a transformational force in the lives of individuals and communities.

• Agility and strategic savvy with a strong command of the central issues and influential players and organizations involved in one or more of YouthBuild USA’s key issue areas, including: national service, housing development, education, job training, crime prevention, youth leadership, and community organizing.

• Proven ability to raise significant funds and to cultivate long-term investment from foundations, corporations, public sources and individual donors.

• Highly developed systems management and human relations skills, including significant experience in strategic plan implementation, human resources and staff supervision, program and project development, board and constituent relations, management and evaluation, advocacy and movement-building, budget development and fiscal accountability.

• Familiarity with the dynamics and demands of providing executive leadership and operational support to national-local relationships and diverse affiliate networks, with the ability to balance centralized inspiration with decentralized initiative and responsibility.

• Powerful public speaking and written advocacy skills that can inspire YouthBuild’s internal and external audiences and mobilize resources and investment in youth and communities impacted by poverty; the ability to command the spotlight and the confidence and savvy to know when the spotlight might strategically be directed elsewhere.

• Effective networking skills with the ability to engage and call upon opinion leaders, public officials and corporate and foundation leaders.

• Deep knowledge of the history and impact of racism and class oppression in the United States combined with a professional path that demonstrates a clear commitment to securing justice and opportunity for all.

• Demonstrated ability to relate well in highly diverse, multi-racial/ethnic contexts, and within communities challenged by the conditions of poverty.

• An excellent reputation in the field, with a preference for a respected organizational leader who has authored and published related books and articles.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Experience creating and leading successful programs on the ground in low-income communities in the USA

• Experience replicating successful programs and creating or building a national network of related programs

• Experience as a director of an outstanding YouthBuild program and in leadership roles within the YouthBuild USA Affiliated Network

• Experience creating social change through community engagement and leadership development of adults and/or young people in low-income communities

• Experience crafting political strategy and attracting and building relationships with local, state, and/or federal public policy officials to support legislation and expand funding on behalf of relevant issue areas.

• Experience developing and implementing successful communications strategies.

• Bi-lingual in Spanish and English

• International experience

The new President is expected to travel extensively during the 2009-2010 year and to live in or near the Boston, MA area.

TO APPLY

More information about YouthBuild USA may be found at: www.youthbuild.org.

The new President is expected to come on board between September 2009 and January 2010. Nominations and applications will be reviewed as received. Candidates are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Applications including a cover letter describing your interest and qualifications, your resume (in Word format), salary history and where you learned of the position should be sent to: yb-presidentusa@nonprofitprofessionals.com. In order to expedite the internal sorting and reviewing process, please type your name (Last, First) as the only contents in the subject line of your e-mail.

It is YouthBuild’s policy to employ, compensate and advance personnel without regard to gender, race, color, religion, age, national origin, veteran status, physical disability, sexual orientation or marital status.

This search is being conducted by the Nonprofit Professionals Advisory Group, in conjunction with YouthBuild.