Executive Director, Mesa Public Schools Foundation

Mesa Public Schools Foundation seeks a dynamic fundraiser and relationship builder with strong administrative aptitude to serve as the organization’s Executive Director.  This position has a unique opportunity to grow the Foundation which supports the largest school district in Arizona and will work to improve and expand its programs to meet the challenges of education.  The Executive Director shall lead the Foundation to become more visible and more impactful to the students, schools, the district, and the community.

Foundation Overview

The Mesa Public Schools Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization created in 1985 to support students, teachers, and the community in “partnership” with Mesa Public Schools.  The Foundation seeks to promote excellence in the students, schools and community through its support of funding program efforts such as early childhood education, literacy, music, innovation grants, recognition and support of excellence in the district’s teachers and staff, and other programs as designated by the Board of Directors.  

About the Role

The Executive Director is Mesa Public Schools Foundation’s sole full-time staff at present.  Administrative functions and day-to-day operations are the responsibility of the Executive Director until such time as additional staff are hired.  Contract employees provide bookkeeping services that are overseen by the Executive Director and Board Treasurer.  The Executive Director is responsible for ensuring effective operations and programming.  This position reports to the President of the MPSF Board of Directors.   

Key Responsibilities

1. Provide Strategic Vision and Leadership in Partnership with the Board

• Cultivate a strong and transparent relationship with the Board and Community to ensure open communication about financial, programmatic and impact performance against organizational goals.
• Provide leadership to ensure the continued development and management of a professional and efficient organization.
• Establish effective decision-making processes that will enable the Foundation to achieve its long- and short-term goals and objectives.
• Collaborate with the Board to develop and implement a comprehensive strategic plan.

2. Drive Fundraising and Community Awareness

• Actively engage in the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of funding sources, particularly individual and corporate donors.
• Lead the development and execution of comprehensive marketing, branding and development strategies that will ensure consistency throughout the organization.
• Increase awareness among target audiences and identify other opportunities for revenue generation that aligns with and supports our mission and the goals of Mesa Public Schools.   
• Articulate the Foundation’s vision and impact to the community fostering public trust and strategic “partnerships.”
• Deliver compelling communications that increase understanding of the Foundation’s mission and motivate support. 
• Lead the development and implementation of the annual fundraising plan to support financial sustainability and growth.
• Identify new and potential grant opportunities, write proposals and submit timely reports.

3. Ensure Effective Operations and Programming

• Manage the Foundation within the annual operating budget and identify opportunities for investment and efficiency.
• Oversee the financial status of the organization including the development of short- and long-range financial plans; monitoring the operating budget, and ensure sound financial controls are in place; set financial priorities ensuring that organizational resources are allocated in a manner that most effectively and efficiently drives progress.
• Manage contract staff and volunteers by establishing clear expectations and providing oversight of and guidance regarding day-to-day operations.
• Develop effective systems and processes to strengthen programmatic, fundraising, financial, and legal operations.
• Manage conflicts and solve problems.
• Identify and mitigate organizational risk.
• Ensure the delivery of high quality and impactful programs and services.
• Determine and oversee pertinent organizational performance data.

Qualifications

Knowledge/Skills Required

• At minimum a Bachelor degree; an advanced degree preferred
• At least 3 years of Senior level experience as Executive Director, Program Director, or equivalent position (experience required)
• Prior nonprofit leadership (experience required)
• Significant board development, fundraising, marketing, fiscal management, and program services (experience required)
• Demonstrated ability to set clear priorities, create stakeholder buy-in, delegate, drive progress and monitor performance.
• Strong analytical skills, judgment, negotiation, and problem-solving skills with demonstrated success as an outgoing spokesperson.
• Strong commitment to the professional development and mentoring of staff; successful track record of recruitment and retention of a dynamic staff team.
• Strong skills and technical expertise with Microsoft Office, Google Suite and Intuit QuickBooks.

To Apply

Please submit a resume and cover letter detailing your interest in the Mesa Public Schools Foundation’s mission and relevant experience to theclark7@gmail.com.  Applicants without a cover letter will not be considered.  

Applications will be reviewed as they are received.  Apply by 5pm on Wednesday, July 24th to ensure consideration.