Executive Director, Statewide Association – California State PTA – Sacramento, CA

Background and Mission of Organization

The California State PTA (California Congress of Parents, Teachers, and Students, Inc.) is a professional, nonprofit volunteer organization committed to the well-being of all children. It is a branch of the National PTA, serving as a connecting link between the national organization and its membership within the state. PTAs are a vital part of schools and communities across the state, with more than 3,500 local constituent organizations in California and more than 800,000 members.

The purposes of PTA are

– To promote the welfare of children and youth in home, school, community, and place of worship.
– To raise the standards of home life.
– To secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth.
– To bring into closer relation the home and the school, that parents and teachers may cooperate intelligently in the education of children and youth.
– To develop between educators and the general public such united efforts as will secure for all children and youth the highest advantages in physical, mental, social, and spiritual education.

The mission of the California State PTA is to positively impact the lives of all children and families.

California State PTA advocates for the education, health and well-being of all children and youth. The association is dedicated to promoting meaningful engagement of parents and families with their schools, and in the education of their children and all children. Key programs and activities include: Representing the interests of children before the legislature, governor and other state and federal agencies; participation in statewide meetings and conferences of allied groups, agencies, and coalitions having goals similar to PTA; leadership training, resources and support, including through a statewide annual convention, field services, workshops and online training; providing programs and services, materials, and publications to local leaders and members; and serving as a clearinghouse for PTA information and as a coordinating agency for PTA work in the state.

The work of the California State PTA is carried out by a 16-member Board of Directors and a 100-plus member Board of Managers. The association’s work is accomplished by commissions and standing and special committees, working in collaboration with staff.

Position Summary

The Executive Director provides vision, direction, leadership, and continuity for PTA volunteers and staff toward the achievement of the California State PTA’s mission, strategy, and its goals, priorities and objectives. Familiarity with education and/or children’s issues and statewide policymaking processes, as well as proven success in management, budgeting and finance, resource development and program development and implementation, is essential to assure the future success and viability of the organization. This position requires a proactive professional with strong communication and presentation skills; a thoughtful, organized approach to planning and decision-making; experience and comfort working with and supporting volunteer leaders; computer knowledge and a college degree with a minimum of 5 years of experience in nonprofit management. The Executive Director is appointed by, reports to, is evaluated annually by, and works in close collaboration with the Board of Directors.

The Executive Director must be knowledgeable about local and statewide issues that impact children, families, and schools and tactics and strategies for mobilizing PTA communities for civic participation and legislative advocacy work within the laws and regulations governing 501(c)(3) organizations.

Specific requirements include:

Excellent writing, oral communication and interpersonal communication skills; skill in public speaking; and second language skills – written/oral basic fluency in Spanish preferred.
The ability to represent the California State PTA in a variety of settings and to establish/maintain broad organizational relationships.
Demonstrated ability to think strategically about organizational development, program design and implementation to move the organization forward.
Experience in budget development, budget oversight, and resource development and management including grant writing and donor programs.
Demonstrated knowledge of children and family issues, education, and the policy context in California.
Strong management experience and skills including the ability to ­ recruit, retain, and manage competent and effective staff.
Experience working with volunteers and commitment to volunteer involvement; creating a supportive and collaborative environment for volunteer leaders; and facilitating a positive volunteer/staff working relationship
Valid California driver’s license and satisfactory background check.

Key Responsibilities for Executive Director

Strategic Planning, Governance and Board Development

Provide strategic guidance to Board of Directors and Board of Managers to implement the goals, priorities and objectives of the California State PTA.

Promote an effective governance culture and ensure support and responsiveness to the Board, including serving as primary liaison between staff and the board, working with the President to plan meetings, ensuring regular and transparent reporting, facilitating board development and orientation, and preparing materials and analysis that support strategic decision-making and policy-setting.
Strategically align human and fiscal resources, as well as internal structures and processes, to enhance organizational effectiveness and ensure that the mission, goals and priorities are reflected in activities throughout the association, board, staff, committees and local constituents.
Establish and oversee data-informed approaches for strategy development to maximize the association’s impact in achieving its mission and goals, such as member surveys, marketing and field research, focus groups, digital analytics, and student demographic and school data.

Strategic Communications

Oversee the development and implementation of effective communications, marketing and public relations initiatives. Ensure that the communication efforts of the California State PTA reflect key priorities and maximize efforts in reaching and engaging key audiences including efforts to reach out to California’s diverse communities. In partnership with the Board president and Board of Directors, serve as one of the organization’s public spokesperson(s), ensuring that the organization has a positive image statewide and with funders. Represent the California State PTA at industry, cooperating organization, allied group and governmental agency meetings, functions and events.

External Relations and Partnerships

Develop and cultivate relationships and partnerships with a diverse range of organizations and coalitions to implement common strategies and advance shared goals, including groups representing children, families, teachers, administrators, county offices, school boards, business officials, ethnic, civic and social justice organizations and causes, researchers, businesses, foundations, other state PTAs and National PTA, and more. Maintain involvement in professional associations and networks to assure awareness of service opportunities, needs, funding and legislative trends. Build local, state and national relationships to increase visibility, funds, and influence for the organization.

Financial/Nonprofit Management: Collaborate with the Board of Directors, President and staff to establish the annual operating budget. Ensure the efficient and effective use of the organization’s financial resources according to current laws and regulations through oversight of the budgetary process, monitoring financial activity and monitoring compliance with funder requirements. Maintain existing policies and develop new policies as necessary to ensure the financial health of the organization. Analyze operations to evaluate the organization’s and staff’s performance in meeting objectives and to determine areas of potential cost reductions, program improvement or policy change. Monitor financial transactions and present financial statements and status reports to the Board. In cooperation with the Board of Directors and president, be responsible for contract negotiation and completion. Serve as custodian of all legal documents and contracts including, but not limited to, deeds, insurance policies and convention contracts. Ensure that issues related to nonprofit status including compliance with tax filing requirements; bylaw development and revision and facilitate legal consultation when necessary to protect the organization’s reputation and nonprofit status.

Policy and Advocacy Leadership

Help position the association as a major “impact player” on statewide education, health and safety policy issues that affect children and families. Assist in developing, supporting and leading advocacy efforts to advance the association’s policy goals, including legislative, budget, state agency and legal advocacy, statewide ballot measure campaigns, coalition-building, grassroots education and engagement, and spokesperson training.

Resource Development: Oversee resource development including grants, earned income, donor development and other means by working closely with the Board and Resource Development Committee to identify resource requirements, identify and develop traditional and non-traditional funding sources, establish strategies to approach funders, submit proposals and manage fundraising records and documentation. Cultivate and secure additional funds reflective of short and long-term strategies. Initiate, build, and maintain relationships with major donors and corporate and foundation supporters.

Program Development: Oversee design, development, coordination, marketing, implementation and evaluation of programs and services to ensure the fulfillment of organization’s strategic plan, goals and objectives and compliance with all policies. Collaborate with other organizations that share common goals and seek new opportunities to expand such collaborations.

Event Planning and Training

Collaborate with Board of Directors to ensure that training conferences and events are focused on organizational goals and strategic plan. Oversee management of operational and administrative functions to ensure specific projects are delivered efficiently.

Staff Management and Support: Provide leadership for human resources management through final approval of hires, terminations and timely and effective performance and salary reviews. Recommend personnel and benefit policies for approval by the board. Effectively manage the human resources of the organization according to authorized personnel policies and procedures that fully conform to current laws and regulations. Develop and implement strategies to promote greater leadership, productivity, cohesion, and capacity among staff to accomplish organization’s goals. Create a professional and accountable office culture. Hold primary responsibility for facilitating communication throughout the staff organization to ensure that teamwork is developed and the day-to-day operations run smoothly. Assure adequate staff training is provided to assist staff in carrying out their jobs. Oversee management and improvement of informational databases so that database management systems can receive and provide data in a rapid, efficient and accurate manner to other levels of PTA.

Skills/Qualifications:

–Visionary and creative leader with demonstrated ability to inspire others
–Strong operations, development management, and administration skills
–Demonstrated skills in strategic planning, program/policy development, resource development including grant writing and donor programs, marketing and public relations, human resources, financial management and organizational development
–Demonstrated ability to represent organization and deliver organization’s message in media interviews, resource development, and public speaking opportunities
Strong interpersonal skills
–Expertise in the use and knowledge of technology and common business software
–Values teamwork, creativity, respect, openness, honest communication, enthusiasm, and high standards

Academic Credentials and Experience:

–Master’s degree or higher preferred in non-profit management, business administration, public administration or a related field or a comparable combination of education and experience
–Minimum of six to ten years of progressively increasing responsibility, including management of staff in nonprofit organizations, with a minimum of five years in an executive position
–Prior experience with a statewide or national membership organization of similar magnitude preferred ($5 million plus budget)

How to apply

To apply, please email a cover letter, resume and brief salary history to jobs@capta.org by May 22. Only electronic submissions that contain all three of these items will be accepted.

All application submissions and inquiries will be maintained as strictly confidential.

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