| [UPDATED] BACKGROUND Opportunity Resources of New York City has been retained for the search for Executive Director/CEO of the Columbus Citizens Foundation. The search will be personally supervised by Freda Mindlin, President of Opportunity Resources. Columbus Citizens Foundation (CCF), founded in 1945, is a philanthropic and fraternal membership organization fostering appreciation of Italian-American heritage and achievement. CCF is composed of two non-profit corporations. The Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit, awards multi?year scholarships to elementary, high school and college students; providing approximately 175 scholarships in 2018 and recently launching an internship program for high school and college students. The Foundation’s sister organization, called The House, is a 501(c)7 non-profit corporation that includes the Taverna, the members’ restaurant and social club, and the banquet, special events and members meeting rooms. CCF operates in an historic Italianate townhouse on 69th Street on the Upper East Side purchased in 1969 and meticulously restored. CCF seeks an Executive Director/CEO (CEO) who is a strategic, innovative and charismatic leader with demonstrated strong management and fundraising experience, and who inspires confidence and trust. In response to recommendations from outside consultants retained by the Board to advise on CCF’s future growth and continued relevance, the position of CEO has been restructured and expanded to take responsibility and authority over both entities. The CEO will provide a unified, cohesive, complimentary strategic direction for growing and enhancing the Foundation’s scholarship program and support for recipients while strengthening The House’s membership and programming benefits. The CEO will have the vision and leadership to identify and institute changes that will ultimately reach higher levels of success. CCF is governed by an 18-member Board of Governors and an operating budget of approximately $4 Million. The Foundation operates with a staff of 14. Membership is by?invitation and is currently at over 600. The Young Adults Auxiliary and Ladies Auxiliary volunteer time and expertise to fuel the CCF’s fundraising events. CCF is generously supported by its membership, income from investments and contributions from a variety of sources. The annual Columbus Weekend activities, including the Parade and a gala dinner featuring entertainers such as Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga, are the CCF’s signature annual fundraising events. For more information about the Columbus Citizens Foundation visit www.columbuscitizensfd.org. THE POSITION Reporting Relationships The CEO will report to and work closely with the Board of Governors. The CEO has seven direct reports including Scholarship Director, Controller, Development Director, Director of Marketing & Communications, Membership Director, Assistant to the Director, and General Manager of The House & Executive Chef. RESPONSIBILITIES The CEO is responsible for providing leadership to the Columbus Citizens Foundation, guided by its mission and values. The scope of responsibilities includes strategic planning and implementation; fundraising and budgeting; communications and public relations; marketing; operations and administration. The CEO oversees the execution and progress of the philanthropic and fraternal dimensions of the CCF’s mission. The CEO will be the dynamic and compelling public face and representative of the CCF in the development of new funding resources and with existing and potential donors. The CEO will have complete autonomy for operating decisions within the area of approved plans. The CEO will be accountable for the CCF’s financial and human resources and for taking new initiatives and seeing them through to completion. She/he will interact with the President on a regular basis to review, both formally and informally, progress toward execution of stated plans, key personnel and budgetary concerns and other similar issues. The CEO will also seek guidance on particularly complex issues and in general will keep the President informed. The CEO will provide leadership and direction as follows: Financial Development - Take the leadership role in all fundraising plans and activities and, together with the Board and the Director of Development, cultivate and solicit new funding sources while maintaining productive relationships with existing funders. With the President, Board and Chair of the Fundraising Committee, evaluate current fundraising activities for effectiveness and institute changes where needed to increase positive results.
- With the support and participation of the President, Committee Chairs and membership, assume complete leadership over time of the organization and success of the Columbus weekend activities, including the Columbus Day Parade, the annual Gala entertainment dinner, and the selection of the Parade Grand Marshal, who is the principal honoree at the Gala dinner. The Columbus weekend events comprise the CCF’s major annual fundraising initiative and are currently membership-led.
- Serve as the CCF’s public face and, together with the President, as its spokesperson regionally, nationally and internationally, raise the profile of the CCF in the Italian?American community and the world of charitable institutions, seeking to maintain its original mission while broadening its scope and relevance in a changing world; cultivate relationships with appropriate organizations and individuals that share and support the CCF’s mission and activities; develop strategies to increase membership and new earned income opportunities.
Planning, Implementation and Programs - Spend the first few months becoming familiar with the CCF’s programs, finances, personnel, membership and key stakeholders; critically assess the way the CCF goes about fulfilling its mission; institute change where needed and establish and maintain a structure that is focused, coordinated and effective and can successfully achieve the CCF’s short- and long-term goals.
- Thereafter, work closely with the President and select Board members to develop a compelling plan for the CCF’s advancement that is ambitious but achievable, and galvanize the Board, staff, members and friends’ groups to successfully execute the plan.
- With input from the Board and staff, develop a vision of the type and range of programs that will best serve the CCF’s mission and goals and ensure they are delivered with the high standards for which the CCF is known.
Governance - Cultivate strong and transparent working relationships with the Board and staff that ensures open communication about the measurement of financial, programmatic and impact performance goals against agreed-upon milestones.
Organizational Capacity and Finance - Develop the annual operating budgets for general operations and mission-driven initiatives for Board approval and ensure appropriate financial controls and reporting systems are in effect; ensure the CCF’s continued financial strength through effective planning, budgeting and forecasting.
- Assess organizational capacity to implement strategies and goals and report gaps in the CCF’s systems and staff to the Board.
- Serve as a point person between the staff and Board; oversee employee selection, training and annual performance appraisals; facilitate open communication and teamwork; and devise ways to attract and retain talented staff.
Marketing and Communications - With the Marketing & Communication Director, create a plan that promotes the CCF’s programs and services, enhances its visibility and brand reputation and reaches a wide variety of important people and places, increasing awareness and interest in the CCF’s efforts and accomplishments.
- Ensure that a wide range of public relations and marketing activities are in place, including print material, website and digital media that promote the CCF’s activities and direction.
- Maintain ongoing communication with the CCF’s constituency, cultivate partnerships and be visible and active at relevant civic and cultural events.
- Serve as the CCF’s spokesperson and advocate for the value of education about Italian culture throughout history.
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