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EMPLOYMENT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Bridge Over Troubled Waters The Board of Directors of Bridge Over Troubled Waters (Bridge) seeks a dynamic and skilled Executive Director who will lead the organization in effectively achieving its important mission and goals. Bridge is a unique institution in the City of Boston and New England, serving as a leading provider of comprehensive services to more than 5000 runaway and homeless youth each year. Bridge operates from central, remote and mobile locations with headquarters conveniently located in an attractive, visible building owned by Bridge, one block from the Boston Common. Founded in 1970, Bridge’s mission is to enable high-risk and homeless youth to achieve a healthy and productive adulthood through prevention, intervention and education services. Bridge’s programs and services are designed holistically in order to address all of the challenges faced by homeless youth in creating stable, healthy and productive lives. Bridge is seeking an entrepreneurial leader with a demonstrated passion for service to young people to partner with its Board, staff and valued supporters in continuing and expanding its important work. Overview of the Organization and its Programs Bridge has a rich and important history. It was one of the first organizations to design and implement aggressive, effective strategies to deal with the problem of runaway and homeless youth in the Boston area. As the environment and challenges have changed over time, Bridge has been remarkably nimble in adapting its strategies and services to new populations and needs. With a budget of $3.9 m, the organization accomplishes much of its work through 40 highly skilled and talented staff, a dedicated Board of Directors and a host of committed volunteers who, together, served more than 5900 youth in 2007, including providing medical treatment and counseling support to more than 3000 young people on Bridge’s mobile medical van. While Bridge is aggressively adapting to the changing world of youth services and funder demands, its leaders remain keenly aware of the essential human skills and qualities, mission dedication and values established by Bridge’s founders, that have contributed to the success of the organization and earned such powerful brand recognition and support from the community, from Bridge staff and a broad audience of stakeholders. Bridge’s staff and corps of volunteers, who include former clients, represent a broad range of professional and clinical skills and disciplines, including medicine, dentistry, psychology, education, counseling, social work and outreach work. Program services are primarily focused in the following areas: Day Program - including survival services such as meals, showers, laundry as well as job search assistance and internet access. Counseling - including drop-in and scheduled meetings as well as outpatient, substance-abuse counseling Education and Career Development – including basic literacy and math skills and/or earning a GED Runaway/Adolescent Services – including 24 hour access to crisis intervention and emergency housing and conflict resolution with parents and families Residential Services – including transitional living arrangements, a single-parent house and cooperative apartments Health Services – including a mobile medical van and medical and dental clinics Street Outreach – including aggressive work to locate runaways and bring them to Bridge and/or to refer them to other appropriate resources Strategic Opportunities and Challenges The challenges and opportunities for Bridge are intricately intertwined. The current economic environment which has resulted in reductions in public and private funding for youth services, the changing needs and profile of at-risk youth and the increasing need to rigorously analyze programs and demonstrate measurable results all pose some degree of challenge for the organization and Bridge will need to continue to be fully prepared to respond proactively and creatively, examining its program mix, evaluating its customer base, ensuring aggressive and effective constituent outreach and identifying growth needs and potentially powerful partners. Bridge stakeholders, both internal and external, see a host of opportunities for new partnerships that are consistent with both Bridge’s mission and its desire to ensure long-term client and revenue growth that will enhance program quality and reach and achieve financial sustainability for the organization. The importance of compatible, strategic partnerships can’t be overemphasized. Historically, Bridge forged multiple, substantive alliances with other organizations and this approach to enhancing efficiency and effectiveness needs to be a renewed focus for the organization. Bridge’s brand and reputation make it an extremely attractive ally for many potential affiliates. In identifying these opportunities, the Board recognizes that these efforts will require thoughtful planning, greater visibility and marketing, increased efficiencies and more effective cross-functional integration within the organization. As with many multi-tiered, multi-disciplined nonprofit organizations, Bridge has experienced significant staff turnover in recent years. While some of this is the inevitable result of constrained compensation resources and limited internal mobility, there is also the conviction that a diminished focus on robust client services and street work in favor of an increased focus on administrative priorities has been a deterrent to staff retention. With a powerful history and track record and an articulate and mission-driven new Executive Director, Bridge stakeholders believe that more rigorous demands for data collection and measurable outcomes can be successfully achieved without compromising the overarching organizational mandate to focus on the needs of the constituents Bridge was established to serve. Effective marketing and visibility efforts, client-friendly services and programs and attention to hiring and retaining skilled staff who are committed to Bridge’s mission will be priorities for new leadership. During the assessment process internal and external stakeholders identified other challenges and opportunities that deserve consideration, and the capacity and effort required to tackle them in the context of a rapidly changing social and economic environment prompted many of those interviewed to cite Board and staff development as important areas of focus for the new Executive Director. Building a leadership ladder within the organization so skilled staff have the opportunity for growth and mobility and attracting additional, well-connected Board leaders who will work and advocate effectively for Bridge will be critical priorities for a new executive. Profile of the Ideal Candidate Bridge offers prospective candidates the opportunity to lead a well established, highly-respected, financially stable organization with a holistic and focused mission. In addition to managing the staff, programs, and finances of an organization engaged in difficult work in a complex environment, the Executive Director will be expected to serve as an articulate and powerful public spokesperson for Bridge, to broaden and deepen Bridge’s partnership relationships and to initiate, lead and join effective and strategic coalitions that further Bridge’s mission and financial sustainability. Essential skills and experience of the ideal candidate will include: Passion for Bridge’s Mission and Experience Working with Youth Exceptional Communicator Highly Effective Leader and Manager Resource Developer Strategic Partnership-Builder, Collaborator and Business Thinker An advanced degree is preferred for this position. Finally, it is important to note that this position is not a “nine-to-five” job. Bridge serves a constituency whose challenges are not time-bound or predictable and Bridge’s programs and services are designed to reflect this reality. The Executive Director is expected to be accessible as needed to address unexpected problems on an emergency basis. Bridge staff and Board members will welcome candidates who possess energy and stamina, a friendly and responsive demeanor and who are able to address the challenges of an increasingly complex environment without sacrificing the remarkable commitment to clients and to mission that have created such respect and loyalty on the part of staff, Board members, friends, advisors and the constituents whose lives have been changed by Bridge. Because it is critical both to achieving our mission and to operating in a way that is consistent with Bridge values, we strive for significant diversity throughout our organization. Candidates from diverse backgrounds and cultures are encouraged to apply. To express interest in this position, please send a resume and responsive cover letter, electronically, by September 30, to the Search Committee at: executive.search@earthlink.net
Bridge Over Troubled Waters Bridge Over Troubled Waters (Bridge) seeks a dynamic and skilled Director of Development who will lead the organization’s fundraising operation, which generates approximately 90% of total revenue. Bridge is a unique institution in the City of Boston and New England, serving as a leading provider of comprehensive services to more than 5,000 runaway and homeless youth each year. Bridge operates from central, remote and mobile locations with headquarters conveniently located in an attractive, visible building adjacent to the Boston Common. Overview of the Organization and its Programs Bridge has a rich and important history. It was one of the first organizations to design and implement aggressive, effective strategies to assist runaway and homeless youth in the Boston area. As the environment and challenges have changed over time, Bridge has been remarkably nimble in adapting its strategies and services to new populations and needs. With a budget of $3.9M, the organization relies on 40 highly skilled and talented staff, a dedicated Board of Directors and over 200 committed volunteers who, together, served more than 5,900 youth in 2007, including providing medical treatment and counseling support to more than 3,000 young people on Bridge’s Mobile Medical Van. Bridge’s staff and corps of volunteers, who include former clients, represent a broad range of professional and clinical skills and disciplines, including medicine, dentistry, psychology, education, counseling, social work and outreach work. Program services are primarily focused in the following areas: Transitional Day Program – Offers survival services such as meals, showers, laundry as well as job search assistance and group workshops. Counseling – Provides clients with drop-in and scheduled meetings as well as outpatient, substance-abuse counseling and referrals to in-house and community programs. Education and Career Development –Teaches basic literacy and math skills and offers tutoring to help clients earn a GED Runaway/Adolescent Services –Young people under the age of 18 have 24 hour access to crisis intervention, emergency housing and conflict resolution with parents and families Residential Services –Bridge provides structured living arrangements, including a single-parent home and cooperative apartments Health Services –Medical services include a Mobile Medical Van and in-house medical and dental clinics Street Outreach –Through aggressive outreach efforts, Bridge locates runaways and brings them to Bridge and/or to refers them to other appropriate resources Strategic Opportunities and Challenges The challenges and opportunities for Bridge are intricately intertwined. The current economic environment, which has resulted in reductions in public and private funding for youth services, the changing needs and profile of high-risk youth, and the increasing need to rigorously analyze programs and demonstrate measurable results all pose challenges for the organization. Bridge will need to continue to be fully prepared to respond proactively and creatively, by examining its program mix, evaluating its customer base, ensuring aggressive and effective constituent outreach and identifying growth needs and potentially powerful partners. As with many multi-tiered, multi-disciplined nonprofit organizations, Bridge has experienced significant staff turnover in recent years. While some of this is the inevitable result of constrained compensation resources and limited internal mobility, there is also the conviction that a diminished focus on robust client services and street work in favor of an increased focus on administrative priorities has been a deterrent to staff retention. With a powerful history and track record and an articulate and mission-driven new Executive Director, Bridge stakeholders believe that more rigorous demands for data collection and measurable outcomes can be successfully achieved without compromising the overarching organizational mandate to focus on the needs of the constituents Bridge was established to serve. Effective marketing and visibility efforts, client-friendly services and programs and attention to hiring and retaining skilled staff who are committed to Bridge’s mission will be priorities for new leadership. Profile of the Ideal Candidate The DOD and PR will supervise a staff of 4 including themselves and must bring a broad range of skills and knowledge to the organization in staging special events, conducting annual and mail based fundraising, mining a database of 14,000 individuals that have been associated with Bridge over the years and an ability to implement a major gifts and endowment development/planned giving program. Working in partnership with the board and executive director the DOD will supervise the Director of Special Events and Marketing, Manager of Grants Administration and Development Associate to generate 90+% of the revenue Bridge depends on. Essential skills and experience of the ideal candidate will include: Passion for Bridge’s Mission An advanced degree is preferred for this position and credentials from a professional fundraising association is required. Because it is critical both to achieving our mission and to operating in a way that is consistent with Bridge values, we strive for significant diversity throughout our organization. Candidates from diverse backgrounds and cultures are encouraged to apply. To express interest in this position, please send a resume and responsive cover letter, electronically, by October 30, to the Interim Executive Director at: CZaporetsky@bridgeotw.org IMPORTANT NOTE: A new ED is now being selected and will conduct interviews and the hiring for this position as one of his/her initial tasks |
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