President

Official Job Description

Organization Background

The National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) is an IRS approved 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. NFTE teaches entrepreneurship education programs to young people from low-income communities.

NFTE’s strategy for achieving this mission is to form partnerships with schools, universities and community-based organizations, create innovative experiential curricula, train and support teachers and youth workers, and provide supportive alumni services. Since its founding in 1987, NFTE has reached over 186,000 students.  NFTE has active programs in 21 states and 14 countries.

Position
The President, a newly created position, will report into the Founder and work collaboratively with the Board of Directors in leading the transformation of NFTE from its current entrepreneurial stage to a more mature organization capable of delivering on its long term vision. Specifically, s/he will ensure that NFTE’s fiscal, operations, fundraising, marketing, human resource, technology and programmatic strategies are effectively implemented across all segments of the organization.

The key to success will be the President’s ability to leverage resources and maximize the Founder’s strengths in developing key donor relationships and partnerships. As the chief spokesperson, the Founder will be responsible for building the endowment as well as the strategic development of NFTE’s intellectual capital, which includes curriculum, teacher training and media initiatives.

As the organization chart exists today, the President will lead and manage the headquarters Operations Team including: the Chief Financial Officer, Vice President for Resource Development (including fundraising, public policy, marketing and sales), Chief of Research, National Program Director (including the Directors of Curriculum, NFTE University, Member and Alumni Services), and Chief Operating Officer (including the eleven executive directors of the NFTE Program Offices and the Director of Strategic Initiatives including strategy, special projects and all licensed relationships in the United States and internationally). In addition, s/he will lead the Executive Committee which includes two representative Executive Directors from the program offices and the above headquarters Operations Team. Subject to input from the new President, the current organizational chart is envisioned to be refined according to the changing needs of the organization.

NFTE is a dynamic leader in the national and international movement of entrepreneurship education for youth. This is an outstanding opportunity for someone with vision and a distinguished track record in change management, cross-organizational integration, and high quality program delivery. An innovative leader with exceptional interpersonal and organizational skills has the opportunity to maximize and strengthen NFTE’s internal capacity and to continue building upon its best in class leadership team.

Responsibilities
Strategic vision and leadership
• Collaborate with the Founder and the Board to refine and implement the strategic plan while ensuring that the budget, staff and priorities are aligned with NFTE’s core mission.
• Provide inspirational leadership and direction to all executives at headquarters and in the program offices, and ensure the continued development and management of a professional and efficient organization. Establish effective decision-making processes that will enable NFTE to achieve its long and short term goals and objectives.
• Cultivate a strong and transparent working relationship with the Board and ensure open communication about the measurement of financial, programmatic and impact performance against stated milestones and goals.
• In partnership with the Founder, help build a diverse and inclusive Board representative of the community that is highly engaged and willing to leverage and secure resources.

Development
• Ensure that the flow of funds permits NFTE to make continuous progress towards the achievement of its mission and that those funds are allocated properly to reflect present needs and future potential.
• In partnership with the Founder and Vice President for Resource Development, formulate and execute comprehensive marketing, branding and development strategies for headquarters and national program offices that will ensure consistency throughout the organization and enhance revenue from major donors, foundations, government agencies and corporations.
• Support and motivate NFTE’s multi-site, sales oriented program offices in their efforts to expand and build their boards, strengthen partnerships, cultivate local donors, and raise the public profile of NFTE in the community.

Strengthening infrastructure and operations
• Ensure the delivery of high quality support services to the NFTE Program Offices nationally while managing for current and future growth.
• Support and motivate the organization’s dedicated staff who are diverse in their professional training, experience and perspectives; model and encourage a compassionate yet decisive management style instilling the highest level of professionalism and proficiency across the organization.
• Facilitate cross-departmental collaboration and strengthen internal communications with staff throughout the organization; create and promote a positive, multi-cultural work environment that supports consistency throughout the organization’s strategy, operational methods, and data collection needs.
• Together with the CFO, oversee the financial status of the organization including developing long and short range financial plans, monitoring the budget and ensuring sound financial controls are in place; set financial priorities accurately to ensure the organization is operating in a manner that supports the needs of the program and staff at headquarters and internationally.
• Build a world class human resources function including training, development, compensation and benefits, performance evaluation and recruiting. Support and promote a results-oriented and “coaching” culture that values strong links between individual and team performance and overall organizational performance measures.
• Work closely with the Headquarters Operations Team to assess and improve the current technology infrastructure and functionality, and determine the next level of IT and financial systems that support all infrastructure needs and program activities in a cost-effective manner.

Program Development
• Rationalize the delivery of programs through new and existing regional offices and partnerships.
• Increase efficiencies and consistency throughout the organization by developing and implementing standardized programs, services and program office marketing making NFTE a truly integrated organization.
• Explore and pursue opportunities to enhance NFTE’s international program and partnerships, supporting NFTE’s ability to be the leader in entrepreneurial education globally.

Professional Qualifications
• Minimum of a B.A., ideally with an MBA, MPA or related advanced degree.
• At least 15-20 years of overall professional experience; ideally 10+ years of general management experience in a rapidly evolving, socially-entrepreneurial, sales oriented environment.
• Prior nonprofit experience ideal; management of a global or multi-site organization preferred.
• Significant board development, fundraising, marketing/branding and fiscal management experience a must.
• A financially savvy and politically astute leader with the ability to set clear priorities, delegate and guide investment in people and systems; keen analytic, organization and problem solving skills which support and enable sound decision making in a complex organization.
• Excellent coalition building skills with an ability to communicate and work effectively with a variety of internal and external stakeholders; a persuasive negotiator able to achieve consensus amongst differing opinions.
• Outstanding presentation and communication skills and the experience and proclivity to be an outgoing spokesperson, relationship builder and fundraiser.
• Strong commitment to the professional development of both headquarters and program office-level staff; successful track record of recruiting and retaining a diverse team in a multi-cultural environment.
• Knowledge and experience in teaching, education or youth development a plus.
• Ability to travel as needed.

Personal Attributes
• An inspiring, consultative and team-building approach that puts others at ease and engenders trust; a proactive listener and consummate learner; an inclination to address challenges head-on without fear of encountering conflict.
• A strategic thinker with the vision, maturity, wisdom and collaborative skills necessary to gain the confidence and support of the staff, Founder and Board.
• Demonstrated commitment to delivering high quality programs and improving the life opportunities of disadvantaged youth; sensitivity to the needs of diverse racial and ethnic populations.
• An entrepreneurial spirit with the ability to recognize new opportunities as they arise; the perseverance and flexibility to manage through ambiguity typical in a multi-site, high growth organization.
• The foresight, charisma and creativity to identify and implement strategies that diversify funding streams and maximize fundraising opportunities.
• A sense of humor and the personal qualities of integrity, patience and an unyielding passion for NFTE’s mission and the youth that it serves.

NFTE is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply for this position.

Bridgestar, a nonprofit organization attracting, connecting, and supporting leadership for the nonprofit sector, serves diverse organizations and is committed to building high-performing teams that mirror the communities we serve. Please register (free of charge) at www.bridgestar.org and apply online through this listing on the Bridgestar job board.