Executive Director: Starfinder

The Executive Director will champion Starfinder’s soccer for social change mission and work closely with the Board and staff to ensure that the mission is fulfilled through high-quality programs, strategic partnerships, and effective operations. The Executive Director drives strategic planning, ensures fiscal health, and cultivates a high-performing team.

The Executive Director will partner with the Board and staff to develop a strategic vision for Starfinder’s future, oversee the development and implementation of Starfinder’s programs and operations, and enhance Starfinder’s visibility by being active in the community and by working closely with other professional, civic, and private organizations. Additionally, the Executive Director will lead Starfinder’s efforts to develop a diverse and inclusive leadership and governance structure.

The Executive Director will serve as the primary spokesperson for the organization to its constituents, the media, and the general public. The Executive Director will also cultivate positive relationships with current and potential stakeholders to maintain and grow funding support and develop and sustain diverse funding sources, in partnership with the Board and staff. The Executive Director will also drive marketing efforts to enhance organizational visibility.

The Executive Director will work with staff and the Board Finance Committee to prepare a comprehensive fiscal year operating budget and multi-year capital budget and projections. Internally, the Executive Director will ensure fiscal management to operate within the approved budget, maintain the organization in a positive financial position, and drive the growth of its resources. The Executive Director will work in conjunction with the Treasurer, Board, finance staff, and auditors to maintain sound financial practices, reporting, and systems with priority being given to keeping the Board fully apprised of the organization’s current and future fiscal health.

The Executive Director will be expected to oversee the successful administration of Starfinder’s operations, supervise a talented and committed team, and ensure sound human resource practices are in place to maintain a climate that attracts, retains, and motivates a diverse and qualified staff. The Executive Director will also drive ongoing monitoring and evaluation to assess achievement of all organizational goals and objectives and to ensure that programs and services maintain high quality.

As it relates to Board Governance, the Executive Director will support the Board in executing its governance responsibilities and ability to make informed decisions by keeping it fully informed. The Executive Director will attend and participate in all Board meetings while serving as an ex-officio member of the Board and its committees, as appropriate. The Executive Director will also help the Board recruit Board members from diverse and inclusive backgrounds representative of Starfinder’s multiplicity of stakeholders.

Responsibilities for the Executive Director will include, but are not limited to:

• Leading the development and implementation of a new comprehensive strategic plan, in partnership with the Board of Directors, that will guide the future path of the organization;
• Acting as the chief spokesperson for the organization, cultivating strong relationships with major donors, network partners, stakeholders, volunteers, and with policymakers at the local, state, and federal level;
• Serving as an ambassador both internally and externally, to promote the organization’s mission and to gain necessary resources and support;
• Fostering effective strategic alliances with community organizations and policymakers, utilizing network partners to advance the work of Starfinder;
• Deepening and fostering strong relationships with Starfinder’s existing and potential funders; ensuring that fundraising goals are met, and resources are utilized and reported accurately and in a timely manner;
• Supervising day-to-day operations, including setting financial and programmatic goals, analyzing results, and taking corrective action in close collaboration with staff and Board;
• Providing inspirational and motivational leadership for extraordinarily passionate, committed, and skilled staff and fostering a culture of openness, transparency, and collaboration;
• Communicating consistently and proactively with the Board and other constituents in a thoughtful, clear, and diplomatic manner;
• Designing and implementing clear expectations, in partnership with the Board, for its contributions to the governance and success of the organization;
• Setting priorities decisively, assuring accountability, and allocating resources to ensure results;
• Ensuring that all Starfinder financial standards, operating policies, and programmatic goals are met; and
• Driving a data-driven approach to program evaluation and organizational performance.

Additional Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in nonprofit leadership and management.
• Experience in managing and motivating staff and volunteers.
• Successful and sustained history of significant fundraising, including major gift acquisitions.
• Proven experience in program management and evaluation, preferably in education, sports and recreation, or economic development.
• Fluency with financial management, including budget preparation, analysis, and reporting.
• Track record of building and working in and with diverse and inclusive teams in both service-provider and governance contexts.
• Exceptional skills in building and maintaining relationships with external stakeholders.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, including the ability to present and speak publicly on relevant issues.

About Us

Starfinder is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization in Philadelphia, PA that promotes positive youth development through high-quality youth sports programming. We use soccer as a tool to provide the opportunities and support youth need to be successful in their lives and to become healthy contributors to their communities.

We work with youth ages 6-18 in underserved communities throughout Philadelphia. We offer participants an experience through which they can excel in athletics while practicing life and leadership skills in a safe, fun, supportive, and challenging environment. Starfinder currently empowers over 900 children and teens annually through its programs at its indoor soccer and education facility in Manayunk and at community partner sites throughout the city.

At Starfinder we believe in the power of play. We know that fun is a great motivator and an effective amplifier for learning. We aim to reflect this – and all our core values – in our work practices. We are dedicated to creating a culture through which we continue to connect, learn, and grow.

Starfinder is seeking a new Executive Director. The ideal candidate for this unique opportunity will possess a passion for the mission, be a visionary and strategic leader, and someone with experience managing a team, fundraising, and working closely with a dedicated Board of Directors. The Executive Director will understand the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion and must be able to relate to the lived experiences of the people we serve. They must understand the power of relationships and consistently seek out opportunities to increase the organization’s impact with a range of stakeholders, especially our incredible program youth.

Apply for this job

To apply to this position, please submit a cover letter and resume to StarfinderEDSearch@gmail.com by August 31, 2020. Your cover letter must include: a description of your relevant experience, highlighting anything specific that makes you stand out as a candidate, and how you believe you can serve Starfinder as its Executive Director. Just Strategies has been retained to lead this search. For more information regarding this please contact Dwayne Wharton of Just Strategies at info@juststrategies.org