Executive Director – Community Building Initiative

Executive Director – Community Building Initiative

 

The Organization: Since 1997, Community Building Initiative has been working to advance equity and inclusion in Charlotte-Mecklenburg by providing people and organizations the knowledge, skills, and courage to fight bias, remove barriers to opportunity and build a more equitable and just community.

 

CBI’s work is grounded in the recognition that historical and contemporary power structures have created disproportionate opportunities and barriers, at times over-advantaging some identities and under- advantaging others. CBI provides individuals and organizations the knowledge, skills and courage to interrupt these systems and structures. We advance our mission through programming that supports three strategic purposes: developing leaders, connecting community, and advancing equity. Whether through signature programs like LDI, LU40, the Bus Tours and an annual stakeholders’ breakfast, CBI works collaboratively to address the evolving needs of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Community.

 

The Opportunity: CBI’s founding executive director retired at the end of 2021 and an interim Executive Director is in place.

 

The Board of Directors seeks an innovative, collaborative, and mission-driven leader to lead the nonprofit in the next phase of its work. The Executive Director is responsible for the overall leadership, strategy, and operation of Community Building Initiative. This work includes managing a $800,000 budget and a team of two full-time staff and several part-time consultants; stewarding and expanding relationships with community partners; leading organizational fund development strategy and implementation; and maintaining a strong relationship with the Board of Directors.

 

The position provides excellent benefits and a competitive salary.

 

Responsibilities:

Organizational Leadership and Management

  • Engage, support, develop, and direct a team of staff and consultants.
  • Support, report to, and partner with the Board of Directors and key committees.
  • Build meaningful connections between Board members, staff, consultants, and organizational partners.
  • Oversee the implementation of CBI’s 3-Year Strategic Plan and the advancement of CBI’s mission, vision, and values. In partnership with the Board, lead and drive future strategic planning efforts.
  • Promote a culture of innovation and collaboration across the organization.

Community and Partner Relations

  • Maintain and steward relationships with supporters and institutional leaders with authenticity, bringing them into the work and mission of CBI.
  • Expand the reach of CBI through new relationships that will broaden its impact.
  • Serve as a key spokesperson for CBI in the community.
  • Build a reputation as a trusted resource and thought leader, contributing to and enhancing CBI’s reputation as a trusted resource and leader in advancing equity.
  • Identify, secure, and support partnerships between CBI and community organizations and community initiatives, either as fee-for-service opportunities or as collaborative efforts.

Financial Oversight and Development

  • Lead a bottom-up process for setting the organization’s annual budget and financial goal, working with staff, the Board executive committee, and the full Board of Directors.
  • Ensure organizational adherence to sound financial controls and reporting systems.
  • Lead the CBI staff and Board of Directors to set CBI’s development strategy and to secure funding from diverse sources to underwrite operations, programs, and growth.
  • Steward relationships with existing sustaining sponsors, funders, and other contributors, working strategically to increase support where possible.
  • Ensure the organization’s ongoing sustainability by building out new revenue streams.

Programs and Programmatic Growth

  • Oversee and support to CBI’s on-going programs to assure quality and alignment with CBI’s mission, vision, and values, delegating responsibility for program delivery to staff and consultants.
  • Expand the impact of CBI through the development of new offerings, leveraging resources and capacity of partners (both existing and new) and inspiring innovation in program development and delivery.
  • Leverage the engagement of program alumni to advance CBI’s work and mission.
  • Engage evaluation and assessment expertise to measure programmatic impact on individuals and organizations.

Communications and Branding

  • Develop and lead an innovative strategy for telling the story of CBI with existing partners and funders, prospective partners and funders, and the larger community.
  • Advance and enhance CBI’s reputation as a reliable resource for individuals, organizations, and the community around significant aspects of difference and issues of inclusion and equity.

 

Essential Requirements:

  • Minimum of seven years of relevant and progressively rising levels of nonprofit executive leadership experience, working closely with a Board of Directors to set and implement strategic priorities.
  • Track record of building meaningful, mutually beneficial community partnerships.
  • Demonstrated experience as spokesperson, communicating with wide range of audiences including community leaders, the media, donors, and the public at large.
  • Ability to motivate, empower, and grow a team of talented professionals including recruiting, hiring, and retaining team members.
  • Passionate about the mission of Community Building Initiative and demonstrated experience and commitment to advancing equity and inclusion.

 

We are committed to cultivating a workplace in which diverse perspectives and experiences are welcomed and respected. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, political ideology, or membership in any other legally protected class. We strongly encourage individuals with diverse backgrounds to apply.

 

TO APPLY

Elinvar has been retained to conduct this search. Please send a cover letter and resume to gerri@elinvar.com for confidential consideration. Applications will be considered as they are received and accepted until the position is filled.

 

Sustaining Sponsors