Area Executive Director

Autism Speaks is proud to have been named a Best Nonprofit to Work by Nonprofit Times and Best Companies Group in 2024!

Come join this amazing team as the Area Executive Director, West with a concentrated focus on Southern California!

We are looking for a dynamic and ambitious leader who shares our vision of a world where all people with autism can achieve their full potential. With a territory that covers California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, The Dakotas, Washington, and Wyoming and has a concentrated focus on the Southern California area, this role leads a hardworking team that cultivates corporate and foundation relationships, executes events, and builds awareness, acceptance, and inclusion in our key markets. The position is home-based with a strong preference to be in Los Angeles.

PURPOSE

Drive the growth and development of our West area initiatives to further the mission of Autism Speaks by providing visionary and strategic leadership to staff, volunteers, and other key constituents. This seasoned leader will personally own the acquisition and growth of high-level relationships and corporate partnerships in the Area. While responsible for leading the fundraising team and supporting their portfolio of events, the primary focus of the role is to maximize diverse, top-tier revenue-generation and lead the Bi-Annual Autism Speaks Light Up the Blues event.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Develop and execute area fundraising plans to ensure the achievement of financial goals; evaluate fundraising strategies and effectiveness on an ongoing basis.
2. Cultivate and acquire new corporate partnerships, yielding event sponsorships and other revenue streams.
3. Lead the execution of the Bi-Annual Autism Speaks Light Up the Blues event in partnership with the Director, Nationwide Special Events. Acquire and cultivate high-level corporate and individual partnerships for the LA Gala, Southern California Golf Tournament, and Walks.
4. Establish a 2026 Summit Series event in Southern California with a focus on building a steering committee, identifying thought leaders, and aligning existing and new corporate partners starting early 2025.
5. Maintain a personal portfolio of high-priority constituents across the Area portfolio.
6. Manage an Executive Leadership Council for the Southern California area, and serve as the lead staff partner, working with the group to achieve programmatic and fundraising goals.
7. Implement a sustainable volunteer structure that utilizes existing relationships and recruits new volunteers to Autism Speaks.
8. Work with mission staff to integrate and execute mission programs and initiatives with a particular focus on advocacy.
9. Lead Area staff in strategic planning, hold them responsible for accountability metrics, and provide ongoing leadership, mentorship, training, and development.
10. Manage, mentor, and lead Area staff in obtaining their goals and advancing their individual development.
11. Develop and manage budgets, maintain fiscal records, and submit financial forecasts in a timely and accurate manner.

(The responsibilities listed above are representative and not all inclusive. Other duties may be assigned by supervisor/s. As outlined in your performance goal setting forms, you will be responsible for achieving the goals provided by and agreed upon with your manager.)

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Education:

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Experience:

1. 10+ years of demonstrated leadership with recruitment and management of volunteers (board recruitment experience and peer-to-peer fundraising preferred), managing/coaching staff (preferably in a field-based organization), relationship building, networking, budget management, and volunteer mobilization.
2. Proven track record of multi-functional, fundraising experience (special events, multiple walk events, corporate campaigns).

Specialized Skills and Knowledge:

1. Well-organized, detail-oriented
2. Strong oral and written communication skills, including presentation skills.
3. Strong analytical skills
4. Adaptable
5. Intermediate proficiency with MS Office 365 including Excel and Outlook required.
6. Database knowledge (Stratus Live and/or Luminate preferred)
7. Ability to work evenings and weekends as necessary.
8. Ability to travel within Area and occasionally for overnight meetings and conferences outside the Area.

Hold a valid driver’s license, insurance, and have access to reliable transportation.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

1. Building Collaborative Relationships
2. Professional Behavior
3. Results-Driven
4. Customer Orientation
5. Flexibility

You are responsible for protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of all Autism Speaks data and information to which you have access.

Autism Speaks is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering a diverse, multicultural, and inclusive workplace. We recruit, evaluate, employ, and promote candidates without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender identity or expression, protected veteran or military status, disability or other legally protected status. Qualified individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply for job openings. Reasonable accommodation will be provided. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

About Autism Speaks:

At Autism Speaks, our mission is to promote solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the life span, for the needs of people with autism and their families. We do this through advocacy and support; increasing understanding and acceptance of people with autism spectrum disorder; and advancing research into causes and better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions. Together with our broad and diverse community, we strive every day to achieve our vision of a world where all people with autism can reach their full potential. This mission and vision drive every member of our staff; our employees are inspired, energized, and motivated by the impact we can collectively have on behalf of the autism community.

Autism Speaks celebrates every success achieved to create a kinder, more inclusive world for people with autism, and we work collaboratively across departments to find solutions that will do the most good for the most people.

Just as we strive to enhance lives today and accelerate a spectrum of solutions for tomorrow for people on the spectrum, we also aim to enhance the lives of our dedicated employees, through thick and thin.

Salary & Benefits:

Autism Speaks offers competitive compensation, benefit, and vacation package. We also provide flex work hours, weekly training sessions, tuition reimbursement, and summer bonus Fridays in addition to a creative, innovative, collaborative, inclusive, kind, and fun work environment.

Autism Speaks is an employer that participates in E-Verify.

Salary range is $100,900-$120,000 depending on candidate's relevant years of experience.

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