Gary Comer Youth Center is hiring: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR in Chicago

Gary Comer Youth Center Executive Director OverviewGary Comer Youth Center (GCYC), located on the Comer Education Campus (CEC) in the Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood on Chicagos South Side, is recognized as one of the nations most unique youth-serving organizations. GCYC, the cornerstone of the Comer Education Campus, delivers enrichment education in a state-of-the-art environment unlike any other. The Campus is also anchored by Gary Comer College Prep and Gary Comer Middle School, which are operated by the Noble Network. This unique partnership collectively serves over 2,000 youth annually across Chicagos South Side with a dynamic integration of Academic Enhancement, Youth Enrichment, and College and Career Preparation offerings. GCYCs mission is to prepare young people for futures as well-rounded, global citizens. It is proud of the creative pathways provided to young people, focused around four core areas:Academic SuccessEnrichmentYouth & Young Adult EmploymentSports & Leadership:To realize its vision, GCYC partners with high quality organizations and professionals, including After School Matters, South Shore Drill Team and UtmostU, among others. In partnership with the community, CGCYC has helped transform the Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood. The Youth Education Garden is one initiative of many. The garden serves as a 1.75-acre outdoor classroom, organic produce production center and green oasis in an area of the city where fresh produce and healthy foods are hard to come by. Growing over 17,000 pounds of vegetables, fruits and herbs, the Youth Education Garden is a community asset, providing a focus on nutrition and healthy lifestyle. Beautifying the former industrial corridor of S. South Chicago Avenue, the garden complements the state-of-the-art facilities and advances the mission of the Campus by teaching urban agriculture, horticulture, sciences and nutrition.HistoryHaving grown up in the Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood on Chicagos South Side, Gary Comer, founder of the Lands' End apparel company, returned years later with the intent to help children and families in the community. His vision of helping young people grow, succeed and redefine possible led to the creation of the Gary Comer Youth Center, which was established in 2006. Over time, Gary Comer expanded the Campus beyond the Youth Center to encompass a high school, middle school, college success program, urban garden, and neighborhood developments that exist today. The Comer Education Campus has become a point of pride in the community that serves youth and families of all ages. Gary Comer Youth Center is seeking an Executive Director to lead the team and the continued scaling of GCYCs impact. As the leader of the organization, the Executive Director provides the vision, strategy, internal management, and external development necessary for GCYC to continue to thrive and serve an ever-growing population of youth and young adults.The OpportunityThe Executive Director (ED) will provide overall leadership for GCYC and have primary responsibility for fulfilling its mission. Inspired by a genuine passion for empowering youth and their communities, the ED will have a clear vision for the Center. Developed collaboratively with the Board of Directors, strategic planning and implementation will be one of the major priorities for this ED. The ED will be a highly visible member of the community, representing GCYC to partner organizations and throughout Chicago, particularly in the Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood and surrounding communities. This role provides leadership and oversight of the organizations operations, culture, values, talent and financial performance, and owns and protects the mission.Key ResponsibilitiesReporting to Gary Comer Youth Centers Board of Directors, the key responsibilities of the Executive Director include:Executive Leadership & Organizational ManagementChampioning a spirit of collaboration and open communications across all organizational departments and operations to advance organizational goals and engender trust among the staff;Embodying a clear, inspiring vision and translating those strategies into effectively executed plans;Providing thought-leadership to guide and inform fundraising, program development, and growth that benefits the youth and families GCYC serves;Ensuring responsible financial management and achieve the annual financial budget as well as long term revenue goals; andDeveloping the leadership team to improve effectiveness and ensure retention of top talent, recruiting great leaders into key positions. FundraisingEnsuring program effectiveness through evaluating quantitative and qualitative program analytics in order to have a comprehensive impact story to share that connects with peoples heads and hearts;Growing revenue and fundraising to support current and new initiatives, as well as additional expansion and program development;Maintaining and grow a portfolio of high wealth/high opportunity individual, corporate and foundation donors;Engaging and inspiring the Board as active ambassadors of CEC and in their critical role in fundraising; andAssuring the integrity and growth of the CEC brand, including the development and execution of external communication efforts. Board Relations and DevelopmentAdvising the Board on organizational achievement of strategic objectives, significant trends in programming and funding, and important developments in the community GCYC serves;Assuring the leadership staff is serving as resources and advisors to the Board in all areas of finance, policy, programs and governance;Partnering effectively with the Board to maximize their efforts and maintain a focus on the mission and vision, including expanding their role in fundraising to meet the needs of the mission; andPartnering with Board leadership to identify, cultivate, recruit and engage new Board members. ProgrammingProviding the strategic thinking required to ensure GCYCs programs and partnerships evolve to meet the needs of the communities and youth it serves;Leading staff and engaging families in consistent and meaningful program innovation;Ensuring that programs are aligned to mission, vision and community priorities; andAssuring program outcomes are achieving mission, vision and intent and that a rigorous method of continuous improvement is active across all programs and partnerships.Candidate ProfileThe ideal candidate will have the following qualities, skills and characteristics:A Strategic & Visionary LeaderThe ED will be a strategic leader who, with the Board, will set and articulate a vision for the organization. This leader will have the ability to set priorities decisively, delegate responsibilities, assure accountability and allocate resources to ensure results.The ED will be an intelligent self-starter and finisher who is resourceful and entrepreneurial, yet team oriented.A tactical executor, the ED will have a strong data and analysis orientation and a proven ability to use metrics to drive decisions and achieves strategic objectives. The successful candidate will have an abiding commitment to a team environment centered on accountability, one that is able to establish priorities, goals, and timelines to achieve quantifiable and qualitative outcomes.The ED will understand and implement best nonprofit management practices and planning, ensuring that overall day-to-day operations are aligned with strategic goals.The ED will have a demonstrated understanding on how to run a financially sound organization.An engaging and supportive leader, the ED will have a track record of motivating and inspiring others to achieve impact through creativity and teamwork and of leveraging individual strengths to meet organizational goals.An Ambassador and FundraiserThe ED will be a high-energy, charismatic leader who will serve as an Ambassador and fundraiser for GCYC.The ED will have an executive and mission-driven presence and will be able to effectively articulate and convey GCYCs mission and priorities to a range of constituents including donors, partner organizations, youth, families, the Board of Directors and staff.The ED will have familiarity with a wide range of fundraising channels, including individual, corporate and foundation giving.The ED will have an inspirational approach to building collaboration and buy-in and generating support for the organization.This leader will be able to work effectively with diverse populations and will be credible in the youth development space.As the external voice of the organization, ED will possess excellent oral and written communication skills and must be a confident public speakerRelationship Builder and CommunicatorThe ED will be skilled at building effective relationships at multiple levels within a dynamic environment.The ED will have a high level of emotional intelligence with a demonstrated ability to quickly build trust and credibility with people.The successful candidate will have a natural inclination for developing strong relationships and networks to develop productive and fulfilling relationships with youth, families, staff, the Board, other key partners and new stakeholders.The ED will be a strong leader, communicator and collaborator who is skilled at listening to and learning from constituents.The ED will be a persuasive negotiator, able to achieve consensus amongst differing opinions.The ED will possess a strong sense of confidence and a style that resonates on the south side of Chicago.The ED will have a strong working relationship with key leaders and be a proactive communicator at all times.A Champion for the MissionAn empathic, confident leader, the ED will embrace the history and culture of the Campus, which is integral to gaining credibility with the youth, families, staff and community. This leader will be grounded, staying connected with the Campus community. The successful candidate will have a collaborative spirit and will be a charismatic leader who treats others with respect. The ED will be an individual of unquestioned integrity, ethics and values; someone who can be trusted without reservation. On the most fundamental level the ED will look for ways to enrich, empower and educate youth, families and communities.A bachelors degree is required; advanced degree preferred.Position OverviewWe are seeking an experienced Executive Director (ED) to lead the organization. The ED will have overall responsibility for strategy, operations, and fundraising, ensuring that GCYC continues to deliver on its mission of preparing youth for success as well-rounded global citizens.Key Responsibilities1. Executive Leadership & Organizational Management - Develop and execute a clear vision and strategic plan for the organization. - Foster collaboration across departments and promote open communication. - Ensure sound financial management and long-term sustainability. - Recruit, develop, and retain top talent.2. Fundraising & External Relations - Develop and lead fundraising strategies to grow revenue for current and new programs. - Maintain relationships with individual, corporate, and foundation donors. - Serve as a public ambassador for GCYC, ensuring the organization's mission and work are effectively communicated.3. Board Relations & Development - Advise the Board on organizational progress, key trends, and community needs. - Partner with the Board to cultivate new members and expand their fundraising efforts.4. Program Leadership - Ensure that programs align with GCYCs mission and community priorities. - Lead innovation in program design and delivery to meet the evolving needs of youth and families. - Implement a continuous improvement process to ensure program effectiveness.QualificationsProven experience in executive leadership, preferably in nonprofit or youth development organizations.Strong fundraising and external relations skills, including experience with individual, corporate, and foundation donorsA visionary and strategic leader with the ability to set priorities, delegate responsibilities, and ensure accountability.Exceptional relationship-building skills with staff, Board members, community leaders, and other stakeholdersExperience in financial management and oversight of large budgets.Passion for youth empowerment and community development.#J-18808-Ljbffr