Challenge Success, a non-profit organization founded at the Stanford University Graduate School of Education, is accepting applications for the position of Executive Director. Challenge Success is a highly successful and innovative research-based school reform project. For the past twelve years, Challenge Success has been offering yearly conferences, school coaching, professional development, and parent education, effectively serving over 800,000 people in more than 130 school communities.
As it continues to grow, Challenge Success has gained a reputation as one of the most respected school interventions in the country and serves as a leading voice in the national conversation on education and student well-being.
The role of Executive Director of Challenge Success brings tremendous opportunity and challenge. Improving our nation’s schools is not easy, but it is absolutely critical given our rapidly changing, uncertain, complex and “flat” world. The schools and families that partner with us are making the kinds of adjustments in policies and practices that lead to healthy and engaged learners who have the social, emotional, and academic skills and attitudes needed to succeed now and in the future.
Challenge Success is uniquely situated with several assets that will help the organization continue to grow and develop. Challenge Success is affiliated with the Stanford Graduate School of Education, where co-founder Dr. Denise Pope serves as Senior Lecturer. Dr. Pope is an award-winning educator with over 25 years of experience in the field of education and school reform and regularly develops and delivers workshops and publishes research for Challenge Success. Co-Founder Dr. Madeline Levine is a nationally known psychologist, author, and clinician, who is considered one of the leading experts in adolescent development; she writes and speaks on behalf of Challenge Success at conferences and parent education events. In addition, Challenge Success has an effective and highly functioning team of six core staff members and a dedicated group of school coaches that draw upon a database of best practices and research-backed tools and strategies collected over the past decade and featured in the new book: Overloaded and Underprepared: Strategies for Stronger Schools and Healthy, Successful Kids. These assets serve the organization well and help us to impact schools and families across the United States and internationally.
The Position and Ideal Candidate Profile
Challenge Success seeks a visionary leader, excellent communicator, and effective strategic thinker with strong management and fundraising skills and a passion for improving schools, families, and the well-being of our nation’s children. The new leader of Challenge Success will help take the organization to the next level in three specific areas:
Strategic growth: The new Executive Director will take advantage of the organization’s national and international recognition as a “trusted voice of reason” for schools and families and will work with the Board of Directors, Co-Founders, and Advisors to help plan next steps for sustainability and growth.
Fundraising and fiscal management: The new Executive Director will develop a sustainable fundraising model that leverages existing donors and recognition through book sales and workshops to create a larger private donor base and additional corporate sponsors and revenue streams. Current operating budget is approximately $500,000 and should be significantly larger to fully support the Challenge Success mission.
Leadership and management of daily operations: The new Executive Director will foster a rewarding work environment that is stimulating, respectful, collaborative, relationship-driven, and results-oriented, and where the mission of Challenge Success will thrive.
General Responsibilities include:
Board Governance:
Lead Challenge Success in a manner that supports and guides the organization’s mission as defined by the Board of Directors.
Develop, maintain, and support a strong Board of Directors.
Communicate effectively with the Board and provide, in a timely and accurate manner, all information necessary for the Board to function properly and to make informed decisions.
Maintain official records and documents, and ensure compliance with federal, state and local regulations.
Financial Performance and Viability:
Develop and maintain sound financial practices and resources sufficient to ensure the financial health of Challenge Success.
Prepare an annual budget and monthly financial statements which accurately reflect the financial condition of the organization.
Manage operations within the approved budget, ensure maximum resource utilization, and maintain the organization in a positive financial position.
Fundraise and develop other resources and revenue streams necessary to support Challenge Success.
Organization Mission and Strategy:
Work with Board members and staff to implement Challenge Success programs to carry out the organization’s mission.
Develop strategic plans to ensure that Challenge Success can fulfill its mission.
Enhance the image of Challenge Success by being active and visible in the community, and by working closely with other professional, civic, and private organizations.
Operations:
Oversee effective administration of daily operations.
Hire, train, evaluate, and retain competent and highly qualified staff.
Foster an engaging and collegial work environment and strong working relationships among staff members, student helpers, and volunteers.
Professional Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree required/advanced degree preferred
Transparent and high integrity leadership
Five or more years senior nonprofit management experience or equivalent
Proven track record leading non-profit fundraising activities
Solid, hands-on, budget management skills, including budget preparation, analysis, decision-making, and reporting
Strong organizational abilities including planning, delegating, program development, and task facilitation
Skills to collaborate with and motivate board members and other volunteers
Strong written and oral communication skills, including public speaking skills
Demonstrated ability to oversee and collaborate with staff
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