Executive Director - Full-time / Part-time

Together with their Board of Directors, MENTOR Washington (“MW”) is thrilled to launch a search for its next Executive Director. MENTOR Washington, formerly Mentoring Works Washington, is a public-private partnership founded in 2004 as a source of support for approximately 100 mentoring organizations across the state. MENTOR Washington promotes, supports, and expands quality mentoring that fosters positive youth development, academic success, and job and career readiness.

MENTOR Washington: Closing The Mentoring Gap in Washington 

There are over 240,000 children in Washington who could benefit from having a mentor and only 23,000 who have one. This leaves a gap of more than 200,000 youth without a mentor.

MENTOR Washington leads the effort to close this gap by:

• Increasing the number of youth being mentored
• Increasing the implementation of research-based, quality mentoring practices
• Increasing racial equity and responsiveness in mentoring
• Increasing the responsiveness of mentoring for youth who have experienced trauma and face barriers to success

MENTOR Washington works to help existing and emerging youth mentoring organizations ensure that their programming meets national best practice standards. In addition, MENTOR Washington assists these organizations to secure training and technical assistance to improve outcomes for children.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

MENTOR Washington seeks a visionary leader who understands the state’s mentoring landscape to lead as the Executive Director. The Executive Director will play a critical role in continuing to build a sustainable, effective organization, including building and strengthening networks and partnerships, developing capacity building services, leading fundraising efforts, managing a small staff, and building financial and operational efficiencies. Successful candidates will balance “big picture” strategic thinking with the administrative know-how of a results-oriented manager and a track record of building partnerships and community collaborations. 

The MENTOR Washington Executive Director is responsible to the Board and reports to the Board Chair and will supervise a team of three full time staff in addition to working closely with loaned executives from the Department of Children, Youth and Families and Costco.

MW is a fast-paced environment that values learning and an entrepreneurial approach. Knowing its importance to the success of its work, MENTOR Washington is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, and aspires to build a diverse team. MENTOR Washington benefits significantly as an affiliate of MENTOR, The National Mentoring Partnership. MENTOR serves the mentoring field by providing a public voice; developing and delivering resources to mentoring programs nationwide; and promoting quality for mentoring through evidence-based standards, innovative research and essential tools. 

MENTOR Washington has engaged Positively Partners to manage this search on its behalf. Please see information about how to apply at the end of this description. Please be sure to submit your resume and a thoughtful cover letter that explains your interest in the role and MW. The team at Positively Partners will review and respond to all applications received.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategy and Leadership

• Lead implementation of the strategic planning and growth efforts of MENTOR Washington in partnership with local stakeholders including philanthropy, non-profit organizations, corporate executives and government agencies to guide the organizational plan, benchmarks, and outcomes 
• Partner with the board to fulfill the organization’s mission, including establish goals, strategies, and plans and ensure that sound administrative and fiscal policies and procedures are followed
• Work in partnership with loaned executives from Costco and the Department of Children, Youth and Families

Fundraising, Advocacy, and Communications

• Develop and implement a fundraising strategy that builds on existing relationships with philanthropy, supports the implementation of the strategic plan, and leads to organizational sustainability 
• Cultivate relationships with individuals, foundations, and government and engage in direct solicitation of major donors
• Develop proposals for grants and contracts, manage proposal efforts and monitor required grant reporting
• Create a marketing and communications plan that elevates the issue of mentoring, drives mentor recruitment, and positions MENTOR Washington as a key community resource
• Advocate and build public awareness, both individually and with partners, to mobilize leaders for support of youth mentoring at the local and state levels with MENTOR Washington and with MENTOR at the federal level 

Programmatic and Operational Management 

• Implement initiatives and projects that galvanize key stakeholders including mentoring program providers, corporations, government agencies, schools, institutions of higher education, and faith-based organizations and develop the appropriate services, trainings, or technical assistance opportunities
• Promote research-based best practices in mentoring and youth development including awareness and practice of cultural competence, including effective mentoring for trauma-affected youth
• Actively participate in MENTOR’s Affiliate network and engage in building competency related to the key core functions of a MENTOR Affiliate

Staff Management and Engagement

• Hire, supervise, and support staff to deliver on strategic outcomes and maintain a positive climate 
• Provide training, professional development, and team-building opportunities to keep staff engaged and current on leading mentoring techniques practices, strategies, and philosophies

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE 

There are innumerable ways to learn, grow and excel professionally. Positively Partners and MW will review all applications and take a broad look at the experience of each applicant. We want to get to know you and the unique strengths you will bring to the work. This said, we are most likely to be interested in your candidacy if you can demonstrate the majority of the qualifications and experiences listed below: 

• Track record of servant leadership with a generosity of spirit that seeks to learn from and understand others in an effort to achieve excellence 
• Proven fundraising experience that will be leveraged to raise monies from corporations, foundations and individual contributors, with a focus on major gifts
• Entrepreneurial self-starter; capable of self-management in a complex environment with multiple stakeholders
• Knowledge of the state’s philanthropic community as demonstrated by a well-developed professional network that stretches into community-based organizations and the youth development space 
• Substantial leadership experience in the nonprofit sector, including at least five years of managing a team to reach challenging objectives. Experience working with or within the private sector a plus.
• A proven ability to work effectively with a board of directors and volunteer committees 
• Thorough knowledge of non-profit organizational operations, financial and accounting policies and practices
• Excellent presentation, verbal and written communication skills that can be adapted based on audience 
• Strong strategic thinking and organizational development skills with an ability to use data to make decisions and to translate strategy to action
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution required; relevant advanced degree preferred
• An established commitment to manage and lead a team and to work collaboratively and harmoniously with MW staff, colleagues and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated commitment to working with culturally and politically diverse communities
• Ability to travel up to 35% within the local region. Must have a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

MENTOR Washington offers a competitive compensation with benefits administered through the College Success Foundation. The salary for this role starts at $120,000 and is commensurate with experience.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT

The position may change based upon needs of the program and/or organizational needs and available funding. In compliance with federal and state regulations, MENTOR Washington maintains a drug free environment and all successful applicants must pass a drug screen prior to hire. Employees of MENTOR Washington must be able to successfully work in and promote a multicultural and diverse work environment.

---------------------------EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER----------------------- 

MENTOR Washington is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, cultural heritage, ancestry, political belief, age, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability or veteran status. MENTOR Washington is compliant with the American with Disabilities Act and we are committed to making special accommodations for your interview or work as a member of our team. If specific accommodations are needed, please notify afarber@positivelypartners.org and we will work to accommodate your needs.

Or, know someone who would be a perfect fit? Let them know!

We believe in the power of positivity, and that people deserve to be happy both at home and at work. That's why we focus on three key components to find the right match for each of our current openings: aligning your individual strengths with the requirements of the role, finding work you feel passionate about, and ensuring your values match those of the organization.

About Positively Partners

Positively Partners is a social enterprise committed to helping schools, nonprofits and socially-minded organizations achieve exceptional performance from their employees.

We are psychology practitioners, human resources professionals, trainers and system design experts working together to create highly productive, mission-driven, work communities.