Executive Director – Seneca Foundation (Contract/Contract to Hire – Remote)

Seneca Foundation, a not-for-profit corporation that administers a software development apprenticeship program headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, is looking for a candidate for the position of Executive Director. This position reports directly to the Board of Directors and oversees a lean professional staff and a corps of volunteers. The Executive Director maintains relationships with schools, partner organizations, and companies in the Chicagoland area as part of the pursuit of the foundation’s Mission.

Mission

The Seneca Foundation’s Mission is to educate, empower, and equip Black and Latinx recent high school graduates in the Chicagoland area with paid intensive software development training, meaningful employment, college financial assistance toward a STEM degree, and professional and educational resources.

More information about the organization can be found at https://www.senecafoundation.org/.

Position Summary

The Executive Director is responsible for the accomplishment of Seneca Foundation’s Mission and shall perform such duties as they may be assigned or delegated by the Board of Directors. The Executive Director supervises the entire operation of Seneca Foundation and directs and shepherds the organization’s sustained attainment of its Mission.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Executive Director shall:

● Work with the Board of Directors to define a set of goals for Seneca Foundation, in accordance with the strategic plan.

● Direct and manage the operations of Seneca Foundation; this includes participant recruitment, curriculum development, fundraising, and strategic partnerships.

● Hire, manage, motivate, and train the appropriate staff to continually accomplish the Mission of Seneca Foundation.

● Manage Seneca Foundation’s annual budget and judiciously prioritize initiatives to achieve the best outcomes for the organization.

● Make good use of the organization’s resources and assets.

● Research and identify new funding resources, complete the necessary processes to secure funding, and cultivate donor relationships.

● Define success metrics, drive measurement of those metrics, and work towards understanding outcomes and identifying and executing on improvement opportunities.

● Advocate for the young adults served by Seneca Foundation to ensure that they are provided with the necessary tools for success.

● Work with Chicagoland organizations, educators, and companies to promote Seneca Foundation’s apprenticeship program and opportunities for ongoing employment to Black and Latinx young adults in the Chicagoland area.

● Promote awareness of Seneca Foundation in the community and strive to achieve and maintain positive public perception of Seneca Foundation and the services it provides.

Qualifications

● A Bachelor’s degree; a graduate or advanced degree is a plus.

● Experience in a not-for-profit organization focused on equity, education, and/or job training is highly preferred.

● Minimum 3 years of management-level experience in a fast-paced, growth-oriented organization.

● Experience collaborating with or working within the software or engineering industry is a plus.

● Demonstrated success in fundraising, sales, or external relations.

● An independent, results-focused, highly-organized self-starter.

● A strong desire to impact an up-and-coming nonprofit organization.

● A strong commitment to social change and shared belief in Seneca’s vision of a more equitable America.

● Core competencies:

○ Excellent organizational and leadership skills;

○ Ability to set clear priorities, delegate, and guide people and systems;

○ Outstanding presentation and communication skills with experience as a relationship builder and fundraiser.

Position Salary and Benefits

Competitive salary based on qualifications and experience.