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10/20/09 - The Door (www.door.org) is seeking its next Executive Director.

Founded in 1972, The Door empowers educationally and economically disadvantaged youth to reach their potential by providing a complete range of services all under one roof. Each year over 11,000 young people from all five New York City boroughs come to The Door for primary health care, reproductive care and health education, mental health counseling, legal services, supportive housing, GED, ESL, tutoring and homework help, college preparation and computer classes, career & education services, job placement, daily meals, cultural arts and services for LGBTQ young people. Located in downtown Manhattan and easily accessible from all subway lines, The Door’s services are free, confidential and geared towards youth aged 12-21.

ABOUT THE DOOR:

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE: The Door employs approximately 100 full-time and 70 part-time staff. As an affiliate of University Settlement (www.universitysettlement.org), the two organizations are supported by a centralized shared administrative structure: the Chief Executive Officer and directors/staff in finance, development, human resources and technology. The Executive Director reports to the Chief Executive Officer of The Door/University Settlement who reports to The Door’s Board of Directors.

FUNDING: The Door has an annual operating budget of approximately $12 million. Approximately 70% of its annual funding comes from more than 20 local, state and federal government grants. The balance of its annual support comes from foundations, special events and individual. The Door recently completed a 5-year strategic plan projecting a growth plan with an annual operating budget of $15 million in 2014.

HISTORY: In 1970, The International Center for Integrative Studies (ICIS) brought together a task force to analyze the acute crisis affecting America’s urban adolescent population. They concluded that the most effective model for young people, which is still employed by The Door today, is to provide comprehensive, integrated services and to develop networks of linkages among existing service systems. In 1972, The Door opened with a volunteer staff in donated space. After three years of growth and program refinement, The Door moved to its first permanent home on Sixth Avenue and 18th Street in 1975. In 1989, following a successful capital campaign, The Door purchased and moved to its present location on Broome Street. In 2000, The Door became affiliated with University Settlement, the oldest settlement house in the United States.

THE POSITION:

The Door is seeking an Executive Director to lead this dynamic and well-positioned organization into its next phase. The ideal candidate will be expected to and have a demonstrated ability to:

• Manage individuals and teams so that they will embrace change, contribute their knowledge, collaborate and achieve excellence;
• Manage and support the work of program directors (i.e., mental health, career & education services, health services, legal) and administrative directors (i.e., finance, development, human resources, technology);
• Engage fully with and challenge the Board of Directors to help shape their optimal roles;
  • Seek out and take on opportunities to be an external, outward-facing presence on behalf of The Door to ensure continuing visibility and support:
  • identify funding and partnership opportunities for Door programs;
  • maintain and strengthen relationships with government funders and elected officials;
  • lead The Door’s efforts as an advocate for youth services in New York City and nationwide; and
  • build community and inter-agency support for The Door’s programs.

The Executive Director will assume these additional key roles and responsibilities:

• Supervise program directors and promote the integration of services and staff between The Door and University Settlement;
• Ensure that The Door reflects best practices and core principles of youth development;
• Embrace, analyze and facilitate The Door’s capacity to follow and revise as prudent the roadmap laid out in its recent five-year strategic plan which focused on achieving excellence in six areas: enhancing programs, diversifying funding, building staff capacity, improving the workplace experience, developing the Board and pursuing advocacy;
• In conjunction with the CEO and CFO, establish and lead a process for the preparation, revision and finalization of The Door’s annual budget;
• Initiate new and expanded programs, including program design, budgets, funding proposals and evaluation methodology;
• Foster the development of leadership skills among staff;
• Facilitate labor management meetings and represent The Door at union negotiations and ensure that The Door maintains fair labor practices;
• Ensure that staff understand and place a high value on data collection, analysis and reporting.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in social work, sociology, public administration, business or related field.
• At least 10 years of management experience.
• Understanding of current and emerging issues in youth development practice, coupled with a passion for serving youth and being part of a vibrant community.
• Experience working in a diverse and multicultural environment.
• Strong ability to promote the organizational mission, vision, values, and strategic objectives both internally and externally.
• Skilled and experienced engaging with a Board of Directors or other governance committees.
• Willingness to learn from and access the expertise of others.
• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead the financial planning, strategy and management for a non-profit organization.
• Experience identifying and obtaining private and public funds, as well as managing relationships with funders.
  

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience.

The Door seeks a diverse pool of candidates for this position. This search is being conducted by: Schall & Russo Planning Works, LLC. Interested candidates should email a thoughtful cover letter and resume noting “Door ED” in the subject line, in confidence, to Steven Schall at sschall@schallrusso.com