826 New Orleans Seeks New Executive Director

Posted on June 27, 2022October 31, 2022 by 826 New Orleans

What Is 826 New Orleans?

826 New Orleans is part of 826 National, an award-winning national network of youth writing centers. In addition to being an integral member of the 826 National network, 826 New Orleans plays a vital role in the local community. Our program team members have been recognized and honored locally, nationally, and internationally.

826 New Orleans cultivates a creative and courageous workplace. We value innovation and collaboration. We strive to be supportive and accommodating to employee needs for scheduling and work styles, and aim to create a humanizing work environment that prioritizes work/life balance.

Through innovative partnerships with local public schools and communities, as well as the support of over 500 volunteers, we have worked with over 8,000 public school students and created over 100 publications of student work, including chapbooks, fiction, poetry and graphic storytelling. The 826 Team offers free writing programs and publishing opportunities at our state-of-the-art Youth Writing Center in the 7th Ward and in our partner schools across the city. Our staff and volunteers help students develop a love of literacy, become published authors, and find the power of their voices on and off the page. You can read more about our impact in our 2021 Annual Report.

Under the leadership of the current Board and Executive Director, the 826 New Orleans team has worked diligently to establish essential partnerships, strengthen community connections, and extend program access during the height of the pandemic. 826 New Orleans is in a strong position with a progressing strategic plan, a talented staff, an engaged board, established funding, and community relationships.

What Will the Executive Director Do?

Reporting to the 826 New Orleans Board of Directors, the Executive Director is responsible for establishing 826 New Orleans’s future goals and continuing to build collaborative partnerships.

The Executive Director manages the general operations, annual budget, strategic plan, staff, and programming. The Executive Director is also responsible for oversight in the areas of fundraising, public relations, and marketing. The selected candidate must combine a proven track record in nonprofit and/or educational leadership with a clear understanding of 826 New Orleans’s mission and program offerings to improve and expand the organization’s impact across the city.

What Qualities Are We Looking For?

826 New Orleans is looking for a passionate leader whose professional mission and dynamic vision aligns with the organization. The Executive Director should be an enthusiastic and inspirational leader and collaborator who has previously led healthy, dynamic organizations through growth stages. They should exemplify a belief in the power of youth voice while operating with curiosity, empathy, gratitude, and cultural competency. The Executive Director should lead in imaginative and creative ways.

826 New Orleans is looking for someone who can inspire and guide staff, students, board, and volunteers, modeling a work-life balance and positive relationships. They should possess an appreciation for the rich history and culture of New Orleans and the 7th Ward and understand the New Orleans public education landscape. Their leadership should elevate robust community engagement. Our candidate must be actively engaged in anti-racist practices and have a track record of leading efforts around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and a deep understanding and belief in the importance of these efforts.

What Do We Want to Accomplish in the Next Three to Five Years?

Our Board of Directors is seeking to hire a motivational leader who can accomplish the following overarching near-term goals:

Assess and track the progress of the existing strategic plan and make any necessary improvements based on informed stakeholder input to reach a near-term goal of publishing 2,000 students annually; lead ongoing strategic planning processes and implementation of the 826 New Orleans Equity Framework for Culturally and Historically Responsive Literacy
Launch additional school-based and on-campus programming, including:
- Wee Write Early Learners Program for 3-5 year olds
- 826 New Orleans Writers Rooms in partnership with New Orleans public schools
Hire a development director and work with the Board of Directors to establish an annual fundraising goal; at this time, the organization is anticipating to operate a budget of approximately $900,000 annually
Increase engagement with and investment in our 7th Ward community

What Are the Job Responsibilities?

Strategy and Board Relations

Work with the 826 New Orleans board to track the progress of our existing strategic plan and lead the next phase of the strategic planning process for the organization, operating with a forward-thinking approach to its staff, leadership, and the entire organization through data-driven decision-making.
Report to the 826 New Orleans Board of Directors on programming impact, fundraising, finances, events, publications, personnel, strategic planning, and other 826 related matters; enlist their support as needed.
Work with 826 National to coordinate the work of 826 New Orleans with the other 826 chapters; represent 826 New Orleans at 826 National meetings, executive director meetings, staff conferences, and other convenings.

Financial Management and Fundraising

Ensure prudent fiscal management of 826 New Orleans, including establishment and review of salaries, management of expenses, strategic financial planning, and preparation of monthly financial reports and annual budgets.
Attract, hire, and support a Development Director who will create and implement 826 New Orleans fundraising strategies, including grant applications, corporate and private philanthropy, individual donations, and special events.
Work in partnership with the Development Director to ensure successful cultivation of financial gifts on behalf of 826 New Orleans; steward donors through every stage of a gift; deliver authentic gratitude, and provide timely information and individualized attention to donors and supporters.

Programming

Partner with the Program Director to oversee all programming and impact, including after-school, in-school projects, and workshops.
Ensure daily excellence and quality practices in accordance with 826 protocols and the Program Equity Framework; measure impact and make informed decisions based on the collection of qualitative and quantitative data.

Marketing/Public Relations/Communications

Develop and maintain relationships with education and community leaders that will facilitate programming growth.
Represent 826 New Orleans and its mission to students, families, funders, volunteers, the educational community, and the media; serve as spokesperson for media appearances and other public speaking opportunities.
Work closely with the communications team to guide external relations and collaborations, including website, annual fundraising appeals, and public relations.

Operations/Supervision

Supervise, direct, and support staff, interns, and volunteers to pursue 826 New Orleans’s educational mission, in alignment with its values.
Develop 826 New Orleans’s culture as a learning organization, providing consistent professional development plans, learning opportunities, regular feedback, and performance reviews.
Manage all legal and operational issues, including contracts, employment matters, technology, leases and building management, publication and other agreements, oversight of retail operations, and serve as chief organizational signatory.

What Are the Compensation and Benefits Packages?

826 New Orleans will offer a starting salary of $90,000 for this role. Although this is a full-time position (40 hours per week), the schedule for this position is flexible and may be a mix of in-person work at our Youth Writing Center in the 7th Ward of New Orleans and remote work. This position requires occasional evening and weekend hours.

826 New Orleans pays 100% of health insurance premiums for full-time employees. 826 New Orleans also offers a 3% matching retirement plan, 15 PTO days, 19 days of paid holiday, and 7 sick days per year.

How to Apply?

Please send a cover letter, resume, and contacts for three professional references to the 826 New Orleans Board of Directors through Maroon NOLA at 826NOLAEDsearch@themaroon.org. The application priority deadline is July 15, 2022.

826 New Orleans is an equal opportunity employer committed to achieving a diverse and inclusive workforce. 826 New Orleans does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, age, religion, sexual orientation, political orientation, disability, veteran status, or gender identity or expression. 826 New Orleans looks forward to applications from individuals across diverse identities and lived experiences.

What Will the Candidate Engagement Process Look Like?

Candidate cover letters should include and highlight alignment to the organization’s mission, summarize skill set and capacity to lead the organization, and a connection to previous successful experiences.
Maroon NOLA will conduct initial application materials screenings and invite selected applicants into virtual (or phone) interviews.
Maroon NOLA will select up to 10 finalists, who can each expect between 1-3 rounds of interviews with Board members and search committee members, a 3-part performance task process (with a stipend provided), and engagement sessions with the 826 New Orleans Board and stakeholders. During these final application stages, finalists will be provided an opportunity to connect with key staff and stakeholders to learn more deeply about the organization and its work.
The 826 Board of Directors will vote on their final selection and offer the role to the most-qualified and best-fit finalist.

Questions about this search should be directed to 826NOLAEDsearch@themaroon.org.