CEN IDEAL Director
About CEN
Center for Excellence in Nonprofits (CEN) is a nonprofit organization located in Redwood City, CA, dedicated to empowering nonprofit leaders through continued learning and to building spaces where everyone has a seat at the table and individuals are comfortable bringing their whole self to work.
At CEN, we believe that leadership is critical to the success of the nonprofit organizations. We are committed to building strong relationships with our nonprofit colleagues, fully understanding their challenges, providing access to exceptional resources to meet their needs, and connecting nonprofit and community leaders in ways that strengthen all of us.
Guided by our commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, access and liberation (IDEAL), we strive to engage and support all nonprofit professionals through continued learning and authentic community-building. Each of our programs is designed to foster an open space where everyone can explore opportunities to deepen their work and gain new resources.
As the established local resource for information on nonprofit leadership and governance, CEN works closely with nonprofit organizations throughout Silicon Valley and beyond and supports a diverse group of chief executives, emerging leaders, and board members.
At CEN, we believe that leadership is critical to the success of the nonprofit organizations. We are committed to building strong relationships with our nonprofit colleagues, fully understanding their challenges, providing access to exceptional resources to meet their needs, and connecting nonprofit and community leaders in ways that strengthen all of us.
Guided by our commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, access and liberation (IDEAL), we strive to engage and support all nonprofit professionals through continued learning and authentic community-building. Each of our programs is designed to foster an open space where everyone can explore opportunities to deepen their work and gain new resources.
As the established local resource for information on nonprofit leadership and governance, CEN works closely with nonprofit organizations throughout Silicon Valley and beyond and supports a diverse group of chief executives, emerging leaders, and board members.
Seeking an IDEAL Director
Center for Excellence in Nonprofits is in the process of hiring the IDEAL Director. This senior-level management role will report directly to the CEO and will serve as a member of the leadership team. In partnership with other senior leaders, the IDEAL Director will be a steward for the CEN culture of belonging where staff, board members, clients and partners feel valued, respected, and engaged.
This IDEAL Director position will require vision, intuition, strategic thinking, and operational skills to set goals, make decisions in favor of calculated risk, and take action in all aspects of belonging and IDEAL. In a coordination with leadership and community stakeholders, the IDEAL Director will be a key advocate for IDEAL principles within CEN and beyond.
The IDEAL Director will have following responsibilities:
This IDEAL Director position will require vision, intuition, strategic thinking, and operational skills to set goals, make decisions in favor of calculated risk, and take action in all aspects of belonging and IDEAL. In a coordination with leadership and community stakeholders, the IDEAL Director will be a key advocate for IDEAL principles within CEN and beyond.
The IDEAL Director will have following responsibilities:
Strategic Partner
- Serves as a leader and thought partner for the CEN CEO, board and staff in support of elevating and implementing promising IDEAL practices in various contexts.
- Aids in the establishment and execution of strategic goals, identifies metrics, and coordinates the collection and analysis of data to inform IDEAL efforts.
- Translates strategies into tactical plans with clear actions, accountability, and goals to promote leading IDEAL practices.
Program Developer and Instructional Designer
- Leads programs in support of advancing CEN’s commitment to IDEAL within the workplace, among the board, and with internal and external stakeholders.
- Develops and is responsible for achievement associated with metrics and dashboards for measuring the effectiveness of IDEAL programs implemented and prepares regular reports for the CEO to analyze.
- Designs and delivers IDEAL training—within CEN and beyond–to promote cultural understanding and competency and a climate of equity and inclusion.
- Keeps current on diversity programs and developments through continuing education and relationships with others in the field.
Process Improver and a Shepherd for Inclusive Culture
- Improves CEN environment; fosters a culture that is inclusive, innovative, willing to take risks and that proactively leverages multiple dimensions of diversity.
- Assists in the creation and continuous improvement of policies that mitigate bias, increase equitable outcomes, and foster belonging across all organizational levels of CEN.
- Works with stakeholders and leaders across CEN to effectively embed IDEAL practices into all aspects of the talent lifecycle; provides recommendations and consulting to strengthen deliverables in hiring, promotions, development, retention, and engagement.
- Serves as an advisor and resource person in intake and investigation of protected class related concerns among staff, board members, and stakeholders.
Diversity Talent Acquisition Leader
- Assesses strengths and opportunities in recruiting and retaining diverse CEN workforce as well as developing strategies and programs to attract, retain, and promote a diverse workforce.
- Collaborates with HR and leaders on sourcing, hiring, and retaining diverse candidates by connecting with professional organizations and leveraging social media and community connections.
Inclusive Supervisor
- Is a supportive and engaging supervisor and coach to the program facilitation staff currently consisting of five members.
- Evaluates workload, identifies needs to assign staff duties as appropriate, and develops creative solutions to support staff engagement, efficiency and effectiveness.
- Identifies educational opportunities for all CEN team members to build fluency in IDEAL.
Qualifications
The optimal candidate will be an experienced manager of people and projects, a collaborative leader who has developed and implemented workplace IDEAL programs with measurable results. This candidate will embody an entrepreneurial spirit and experience.
They have the following qualities, skills, and lived experiences:
They have the following qualities, skills, and lived experiences:
- Collaborative, creative, and entrepreneurial spirit—embodying a healthy appetite for risk tempered by solid judgment.
- Driven by commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, access and liberation and experienced working in such a work environment.
- Demonstrated ability to appreciate differences in perspectives and points of view and work collaboratively with colleagues toward shared goals and objectives.
- Strong emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with tact and diplomacy both verbally and in writing, including political acumen and skill in troubleshooting and applying proactive and positive solutions.
- Knowledge, skills, and attitude to deliver culturally competent services and lead effectively within a multicultural and lived-experience environment.
- Strong background in project and program management, including identifying and setting priorities, performing detailed needs analyses, identifying stakeholders, developing action plans, segmenting projects into their component parts, and managing the process from inception to completion.
- Supervisory skills to manage professional staff, including delegation and prioritization of work, training, and evaluation.
- Analytical problem-solving skills with the ability to build trust and influence people at various professional levels and career stages, including but not limited to executives, employee groups, partners, and consultants from varying backgrounds and cultures.
Work Environment
CEN is a BIPOC-led and operated organization, located in Redwood City, CA. The team has high-productivity expectations, as the client load is significant. An optimal candidate is used to demonstrating grace under pressure and calm among the interruptions of work flow and irregularities in scheduling. Work happens mostly in an office setting with periodic outside activity for training and intervention. Evening and weekend events are common; occasional client-related travel occurs. Performance needs and expectations rapidly evolve, requiring continual upgrading of skills.
Search Timeline and Logistics
Candidates are requested to send their resume and cover letter to [email protected] by April 15, 2022. The position is open until filled. CEN desires to have the IDEAL Director hired by June 2022. The position is remote until client interactions and internal operations resume in-person. There is a strong preference that this employee eventually reside in the Bay Area.
Total Compensation
Total compensation for the position is $112,000 - $122,000 per year, including competitive medical, dental, vision and professional development benefits.
Other Considerations
Any further inquiries may be emailed to [email protected]. Candidates with personal inclusion, diversity, equity, access and liberation related lived experiences are encouraged to apply.
If, as you navigate our hiring process, you discover that you need an accommodation related to your disability, please reach out to us via [email protected]. The information you provide will be kept confidential and used only for the purpose of assessing and providing the requested accommodation. Our goal is to ensure equal employment opportunity for all qualified applicants with disabilities.
Please let us know how we can best support you.
Total Compensation
Total compensation for the position is $112,000 - $122,000 per year, including competitive medical, dental, vision and professional development benefits.
Other Considerations
Any further inquiries may be emailed to [email protected]. Candidates with personal inclusion, diversity, equity, access and liberation related lived experiences are encouraged to apply.
If, as you navigate our hiring process, you discover that you need an accommodation related to your disability, please reach out to us via [email protected]. The information you provide will be kept confidential and used only for the purpose of assessing and providing the requested accommodation. Our goal is to ensure equal employment opportunity for all qualified applicants with disabilities.
Please let us know how we can best support you.