Executive Director, Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation, Chicago, IL

Executive Director

Posted on: June 6, 2013
Application deadline: July 5, 2013
Posted by: Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation

DESCRIPTION

The Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation is seeking an Executive Director to grow and strengthen this highly respected organization positioned at the forefront of the fight against sexual exploitation in Illinois and across the nation. The Executive Director will lead CAASE and drive the mission by serving as its public representative, ensuring that services continue to be exemplary, developing financial resources, and overseeing all operations of the organization. Professionalism as a leader, manager, and public persona is essential.

As the go-to legal, policy, and education organization on sexual exploitation issues in Illinois, CAASE has accomplished a lot in only seven years. Sustaining what has been built and making strategic decisions that expand the organization's capacity will be a key component of the role for the new Executive Director. The Executive Director will maintain CAASE's culture and positive work environment, reflecting inclusion, respect, and openness.

THE ORGANIZATION

Vision CAASE envisions a community free from all forms of sexual exploitation, including sexual assault and the commercial sex trade.

Mission CAASE addresses the culture, institutions, and individuals that perpetrate, profit from, or support sexual exploitation. The organization's work includes prevention education, policy reform, community engagement, and legal services. CAASE works to prevent sexual exploitation by increasing public understanding of the harms inherent in the sex trade. CAASE creates and implements educational curricula that encourage high-school-age men to work against sexual exploitation. CAASE conducts and publishes research on the commercial sex trade, trafficking and the impact of sexual exploitation. CAASE advocates for legislative and policy reforms to increase legal and social accountability for perpetrators of harm, and promotes broad community support for services and resources for survivors. CAASE advises law enforcement, policy makers, and other stakeholders on best practices relating to sex trafficking, prostitution, and rape. CAASE engages in civil litigation against perpetrators and facilitators of sexual harm and advocates for appropriate and effective criminal prosecution of perpetrators. CAASE develops toolkits for nonprofits, faith-based groups, schools, businesses, feminist groups, and other communities and individuals who would like to take action against sexual harm.

THE POSITION

Under the direction of the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will assume the top leadership role in the organization and oversee CAASE's strategic and programmatic operations, lead the 9-member staff, manage the annual operating budget, and play a visible role in policy development.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Mission Advancement

• Manage, evaluate, and update programs, services, and advocacy efforts to advance CAASE's mission
• Develop and implement organization and staff annual plans, in line with the strategic plan, to achieve short- and long-term goals, and impact the movement to end sexual harm
• Ensure that programming, organizational structure, staffing, intern and volunteer base, and infrastructure all enable CAASE to maintain and grow programmatic impact
• Act as the primary public representative of CAASE
• Provide oversight to staff in their roles as spokespersons for CAASE and its programs, and work with them to build new and leverage existing relationships with media, political representatives, and government
• Regularly promote CAASE through public speaking engagements, media interviews, task forces, steering committees, and collaboration with partners in the anti-violence community
• Apply knowledge and skills to create new ways of leveraging existing resources

Development and Financial Management

• In coordination with the Board, plan and oversee CAASE's budget and finances, including audits, financial analysis, capital asset management, property management, and payroll
• Manage facilities, technology, including donor data base, and other equipment consistent with budget and goals
• Manage day-to-day finances within annual budget
• Develop and achieve ambitious and strategic fundraising plans to support CAASE's current work and future growth
• Identify and solicit new individual donors, corporate sponsorships, foundations, government, and other grant sources to meet and exceed revenue goals; maintain positive relationships with existing donors and funders
• Collaborate with Board to identify development funding opportunities and events

Management & Administration

• Manage overall human resources function, including all stages of the employment lifecycle and CAASE's workforce of directors, staff, interns, and volunteers
• Foster individual staff development and expand capabilities across the organization
• Create and administer consistent, effective, and compliant organizational policies (e.g., HR, finance) in coordination with the Board

Board Relations

• Use Board members' skills and experience to accomplish strategic and organizational goals
• Participate, as appropriate, in Board and committee recruitment, development, and activities
• With Board Chair, ensure that Board and staff have shared understanding of mission, vision, and goals
• Work closely with Board Chair and Board members regarding governance issues and strategic planning
• Attend all Board meetings

REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS

• Graduate degree or equivalent combination of education, skills, and experience
• Minimum of five years in non-profit programmatic management, with increasing responsibilities
• Experience in social change work along with demonstrated ability to build, develop, and foster collaboration among diverse groups of stakeholders
• Integrity, commitment, and enthusiasm
• Commitment to ending the perpetration of sexual exploitation
• Sound business and fiscal judgment, along with demonstrated financial aptitude and analytical thinking
• Experience with successful fundraising campaigns and donor cultivation
• Ability to work collaboratively with board members, donors, legislators, community groups, media, and public officials
• Thought leadership and strategic vision
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including confidence and engagement as a public speaker
• Demonstrated success managing people, engaging staff, and motivating groups to achieve goals
• Solid working knowledge of current office technology and software

PREFERRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS

• Advanced degree in public policy, social work, law, or a related field, or equivalent skills and experience
• Deep subject matter knowledge of movements designed to end sexual harm, exploitation, or violence
• Experience working with survivors of violence
• Experience leading or co-leading a growing organization
• Significant accomplishment in programmatic, policy, or advocacy work
• Public relations experience with potentially controversial, politicized, emotional issues
• Ability to develop, coach, and leverage smart, experienced, successful individuals

HOW TO APPLY

Send resume with cover letter to boardchair@caase.org