open positions

National Executive Director (Los Angeles, CA)
Program Manager (Los Angeles, CA)
Volunteer Intern – Summer 2009 (New York)
Volunteer Intern (Los Angeles, CA)
Spoken Word Instructor (New York, NY)

National Executive Director (Los Angeles, CA)

Responsibilities

The National Executive Director oversees the development of the strategic vision for the organization, as well as its day-to-day operations at-large with three fully staffed offices: Los Angeles, New York and Chicago. The Executive Director is responsible for the financial resource development, staff management and administration, marketing, community relations, and fiscal and budgetary management. Management duties include overseeing five direct reports, in addition to the teams that they manage. The ED reports to the National Board of Directors.

Fund Development

• Create and implement annual organization-wide fundraising and plan to identify and secure the necessary resources to execute Step Up's mission
• Strengthen relationships with current funding entities, including corporations, individuals and foundations
• Expand and broaden new donor prospects (individuals, corporations and foundations) employing a variety of strategies
• Expand Luminary Circle Campaign (high-tier members) to increase individual donor base
• Oversee all national corporate partnerships

Marketing, Communications and Community Relations

• Develop and implement a marketing/PR plan including: media and celebrity relations, constituent outreach, web strategies, etc.
• Solidify national brand identity, messaging and peripheral materials, including annual report
• Serve as the organization's primary spokesperson

Operations and Staffing

• Provide leadership and direction for the organization and for its partners
• Guide development and implementation of programs/activities in the areas of youth development, women's professional development, and membership.
• Oversee current technological infrastructure and future technology plans
• Recruit and retain a strong staff built on teamwork, entrepreneurship, and collaborative decision-making
• Oversee all HR strategy and legal compliance

Finance

• Ensure fiduciary responsibility and fiscal management of all organizational assets
• Prepare annual budget and development plan to meet financial needs of program
• Oversee financial controls and policies
• Supervise audits, preparation of forecasting, expenditure, and all other fiscal reports
• Oversee banking transactions and other filing requirements

Planning and Compliance

• Lead long-range planning and visioning, including assessment of needs in partnership with the board and staff
• Ensure compliance with all applicable state and federal nonprofit governance and IRS requirements and regulations
• Report regularly to board of directors regarding organizational strategies, objectives, successes and challenges

Board of Directors/Governance

• Work with the national board to implement policies, achieve national strategic planning goals, and fulfill Step Up's mission

Qualifications

Ideally, the candidate will have at least 10 years of work experience and at least five years of management experience including fund development in a non-profit organization. The executive director must be a proven leader, able to shape and implement a complex vision for the future with demonstrated skills and experience in fundraising with an intellectual agility to meet the demands of a complex organization. Candidates must have an undergraduate degree and a graduate degree is preferred. Specifically, the successful candidate will meet the following criteria:

• Proven fund-raising success with individual, corporate, and foundation giving of $500,000+
• Proven leadership, management, and program development experience with exceptional communication skills
• Ability to develop and articulate a vision for Step Up Board, Staff, and Members
• Ability to build and motivate a high-performing Board of Directors to fundraise and implement the strategic vision for the organization
• Ability to motivate and lead a diverse staff
• Strong business acumen and understanding of non-profit accounting controls and procedures
• A passion for and experience in women's issues and youth development for girls
• Proven track record in management of high-performing direct service programs
• High level of organization and efficiency, the ability to multi-task
• Entrepreneurial spirit
• Willingness to travel

Reporting Relationship

This position will report to the National Board of Directors.

Fill Date Immediate. This is a full-time salaried position with benefits; salary commensurate with experience.

To apply please send cover letter and resume, to veronica@suwn.org. No phone calls please

Program Manager (Los Angeles, CA)

Position Summary

The Program Manager works under the supervision of the Managing Director to achieve the goals of the organization in the areas of Membership & Fundraising, Professional Development and Social Networking. Additional responsibilities to program implementation include volunteer management, event planning, program evaluation and fundraising.

A summary of responsibilities include:

Membership Development & Management (30%)

• Develop and execute strategies for individual member acquisition, renewal, upgrades, and overall member satisfaction for the local chapter of more than 1,200 members
• Develop and execute strategies for corporate membership partnerships
• Collaborate with national team of staff members managing membership to devise and execute best practices and strategies
• Manage a committee of volunteers in membership recruitment & retention, in-kind donation solicitation and fundraising
• Plan and execute the annual membership events, including monthly Open Houses, Summer Membership Drive, and Holiday Membership Event for 500+ attendees
• Assist in the planning and execution of the annual Luminary Circle Cocktail Fete for 200+ attendees
• Write and oversee messaging, design and printing of membership materials
• Coordinate with other Step Up staff and volunteer committees to help increase member involvement and participation in various community programs
• Manage the Step Up member database and drive technology enhancements
• Manage an annual membership budget
• Prepare, review, and evaluate the annual Step Up membership survey
• Manage a Board of Directors committee dedicated to recruiting and retaining high-tier members
• Secure in kind donations for Step Up gift bags
• Recruit and train student interns

Professional Development Programming (25%)

• Design and implement Step Up branded professional panels and Power Breakfast series highlighting woman industry leaders
• Execute professional development events through securing high-level speakers, confirming event logistics, and promotion
• Participate in strategic planning through national staff meetings and conference calls with the other chapters' programs staff
• Perform periodic program evaluation to improve and innovate the programs as needed
• Facilitate national or local sponsorship of professional development programs
• Manage an annual professional development budget

Social Networking, Local Fundraising & Relationship Building (35%)

• Design and implement fun and engaging Social Networking events for members (shopping, spa and networking events)
• Solicit local shopping event sponsorships at the $2,500 level and above
• Assist in soliciting sponsorships for Step Up's annual signature fundraisers
• Maintain strategic relationships with all organizations, venues and partners via thank you notes and follow-through
• Seek out appropriate cause-marketing partners
• Manage a portfolio of local fundraising prospects

Administrative Support (10%)

• Support the administrative needs of the Managing Director.
• Participate in weekly staff meetings
• Provide customer service via phone and email inquiries regarding membership and event registration questions and issues
• General office support including research, data compilation and entry, filing, mailing, running errands and the like.

Qualifications

Candidates must have an undergraduate degree, three to five years of work experience, and be passionate about working in the non-profit industry. Specifically, the successful candidate will meet the following criteria:

• Education: BA in related field
• Three to five years of work experience. Membership management experience preferred.
• Knowledge of the nonprofit industry, experience with women's and girls' organizations.
• Knowledge in marketing practices
• Ability to multi-task in a fast paced environment
• Strong public speaking skills
• Attention to detail and ability to deliver quality, professional work
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and interpersonal skills
• High level of organization and professionalism
• Fundraising experience is preferred
• Proven success in managing events and programs
• Creativity in proposing new ideas and programs
• Ability to work well with multiple constituencies (staff, member leaders and volunteers, board members, senior level executives, sponsors, and donors).
• Self-starter and fast-learner who does not require heavy supervision and copes well with change
• Technologically savvy. Knowledge of CRM data management systems and email marketing tools is preferred
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs and the Internet
• Passion for women's issues

Start Date and Salary

Position begins July 2009. Salary is commensurate with experience within the range of $40,000 – 48,000 DOE plus health insurance benefits and generous vacation benefits.

To Apply

Send cover letter and resume to Angie Grabski, Managing Director at resumes@suwn.org.

As an addendum to your cover letter, please provide answers to the following. Only applicants who provide answers to these questions will be considered for the position.

• Professional Development: Step Up hosts two large-scale Professional Development panels each year. These events feature prominent businesswomen from the Southern California community and aim to inspire members to advance their careers. Please come up with a relevant panel topic facing professional women today and indentify three appropriate panelists. Indicate why each woman is a good fit in 1-3 sentences.
• Corporate Sponsorship Pitch: Half of Step Up funding comes from the support of corporate sponsors. This role is specifically responsible for building partnerships with leading fashion and beauty retailers for local in-store events. Please create a brief sponsorship pitch articulating the benefits of partnering with Step Up on an in-store retail event. Identify a retailer, describe its clientele and describe why Step Up would be a good partner fit.

No phone calls please. We will contact all candidates that we wish to interview.

Step Up Volunteer Intern – Summer 2009 (New York)

Opportunity

Seeking 2 highly-driven students to intern with Step Up Women's Network.

Event Planning and Marketing Intern:

• Assist with the planning and marketing of events and programs in the areas of professional development and membership, including
• The Mentors Walk and our summer professional development panel. Past Step Up speakers have included Catherine Levene, COO of Daily Candy, and Lisa Caputo, CEO of Citigroup's Women & Co.
• Open houses for prospective members
• Summer membership sweepstakes
• Junior board meetings
• Help organize Step Up's annual fundraising event
• Help with sponsor outreach and follow-up
• Secure auction and gift bag items
• Publicize event
• Use member database to manage online event postings and membership information

Teen Programs Intern:

• Assist with management and development of Step Up's after-school Teen Programs, serving up to 200 middle/high school age underserved girls from New York area schools.
• Tasks include helping develop program curriculum, picking up supplies for after-school programs, and helping run the programs on-site once a week. Program areas include performing and visual arts, health and wellbeing, and career development.

Commitment

Minimum of 25 hours per week. Exact internship dates and times to be discussed. Internship to commence in late May/early June through August.

Compensation

Interns will be awarded a year's worth of Step Up membership at the Icon level (valued at $250). Icon level membership includes free admission to all of Step Up's professional development events.

Qualifications

• Strong people skills and excellent verbal and written communication skills
• High level of organization, the ability to multi-task
• Demonstrated leadership and teamwork qualities
• Event planning experience
• Passion for women's and girls' social issues
• Mastery of Word and Excel

To apply

Please send your resume and a paragraph explaining why you want to intern at Step Up. The deadline to apply is Friday, April 24 at 5pm. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and we will only contact those we plan on interviewing. Decisions will be made by early May and applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Contact

Event Planning & Marketing - Selena Soo, Program Manager (selena@suwn.org)

Teen Programs - Kristen Baldwin, Program Manager (kristen@suwn.org)

Intern (Los Angeles, CA)

Opportunity

Seeking a highly-driven intern to assist in the execution of Step Up's programs for underserved teen girls. The intern will have an extraordinary opportunity to gain experience in many facets of nonprofit management and direct service programming including:

• Assisting in the coordination of after-school, in-school and Saturday programming focused on College & Career Development, Self-Esteem and Leadership and Health & Well-Being
• Interfacing with Step Up's varied constituents, including teen girls, school staff, parents, and volunteers

Commitment

Part-time internship for a minimum of 10 - 12 weeks. Internship will begin in August. Intern work hours are between 10am - 6pm, 2 to 4 days a week.

Qualifications

• Strong people skills and excellent verbal and written communication skills
• High level of organization, the ability to multi-task
• Demonstrated leadership and teamwork qualities
• Passion for women's and girls' social issues
• Mastery of Word and Excel
• Bilingual English/Spanish a plus
• Sensitivity with ethnically diverse and underserved communities
• Ability to build strong, lasting rapport with youth and their families

To apply

Please send your resume and a cover letter explaining why you want to intern at Step Up to jamie@suwn.org.

Spoken Word Instructor (New York, NY)

Position Summary

Under the Program Manager's supervision, the Spoken Word Poetry Instructor will manage the overall operations of the Step Up Spoken Word Program, a program serving up to 20 high school age girls from The Urban Academy of Government and Law. The Instructor is accountable to ensure that the program, along with opportunities for special events, is implemented based upon Step Up curriculum, policies, and vision. Duties and responsibilities include:

• Utilize Step Up curriculum to facilitate Spoken Poetry Program; innovate programming where applicable
• Attend regular staff meetings and trainings
• Monitor and encourage the attendance of girls to Step Up programs and events
• Liaise between Teen Programs Manager and The Urban Academy of Government and Law; Communicate with Teen Programs Manager and school staff about any schedule modifications or important behavioral or environmental issues
• Organize special events/field trips, including school and family logistics and chaperoning
• Model appropriate communication with families, teachers, staff and girls
• Track attendance, performance and behavior (positive and negative) through accurate record keeping
• Analyze performance metrics; Collect any documentation related to participants' family income, ethnicity or other information required by funding sources
• Assist in ensuring that Step Up branding is consistent across program sites
• Provide crisis intervention services when necessary
• Assist in the recruitment of new, and retention of existing, girls into Step Up programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in creative writing, poetry, or related subjects
• At least two years experience working with youth in ethnically diverse and underserved communities
• Teaching experience training preferred
• Passion for women's social issues and interest in providing quality educational, enriching experiences to girls
• Strong people skills and excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong attention to detail and ability to deliver consistent quality, professional work
• Self-starter and fast-learner who does not require heavy supervision
• Flexible and copes well with change
• Ability to travel to sites throughout the New York City area
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs
• Daily access to a computer with internet
• Bilingual English/Spanish is strongly preferred
• Women of color strongly encouraged to apply

Fill Date and Compensation

Immediate. This is a project-based contract position of 4 to 5 hours per week through May 2009. The pay is hourly at $14-16 per hour.

To Apply

Please send your cover letter and resume to Kristen Baldwin, Program Manager, at kristen@suwn.org. The deadline to apply is Friday, January 30th. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.