Director of Collaborative Services-Richmond, CA
Organization: Building Blocks for kids
Position Title: Director of collaborative services
Location:Richmond, CA, US
Hours & Compensation: Full time. 62,000 – 68,000/year
Application Deadline: Not listed
BACKGROUND
In 2005, non-profit and county agencies in Richmond, CA, —local, state and federal government representatives, community members, and foundations—joined forces to become the Building Blocks for Kids Collaborative (BBK Collaborative). The BBK Collaborative is committed to doing whatever is needed to reverse the present reality of poor health, low academic achievement, violence, crime, and persistent poverty for children and families living in the BBK “zone.” The Collaborative comprises a couple dozen government agencies, community based organizations, and local leaders, all creating change in Richmond’s Iron Triangle neighborhood. Our members share similar philosophies on how best to achieve our mission of ensuring Iron Triangle residents are happy, healthy, successful, engaged and informed. We recognize that no single agency or person can address the myriad needs facing residents of the BBK Collaborative Zone and surrounding neighborhoods, therefore, while each individual member provides valuable social, health and/or academic supports to the Iron Triangle children and families, the Collaborative collectively knits those services together in a more comprehensive and coordinated system. To move the work forward, the Collaborative relies on a backbone team responsible for establishing clear systems, working with members to establish Collaborative goals and convening and facilitating consistent, effective working groups. Additionally, the backbone staff makes certain that the Collaborative members have access to key data for decision-making, learning, continuous improvement and accountability.
POSITION OVERVIEW
This new position is a significant leadership position for an experienced leader in Collective Impact efforts and organizations. A member of the backbone staff, the Director of Collaborative Services (DCS) is the leader responsible for enhancing the internal organization and infrastructure necessary for BBK Collaborative’s continued success and growth.
The DCS will be a thought partner to the Chief of Operations and other members of the backbone staff. An ideal candidate should be able to think broadly and strategically about our work and be detail oriented and organized about the implementation and structures necessary to move our vision into reality. The DCS will be charged with the day-to-day management of Collaborative backbone staff, facilities, grant and contract administration, human resources, information technology and special events functions. Additionally, the DCS will be accountable for getting things done between meetings and partners with other backbone staff to guide the Collaborative’s working groups, with a specific eye towards moving the groups to consensus and action. This person has deep skills related to strategic planning, process improvement, and stakeholder management.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Organizational Leadership
- Work with Chief of Operations to pace and drive backbone and Collaborative development, including analysis and implementation of priorities, partnerships and infrastructure needs.
- Coordinate and facilitate Collaborative members’ continuous communication and collaborative work.
- Partner with other backbone staff to convene partners and key external stakeholders.
- Provide support to build management and administrative capacity of backbone staff
- Create paths for, and recruit, new Collaborative members.
- Seek out opportunities for alignment with other local and national efforts.
- Serve as a senior-level thought partner, mentor, and bridge builder for Collaborative as a whole.
- Supervise Community Engagement and Advocacy staff, providing ongoing coaching, feedback and support to build their capacity to elevate the voice of BBK Zone families seeking to support their children’s success from cradle through college
- Supervise staff and consultants as determined.
Communications
- Partner with other backbone staff to develop and implement social and new media strategies.
- Supervise communications consultants.
- Stay current with emerging tools and technologies that may help grow the community of practice around collective impact; proactively look for strategic platform enhancements for the BBK Collaborative website
Human Resources
- Oversee human resources, facilities and technology.
- Oversee human resource functions and policies and maintain BBK Collaborative as a great place to work and grow professionally.
KEY COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS
- Excellent communicator and writer with experience as a spokesperson who can articulate messages and has experience working across sectors (nonprofit, philanthropy, business, government, community residents)
- Planning and organizational skills, including project management.
- Effective problem solving skills and results oriented.
- Ability to work independently and make appropriate decisions with limited direction.
- Creativity and innovative thinking skills.
- Ability to communicate in Spanish preferred
QUALIFICATIONS
- Five plus years in senior management roles including staff supervision, human resources, engaging and activating community based organizations and operations in a social justice nonprofit context.
- High-level, strategic understanding of Collective Impact backed by direct experience with collaborative efforts.
- Commitment to the mission, values and aspirations of Building Blocks for Kids Collaborative.
- Committed to loving engagement and community healing as an essential component of community development.
- Experience and cultural competence working in African American and Latino communities in a social change context.
- Past success designing and leading collaborative efforts, organizational development and capacity building.
- Field and large-scale initiative building experience; experience facilitating strategic planning important.
- Ability to implement vision, think strategically, creatively problem solve, exercise good judgment and lead change.
- Proven track record of attracting partnerships and managing external relations.
- Facilitative and collaborative leadership style.
- Proven ability to work in a dynamic team and build nurturing, productive working partnerships. Can flexibly share leadership and build consensus.
- Success supervising and mentoring staff and supporting professional and leadership development.
- Excellent people skills.
- Ability to work flexible hours and travel.
- This position necessitates an in-depth knowledge of Microsoft Office Products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), and web-based communication and storage tools (Facebook, Linkedin, Mail Chimp, Dropbox, Google Docs, etc…)
- Master’s Degree preferred; Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required.
LICENSES CERTIFICATES REQUIRED
- A current California driver’s license, current vehicle insurance certificate
- Fingerprinting, background check
WORKING CONDITIONS
- Evening and weekend hours required often
- Occasional lifting of 30-50 lbs
- Requires computer use each day, including typing for several hours per day
- Requires ability to use a keyboard, monitor and calculator
- Requires the ability to communicate verbally, both in person and on the telephone.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
- Occasional outdoor activities
Building Blocks for Kids is an equal opportunity employer.
To apply:
Please send cover letter and resume to:
Subject: Director of Collaborative Services
Please make sure to address the following within the body of your cover letter:
- Please describe your experience supporting and facilitating Collective Impact efforts.
- 2. Please describe your experience as a senior manager operating in a nonprofit context.
