Hiring
Executive Director
Full Job Description
Position Summary
CSNO seeks a visionary leader to advance the organization at a time of tremendous opportunity. The Executive Director will be committed and passionate about the mission of CSNO. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will have overall responsibility to implement the strategic goals and objectives of the growing organization; develop and expand programs; increase the organization’s profile within the community; and to provide direction and leadership toward the advancement of the organization’s philosophy, mission, and strategy.
Location: New Orleans, LA
Reports to: CSNO Board of Directors
Classification: Permanent, fulltime position
Pay: Exempt (salaried); $90,000 – $135,000.
Benefits: Relocation stipend, health care benefits, matching retirement plan, paid time off and paid holidays, compensatory time, collaborative and collegial work environment, professional development opportunities and other benefits as described in the CSNO Personnel Policies.
Mission
Community Sailing New Orleans, Inc. (CSNO) shall positively impact lives by providing accessible educational opportunities and the promotion of health on Lake Pontchartrain for all in the population of the region regardless of age, background, and abilities, including as a core mission serving the low- and moderate-income and minority communities in metro New Orleans by providing access to a community asset that has been historically inaccessible to those large segments of the population.
Organization and Facilities
CSNO is structured to serve more than 2,300 individuals annually, ensuring Lake Pontchartrain and its environmental characteristics are accessible to all. Our programs focus on serving youth; minority communities; individuals with disabilities – physical and cognitive; women and girls; veterans; and anyone facing economic barriers to sailing. In collaboration with local community partners, CSNO delivers programming that develops independence, improved communication, rehabilitation support and additional workforce readiness skills including focus, goal-setting skills, problem solving and conflict resolution abilities.
CSNO operates from The Libby and Robert Alexander Community Sailing Center, a half-acre site that accommodates 60 boats, floating docks, and a hoist. The Sailing Center is thoughtfully designed to ensure accessibility to everyone – all ramps are ADA compliant, and the finger piers for the wet slips are wide enough for wheelchair accessibility. The organization has completed the pre-development phase of planning for a headquarters building, fully equipped with classrooms, multipurpose space, offices, and equipment storage space. Capital campaign efforts have been successful, and construction for the headquarters is scheduled for Fall 2023.
Primary Job Duties & Responsibilities
Organizational Mission & Strategy
Works with board and staff to ensure that the mission is fulfilled through programs, strategic planning, and community outreach.
Collaborate with the Board to create and implement a strategic planning process resulting in a strategic plan that ensures CSNO successfully fulfills its mission into the future.
Communicates the compelling and inspired vision; speaks to possibilities; is optimistic; creates milestones to rally support; and inspires and motivates the entire organization.
Responsible for the enhancement of CSNO’s image by being active and visible in the community and by working closely with other professional, civic, and private organizations.
Fundraising and Development
Oversees fundraising planning and implementation, including identifying resource requirements, researching funding sources, and establishing strategies to approach funders and secure support.
Implement annual development plan and strategy.
Cultivate and nurture relationships with current and potential corporate and foundation sponsors and individual donors.
Develop and grow individual donor base; manage annual giving campaign; cultivate major gifts.
Organization Operations
Oversee and implement appropriate resources to ensure that the operations of the organization are appropriate.
Monitor operations in accordance with by-laws and industry standards.
Responsible for the implementation of all programs that carry out the organization’s mission.
Effectively manage the human resources of the organization according to authorized personnel policies and procedures. Continue to develop and grow a leadership team of dedicated and talented staff members.
Responsible for signing all notes, agreements, and other instruments made and entered into and on behalf of the organization.
Recommends yearly budget for Board approval and ensures the financial health of the organization.
Jointly, with the Board of Directors, conducts official correspondence of the organization, and jointly, with designated officers, execute legal documents.
Assess budget and organizational finances annually to ensure optimal performance with finance staff members.
Development of program budgets and tracking to ensure that programs operate within financial parameters set forth in the board-approved budget. Reassess operational fees annually to ensure optimal income.
Community and Governmental Relations
Build a sense of welcome and trust for the organization among minority communities where history often has not created a situation where those feelings come naturally.
Develop collaborative relationships with community members, partnering organizations and elected leaders. Nurture relationships with schools and potential partnering organizations to strengthen connections within the community.
Represent the organization at community and government meetings and with various stakeholder groups.
Board Administration and Support
Be a true “partner” with the Board, a creative problem solver whose ability to convey ideas, suggestions, and solutions in a thoughtful, well-reasoned manner with a high level of integrity results in high levels of respect.
Recommend new policies, programs, and action plans consistent with the vision of the organization; execute all policies/decisions of the Board. Provide advice and counsel to the Board to assist in setting policies and monitoring the performance of the organization.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will have a notable record of nonprofit administration, sailing leadership, and the capacity to ensure scalability and long-term sustainability for CSNO. Specific requirements include:
Strong personal qualities of integrity, confidence, credibility, energy, commitment, and humor along with exemplary ethics.
Demonstrated track record in building collaborative relationships with diverse communities and individuals along the dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, age, physical abilities, and religious beliefs.
Ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders and cultures.
Prior senior management experience in a community sailing center or educational nonprofit with a strong skill set in on-water risk management.
Expertise in fundraising strategies and donor relations unique to nonprofit sector.
Strong written and oral communication skills and strong public speaking ability
Solid, hands-on, budget management skills, including budget preparation, analysis, decision-making and reporting.
Strong organizational abilities, including planning, program development, data driven evaluation, delegating, and task facilitation.
Strategic in focus and able to gain support and execute approved plans and directions, sometimes exhorting the Board to make actionable decisions, with a strong and natural ability to analyze and communicate the reasons behind recommendations.
Excellence in talent management with the ability to hire, coach, manage, collaborate, and develop high-performance staff and teams.
The ability to adapt and positively contribute to changing and evolving circumstances.
A commitment to inclusion and diversity.
Ability to convey the vision of the CSNO’s strategic future to staff, board, volunteers, and donors.
This full-time position requires weekends and occasional evenings. Current CPR, First-aid, and SafeSport certifications must be obtained. In accordance with CSNO’s mandatory employee COVID-19 vaccination policy, please be advised that all employees are required to be vaccinated and boosted to safeguard the health of our employees and their families, our participants, visitors and the community at large. Prior to employment, the successful candidate will have a background check conducted.
CSNO is an equal-opportunity employer that embraces diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the workplace. The organization does not tolerate any discrimination, harassment, or bias based on race, color, religion, sex, orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or varying ability.
Contact
All interested applicants are advised to email a single PDF including cover letter and resume to:
Kate Neubauer, Neubauer Consulting Group [email protected]
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
