Senior Director, Leadership Institute

ORGANIZATION SUMMARY

Founded in 1976, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Incorporated (CBCF) is a small non-profit organization focused on eliminating disparities within the global Black community by developing leaders, informing policy and educating the public.  Our primary focus areas are Education, Public Health, Economic Empowerment, Civic Engagement, and other issues impacting the global Black community.  Applicants may visit the web site at www.cbcfinc.org to view more information on CBCF programs and initiatives.

POSITION SUMMARY

CBCF is seeking an experienced Senior Director with multigenerational management skills to direct and develop its Leadership Institute. The Leadership Institute prepares the next generation of leaders to continue community service and policy development through strategic training and preparation.  Our goal is to expand the existing programs and increase the pool of Black leaders in public service careers and public policy positions by providing fellowships, internships, and scholarships to individuals with diverse interest in policy areas.  The Institute provides numerous educational and leadership development programs for individuals ranging from college students to young professionals with graduate degrees (generally ages forty and under).  Specifically, participants in the fellowship program work with congressional members and committees. The internship programs prepare college students and young professionals to become principled leaders, skilled policy analysts, and informed advocates by exposing them to the processes that develop national policies and implement them from Capitol Hill to federal field offices.  In addition, the Institute promotes diverse opportunities to broaden and impact the global Black community, through the new Pathways to the C-Suite internship programs in thriving corporate settings, the Emerging Leaders Study Abroad programs (currently in China and Japan) as well as the many scholarships awarded to talented and deserving students.  Institute participants make up the Alumni Network of transformative public servants and future leaders.

Reporting to the Senior Vice President, The Senior Director, Leadership Institute will direct and manage the Institute to ensure implementation of program objectives and initiatives, plan professional development seminars based on assessed needs of participants, and actively track and report ongoing successes while ensuring the program objectives are met.  The Senior Director will collaborate as a thought partner to the Senior Vice President to identify funding and economic opportunities; and will play a key role in expanding CBCF’s mission and presence beyond the Washington region through community outreach, program development, grant funding and collaborative innovation and engagement with stakeholders. They will assist with managing finances and generating revenue for the department. The incumbent will rely on past experiences and judgment to plan and accomplish goals; and must be a mature, professional leader with sound judgment and proven problem-solving skills and advanced leadership ability.

The Senior Director will join a committed team to drive the priorities of the fellowship, internship and scholarship programs, as well as manage and expand the Pathways to the Corporate Suite (C-Suite) Internship and Alumni Network.  The Senior Director will also identify ways to expand the Leadership Institute and types of opportunities offered through our intern and fellowship programs. They will provide coaching and professional development opportunities to program participants through targeted leadership training; and by engaging organizations and stakeholders to share their best practices.   In addition, the Senior Director will oversee the Emerging Leaders Study Abroad Programs focused on global leadership and cultural experiences; and other initiatives as assigned, including Emerge 535, implemented to aggressively address the underrepresentation of minorities on Capitol Hill.  Responsibilities include in-direct oversight of program participants, and direct supervision of program staff and management of consultants/vendors to ensure quality service, timely deliverables and compliance.  The successful candidate will possess the knowledge and skills needed; and have Capitol Hill experience and/or experience managing similar programs. 

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

A.    Reports to:  Senior Vice President

B.    Directly Supervises:  Senior Program Coordinator

C.    Indirectly Supervises:  Program participants; Alumni leaders; consultants and vendors providing professional services or deliverables.

D.    Type of Supervision Received:  Minimal

E.    Internal Relationships:  Close coordination with Senior Vice President Resource Development; Communications and Marketing; and the Center for Policy Analysis and Research; and Senior Director, Finance and Administration and Human Resources to effect maximum financial support, marketability and integrated execution of all CBCF programs across departments

F.     External Relationships: Program participants; CBCF donors and supporters, CBC Members and staff; consultants and vendors 

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

A.    Essential duties and responsibilities include:

Institute Leadership and Management

1. Lead and direct the day-to-day development, growth, implementation, and administration of CBCF Leadership Institute.  Provide oversight of all programs to ensure successful coordination and delivery of program services.  Work with the programs team to develop and maintain the quality of the programs and compliance with requirements, procedures and standards.   
2. Oversee the management of program staff to ensure program goals are met and that program participants make the most of their experience.  Liaise with Resource Development and other departments to monitor and maximize program education and stakeholder partnerships and funding opportunities.  
3. Work collaboratively with the Senior Vice President to maximize the CBCF Leadership Institute’s viability, visibility, and sustainability through its stellar fellowship, internship, and scholarship programs; and that ongoing programs or initiatives are consistent with CBCF’s goals and objectives.  Lead the collaboration and engagement to further develop an Alumni Association to showcase the CBCF Leadership Institute’s impact globally.  
4. Identify and manage strategic training seminars and leadership development opportunities to provide enhanced learning opportunities necessary to develop and groom participants to become effective public servants and emerging leaders.   Cultivate participation of fellows, interns, and Alumni to take full advantage of program opportunities and objectives.
5. Oversee the performance monitoring and evaluation; and tracking and reporting for each program; including but not limited to CBCF’s fellowship programs, internship programs, scholarship programs, alumni association, study abroad programs, and Emerge 535 initiative. Provide data to showcase the outcome and impact on participants, the organization and partnerships.
6. Ensure software functions are accurate and up to date, including website and database applications and maintenance for fellows, interns, scholarships, alumni, and similar programs. Produce and maintain departmental operations manual and/or training manuals to facilitate business continuity and team cohesiveness. 
7. Supervise and lead a team of three program staff, demonstrating ongoing coaching, collaboration and cross-training on program policies and procedures necessary to continually administer and execute program goals and objectives with equity, excellence, and impact. 
8. Provide perspective and guidance to program manager in the management of multigenerational program participants; stakeholder cultivation/participation; and oversight to resolve everyday program issues.

Stakeholder Engagement and Fund Development

1. Organize and oversee fundraising events.  Engage and collaborate with key stakeholders to produce impactful professional development workshops, briefings, meetings, and leadership seminars to maximize educational opportunities, branding and partnership potential. 
2. Cultivate relationships and foster ongoing meaningful partnerships with Hill offices to facilitate fellows and intern placement goals and objectives; and enhanced educational opportunities.  Attend meetings and prepare briefings as required.
3. Oversee planning and execution of program opening and closing ceremonies and/or orientation meetings for program participants, and selection procedures for scholarship applicants and recipients.  Liaise with Alumni Association to cultivate ongoing engagement, mentoring and leadership development.
4. Research and prepare grants to increase program funding and support for new initiatives.  Manage necessary grant reporting and oversight to complete and comply with grant and funding requirements. 
5. Draft budgets with accurate forecast of revenue and expenditures and monthly monitoring to facilitate sound financial and fiduciary oversight, while utilizing program tracking codes accordingly.
6. Work collaboratively across departments, to advance the goals of the organization.  Engage and brainstorm with colleagues to effectively inform decisions necessary to maintain a high-performance culture with a commitment to quality. 

Team Development and Management

1. Manage and guide staff to promote customer service and executional excellence in support of the CBCF organization strategy.  Ensure understanding and compliance to professional ethics, and jurisdictional and legal requirements throughout all program operations. 
2. Coach staff on ways to leverage and build relationships with key stakeholder groups to advance the CBCF’s mission.  Provide leadership in development of inter/intra-team communication and cohesiveness to support continual organization growth.
3. Establish and monitor staff performance and develop yearly SMART goals with objectives and priorities aligned with the mission.  Conduct performance reviews and administer salary adjustments accordingly.  Recruit and retain high performance team members, empowering them to develop in performance and responsibility.

B.    Additional Functions

1. Identify strategic partners to help further the mission of the CBCF. Think creatively to actively pursue opportunities to advance and promote expanded programs and initiatives.
2. Represent CBCF on important committees and task forces (internal/external) as assigned.
3. Prepare talking points and presentation reports as requested.
4. Manage staff, vendors, and consultants in connect with large scale events.  Effectively manage and balance administrative responsibilities with capacity to deliver against organization goals and objectives. 
5. Create an environment supportive of equal employment opportunity.
6. Perform other duties and projects as assigned.

C.    Required Special Skills

1. Effectively communicate Program Department deliverables to a variety of constituents and stakeholders across a variety of mediums (internal and external).
2. Strong familiarity with the federal legislative process and political environment.
3. Effectively negotiate contracts and proposals with consultants and vendors for the maximum benefit to the CBCF.
4. Proven program and project management skills and experience in designing, managing and delivering high quality projects on time.
5. Demonstrate superb oral and written communication and presentation skills in a range of formats to include meetings, briefings, reports, media articles and blogs.    

RESPONSIBILITY FOR ACCURACY/ACCOUNTABILITY

The Incumbent must communicate with stakeholders on a national and local level to positively influence the effectiveness of CBCF in achieving its objectives.  The Senior Director, Leadership Institute must follow and adhere to federal, state and local ethics laws, as well as CBCF policies governing conduct, in addition to performing their duties in an ethical, professional and objective manner. Failure to comply may result in penalties for CBCF and the Senior Director, Leadership Institute.

SPECIFICATIONS

A.      Knowledge:  Advanced degree in public policy, education administration or related field is required.  Alternatively, the candidate must have a bachelor’s degree in public policy or education administration with a minimum of seven years of proven relevant experience or related work.  Must possess at least five years of supervisory experience in a senior leadership/management position with demonstrated ability to lead, supervise and direct teams; and manage resources and budgets. Plus, a minimum of five years of program management experience is required. Applicants with congressional work experience or intimate understanding of the landscape of Capitol Hill is highly preferred.  Experience writing and managing grants is a plus. 

B.      Skills and Abilities:  The incumbent must have multigenerational management experience and related skills to oversee and engage a variety of stakeholders in various settings, while managing multiple programs or projects with attention to detail, excellent judgment, and creative solutions.  Must be a mature, professional leader with sound judgment and problem-solving skills and leadership ability. Must demonstrate strategic and forward thinking with proven results-driven program development, implementation and project management success.  Requires excellent interpersonal skills with experience forging varied relationships with internal and external stakeholders, and ability to leverage new partnerships.  Excellent written and oral communications skills is a must.  Must be flexible, adaptable, and available for evening and weekend events and/or off-hours responses as necessary, which can be frequent. Experience with planning events or forums is a plus.

C.     Computer and Technical Proficiencies: Highly proficient skills in Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and overall aptitude for technology and cloud-based software are required. Proficiency with telecommunications devices such as iPads, iPhone and/or Androids preferred. Experience with education or scholarship software is helpful.

D.     Physical Requirements:  Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with strict deadlines, ability to work long hours, weekends and moderate travel.  Must work well under pressure and be able to manage simultaneous priorities and deliverables.

CBCF is an equal opportunity employer and offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits package including health, dental, vision, 403(b), paid vacation and sick time. Qualified applicants only must forward a cover letter, resume, salary requirements and three professional references, until position is filled, using CBCF’s online employment portal.  No phone calls accepted.