Oakland Leaf Foundation Job Posting Executive Director

Oakland Leaf Foundation
Job Posting
Executive Director
Description of our Organization
The Oakland Leaf Foundation was incorporated in 2002 by a group of Oakland educators who shared a
commitment to cultivate community transformation through creative education for youth and families. Oakland Leaf
provides free innovative programs and services to feed the minds, bodies, and spirits of low-income youth and
families in East Oakland. Our model takes a holistic approach and is rooted in interweaving five core
components that correlate to challenges faced by our community: 1) STEM (Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Math), 2) Literacy, 3) Art and Culture 4) Health and Wellness, 5) Empowerment and
Leadership. We run five comprehensive after-school programs for elementary and middle school students (at
ASCEND, EnCompass Academy, International Community School, Think College Now, and Urban Promise
Academy), wrap-around family resource centers, a nationally recognized high school leadership and media arts
fellowship program, school-based community garden and ecology programs, an All Oakland Youth Talent
Showcase, and a three-week arts, leadership, and social justice education summer camp called Oakland Peace
Camp.
Oakland Leaf has grown to serve over 1,100 students and families annually, guided by our credo, “Love is an
action!”
WE PLANT SEEDS TO GROW. WE ROOT IN, RISE UP, AND BRANCH OUT. WE’RE COMMITTED TO STAY.
Position Summary
The Board of Directors of Oakland Leaf seeks a resourceful and visionary executive leader in the field of
education and youth development. In partnership with the Board and staff, the successful candidate will
build upon a recent expansion effort, maintain the excellence in programming Oakland Leaf is known for,
further develop our outstanding programs that now exist throughout Oakland, and deepen our partnerships
with community members and stakeholders. S/he will have a demonstrated track record of visionary
leadership coupled with the proven skills to implement successful strategic growth. S/he also will have
demonstrated an ability to articulate a vision for Oakland Leaf that will continue to draw resources to our
organization and allow it to increase its reach and impact for the greater community.
Job Description
The Executive Director serves as the chief executive and operating officer for Oakland Leaf reporting to the
Board of Directors. The position is responsible for upholding the vision of the organization, the execution of
the organization’s policies and programs, including management and direction of all operating activities with a
strong emphasis on contributed revenue development and programmatic stability and enhancement.
Strategy and Vision
• Establishes Oakland Leaf as the thought leader in youth development and creative arts education
• Works with Board of Directors and Leadership Team to lead and facilitate organizational
development and establish strategic direction
Fundraising
• Provides strong leadership to the Board and Development Staff in identifying and pursuing
contributed income to support the organization, including maintaining and initiating new primary
relationships with institutional funders and individuals donors
• Oversees the work of the development staff in its activities, including the crafting and submission of
grant requests
Program Development
7700 Edgewater Drive, Suite 818 Oakland, California 94621-3030 phone: 510 564 4334 fax: 510 969 5694 www.oaklandleaf.org

Oakland Leaf Foundation
Job Posting
Executive Director
• Sets program priorities and standards in coordination with Board of Directors and in direct
partnership with Oakland Leaf’s Associate Director
• Works with Associate Director to ensure that programs develop around Oakland Leaf’s key
initiatives
Administrative Management and Leadership
• Manages the organization, including key leadership staff, all administrative and fiscal policies and
procedures, maintaining the highest quality of operational and professional management
• Ensures that the organization is appropriately structured and staffed with competent employees and
faculty, while maintaining a culture that emphasizes and relies on collaboration, mutual respect, and
commitment to Oakland Leaf’s mission
Community Relations
• Oversees community relations and marketing programs that enhance Oakland Leaf’s visibility and
reputation in the community
Board Relations and Development
• Assists the Board in its efforts to grow and become an ever more effective governing body
• Keeps the Board informed of internal and external issues important to the Board’s planning and
policy development responsibilities
• Works in conjunction with the Board to maintain fiscal oversight and responsibility
Desired Qualifications and Expertise
• Extensive experience in the development and management of nonprofits, with a minimum of five
years of leadership in small-to-medium sized organizations
• Strong fundraising skills and a proven record in the diversity of fundraising: in particular, individual
donor giving, along with public and private grantwriting, funder relations, event planning and
resource development
• Proven expertise in developing creative strategies and new avenues for sustenance and growing an
organization
• Solid budget development and fiscal management experience
• Success in leading nonprofit organizations focused on contributing to the development of the whole
child; demonstrated commitment to youth development and social change
• Familiarity with after-school programs and an understanding of the current political environment as
it relates to education
• Proven expertise in nonprofit staff supervision, management and training, including the ability to
mentor, support, develop and inspire staff; commitment to professional development at all levels
• Established ability to work as part of an organizational team and with people with differing racial,
ethnic, socioeconomic, educational, religious, sexual orientation, gender and generational
backgrounds and experiences
• Ability to foster a positive and productive organizational culture
• Aptitude for strategic Board development and fostering Board/Staff relations
• Highly organized and motivated, with the ability to monitor organizational plans and keep work
moving efficiently with limited resources
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to market and advocate publicly
for Oakland Leaf
• Solid analytical, strategic planning and organizational skills
• Sense of humor and ability to confront challenging fiscal realities with tenacity and a positive attitude
• Bilingual Spanish/English preferred.
7700 Edgewater Drive, Suite 818 Oakland, California 94621-3030 phone: 510 564 4334 fax: 510 969 5694 www.oaklandleaf.org

Oakland Leaf Foundation
Job Posting
Executive Director
Compensation
Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. Benefits include generous medical and dental
coverage and vacation. Oakland Leaf is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and is committed
to fostering diversity in its staff. People of color are encouraged to apply.
To Apply
Send to oaklandleaf.jobs@oaklandleaf.org, cover letter, resume, and thoughtful answers to the following 3
questions (150 words or less per question):
1. Please describe your biggest accomplishment in your current or past leadership role.
2. Describe a challenge that you had at your last job. What actions did you take to overcome this
challenge? What were the results of your actions? What did you learn from that experience?
Attn: Erin Lewellen, Oakland Leaf
oaklandleaf.jobs@oaklandleaf.org
No phone calls or faxes please.
Posted 11/19/12
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, as received.
www.oaklandleaf.org
7700 Edgewater Drive, Suite 818 Oakland, California 94621-3030 phone: 510 564 4334 fax: 510 969 5694 www.oaklandleaf.org