State Executive Director

State Executive Director,

Alabama Court Appointed Special Advocates Network, Inc.

Alabama Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Network, Inc. seeks a collaborative, innovative and inspirational leader to serve as State Executive Director for this empowering, transformational organization. As a servant leader and face of Alabama CASA, the State Executive Director will assure leadership and robust support is provided across 20 counties and 14 CASA programs throughout the state of Alabama. The chosen Executive Leader will ensure communication excellence, responsiveness, accessibility, transparency and trust are the hallmarks of service to member programs; will provide support that fosters growth and strength in existing programs; will be a strategic leader to expand into new service areas; and a passionate, engaging advocate on behalf of Alabama CASA, all to develop funding and increase awareness to serve more abused and neglected children. Reporting to the Alabama CASA Board of Directors, the State Executive Director will be a dependable leader for state managers and specialists, fostering trust and positioning them to support and grow CASA programs to the highest level possible.

About Alabama CASA Network, Inc.

To ensure every abused & neglected child in Alabama has a competent, caring volunteer appointed to advocate for them.

Alabama CASA Network, Inc.’s mission is to equip and empower CASA programs to advocate for all of Alabama’s abused and neglected children. Its vision is that all abused or neglected children will obtain a volunteer to advocate on their behalf so that they may thrive.

Location

While this position is primarily remote and requires travel within the state, the headquarters is

currently located in Montgomery, Alabama as most staff members are located in the general

area. Former CASA headquarters was located in Birmingham, Alabama. Because the State Executive Director is responsible for the state of Alabama, the location of the headquarters is not tied to a particular community.

Position Overview

The incoming State Executive Director will have the opportunity to step into a well-respected, socially significant and well-established nonprofit organization. The Executive Director is ultimately responsible for the overall management of the agency and all aspects of the organization’s operations. This primarily involves the supervision and coordination of a volunteer service program that provides CASA services to abused and neglected children. Key responsibilities include, but are not restricted to, resource development and maintenance, community and public relations, technical assistance, agency and program planning, agency liaison to the Board of Directors, personnel and fiscal management.

Job Specifications

Resource

Research and prepare and/or provide oversight on grant proposals and other funding applications.

Develop and maintain a donor base for both monetary and non-monetary resources. Collaborate with the board on fundraising events and activities. Develop a plan for sustainable financial support for Alabama CASA.

Community Engagement

Coordinate public relations with the purpose of recruiting volunteers and increasing public awareness of the CASA program, its goals and activities. Develop and maintain relationships with all appropriate groups, agencies and organizations, and applicable other child advocacy agencies and community service organizations. Oversee release of press packets and news releases and follow-up of any media coverage. Approve all written public relations material printed by the agency. Be available for public speaking engagements.

Agency & Program Planning

Meet regularly with program staff:

• Determine and discuss any problems or plans involving volunteers (recruitment, training, screening and supervision), court staff, agency personnel, or agency operations.

• Stay informed of all relevant activities of the agency.

• Ensure all necessary forms are filed with the appropriate agency for all necessary permits, memberships, licenses, etc.

• Prepare quarterly program reports.

• Keep Juvenile Court Administration and other child welfare agencies apprised of agency directives and activities.

• Oversee agency and program compliance with established policies and procedures.

• Develop and initiate time-oriented strategic plans to establish agency goals (e.g., three-five year plans).

• Collaborate with Program Directors to establish metrics and goals for each program.

• Review program/agency progress and compare to goals and objectives.

• Ensure agency compliance with National and State CASA standards.

• Put in place established criteria for grant monies distribution and communicate to all programs.

Board of Directors Liaison

Attend all board meetings. Oversee implementation of all board directives, policies, and procedures. Serve as liaison between board and agency staff. Keep board apprised of agency operations, changes, and challenges.

Personnel Management

Hire and supervise administrative and management staff employed by the Alabama CASA Network to include applicable local program staff. Write and revise, as necessary, the job descriptions for all staff within the agency. Prepare yearly performance evaluations (oral and written) for all administrative and management staff.

Fiscal Management

Manage day-to-day fiscal operations. Submit monthly and quarterly financial reports to grantors as

required. Review and approve all monthly and quarterly reports and documentation to substantiate those reports.

Qualifications

• Possesses a heart for child advocacy.

• Demonstrated skills in fiscal management, resource development and maintenance, agency and program planning and public relations.

• Success in a leadership role that includes leading teams, profit and loss responsibilities, and balancing the needs of multiple, competing stakeholders. Experience in organizing and administering resources.

• Documented relevant experience and career growth that reflects an understanding of the business side of the nonprofit sector.

• Strong understanding of nonprofit CASA program services.

• Proven ability to provide transparent and engaged leadership. Experience delegating and supporting a culture of empowerment.

• Ability to effectively construct and communicate a clear vision. Ability to garner support for short and long-term strategic plans from various constituents.

• Demonstrated ability in public speaking.

• Demonstrated success in fundraising and development.

• Ability to network and strengthen collaboration with nonprofit partners both locally, statewide and nationally.

• Ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with courts, local programs and potential donors.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

• Consummate professional with demonstrated sensitivity to difficult situations.

• Willing to learn and to provide/receive feedback.

• Demonstrated experience and success with reorganization and restructuring a program.

• Bachelor’s degree or higher.

Attributes Desired

• Experience and diplomacy to work collaboratively, effectively, and with consistency throughout the organization. An ability to build consensus through collaboration with staff and Program Directors.

• Enthusiastic, passionate and visible leader who can articulate and communicate Alabama CASA’s strategic vision to internal and external constituencies. Savvy public relations skill that continually increases the reputation and standing of the organization.

• Visible and accessible, with responsive listening skills and active interest in personal and professional development of others.

• The ability to relate to and engage with donors; the ability to fundraise. Resourceful.

• Talent to influence people positively.

• Innovative, strategic, and future-oriented. Dynamic and results oriented.

• Consistently challenges him/herself and others to be better; leads by example with high accountable standards and expectations. Embraces challenges.

• Positive minded, likable persona with a sense of humor and exceptional relational skills.

• Outstanding mentoring skills, a motivator.

• Supportive, pragmatic, and engaged hands-on management. Encourages contributions from staff and Program Directors in a way that promotes teamwork.

• Personal and professional integrity beyond reproach. Trustworthy.

• Empathetic and caring, yet able to make tough decisions when necessary.

• Understands and excels in resource management.

• Respects and values diverse cultures and inclusivity.

• Catalyst to create a culture of professionalism and service.

Key Attractors

• Experience not only professional success, but also personal gratification through serving our most vulnerable constituencies in the state of Alabama, on a large scale.

• Unique opportunity to provide strategic vision and help positively shape the future of neglected and abused children.

• With both new and experienced, hardworking staff in place, autonomy and independence to guide and to grow existing program service areas and to expand Alabama CASA’s footprint.

• Opportunity for great cross-collaboration with businesses and other nonprofits throughout the state.

• CASA enjoys significant support from the state of Alabama.

• Work alongside people who are committed, passionate and believe in the purpose of CASA.

• Headquartered in a relaxed, friendly, rising, small town with the flexibility to accommodate remote work.

• Above all, serve an important role in society through a growing organization that helps equip and position volunteers to be strong advocates for neglected and abused children.

Candidates must successfully complete local and federal criminal background checks, sex offender background checks, and Child Abuse Registry clearances.