Evergreen Executive Source, LLC

Congratulations to Jamie Boersma.

CEO - Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa, Des Moines

 Chief Executive Officer

Position to be Filled by November 2011

THE OPPORTUNITY

Girl Scouting is soon to celebrate its 100^th Anniversary in 2012 as the preeminent girl-focused organization in theUnited States.  It remains unsurpassed in its ability to create opportunities for the empowerment of girls through the collaboration of girls, families, volunteers, staff, community partners, and funders.  The Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa is building on the heritage of its five legacy councils which combined in 2007 to foster a cohesive and effective high capacity organization to bring Girl Scouting’s contemporary programs to more girls than ever before.

The Chief Executive Officer is charged with expanding opportunities for girls in Western Iowa and some adjacent communities inNebraskaandSouth Dakota.  While honoring the traditions of Girl Scouting, the CEO will provide highly visible and dynamic leadership to advance a vibrant and challenging contemporary environment for girl and adult members and volunteers.  Capitalizing on the strengths of its 3,000 volunteers and 55 staff, the Council provides the Girl Scout experience to a diverse population of girls currently numbering 14,000+ in ages 5 to 17 in the communities served. 

Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa has been named one of 17 advocacy champions nationwide to work in partnership with GSUSA staff over the next year positioning Girl Scouts as the voice for girls inIowaand at the national level.  Together, Advocacy Champions will help advance the Girl Scout Movement and improve girls' lives through legislative awareness and education to address issues that impact girls.  The visionary and strategic leadership of the CEO is essential to fulfill the promise of Girl Scouting, to develop each girl with strong values, a social conscience, and conviction about her own potential and self-worth.

The CEO will bring leadership, strategic direction, fiscal strength and vision to the Council, promoting Girl Scout visibility as an ambassador of Girl Scouting in the council’s jurisdiction, the “go-to” person on girls’ issues in the state ofIowa.  The CEO will oversee and be responsible to provide the Girl Scout experience to a diverse population of girls.  The CEO will ensure that quality programming and varied pathways to Scouting are provided by qualified professional staff and trained volunteers.  The CEO will partner with the Board to ensure adequate funds are available for programming, council operations and to maintain the integrity of council assets.  The CEO is the liaison with funding sources and ensures the Council is the community advocate on girl issues throughout Western Iowa and the bordering communities served inSouth DakotaandNebraska.

Key objectives include building a strong foundation of fiscal strength based on diversification of income, increasing membership in all communities, and taking the Council to a new level of operations in a digital and media-savvy environment.  In addition to a normal office schedule, this position requires occasional evening and weekend meetings and event participation, as well as travel for professional conferences and leadership programs.

Stewardship responsibilities include financial accountability over the $5.9 million annual budget and substantial property accountability over the Des Moinesheadquarters, 4 camp facilities and 5 leadership centers.  Additionally, the CEO will have significant functional responsibility for fundraising and development initiatives, management of senior leadership staff and achievement of pluralism goals for council operations.  The successful CEO will inspire staff to work to their fullest potential and make full use of the strong volunteer base of the Council. 

CEO QUALIFICATIONS

The CEO will possess solid “C” level business skills as well as demonstrated dedication and support for the advancement of young people.  A minimum of 5 years’ senior level experience is desired, with 5 or more years’ executive experience leading organizational change.  In addition, we seek excellence across a broad range of executive and managerial functions, including financial management, fund development, business development, planning, board relations, staff/volunteer relations, and communications.  A tech-savvy individual experienced in current digital and social media channels of communication, the CEO will advance the Council’s marketing and communications strategies using proven technologies. 

Demonstrated leadership in organizations undergoing rapid transformation is essential, with a style of leadership that embraces partnerships, is collaborative, and that empowers stakeholders to achieve their highest potential, all the while meeting mutually agreed upon accountability measures.  It is expected that candidates will possess a minimum of an undergraduate degree or equivalent mix of education, training and experience, with advanced education and training in fields relating to nonprofit leadership highly encouraged.  The incoming CEO will be well served by knowledge of local and regional institutions, communities, and major funding resources. 

Personal attributes of the CEO will include the dedication to the mission of Girl Scouting at all times, and the drive to be the voice for girls throughout the counties served.  The CEO will be a person of strong ideals and integrity who has a combination of vision, strategic and operational planning abilities, and who can serve as a role model of best management practices and solid decision-making.  Skilled corporate, non-profit and higher education executives dedicated to providing world-class leadership development opportunities for girls in the communities served are encouraged to apply for this outstanding executive leadership position.  If this is your background and you share a passion for advancing the lives of girls, we want to speak with you.

COMPENSATION/BENEFITS

The Council offers a competitive compensation plan commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the individual selected.  The Council provides a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off, health, dental, vision and life insurance options, self-directed retirement plan, and other attractive features.  Relocation support will be considered. 

THE COMMUNITIES AND JURISDICTION SERVED

The Girl Scouts of Iowa Council serves 67 counties in Western Iowa, 2 counties in South Dakota, and 1 county in Nebraska, covering a diverse mix of communities that include urban neighborhoods, suburban, and rural areas.  The Council is headquartered in Des Moines, one of the top “100” cities in the U.S.and the anchor city for a thriving economic region.  Forbes magazine ranked it as the “Best Place for Business” in 2010, and Kiplinger’s Personal Finance ranked it as #9 on its Best Cities List of 2008.  The Council is in close community with major corporate, university, cultural and technological organizations including the headquarters of financial, publishing, and insurance companies, with strong research based businesses in the agricultural and high tech manufacturing sectors. 

Council web site:      http://www.girlscoutsiowa.org/

HOW TO APPLY

You are encouraged to explore this extraordinary opportunity by forwarding your expression of interest as early as possible to accommodate the Council's urgent need to fill this important position.  Inquiries must be received in advance of October 12; those received after that date will be considered based on the Council's timetable.  For consideration, please e-mail your cover letter and resume (preferably MS Word attachments) along with salary requirements as soon as possible to: 

Bob Perodeau, Principal

Evergreen Executive Source, LLC

E-mail:  evergreen.source@att.net

P.O. Box 412 Haddonfield,NJ08033-0412

Voice (800) 221 6663   Fax (800) 451 1451

Providing executive recruiting services to Girl Scouts of the USA since 2001

Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa is an equal opportunity employer