Evergreen Executive Source, LLC
P.O. Box 412
Haddonfield, NJ 08033
ph: 800 286 4009
Evergree
Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana
Headquarters located in Chicago
Position to be Filled 1st Quarter 2014
Apply Immediately for Consideration
Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana announces a search partnership with Evergreen Executive Source, LLC to identify candidates and advise on selection of a new CEO. Evergreen is a retained search firm with depth of experience in non-profit executive sourcing and selection, and has conducted searches nation-wide for over a decade serving the interests of Girl Scout councils across all regions of the country. All information provided to Evergreen will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.
THE OPPORTUNITY
Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana seeks a visionary executive to lead the operations of the country’s largest Girl Scout council serving nearly 70,000 girls and nearly 25,000 adult members and volunteers in 245 communities in 10 counties and two states.
Guided by the Girl Scout Mission to build girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place, the CEO leads the organization as the link between the board of directors and a professional staff that executes its responsibilities to serve the needs and interests of the current and potential girl and adult members in the Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana area, as well as the communities in which these members live and work. The CEO manages and supports the council’s governance process so that board members perform their fiscal, policy and community relations responsibilities with knowledge and confidence.
Of critical importance in this market are the CEO’s outward-facing responsibilities to network and build relationships with corporate, philanthropic and governmental organizations which expand the council’s visibility and create opportunities for significant membership growth and financial support by ensuring that investing in girls is a priority. The CEO informs and engages current and potential funders by representing the council at strategic functions, serving as the council media spokesperson and leveraging influential speaking opportunities.
The CEO represents the council to myriad stakeholder groups and organizations in the Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana area, including partner organizations, funders and most proudly, its girl members and volunteers.
The CEO provides stewardship of the council’s finances, administration and operations, and provides oversight for policies and practices that affect volunteers, members and staff. Responsibilities include ensuring successful achievement of strategic goals and instilling a shared organizational vision of its mission and strategic direction.
The CEO directs the day-to-day operations in collaboration with the members of the senior leadership team who oversee departmental teams of professional staff. Key areas of oversight managed by the senior leadership team include achieving a higher market share of girl members, especially those in grades K-5; simplifying the volunteer experience to achieve greater customer satisfaction and encourage retention; achieving council business goals through earned and contributed revenue; delivering impactful and relevant programming for girls and training opportunities for adults; and ensuring effective marketing and communication strategies engage and inform girls, families, and volunteers in the council’s large service area.
THE ORGANIZATION
Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana is the preeminent organization serving the interests of girls, ages 5 – 17, in the region. With current membership of more than 69,500 girls and more than 24,600 adults, and a staff of 171, the council is the largest in the country in a network of 112 councils. The council has an annual operating budget of $17 million. It has a high-profile headquarters in downtown Chicago, and also operates a number of regional gathering places (offices) and a variety of camp properties located throughout the council’s jurisdiction to provide year-round engagement opportunities for girls, families, adult members, and community partners. All Girl Scout programs and activities – from camping to computing, arts to engineering, service projects to field trips – are designed to challenge and prepare girls for a future of leadership and achievement.
CRITICAL GOALS
Successful measures of accomplishment will be determined in the following areas.
· Being the key communicator for the organization, and demonstrating the highest qualities of integrity, judgment, adaptability and self-awareness.
· Inspiring others to be high performers by demonstrating leadership and courage, and fostering a culture that encourages discussion, collaboration and teamwork.
· Bringing effective business management practices to the critical functions of finance, fundraising, human resources and volunteer management.
· Supporting the diversity of membership and enhancing opportunities for membership growth in all communities.
· Demonstrating effective management to bring an idea from concept to plan to implementation while maintaining process and strategic learning within the organization.
· Ensuring the council is advancing its use of business technology and communications in its presentation and outreach to constituents.
CEO QUALIFICATIONS
As the CEO of the largest council in the country, the successful candidate will inspire, motivate and support organizational innovation balanced by the skillful oversight of implementation and measurement.
The CEO will possess solid and broad-based business skills with a minimum of seven years’ comparable executive-level experience with a premier brand, including profit and loss accountability, strategic business planning and execution, and 15 or more years in managerial roles of progressive responsibility.
This position is one of prominence and high visibility in the community, and it is expected that the CEO will be an experienced spokesperson with outstanding presentation skills and the ability to interact with the broadest range of audiences.
Additional supporting qualifications include non-profit board relations and demonstrated fundraising or corporate sales experience, marketing, and volunteer relations leadership. It is expected that candidates will possess a minimum of an undergraduate degree, with advanced degree preferred.
Personal attributes of the CEO will include commitment to the Girl Scout Mission, and the passion and ability to be the voice for that mission across the council’s large service area. The CEO will be a person of strong ideals and integrity. The new CEO will possess a style of leadership that embraces partnerships, is collaborative, and empowers stakeholders to achieve their highest potential, all the while meeting mutually agreed upon accountability measures. A strong commitment to serving girls from all family, community and economic backgrounds is essential.
Skilled executives from corporate, non-profit, or other backgrounds who are dedicated to providing world-class leadership development opportunities for girls 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 benefit package includes generous time off, an employee assistance program, short- and long-term disability plans, medical, dental, vision, and prescription plan. Additionally there is availability of Flexible Spending Accounts, 403(b) with immediate eligibility, and Basic and Supplemental Life/AD&D coverage. Relocation support will be considered.
THE COMMUNITIES AND JURISDICTION SERVED
Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana serves girls in 245 communities in six Illinois counties (Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kankakee, Lake, and Will) and four Indiana counties (Jasper, Lake, Newton, and Porter).
Council web site: http://www.girlscoutsgcnwi.org/
HOW TO APPLY
Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana is an equal opportunity employer.
We encourage expressions of interest in advance of December 31, 2013, to fill this important position in a timely manner. After that date, we will continue to accept applications until the job is filled. For immediate consideration, please e-mail your cover letter and resume along with salary history to:
Bob Perodeau, Principal
E-mail: evergreen.source@att.net
Direct Line (800) 221 6663 http://www.egreensource.com/
Providing executive recruiting services to Girl Scouts of the USA since 2001
Copyright 2010 Evergreen Executive Source, LLC. All rights reserved.
P.O. Box 412
Haddonfield, NJ 08033
ph: 800 286 4009
Evergree