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TECHBRIDGE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (CEO) / EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR POSITION DESCRIPTION Techbridge seeks a seasoned CEO / Executive Director who will lead the organization in inspiring girls to discover a passion for technology, science and engineering and empowering the next generation of innovators and leaders through hands-on learning. This experienced leader will collaborate with the Board of Directors and staff to advance the organization as a leader in the STEM education space.
ABOUT TECHBRIDGE Techbridge (www.techbridgegirls.org) is an award-winning nonprofit that is engineering a revolution for girls to change the world through science, technology, and engineering. Techbridge delivers after-school programs for 4th through 12th grade girls in lowincome communities to inspire their interest in science and technology careers, and provides training and resources on science and technology education to national partners like Girl Scouts and YMCA. Since its founding in 2000, Techbridge has reached over 66,000 youth across the country. With long-established programs in the San Francisco Bay Area, new offices across the country, and major national partnerships, Techbridge is at an exciting inflection point. The organization currently has an annual budget of approximately $3.4 million and 30 employees in 4 offices, and is poised for bold growth to increase its impact. Techbridge’s model uniquely combines four major elements: • • • •
Innovative curricula focusing on hands-on science, technology and engineering projects that are developed and tested for girls; Career exploration including role model visits, worksite visits, and career activities; Professional development supporting teachers, role models, staff, volunteers, and partners; and Resources for families to help them support and make informed choices with girls.
Techbridge is the longest-standing organization focused on empowering girls through STEM education. It has proven success and a strong reputation for its work to date. A longitudinal study comparing outcomes of girls who have participated in Techbridge programs with non-participating girls from the same school showed that Techbridge girls:
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Graduate from high school at higher rates; Have higher GPAs; Perform better on standardized STEM exams; Show greater tendency to enroll and earn better grades in AP Calculus; and Are twice as likely as the national average to choose STEM majors in college.
In addition to its proven model, Techbridge focuses on rigorous attention to research, program evaluation, and continuous improvement that is embedded in the organization’s culture. This work is supported by a strong, devoted and talented team. The organization has recently experienced significant growth. In 2015, Techbridge scaled after-school programs nationally to include offices in Seattle and Washington D.C. To sustain this growth, the leadership team has built operational infrastructure, a development program and initiated a strategic planning process. The key growth objectives currently include: maintaining Techbridge’s program quality; continuing to foster strong student, teacher and family outcomes; fortifying its staff of dedicated professionals; building financial strength; and continuing to advance impact in the field. The transition of Techbridge’s founder presents a unique and exciting opportunity for the organization. A new leader will have the capability to build on the success to date and position the organization for a new chapter of impact, efficiency and success.
POSITION OVERVIEW The CEO / Executive Director will collaborate with the Board of Directors and staff to build on the organization’s growth, further Techbridge as a leader in the field of STEM education and advance the organization to the next stage of maturity and strength. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES This requires a CEO who will: STRATEGY • Champion and advance the strategy and vision for the organization, execute on the vision and align stakeholders to bring Techbridge to its next stage of impact. • Collaborate with the Board of Directors and Executive Team in developing and implementing a growth plan for Techbridge. • Position Techbridge as the leading national program model and research and dissemination center for promoting girls’ leadership in technology, engineering and science.
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LEADERSHIP • Exhibit strong leadership in mentoring and developing a highly experienced team of professionals to achieve Techbridge’s goals. • Foster an organization that has at its core a culture of collaboration, respect, transparency, inclusiveness and professional excellence, while nurturing and supporting all members of the team. • Collaborate with the Board of Directors in strategic meetings and support the highest caliber of governance and transparency. • Shepherd partnerships with collaborators, funders and stakeholders to bolster the foundation of support for the organization. DEVELOPMENT / FINANCE • Work with Director of Development and Communications to establish and manage a resource development plan aligned with the growth strategy and vision set by the new CEO, which includes identifying and cultivating relationships with foundation, government, corporate and individual donors. • Build reserve to ensure fiscal responsibility and sustainability throughout growth. PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT / MARKETING • Represent Techbridge among a national network of organizations, community leaders, educators, policy makers, and funders to foster collaboration and sectorwide leadership for Techbridge. • Participate on national panels, forums and advisory boards to inform the field of effective programs and policy on gender and educational equity in STEM. • Initiate, cultivate and maintain partnerships critical to Techbridge’s programmatic work and mission. EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS The successful candidate will have: • • •
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Demonstrated ability to think strategically, define a vision, and establish and execute plans to achieve the mission. Experience in overseeing the financial health of an organization with a budget of $3M+, exhibiting fiscal responsibility and sustainability. Proven experience managing and leading an organization, particularly through a phase of growth and transition, while maintaining high quality programs and services. Demonstrated entrepreneurial success transforming and bringing initiatives or organizations to scale. Empowers staff to try new ideas and “fail fast”. Proven track record of success in fundraising or business development, including growing a network of funders (institutional and individual) around a unified vision. Ability to cultivate and grow a diverse range of relationships, both at a national and local level. Significant senior management experience, including cultivating talent, fostering a culture of collaboration and managing conflict-resolution. Experience in hiring,
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supervising, and growing a highly proficient, talented and diverse staff to support the vision of the organization. Excellent communication skills as a public speaker and writer. Communicates with transparency, openness and integrity. Proven expertise in effectively developing and managing budgets of similar and larger sizes. Commitment to the mission of Techbridge. Experience working with youth, education, technology and/or STEM a plus.
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES The successful candidate will have: •
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Collaborative and decisive leadership. The CEO / Executive Director will need to have the ability to lead, influence and collaborate with Executive Staff, exhibit transparency and openness to all staff and make decisive action when consensus cannot be reached. Ability to pivot and adapt successfully alongside Board, staff and stakeholders. Dedication and passion for the mission of Techbridge. Knowledge of STEM education and associated sectors (education, after school programs, youth, girls) a plus. Dynamic, visible and inspiring communication skills. Able to communicate passion for mission to funders, partners and stakeholders. Able to effectively represent and bring credibility to Techbridge in the field. Empathy for staff and program participants. Natural ability to understand what motivates others, how to find win/win, collaborative opportunities and how to foster a culture of positive reinforcement. Exemplifies emotional intelligence with demonstrated self-awareness, selfregulation, social rapport, passion and motivation.
Techbridge is an equal opportunity employer that embraces a diverse, multicultural work environment. People of all ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.
For additional information please contact: Amy Whittaker,
[email protected]. If you are interested in applying or want to nominate someone for this position please send a letter explaining your interest along with your current resume and salary history to
[email protected], and be sure to include “Techbridge CEO” in the subject line. All nominations and expressions of interest will be held in the strictest confidence.
