Independent Sector has openings for several positions and welcomes referrals from member organizations. Independent Sector is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in its staff.

• Chief Administrative Officer
• Director, Nonprofit Sector Programs and Practice
• Manager, Nonprofit Community Communications Initiative
• Public Affairs Associate, Public Policy and Government Affairs

Our members also have openings available that may interest you.

Chief Administrative Officer

Reporting to and working closely with the President and Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Administrative Officer will partner and collaborate with key members of the senior leadership team, to ensure highly efficient processes by applying best practices in organization, planning, finance, and administration. The CAO will support IS’s mission by leading and overseeing the administrative functions of the organization including Finance, Administration, Facilities, Information Technology (that is currently outsourced, with one full time staff assigned to IS), Conference/Event Planning and Membership. There will be a total staff of 15.

IS created this new position to streamline processes. The CAO will provide thought leadership and guidance to all areas of the organization on planning, budgeting, facilities maintenance, administrative operations, event planning, use of technology and membership growth and retention. This dynamic leader will consistently seek out and recommend process improvements that will increase the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the organization and its operations.

Short-term performance expectations for the position include:

• Embrace IS’s mission and develop a thorough understanding of the organization’s current systems and processes.
• Establish credibility and trust with his or her peers at IS.
• Support the efforts of the Programs and Public Policy function.
• Provide oversight and support for IS’s move to its new home.

The successful candidate will need to have the experience, presence, maturity, and intellectual ability to make a substantive contribution to IS’s administrative operations. The person must be well-versed in administration and have demonstrated experience in finance and project management. Expertise with managing facilities and information technology is desired. The person must offer a track record of retooling processes and systems to make them more efficient and effective. He/she must be creative in saving money and generating new income streams. The individual must also be organizationally savvy and fully embrace IS’s mission. In addition, he or she must be fair, transparent, trustworthy, patient, a team-player, resourceful, organized, and be a true collaborator and partner. Finally, the person must have a demonstrated track of motivating and managing committed individuals applying a collegial and empowerment style.

Candidates who possess these qualities and experiences will likely come from the non-profit sector. IS is also open to individuals who come from the corporate setting who can quickly apply their skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Work with a successful finance operation to continue to maintain IS’s stellar record and high standards of stewardship and governance.
• Oversee the prudent use of organizational resources to ensure highest and best possible deployment of organizational resources.
• Streamline processes to reduce duplication of efforts and enhance organizational effectiveness.
• Implement a system of reporting that will allow greater knowledge-sharing and support the organization in development of budgets and strategic plans.
• Support and help to implement successful membership outreach and retention efforts.
• Provide direction to event planning area to result in successful attendee-focused conference and meetings, with efficient use of resources.
• Ensure IS meetings and conferences have the most efficient and cost effective structure is in place to meet the needs.
• Ensure financial statements that are clear, consistent, and support the reporting requirements for funders.
• Provide responsive customer service and communicate openly, proactively, and quickly to all of IS’s departments.
• Lead facilities-related functions including building management, maintenance of successful tenant relationships and ensuring high-quality tenant service as needed.
• Act as a liaison to outsourced IT function to ensure maintenance and support of effective systems.
• Convene meetings of management team on a quarterly basis to coordinate work and improve operations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required, MBA or other masters degree strongly preferred
• At least 10 years experience in providing senior administrative leadership in an association or nonprofit organization preferred or equivalent experience that is relevant and transferable.
• Detail orientation with strong organizational and project management skills.
• Strong financial skills and business acumen and sense.
• Past experience managing facilities is preferred.
• Successful track record of process and systems improvement.
• Highly collaborative interpersonal style.
• Ability to provide leadership, day-to-day management and hands-on execution as needed.
• Passionate commitment to IS’s core values and mission.
• Highest level of personal and professional integrity and quality standards
• Ability to interface with internal constituencies using a solution-oriented approach.
• Ability to interact with a variety of individuals and audiences and ability to work cross-functionally with a team of highly motivated and experienced individuals.

Personal Characteristics

The ideal candidate will be empathic, intelligent, honest, mature, creative, and trustworthy who has a flexible personality. He or she must be a team player and self-starter who can work well with others to support IS’s mission.

Other personal characteristics include:

• Excellent presentation, verbal, written and interpersonal and team-building communication skills.
• High level of initiative and drive with a strong sense of urgency and accountability.
• Adaptable and resilient with the ability to deal with multiple stakeholders and competing demands effectively.
• Ability to be passionate and focused, but still have fun and keep a smile.
• Impeccable ethics and integrity are required to build both internal and external credibility.

Search Team and Contact Information

Diversified Search Ray & Berndston is delighted to be partnering with and working for Independent Sector to find great candidates for the CAO position. We welcome hearing from interested candidates directly or individuals who can recommend great people for the role.

Managing Director
Andrew Wheeler
Office: 215-656-3548
Mobile: 267-257-1910
andrew.wheeler@divsearch.com

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Director, Nonprofit Sector Programs and Practice

JOB PURPOSE: Serve as deputy leader of Independent Sector’s Nonprofit Sector Programs and Practice department. Primary focus areas in the department are:

• Ethics and accountability
• Nonprofit leadership
• Nonprofit effectiveness
• International civil society
• Annual Conference programming

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBLITIES:

• Assist Vice President of Nonprofit Sector Programs and Practice in managing all aspects of the department’s work, including development, planning, and execution of program initiatives and committee meetings.
• Work with the Vice President to assess and develop new areas of program activity for Independent Sector and make appropriate recommendations to the President and CEO.
• Stay informed of developments, trends, and innovations in relevant program areas.
• Work closely with cross-department teams on organization-wide initiatives.
• Work with the Resource Development team to maintain productive relationships with Independent Sector funders, identify new opportunities for funding, and prepare grant applications and reports.
• Identify potential new Independent Sector members.
• Some travel, including international, is required.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

• Master’s degree; concentration in nonprofit/public management or business preferred.
• Eight to ten years experience working in or with the nonprofit community.
• Expertise or experience in one or more of the following program areas strongly desired: ethics and accountability, governance, self-regulation, organizational effectiveness, organizational leadership, or international civil society.
• Expertise or experience in one or more of the following processes strongly preferred: program development, strategic planning, cross-sector collaborations, or program evaluation.
• Leadership, interpersonal skills, and diplomacy.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with Independent Sector members.
• Ability to define objectives, develop and manage budgets, implement programs, and evaluate outcomes.
• Exceptional written and verbal communications.
• Ability to juggle competing assignments and work to meet tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated management skills and experience working with senior management.
• Ability to supervise and inspire colleagues.
• Experience writing grant applications and working with funders to secure funding for programs preferred.
• Highly energetic, dedicated person who is strongly committed to teamwork while also able to work independently. This position calls for a creative and independent thinker who is also committed to working on the issues facing the nonprofit community.

To apply:
Submit letter, resume, samples of work, and salary history to:
Human Resources (Director, Nonprofit Sector Programs and Practice Position)
Independent Sector
1200 Eighteenth street, NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20036
resumes@independentsector.org
Fax 202-467-6101

Independent Sector is an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace.

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Manager, Nonprofit Community Communications Initiative

Reports To: Vice President of Communications and Marketing

Independent Sector (IS) seeks a collaborative communications strategist to lead its Nonprofit Community Communications Initiative. The manager of the initiative should have extensive project management and research experience with a focus on communications planning and implementation, a background in working with coalitions and partnerships, and a strong understanding of the media and policy issues facing the nonprofit community. The manager will also have a deep understanding of the challenges in nonprofit and foundation communications and the enthusiasm to mobilize leaders from a wide variety of organizations. This is an excellent opportunity for an energetic professional to contribute to a dynamic national nonprofit leadership organization and build support for the nonprofit community’s remarkable work.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBLITIES

• Compile and design materials that help charities and foundations incorporate research-tested message themes into their communications, including translating research findings into recommendations for nonprofit organizations, demonstrating how messages can be delivered through existing communications tools, and creating new communication opportunities.
• Identify a select group of partners to test the initiative, work with those pilot organizations to incorporate the initiative’s messages into their communications, and gather feedback to strengthen the project.
• Identify situations that demonstrate the value of the nonprofit community and translate those examples into effective communications with stakeholders such as policymakers, media, and nonprofit organizations through speeches, reports, emails, websites, and in-person meetings.
• Work with the Independent Sector Communications and Marketing Advisory Task Force and other IS members to gather advice and expand outreach.
• Based on results of pilot projects, develop materials to enable a diverse group of charities and foundations to participate in the Initiative.
• Plan regular outreach activities, including conference calls, briefings, and presentations at relevant nonprofit conferences. Prepare programs, as appropriate, for the prestigious annual IS conference.
• Assist IS departments in integrating the initiative into their activities, including coordinating with the Public Policy and Government Relations Department, to create materials to support outreach to policymakers. Work with other IS departments to keep them informed regarding initiative developments and activities.
• Develop mechanisms for evaluating the initiative.
• Prepare updates as needed for reports to funders. Assist in securing additional resources to support the project.
• Collaborate with other coalitions and organizations engaged in sub-sector or related communications efforts.
• Assist in development of annual budget for the initiative and make recommended changes to improve the program.
• Other responsibilities, as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

• Six to eight years experience with in project management incorporating public opinion research, communications planning, message development, and analyzing and incorporating feedback into planning.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience mobilizing and maintaining coalitions and persuading people to take action.
• Four to six years relevant experience working in nonprofit, association, or related settings.
• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, English, marketing, communications, or other relevant field. Master’s degree strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities.
• Collaborative team player, capable of juggling multiple projects, meeting deadlines, and thriving in a rapidly changing environment.

Salary is competitive with excellent benefits including a generous vacation and retirement plan.

To apply:
Submit letter, resume, samples of work, and salary history to:
Human Resources (Manager, Nonprofit Community Communications Initiatives Position)
Independent Sector
1200 Eighteenth Street, NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20036
resumes@independentsector.org
Fax 202-467-6101

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Public Affairs Associate, Public Policy and Government Affairs

Independent Sector (IS) seeks a collaborative public affairs associate to work with the Director, Public Affairs to develop, manage, and maintain a strong network of grasstops and grassroots advocates to advance IS’s mission and policy agenda, including maintaining close working relationships with IS members.

JOB PURPOSE: DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Coordinates meeting logistics and preparation of materials for in-person and teleconference meetings of network advisory committee and advocates, including community forums that involve prominent community and organizational leaders in policy initiatives.
• Develops online and print communications tools to build and support advocacy network, including online networks, website updates, listservs, policy updates, alerts, and relationship-building communications.
• Develops and maintains databases and other records of network participants and prospects to support network outreach activities.
• Prepares minutes and reports in support of committee and network meetings.
• Conducts web and other research to support outreach efforts and program development.
• Coordinates program development, speaker recruitment, and promotion for annual public policy action institute.
• Assists in developing content and planning programs for legislative and network outreach and education programs and IS annual conference.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

• Graduate degree in public policy or related field and 3+ years experience in public affairs, advocacy, or legislative office
• Knowledge of and passion for the nonprofit community and legislative issues affecting nonprofits
• Good grasp of legislative and political issues and process
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communications skills
• Strong relationship-building skills
• Strong detail-orientation with exceptional organizational skills
• Flexible and collaborative approach in working with colleagues and members.
• Willingness to take initiative and consistently manage multiple priorities, ensuring deadlines are met and outcomes are of the highest quality
• Proficient in web-based research, Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, Outlook), Dreamweaver, and database management software

To apply:
Submit letter, resume, samples of work, and salary history to:
Human Resources (Public Affairs Associate Position)
Independent Sector
1200 Eighteenth street, NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20036
resumes@independentsector.org
Fax 202-467-6101

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Positions at IS member organizations