Co-Executive Director for Advocacy and Development

OUR ORGANIZATION

Village Movement California (VMC) is a statewide coalition of nearly fifty grassroots community

organizations called Villages. Villages are peer-led membership organizations that connect older adults to the community, programming, and expertise they need to sustain independence and remain in charge of their lives as they age. In the process, these Villages are revolutionizing aging.

VMC advances the growth, impact and sustainability of California’s Village movement through a robust program of advocacy; marketing and communications; a Village Incubator (facilitating the creation of new Villages); a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Training Institute; an annual conference; and quarterly newsletters that highlight best practices. A Village Accelerator (enhancing the impact and sustainability of existing Villages) will soon be added to our portfolio. VMC is working to fulfill the California Master Plan for Aging’s objective to promote and expand the Village model of volunteerism and services, building on the strengths of California’s diverse communities.

In light of the recent retirement of VMC’s founding Executive Director, the VMC board has decided to develop a new model of collaborative leadership. We are excited to build on the strengths of existing VMC staff, including our current Acting Executive Director, and seek out another director-level leader with complementary strengths and interests. We believe this will meet our needs in a comprehensive manner, while also providing a unique model from which all villages in our network can learn.

VMC is seeking a Co-Executive Director for Advocacy and Development to partner with our current Acting Executive Director, who will become our Co-Executive Director for Programs and Member Engagement. Together, our Co-Executive Directors will be responsible for the organization’s consistent achievement of its mission and financial objectives. The successful candidate for this position will be a strong believer in the Village Model, a charismatic advocate for transforming the experience of aging in the state, a collaborative leader capable of building and maintaining strategic partnerships with diverse stakeholders across the state, and a skilled fundraiser, creating and expanding on our diverse and sustainable funding model.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES / POSITION DESCRIPTION

Overview:

In partnership with Co-Executive Director Programs and Member Engagement, this position is responsible for the overall success and financial sustainability of the Village Movement California

(VMC) organization. This role reports to the VMC Board of Directors and has primary responsibility to advocate for VMC and Villages in California and to influence policies throughout the State. Leads VMC’s development and strategic planning activities.

External Affairs and Advocacy:

• Initiates and cultivates strategic partnerships with various stakeholders’ groups in the aging services landscape, including corporations, health care companies, health services organizations, governmental officials, and foundations.

• Takes leadership on advocacy activities with the State of California, which includes consulting on California’s Master Plan for Aging.

• Expands and maintains stakeholder relationships and partnerships at the regional, state and national policy development levels.

• Recruits new members and supporters; builds stakeholder connections and partnerships in governmental and senior policy sectors.

• Promotes VMC broadly, representing VMC at state and national government conferences and roundtables and serving as a visible and articulate champion for VMC and its constituents to further VMC’s mission, vision, and values.

• Crafts communications for governmental audiences and supports other communications and messaging work.

Strategic Planning and Organizational Development (Shared):

• Takes primary responsibility for the development and implementation of a multi-year strategic plan. Works in partnership with the Co-Executive Director for Programs and Member Engagement and the VMC Board on the development and design of programming that furthers VMC’s mission and realizes VMC’s goal of being a vital force propelling the Village movement.

• Guided by long-term strategic goals, develops and manages annual work plans with concrete objectives and outcomes.

• Ensures effective systems to track progress and regularly evaluate program components, measuring successes and lessons learned that can be effectively communicated to the members, Board, funders, and other constituents.

Development/Fundraising and Finance (Shared):

• Develops and implements a fundraising strategy and annual fundraising plan that results in sustainable funding necessary to carry out strategic priorities.

• In coordination with Co-Executive Director for Programs and Member Engagement, identifies and cultivates relationships with funders and donors; manages ongoing revenue generation activities including the identification and pursuit of foundation grants, sponsorships, and public support.

• Develops and manages an annual budget in collaboration with Co-Executive Director for Programs and Member Engagement and the VMC Executive Committee.

• Oversees ongoing financial management with support from VMC Treasurer, including review/approval of invoices and processing payroll.

Other Responsibilities:

• Provides staff support to the Development, Finance, Advocacy and other committees as deemed appropriate.

• Works with Co-Executive Director for Programs and Member Engagement to plan Board meeting agendas and meeting content; keeps VMC Board apprised of key activities and developments.

• Supports planning and implementation of VMC annual conference.

• Assists with other VMC projects and operations as needed.

Skills/Qualifications:

• Significant leadership experience in nonprofit management or relevant field, with experience in the aging services landscape desirable.

• Master's degree or equivalent work experience ideally in social work, geriatrics, business, public policy or education.

• Confident, self-directed, collaborative leader with the ability to connect with and listen to diverse stakeholders.

• Strong teamwork/collaboration/communication skills are required to be successful in this co-leadership role. Must be able to share responsibilities, coordinate activities, resolve conflicts in a productive manner and work in tandem/harmony with the Co-Executive Director for the good of the VMC organization.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills including public speaking and the ability to work collaboratively with local, regional, state and national partners.

• Prior advocacy experience required.

• Experience in sustaining collaborative networks and engaging in coalition-building strategies required.

• Proven track record in successful fundraising or relevant revenue generation strategies; understanding of nonprofit finance and/or business development desirable.

• Proven ability to set and achieve strategic objectives and manage a budget and expenses.

• Skills of self-direction and flexibility, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

• Outstanding organizational and time management skills, with attention to details and deadlines

.• Experience working effectively across diverse communities and identities.

• Curiosity and cultural humility.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite of products, collaboration and fundraising software.

• Fluency in languages in addition to English preferred.

• Supervisory and staff management skills.

*Position Location: VMC has a physical office in the San Francisco area; however, this position can work remotely. The position will require you to be in Sacramento for State meetings and relationship-building efforts; regular travel to Sacramento and other locations throughout California is required.