MISSSEY

Executive Director

About MISSSEY:

Since 2007, MISSSEY (Motivating, Inspiring, Supporting, and Serving Sexually Exploited Youth) has devoted its energy to the heartbreaking epidemic of human trafficking by supporting and advocating for youth who have been commercially sexually exploited. MISSSEY is a survivor-informed organization that is providing services to, and creating systemic change for, victims of commercial sexual exploitation in Oakland, in Alameda County, and throughout California.

With growing attention and urgency throughout the US to confront human trafficking, MISSSEY is a nationally recognized leader in the field. Created to respond to the needs of commercially sexually exploited children (CSEC), MISSSEY provides CSEC-specific services through intensive case management, court advocacy, professional and community trainings, and local/state/national education and awareness programs.

With deep connections and broad support throughout the community and a strong staff in place, MISSSEY has an opportunity for tremendous growth to make change in the lives of commercially sexually exploited children. To lead this growth, MISSSEY is looking for their next Executive Director.

To learn more about MISSSEY’s programs, please visit the website: http://misssey.org  

Position Overview:

The incoming Executive Director will have the opportunity to lead MISSSEY during a particularly exciting phase of growth and impact. This will require a multi-talented person: a manager as well as a leader.

The successful candidate will provide visionary, dynamic, innovative and strategic leadership to promote and further expand MISSSEY’s vision and mission. The new Executive Director will also provide solid, efficient, ethical internal management. The organization takes seriously the philosophy that “MISSSEY is staff.”

With this smart, steady internal leadership as a foundation, the Executive Director will represent MISSSEY to a diverse group of external stakeholders, including government officials, donors, partner organizations, business leaders, and on-the-ground constituents, to continue building a network of support for the organization.

MISSSEY is not just a local solution--they are a national leader in an edge issue. Other organizations look to MISSSEY for leadership and example. This is an opportunity for a true leader and smart manager to build dramatically on something already meaningful and beautiful, to preserve the lasting impact of MISSSEY’s programs, and to support commercially sexually exploited youth in the Bay Area and beyond.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Staff Leadership
  • Develop and support a cohesive, collaborative and effective staff team, and ensure human resources and management practices support a high-performing, client-services focused culture.
  • Co-Create annual work plans and measurement tools with and for staff members.
  • Continue to cultivate an inclusive, fair, enthusiastic and collaborative work environment.

• Organizational Strategic Planning Lead
  • Oversee assessment of current programs, administration and structure, and identify needed changes and updates.
  • Lead development, implementation, and oversight of strategic operating plan, including organizational design, investment of resources, policies and procedures.
  • Engage with stakeholders to refine MISSSEY’s vision and reinforce consensus between Board members, staff, and volunteers.

• Relationship Manager
  • Build partnerships to help realize the organization’s mission and goals, including relationships with businesses, government, foundations and individuals.
  • Serve as an effective spokesperson and advocate for the agency to a wide variety of audiences, and represent MISSSEY’s program and beliefs to funders, partners, donors and the general public.
  • Devote equal attention to building relationships with clients receiving MISSSEY services, further strengthening the network of support.
  • Ensure that MISSSEY has effective communications and marketing strategies and materials, and that the agency’s brand identity is strengthened and maintained.

• Revenue Driver
  • Oversee creation and implementation of development and marketing strategies to strengthen community perception and support.
  • Work closely with the Board and development consultants or staff to grow and maintain contributed revenue.
  • Maintain and secure government contracts to ensure continuity of service and allow the agency to respond to shifts in funding in a timely manner. Ensure unrestricted revenue to carry on operations.
  • Cultivate and build relationships with wide range of funding sources, including, but not limited to, foundations, corporate and individual donors, and governmental agencies to sustain and secure resources for the annual operating budget.
  • Communicate effectively, and with accountability, to Board, volunteers, funding sources, and the general community.

• Programmatic Impact
  • Assume overall accountability for programmatic success, including ensuring outcomes are set, measured, met, or exceeded.
  • Oversee continual assessment of program relevancy and sustainability, and stay well informed on trends in youth development and services for high-risk youth and CSEC youth.

• Financial and Administrative Management
  • Ensure that MISSSEY operates in a financially sustainable manner, and that it maintains systems and practices that support effective financial management from the executive office to the program management level.
  • Work closely with the Board of Directors and its committees to ensure strong and appropriate fiduciary oversight, governance, and engagement.
  • Develop, manage, and monitor financial models and budgets.

• Board and Volunteer Development
  • Work in partnership with Board of Directors on appropriate issues including organizational policies, strategic direction, fundraising, and community relations.
  • Develop and leverage Board skills and capabilities.
  • Prepare regular financial and organization reports for the Board. 

Desired Experience and Skills / Key Qualifications:

• A minimum of three years proven leadership and management of a growing non-profit as an executive director.
• Bachelor’s degree (advanced degree in human services, management or administration preferred).
• Experience with nonprofit fundraising approaches, annual campaigns and major donor campaigns. Proven success in attracting adequate resources.
• Experience in staff management, performance reviews and goal setting, and an ability to foster collaboration and teamwork.
• Strong fiscal/budgetary experience, including grants oversight.
• Integrity, honesty, strong emotional intelligence and commitment to professional excellence.
• Excellent communications skills, both written and oral.
• Ability to leverage nonprofit Board members effectively.
• Passion for the issues affecting CSEC issues and individual survivors. Personal experience as a CSEC, or related; survivor applicants strongly encouraged.
• Passion for MISSSEY’s mission, enhanced by a strong network within the non-profit and CSEC community.

Compensation and Application Information:

To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume that outlines how your skills and experiences meet the qualifications of the position to [email protected]. In the subject line of your email, please include your name, the job title for this position, and the company name (“Your name – Executive Director - MISSSEY”).

Please do not contact the client directly. Schaffer&Combs is retained by MISSSEY to manage the Executive Director search. Schaffer&Combs solves problems and provides growth solutions for mission-­driven organizations.

MISSSEY is an equal opportunity employer and makes a particular effort to recruit candidates from all backgrounds.