Executive Director
General Job Description
The Executive Director reports directly to the Board of Directors, and is responsible for ensuring that the Board oversees the long-range strategic, annual, and financial plans of the organization. S/he promotes effective external relations and continuing relationships with the BSC's alumni. S/he oversees staff, and assists them in their efforts to educate members to be effective participants in the BSC's governance. S/he is responsible for ensuring that the BSC fulfills its mission of providing quality, low-cost cooperative housing to students. S/he provides leadership to the membership, the staff, and the Board of Directors, in order to ensure that all departments and programs of the BSC operate in a cost effective manner consistent with cooperative principles of democratic, participatory decision-making.
Specific Responsibilities
- 1. Ensures the development of key strategies and vision related to strategic and long-range planning, and provides active leadership to the BSC's student—run Board of Directors, working collaboratively with the Board's executive officers, in order to implement these policies and plans.
- a. Regularly attends Board and Cabinet meetings in order to perform this role.
- b. Attends Internal Affairs Committee, Capital and Finance Committee, and Experience and Training Committee as appropriate in light of the issues being addressed.
- c. Serves on other time—limited or special purpose committees at the request of the Board
- 2. Supervises the BSC Management team’s efforts
- a. Oversees the Operations Manager's leadership of the BSC departments and programs responsible for the smooth functioning of centralized operations.
- b. Oversees the Cooperative Experience Manager’s leadership of the BSC departments and programs responsible for educating members and supporting house management.
- c. Oversees the Finance and Accounting Manager’s leadership of the BSC’s financial and capital health and stability.
- 3. Ensures the organization’s compliance with employment and labor laws and best practices in the workplace.
- a. Provides overall leadership to BSC employees.
- b. Advises the Board of Directors in collective bargaining negotiations.
- c. Trains and supports the Hiring Committee Chair and ensures compliance with fair hiring practices.
- d. Ensure that all BSC employees are hired, supervised, disciplined, and fired in accordance with the Employee Association Contract and the Employee Handbook
- e. Chairs regular meetings of the Safety Committee and acts as the BSC Safety Director.
- 4. Oversees long range fiscal planning in order to ensure the continuity and solvency of the organization.
- a. Oversees annual and semester financial analysis and the preparation of annual and semester budgets.
- b. Reports regularly to the Board on the financial health of the organization.
- c. Reports to the Board on short-term and long-term risks to the BSC and promotes effective risk management.
- d. Plans and chairs Investment Management Committee meetings.
- e. Regularly attends Audit Committee and supports the auditors in identifying management weaknesses and ensuring that they are appropriately addressed.
- 5. Oversees long range physical plant and capital asset planning.
- a. Reports regularly to the Board on the condition of the organization‘s real property and recommends plans for investing in the replacement and repair of building systems.
- b. Collaborates with the Central Maintenance Supervisor and the Board to develop and implement long term seismic, disabled access, and energy efficiency improvement plans. a i
- c. Recommends short-term and long—range plans for increasing the BSC's housing capacity to meet community needs.
- d. Oversees the compliance with lease terms, regular review, and re-negotiation of leases for properties not owned by the BSC.
- 6. Oversees Development and external Communications:
- a. Serves on the Board of Directors of the Alumni Association and actively participates in its programs and committees.
- b. Ensures that the BSC and the Alumni Association share a common understanding of fundraising goals and plans.
- c. Pursues other fundraising on behalf of the BSC.
- d. Oversees external and internal communications to promote the goals of the BSC.
- 7. Acts as the primary public and community relations contact for the BSC and works with outside agencies including banks, universities, lawyers, insurance companies, and government officials to fulfill this role.
- 8. In conjunction with Cabinet, develops, recommends, and supervises the specialized projects carried out by the Project Management Intern.
- 9. Reports regularly to The Board and its committees, provides continuity and institutional memory, and makes recommendations on policies and procedures.
- 10. Provides support to the Board of Directors and executive officers in their efforts to inform and engage the membership in the democratic processes of decision-making in the BSC
- 11. In conjunction with the Board of Directors, actively supports leadership development opportunities for co-op members, both in the organization’s operations and Within the larger co-operative movement.
- 12. Other duties as required by the Board of Directors or BSC policies.
Personal Attributes
- 1. Excellent management/Supervisory skills
- 2. Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
- 3. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and respond in times of crisis
- 4. Acquired fluency with BSC policy and practices
- 5. Desire and ability to work with students
- 6. Desire and ability to work in a student-run, democratic, cooperative process
- 7. Ability to stay engaged in lengthy meetings, including regular evening meetings.
- 8. Willingness and ability to carry an emergency telephone and respond to emergency calls
- 9. Good sense of humor
Required Qualifications and Experience
- 1. Minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible management and executive experience
- 2. Substantial experience in affordable housing and/or property management roles
- 3. Four-year college degree
- 4. Experience working with a non-profit Board of Directors
- 5. Working knowledge of:
- a. Business, finance, and budgeting
- b. Personnel and labor law
- c. Property management
- d. Contract law
- e. Construction processes
- f. Computer systems
Preferred Experience
- 1. Non-profit Executive Director experience (strongly recommended)
- 2. Advanced degree (MBA, JD, other)
- 3. Previous experience living or working in a democratic or cooperative environment
- 4. Previous experience working with students
- 5. Extensive Human Resources and/or Organizational Development background
- 6. Previous experience working with a labor union
- 7. Previous experience in public relations
Salary/Benefits
Term of job: Indefinite
Compensation: Full-Time, Exempt, Competitive Salary
Immediate Supervisor: Board of Directors
Working Conditions by: Employee Handbook
[Board approved 5/8/14.]