Executive Director

Located in San Jose and founded in 1981, the DeFrank Center is the South Bay’s leading community-based organization serving youth, families, adults and seniors in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and allied communities. The Center provides a broad range of health and emotional wellness programming and social activities in a newly renovated facility, and has an annual operations budget of approximately $700,000.

Major Areas of Responsibility

Leadership & Communication:

• Works in concert with the staff, the board and members to establish the strategic direction of the DeFrank Center.
   
• Actively solicits information from the community regarding the direction of the DeFrank Center and utilizes the information to improve the operation of the center.
   
• Promotes awareness and visibility of the DeFrank Center vision, direction and services at local and national levels, through public speaking and a variety of electronic media.
   
• Forecasts emerging needs and trends and works with the staff, the board and the members to develop appropriate organizational action and programs.
   
• Fosters and maintains relationships with related advocacy community organizations, state/local government, educational organizations, businesses and relevant partners.
   
• Builds and/or supports coalitions to fulfill the mission and goals of the DeFrank Center.
   

Program Development:

• Provides guidance to and empowers staff and volunteers to develop, implement and evaluate programmatic visions, objectives and work plans.
   
• Promotes innovation and creativity in program areas.
   
• Brings together various programs of the organization, coordinating across program areas to strengthen the work of each and to a gain greater impact from better communication and sharing of resources and ideas.
   
• Ensures periodic program evaluations and regular program reports to the board.
   

Personnel Management:

• Supports and provides guidance to the staff, volunteers and promotes the development of leadership among directors and management.
   
• Promotes the development of a diverse staff, board and volunteer base.
   
• Works with the staff and board to ensure effective development and implementation of personnel policies and benefits to ensure a positive productive work environment.
   
• Ensures regular employee performance evaluations.
   

Financial Responsibilities:

• Works closely with the board to create and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy for the organization, helping to expand philanthropic support for the organization through identification and cultivation of individual, foundation, corporate, and public sources of revenue. Plays a meaningful role in all aspects of donor relations.
   
• Works closely with the board in preparation/management of budgets and financial reports.
   
• Regularly reports financial status and trends to the board.
   

Board Relations:

• Make periodic reports with appropriate documentation on all facets of the organization and provides details as necessary.
   
• Coordinates staff support for and attends meetings of the board of directors.
   
• Assists the board in recruitment, orientation and training of new board members, and ongoing development of all board members.
   
• Works with the executive committee to plan board meetings and deal with extraordinary business of the board as needed.
   
• Works with the board to develop strategic plans, policies and priorities regarding personnel, finances, programmatic direction and external relations in coordination with other staff.
   
• Works with the board to prepare annual budgets and to monitor the monthly revenue and expenses of the organization.
   

Qualifications

• Five years of management experience in the non-profit sector preferred.
   
• Five years experience in community-building and three years experience serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender movement preferred.
   
• Proven record of fundraising experience with strong skills in establishing and maintaining a diverse fundraising base.
   
• Demonstrated ability to organize workload, maintain multiple priorities, and sustain productivity and accuracy under tight deadlines.
   
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; strong interpersonal skills.
   
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, using good judgment, resourcefulness, and initiative.
   
• BA Degree in a related field or equivalent experience required.
   
• Knowledge of and relationships with the South Bay community preferred.
   
• Excellent computer skills are essential.
   

Compensation

Starting Salary: High $60’s/Low $70’s commensurate with experience. Includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance and vacation leave benefits.

How to apply

Submit résumé and cover letter in electronic format only. Send to: edsearch@defrank.org.

Writing samples and references should be submitted only upon request.

Application deadline is Monday, December 19, 2005 at 5 p.m.

The Billy DeFrank LGBT Community Center is an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, elders, differently-abled persons, people with HIV/AIDS, and sexual minorities are strongly encouraged to apply for all staff positions. The DeFrank Center seeks to serve diverse communities, so we encourage applicants to note special communication skills and related experience in their application.