New LATISM Executive Director Position

Before I even start, I would like to just say a big THANK YOU!

Up to now, LATISM has been managed by amazing members who have volunteered their time of their already busy schedule.  This has been the case with all the events we’ve had. New York with George Torrez (@UrbanJibaro), Florida with Nancy Perez (@NancyPerez) and D.C with Kety Esquivel (@KetyE) together with Elianne Ramos (@ergeekgoddess) Alma D. Suárez (@AmericanLatina) Sylvia Aguilera (@httponline) Julie Diaz-Asper (@JulieDiazAsper) Jennifer Lubrani (@meningioma) and now the upcoming Latino2 in California with Giovanni Rodriguez (@GioRodriguez), Antonio Altamirano (@Antonio), David Vallejo (@DavidVallejo) and Laura Gomez (@LauraG).  All this with the amazing help and support of Luis Pagan (@LouisPagan). We also have many speakers who have graciously offered their experience and service free of charge (see the NY, FL & D.C lists of speakers) as well as other volunteers like Joann Hernandes (@BronzeWord) who takes care of the directory and Lisa Garcia Ruiz (@Lisagarciaruiz) in charge of fund raising.

As some of you know, we are receiving some funds to work on a series of projects that target Latinos and Social Media. However, with the acceptance of these projects, we strongly feel that the best strategy will be to hire a LATISM Executive Director who can devote 100% of his/her working hours to help us (the Board) manage these projects and ensure that we deliver the best possible results.  The position is open to all.  Since we must move fast, applications will be received until Monday, February 8th.  I am including the job description here.  However, since this is the first of a series of career opportunities, we will start a new page on Latism.org called “Career” where we’ll list all the open positions.

So my big THANK YOU goes to each one of you who are making this LATISM family grow so fast and so strong.  If I decided to start listing the names here, the post would hit a Guinness record for the “longest post in history”! I am so blessed to be part of this community and really look forward to see it blossom.

LATISM Executive Director Position

Reports To: Latinos in Social Media President and Board of Directors

FLSA Status: Exempt

SUMMARY: The Executive Director of LATISM functions as the Chief Executive Officer of the corporation.  In this capacity the incumbent is responsible for implementation of policies set by the Board of Directors as well as annual goals and objectives, and financial, program, and administrative management of the corporation. Guidance and direction is provided by the President and by the Board and its Executive Committee.

TRAITS AND CHARACTERISTICS:

The Executive Director should be a visionary and a strategic leader. S/He will bring an analytical, intellectual understanding of the work that LATISM can do. Leading candidates will be broadly informed leaders with a high level of intellectual curiosity and the capacity to encourage others to explore new terrain.

Successful candidates will be able to engage and convene others in a process of exploration and dialogue. The CEO needs to be an interdisciplinary and creative thinker who can be innovative as well as pragmatic. S/He will be an open-minded, confident professional who enjoys exploring issues while also recognizing the ownership of ideas is less important than the result of the collaborative effort. The CEO will be an enabler and facilitator who will have the strength of character and conviction to work with a strong, engaged Board that is dedicated to the mission of LATISM.

Strong written and oral communication skills are critical to insure that the CEO will be effective and persuasive in presenting LATISM and its mission to its affiliates and various government agencies, funders and the public.

Successful candidates will have strong organizational, administrative, and management skills. The CEO will be comfortable in a hands-on role and willing to do the essential tasks required to meet the goals of LATISM.

Under the direction of the Board of Directors, the Executive Director is responsible for overall management and operation of LATISM while ensuring compliance with board directives and applicable grantor, federal and state requirements.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

The skills and knowledge required in this position are the result of a combination of formal education in business, non-profit management, marketing, finance or related area, and substantial years of experience in increasingly responsible management positions. This should include:

• At least 6 years of experience in a management capacity. With sound responsibility over staff, budget and organizational brand
• At least three years of experience in the nonprofit sector
• At least three years of experience in the corporate sector
• A significant experience with the public sector, volunteer managment and with NGOs.
• Experience working with boards and executive committees.
• Must be fully fluent (able to speak, read and write) in English and Spanish
• The candidate must be able to think strategically about LATISM’s priorities and help to translate these priorities into program and staff recruitment and related fundraising activities.
• The successful candidate will have experience that will demonstrate the ability to conceptualize, develop, and evaluate programs.
• Successful experience working with all levels of management in the public, private and non-profit sector.
• The ability to deliver clear messages through reports, press releases, presentations and training.
• Efficient facilitation skills that build consensus in a participatory approach.
• A university degree in Business Administration, Public Administration or related field.

OTHER KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of the principles and techniques of research grant administration, contract administration and negotiation, non-profit and community organization, fiscal and organizational management, principles and practices of marketing and public relations required.

Ability to plan, direct and coordinate activities; negotiate and administer contracts; work with commercial vendors, government agencies, private corporations, community groups and other organizations as necessary; communicate effectively in both written and oral forms; exhibit independent judgment in the development, implementation and evaluation of plans, procedures and policies.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The executive director is responsible for overall operations, asset protection and marketing/public relations for Latinos in Social Media, a 501(c)(3) non-profit private research and education corporation providing a flexible funding mechanism for the conduct of research and education.  The executive director also:

• Is responsible for generating grants and contracts as well as managing them; coordinates with legal advisors to finalize agreement terms; monitors progress of agreements and maintains agreement documentation to ensure fulfillment of agreement terms including receipt and expenditure of funds.

• Assists in the development of current and long-term organizational goals and objectives as well as policies and procedures for LATISM operations.  Establishes plans to achieve goals set by the Board of Directors and implements policies, subject to approval by the Board of Directors.  Engages in board relations: policy development and administration; Board development and performance monitoring. The executive director will value working with a Board that is engaged, active, and independent.
• Handles all aspects of human resource management including but not limited to hiring and termination, developing position descriptions, setting compensation, working with employees’, supervisors and applying board-approved employee policies and benefits in accordance with federal and state requirements; regularly supervises LATISM administrative staff.

• Interacts with other personnel and organizations; liaison with local and state congressional representatives, and national regulatory agencies; cultivating and developing relationships with philanthropic groups and individuals, and the public.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

To perform effectively in this position, the individual should demonstrate the following competencies.  These core competencies represent effective administration of LATISM and its programs fulfilling LATISM’s mission.

Management:  Maintains effective systems of internal controls to account for all receipts and expenditures of funds.  Develops and manages funding options available to the board including corporate resources, grants and federal resources to support LATISM’s work.

Job Knowledge:  Understands the technical aspects of managing a nonprofit organization.  Understands the duties and responsibilities of the position and keeps job knowledge up-to-date.  Clearly understands the mission of the organization and continuously works to promote LATISM and achieve its goals.

Initiative in fulfilling the goals of the organization:  From interactions with funders, management, staff, the private, public and the nonprofit sector, the executive director recognizes and brings to the attention of the president issues that affect the organization, and implements plans to reach organizational goals as determined by the board of directors.  Displays initiative in developing action plans and resolving problems as they occur, in consultation with the president and other members of the board.

Communication:  Communicates effectively with multiple audiences using a variety of formats.  Examples include:  written communications that clearly outline the situation and action items; verbal presentations and briefings to the research and education managers, the board of directors and other parties; presenting at local meetings and to outside groups regarding a variety of issues affecting LATISM.

Dependability:  Seeks increased responsibility while remaining conscientious, thorough, accurate, and reliable with respect to achieving the organization’s goals.  This includes being available and responsive to issues and concerns as they arise.

TRAVEL:

The executive director must be able to travel to attend conferences, training and other events as required by the position.

Salary: Commensurate with experience

Please send a cover letter and resume to  Career@Latism.org Please no telephone calls.