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Women's Action
to Gain Economic Security (WAGES)
Job Announcement, Posted 10/4/02
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Women’s Action to Gain Economic Security (WAGES) is currently
seeking a dynamic and highly motivated individual to lead the organization.
WAGES is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the economic
and social well-being of low-income women through cooperative business
ownership. Current work is with Latina immigrants in non-toxic housecleaning
cooperatives developed by WAGES, and involves business technical
assistance, organization-building, education and worker health advocacy.
Existing WAGES cooperatives are located in Silicon Valley and the
San Jose area. In the coming year, we expect to launch a new non-toxic
housecleaning cooperative in the East Bay. WAGES’ central office
is in Oakland, California.
Position Summary
The Executive Director provides leadership within the context of
the vision, values and mission of WAGES. The Executive Director
is accountable to the board of directors and carries out all board
policies. The Executive Director is the organization’s liaison
to other organizations, funding sources and the media. The ideal
candidate will have managerial experience in a non-profit organization
using a participatory management style. Familiarity with the cooperative
form of business is desirable. Bilingual (Spanish-English) language
capacity is preferred.
Responsibilities
The Executive Director is responsible for leading, planning, organizing
and administering the daily operation of WAGES. Responsibilities
include:
Organizational/Program Planning and Implementation
- Develop a long-term strategic plan for the organization, based
on a collaborative process
- Direct the ongoing implementation of organizational goals
and activities
- Maintain a supportive relationship with WAGES’ member
cooperatives
Fundraising
- Develop and implement a diversified fundraising strategy
- Write grants and develop and maintain positive relationship
with regional and national funders
- Develop and maintain systems for grant reporting and accountability
Finance
- Develop WAGES’ budget for board approval
- Manage financial resources and cash-flow, with responsibility
for cost management
- Perform financial oversight, including record-keeping, payroll,
and audit
Board/Board of Advisors Relations
- Maintain a healthy and mutually supportive relationship with
WAGES’ board of directors and board of advisors
- Implement board policy
- Coordinate recruitment and orientation of new and current board
members
Personnel
- Recruit, hire, supervise and evaluate staff and consultants
- Develop educational opportunities for staff
- Recommend salary ranges and benefit plans for board approval
- Implement personnel policies with board approval
Communication
- Develop and maintain external relationships with new and existing
funders, supporters, and media representatives
- Foster collaborative relationships with individuals and organizations
that can help forward the mission of WAGES
- Oversee completion of annual report, brochures and other media
Administrative
- Oversee the general administration of the organization
- Ensure the development of adequate reporting systems for documentation
and accountability
Complete other activities, as needed, to promote
the well-being of the organization.
Knowledge, Skills and Personal Characteristics
The Executive Director should be a mature professional and have
a minimum of 3-5 years of relevant work experience, and a background
in non-profit management, fundraising, and economic development.
This should include experience in strategic planning, board and
community relations, personnel supervision, and financial management.
She must also have experience working with lower income women, and
be a capable, compassionate, energetic and passionate leader –
able to work with a wide variety of professionals and associates.
Because of the economic development focus of the project, she should
have demonstrated ability to direct a nonprofit dealing with business
development. Accordingly she should be familiar with cooperative
development, business resource programs, and the legal and social
issues involved in delivering programs for the immigrant community.
The Executive Director must:
- Be passionate about the agency’s mission and eager to
represent the organization to a diverse group of external audiences;
- Present a solid and business-like image and maintain respect
for the organization within the business, financial, women’s
and non-profits communities.
- Be an effective advocate for lower income and immigrant women;
and
- Write well and have excellent verbal communication skills
A degree in nonprofit, public or business administration, community
and/or economic development or a related field of interest is preferred,
or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
The Executive Director position is full-time, with benefits. Salary
will depend on experience. Please see our web site, www.wagescooperatives.org
for full information on WAGES mission and programs. To apply, please
submit a cover letter, resume, two brief writing samples (including
one from a successful funding application), and four professional
references to [email protected]
listing “ED application” as your subject, or mail application
materials to WAGES Executive Director search, PO Box 71885, Oakland,
CA 94612. No phone calls, please.
WAGES is an Equal Opportunity employer.
Women of color, bilingual and disabled women are encouraged to apply.
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