Chief Executive Officer

Our Turn seeks a Chief Executive Officer

Click here to view position profile:
https://summitsearchsolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/OurTurn_ChiefExecOfficer_Profile.pdf

Location: Remote Opportunity

The Position:

Our Turn is in search of an exceptional Chief Executive Officer
(CEO) who brings a deep understanding of programming, partnership
strategy, and a commitment to youth leadership development and
local organizing. In this role, the CEO will harness digital
technology, promote thought leadership, and fortify the
organizational infrastructure.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO will provide
strategic oversight for both Our Turn (501(c)(3)) and Our Turn
Action Network (501(c)(4)). The CEO’s leadership encompasses
organizational health, programming, fundraising, strategic
communications, messaging, partnership development, and strategic
growth.

This position plays a pivotal role in establishing a
best-practice organization for immediate and long-term growth. The
CEO will focus on elevating young people and equity across various
facets of education justice. This includes shaping policies,
cultivating a community of change agents, influencing public
narratives, and generating grassroots and political power through
democracy building. The CEO will actively pursue new fundraising
opportunities from individual, corporate, and foundation donors,
working closely with the Director of Development, senior staff, and
board members and will align the development efforts with its
programming strategy emphasizing impact through leadership
development, storytelling, and student-centered initiatives.

Furthermore, the CEO will serve as a leader on the Management
Team, collaborating with students and organizational leaders to
advance its mission through culture development, talent planning,
strategic initiatives, and financial management. The CEO will lead
a team of 11-12 full-time staff members and 23 fellows. This role
demands a self-starter with resourcefulness, a balanced approach to
hands-on and strategic work, strong collaboration skills,
adaptability, and an inspiring growth mindset.

Responsibilities:

Strategy, Governance, & Accountability

• Set the vision and strategy for Our Turn’s next 3-5 years, by
  Fall of 2024, aligned with the organization’s mission and
  values.
• Provide leadership and direction to the organization’s staff,
  fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and commitment to
  educational equity.
• Partner with the Management Team to build annual and long-term
  strategic plans with timelines, key milestones, and activity owners
  that advance organizational impact and resilience.
• Demonstrate leadership and gain alignment to the strategy with
  tactical goals and metrics for Our Turn staff to achieve the
  strategy.
• Report regularly to stakeholders, including funders, on
  progress and outcomes.

Development & Fundraising

• Partner with the development team to formalize a development
  plan that delivers on the $2.1M goal for FY24, with a pipeline for
  future increases over the next 3 years that aligns with the upwards
  trajectory of the organization.
• Develop a strategy to diversify and expand the fundraising
  portfolio beyond traditional education donors, including
  foundations, grassroots donors, high net worth individuals, and
  corporations.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders,
  partners, and supporters.
• Ensure programming growth by collaborating with team members to
  develop revenue targets and strategies that align with program
  goals, and offer a perspective of organization-wide strategic and
  operational decisions.

Financial Performance

• Partner with the Finance team to provide a consistent and
  transparent view into revenue and cash versus our operating budget
  and expenses.
• Manage the organization’s budget and financial resources,
  ensuring fiscal responsibility and sustainability.
• Monitor financial performance and make data-informed
  decisions.
• Maintain a clean audit as well as 3 months of cash on hand
  every month throughout the fiscal year.

Organizational Leadership, Talent, &
Culture

• Recruit, mentor, and develop a high-performing team, fostering
  professional growth and a commitment to the organization’s
  mission.
• Partner with the management team to review the current
  organizational structure and develop a new operating model to
  allocate resources to maximize impact.
• Partner with the Management Team to oversee all aspects of
  operational performance, including the management of the
  organizational dashboard and the budget.
• Collaborate with team members to develop long-term talent plans
  that support the trajectory of FT and PT staff members while
  meeting organizational goals.
• Leverage digital technology tools to enhance organizational
  efficiency, communication, and program delivery.
• Create a positive, inclusive, and equitable company culture
  enhancing employee satisfaction and retention.

Program Development & Advocacy

• Bring expertise in working with multiple models for impact,
  continually assessing and improving effectiveness.
• Represent the organization in policy discussions and advocacy
  efforts at the local, state, and national levels.
• Advocate for policies and practices that promote educational
  equity and excellence while centering on elevating student
  voices.
• Maintain operational excellence and partner with the Chief
  Growth Officer to oversee the design and implementation of programs
  and initiatives to maximize student reach and impact.
• Ensure programs are evidence-based, data-driven, and have a
  measurable impact.
• Leverage C4 and electoral strategy background to advance
  community organizing efforts.
• Build partnerships with like-minded organizations and consult
  on youth-focused initiatives.

Brand, Marketing, & Communications

• Serve as brand ambassador for Our Turn and elevate youth voices
  as part of an overall communications strategy.
• Examine the communications function and recommend an
  organizational structure to enhance the reach and impact of a
  strategic communications function.
• Serve as a thought leader, driving the organization’s presence
  through events, marketing, PR, and communications expertise.
• Collaborate across teams to shape messaging strategies that
  drive positive awareness and influence among target audiences.

Board Relations Management

• Collaborate with the Board of Directors to provide regular
  updates, seek guidance, and ensure effective governance.
• Support the Board in recruiting, retaining, and engaging board
  members.

Capabilities:

• Proven senior leadership experience, preferably in the
  non-profit sector or related fields.
• Deep commitment to educational equity and a comprehensive grasp
  of educational policy, electoral strategy, community organizing,
  and leadership development.
• Exceptional expertise in fundraising, resource development and
  shaping formalized, revenue positive partnerships with external
  organizations.
• Effective communication skills and advocacy, capable of
  engaging diverse stakeholders.
• Proficiency in marketing, public relations, and
  communications.
• Strong grasp of technology and adept at utilizing digital
  tools.
• Demonstrated success in strategic planning and organizational
  growth.
• Financial acumen and experience in budget management.
• Collaborative and inclusive leadership style that empowers and
  develops staff and students, and external stakeholders.
• Dedication to fostering diversity and inclusivity within the
  staff and student body.
• Experience working with students from diverse backgrounds and
  involving them in decision-making and evaluation processes.

About Our Turn:

Our Turn recognizes that young people are uniquely positioned to
dismantle the inequitable education system and replace it with
something that truly serves all students. Its mission isn’t merely
about improving education; it’s about championing education
justice.

Education justice, for Our Turn, means students exercising
decision-making power over their own education. It means students
and families driving the conversation about what works best for
them and ensuring that resources support their aspirations. It’s
about student voice becoming the evidence base for educational
reform. It involves the centralization of Black, Indigenous, and
students of color in data, curriculum, culture, communications, and
funding. Our Turn is committed to activating the next generation of
diverse civic leaders through leadership development, grassroots
organizing, and movement building.

The new Chief Executive Officer will join the organization
during an exciting period of growth. In the past year, Our Turn
expanded its reach from 1.7M students to 4.1M students, through
innovative national programming that builds commitment for a youth-
and equity-centered education system. Our Turn’s work has garnered
recognition from influential publications like Teen Vogue, The 74,
and The Los Angeles Times, further solidifying its position as a
trailblazing force in the education justice movement.

Our Turn has built a presence at critical decision-making tables
on issues ranging from statewide assessments to teaching accurate
history, which has led to a greater ability to influence policy and
a stronger pipeline of potential donors.

This role represents an incredible opportunity to catapult Our
Turn into its next chapter. Our Turn is actively seeking a leader
who can strategically advance its youth- and equity-centered impact
while collaboratively guiding the management team, Board of
Directors, staff members, and student leaders. With the right
leader in place, Our Turn is excited to continue its upward
trajectory and explore new avenues for creating lasting change.

Our Turn invites you to join in its mission to fight for
educational justice, nurture and develop young leaders, and amplify
student voices to create a brighter future for all students which
can make a profound impact in the field of education, driving the
change that students deserve. Click here
to learn more.

Compensation and Benefits:

Our Turn offers a comprehensive compensation package for this
full-time position including an anticipated base salary of $210,000
+ bonus + executive training + benefits. The salary is determined
by work location and additional factors, including job-related
skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

To Apply:

Our Turn, in consultation with Summit Search Solutions, Inc.,
will begin a confidential review of application materials
immediately and continue until the position is filled;
parties who apply by January 29, 2024 will be given first
consideration. Please submit a CV/resume and letter of
interest upon application. All applications and nominations will be
held in confidence.

To apply online, go to: https://theapplicantmanager.com/jobs?pos=su399

For more information or to offer recommendations or
nominations:

Arasi Adkins

Senior Consultant

Summit Search
Solutions, Inc.

(336) 693-7612

[email protected]

Todd LoFrese

Senior Consultant

Summit Search
Solutions, Inc.

(919) 442-7258

[email protected]

Our Turn encourages individuals of all backgrounds to apply for
open positions, and is committed to recruiting a team that reflects
the diversity of its student movement. Our Turn does not
discriminate against any applicant for employment because of race,
color, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender
identity or expression, nation of origin, disability, age, marital
status, military status, or parenthood.