President & CEO

THE ORGANIZATION
Founded in 1968, in response to civil
unrest following the assassination of the Reverend Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr., Program to Aid Citizen Enterprise (PACE) was
created by forerunners of the United Way of Allegheny County in
partnership with the Health and Welfare Association, the Allegheny
Conference on Community Development, and key leaders. Its purpose
was to help the African American community determine and meet its
needs by supporting the growth and development of nonprofit
organizations. Research and data-driven, PACE is a community
convener, service provider, consulting service and grant-making
organization. 
Today, PACE offers innovative
programming by leveraging a data-informed approach and 50 years of
capacity- building experience to determine how to best meet the
needs of communities that have been marginalized. Focusing not only
the collection of data, but the repeated analysis of key patterns
across and within communities, PACE supports their assets and
addresses their most pressing needs, advancing the mission and
issues of local nonprofits and the communities in which they serve
to help bring about lasting change. PACE seeks to advance a more
equitable community by strengthening small-to-mid sized,
community-based nonprofits that can successfully build the assets
and support the pressing needs of BIPOC communities that have been
marginalized.
Since its inception, PACE has provided
over $15 million in grants and technical assistance to over 450
nonprofit organizations in isolated and neglected areas of
Pittsburgh and Southwestern, PA. Examples of the work and progress
made include: 
Programs of PACE:

Intensive Services: Since 2006, this core program assists a
cohort of local small to mid-sized organizations in successfully
developing and completing projects that increase their
organizational capacity, developing stronger, more resilient
community-based nonprofit organizations to serve the community
effectively and meaningfully.

Leadership Development: BIPOC professional development and
coaching program for executive and next- generation professionals
to strengthen their leadership, organizational, and personal
growth.

PACE Consulting: Using its direct fee-based consulting and
training services, PACE works with regional philanthropic partners
to create special capacity-building projects and programs that
strengthen nonprofits and communities they serve.

Initiatives of
PACE:

The Pittsburgh Cultural Treasures Initiative (PCTI): Launched
in 2021 The Pittsburgh Cultural Treasures Initiative (PCTI) is a
collaborative effort between The Heinz Endowments, the POISE
Foundation and PACE, in partnership with the Ford Foundation to
“provide regionally significant cultural organizations of color
with meaningful sums of operating support during this period of
unprecedented upheaval, and to encourage related local efforts to
strengthen cultural endeavors that reflect and benefit BIPOC
communities over the next five years.”

Regional Nonprofit Effectiveness Study: The Health of the
Nonprofit Sector in Western Pennsylvania. Through the use of
machine learning and big data from nonprofit IRS 990s, foundation
and government funding, zip code level economic data, and
population demographics, we seek to assess local and regional
nonprofit effectiveness and the impact on communities. 

PACE also plans a number of key events
including Inclusive Voices, an annual luncheon event creating and
deepening partnerships with diverse members of the community to
promote change through thought-provoking conversations, and Equity
Learning Series seminars that enrich the dialogue and further
PACE’s goals to fight inequality and promote diversity, equity,
accessibility, and inclusion.
As a trusted partner in the
philanthropic and nonprofit sectors of the Pittsburgh region, PACE
fills a unique capacity building need in the nonprofit community.
With the leadership and vision of the CEO, building and growing the
relationships is one of the fundamental ways PACE will elevate and
expand its capacity building mission. 
For more information, please visit:
https://pacepgh.org/__;!!AjoU!YmeHneQBT8SVmcTY25cnQzUaNKVKEACJLSm07HH1fFZTgEl9vCD7ejrjaY1Z7ek6gSmjq_4Nvod5yx6dowtN9Go$”>https://pacepgh.org/
 
THE
OPPORTUNITY 
The President & CEO will be a
visionary and strategic leader with a commitment to advancing not
only the mission of PACE, but also to nonprofits and charitable
groups serving BIPOC communities that have been marginalized in
Allegheny and its surrounding counties.
PACE seeks a thoughtful, energetic,
and strategic leader who is eager to foster growth and uplift the
agency. People-centered and visionary, the President and CEO is
expected to shape and manage the strategic direction of PACE by
providing leadership and guidance, facilitating change, driving
revenue, and directing growth to ensure the day-to-day vitality,
stability, and value of the agency’s services. The Board seeks a
President & CEO that has program and service experience in the
nonprofit and philanthropic sectors, with specific experience with
coaching and consulting models and best practices in
grant-making.
Reporting to a Board of Commissioners,
the President & CEO understands the value of being a highly
visible leader in the community and must excel in relationship
building and resource development. With a budget of approximately
$2.5M and a staff of 8, PACE operates with a lean, but
high-performing team which requires a collaborative leader who will
empower staff to excel in accomplishing organizational goals. The
ideal candidate will also possess a deep understanding of the
operational needs of a nonprofit in order to ensure consistent,
high- quality execution of PACE’s mission.
The President & CEO will be
primarily responsible for the following:
Leadership &
Management

Assuring PACE effectively achieves its mission by providing
leadership and development innovation. This includes day-to-day
operations, fundraising, fiscal oversight, and strategic
planning.

Assigning clear accountability and ensures continuous
improvement in operations.

Proficiently managing growth stage operations, focusing on
increasing and diversifying revenue, securing (ideally multiyear)
philanthropic support for operating costs and increasing creativity
and sustainability through strengthening PACE’s financial
position.

Developing and monitoring the implementation of short and
long-range plans, clarifying roles and responsibilities to enhance
business and operational success.

Supervising external and internal assessment and evaluation of
PACE capacity-building programs and initiatives.

Continually evaluating organizational and community needs,
relevant program trends, as well as the needs of current and future
fellows to increase program strength and relevance.

Cultivating an ongoing learning environment embracing diverse
experiences, abilities, and approaches.

Supervising and ensuring efficient operational management of
staff, consultants, volunteers, and commissioners engaged in
PACE-supported programs and projects.

Collaborating closely with staff to initiate, coordinate, and
ensure operational and programmatic activities.

Uplifting the relationships with national capacity building
organizations to bring best-practices and new ideas to the
region. 

Development & Community
Relations

Cultivating relationships with philanthropic partners to
enhance long-term plans and strengthen ties with key foundations
and funders in the region. Providing strategic counsel on
leveraging funding opportunities from state, county, and local
sources.

Increasing and leveraging PACE’s impact by partnering with
appropriate stakeholders.

Fostering and expanding community partnerships and initiatives,
enhancing arts, education, economic development and human/social
services in the Pittsburgh and Southwestern PA communities.
Providing strategic leadership in various initiatives supported by
PACE.

Advocating for the needs of the sector through the
dissemination of data-driven research to decision makers and
stakeholders.

Serving as the key external voice of the agency, raising the
region’s awareness of and engagement in PACE’s work and enhancing
the agency’s visibility, relevance, and credibility. Embracing
opportunities to promote the mission and programs of the
agency. 

Board Relations

Developing, maintaining, and supporting an effective and
dedicated Board of Commissioners.

Serving as the Administrative Officer for the Board, assisting
in meeting schedules, committee

structures, agenda development, and record-keeping. Acting as
primary liaison to the Board, engaging Commissioners in the current
and future needs of the organization, ensuring the board is able to
fulfill its oversight responsibilities.

Participating in Board recruitment and collaborating with Board
leadership to promote governance best practices in order to
maximize board involvement.

Ensuring effective systems exist to track progress, and
regularly evaluating program components, so as to measure successes
and challenges that can be effectively communicated to the board,
funders, and other constituents.

Partnering with the Board to develop, maintain, and execute a
strategic plan for the future of the organization.

 
THE
CANDIDATE 
PACE seeks a leader with a deep
compassion and pride for the work PACE provides as well as a strong
commitment to social change through capacity-building and community
empowerment. This position requires a confident, forward-focused
leader who has significant history and demonstrated experience in
management, strategic planning, and the ability to collaborate with
diverse stakeholders. An experienced nonprofit leader, the
successful candidate will be a have deep passion for providing
high-quality programs and opportunities for marginalized
organizations and communities throughout the region. 
All candidates should have exceptional
and proven nonprofit management, leadership, relationship
management, and resource development experience, as well as possess
a combination of the following skills and attributes:

Demonstrated passion for and commitment to PACE’s mission and
vision.

Educational background that supports the required skills and
competencies.

Previous professional experience as a consultant or coach.

Past success working collaboratively with partners, including
but not limited to corporate and business leaders, philanthropic
leaders, like-minded organizational partners, and a Board of

Directors/Commissioners.

Extensive fiscal management and grant-based budget experience
with a track record of performance and entrepreneurial ideas.

Successful experience in leading fundraising for a comparably
sized agency.

Able to convey deep understanding and appreciation of the
assets owned and challenges faced by PACE program participants and
clients and the communities they serve.

Can utilize primary and secondary research to strengthen
program development, evaluation, and consulting.

Demonstrated technical knowledge and skills, incorporating best
practices and updated technology. Understanding of nonprofit
lifecycle theory.

High level of interpersonal and communication skills, with a
track record of building strong relationships with a diverse group
of individuals at all levels. Can build consensus for ideas and can
be effective in navigating sensitive topics internally and
externally.

Values an inclusive work environment and can demonstrate
cultural competence. Track record of creating and sustaining an
organizational culture that fosters diversity, equity, and
inclusion.

Adept at building effective teams and motivating others.
Working style that is transparent, encouraging, and
collaborative.

Skilled with change management and knowing how to assist
individuals and organizations through seen and unseen obstacles
toward their goals.

 
PERFORMANCE
OBJECTIVES
In the near term, the new President
& CEO will continue to deliver outstanding outcomes while
successfully addressing the following in the first 6-12 months:

Become immersed in the programs and people of PACE. Complete
personal outreach to and initial evaluation of all current program
and fundraising partners in order to deepen understanding of
current community relationships, both funding and
programmatic.

Review and analyze fundraising and development plans in order
to explore and maximize opportunities within the region.

Evaluate the organization’s current strategic plan and use it
to inform collaborative goal and vision setting with staff.

 
COMPENSATION AND
BENEFITS
This position offers a competitive
salary range of $135,000 – $150,000 and
a progressive benefits package.
 
WORKPLACE
ENVIRONMENT
Sharing offices with the POISE
Foundation in downtown Pittsburgh, the PACE office and staff
operates on a hybrid schedule, with in-office and remote
flexibility.
 
DEI IMPERATIVE
PACE seeks to recruit candidates for
employment that represent our diverse community in race, gender,
religion, sexual orientation, and ability. Inclusive and equitable
in our recruitment and retention practices, we are dedicated to
uplifting diverse opinions and backgrounds in order to grow and
evolve as a welcoming workplace for all.
 
HOW TO APPLY
PACE has retained Nonprofit Talent to
assist with this important organizational change process. Specific
questions related to the position may be emailed to Michelle Pagano
Heck, President, at [email protected]
Please direct all inquiries related to
this position to Nonprofit Talent, and do not contact PACE.
Resume, position-specific cover
letter, and salary expectations can be uploaded here: https://tinyurl.com/3bynurdf   
APPLICATIONS ARE DUE BY 5PM ON March
29, 2024
 
ABOUT NONPROFIT
TALENT
Nonprofit Talent is a boutique
executive search firm with a deep understanding of the nuanced
cultural and financial landscape of the nonprofit and philanthropic
community. We know the organizations and the people that commit to
the sector. Our candidates, through regional and targeted national
recruitment, frequently come from the same communities as our
clients. We firmly believe in uplifting the extraordinary talent of
our region in addition to seeking out new and vibrant talent
through national networks.