Job Announcement

Executive Director Position

Wisconsin Youth Company, Inc. (WYC) is a private, non-profit corporation whose mission is that children of Wisconsin benefit from communities that nurture them. WYC provides and facilitates informal education, care, recreation and enrichment programs for children and youth, including after school programs at over 50 sites in Dane and Waukesha counties. The Wisconsin Youth Company, Inc. Board of Directors (Board) is currently seeking a dynamic and proven leader with a passion for creating and supporting our vision to serve as Executive Director and to lead the organization toward the accomplishment of an ambitious set of strategic outcomes (Ends) for children and youth in Wisconsin. The Executive Director, who is accountable to the Board of Directors, will work with staff and the Board of Directors to assure long-term stability and thoughtful growth of the Wisconsin Youth Company program and initiatives.

Your Qualities

You will have considerable freedom to accomplish the Board's Ends within clearly stated limitations related to prudence and ethics. To be a successful candidate, you will need to be able to demonstrate:

• A clear grasp of and commitment to the Board's Ends
• An appreciation of the challenges you are likely to face in fulfilling those Ends
• The ability to develop effective strategies within a continually changing environment
• High-level management skills
• The highest standards of personal integrity
• Strong commitment to the value of accountability

Your Role

Your role will be to lead the staff of the organization and be accountable for all they do in pursuit of the Board's Ends. Thus, your work will involve:

• Being the link between the Board and the operating organization
• Ensuring that the organization is operating within a reasonable interpretation of the Board's Ends and Executive Limitations policies
• Keeping the Board informed of anticipated or actual noncompliance with any Board policy
• Providing the Board with the decision information it requires to keep its policies current
• Providing monitoring information, including policy interpretations and data, according to the Board's monitoring schedule.

Your Qualifications

• Master's degree in a related field (or equivalent experience)
• Significant supervisory leadership including senior management experience required, with a minimum of five years as executive director and non-profit management experience preferred
• Proven financial management skills
• Demonstrated success in creating and executing a strategic vision
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in a wide range of environments
• Solid understanding of developmental needs of children and youth
• Ability to develop productive community relationships
• Demonstrated success in working with a Board of Directors
• Cultural competence and strong commitment to diversity
• Able to work flexible hours
• Valid driver's license and access to a motor vehicle or the ability to otherwise meet the transportation requirements of the job
• Experience in a child/youth development field; computer literacy; and knowledge and/or experience with Carver Policy Governance®, a plus

How To Apply

Compensation includes a starting salary range of $60- $71K based on qualifications, and a generous benefits package. WYC is currently accepting applications and requests that candidates submit a letter of interest highlighting relevant experience and qualifications, along with resume/vita, names and contact information for three professional references, and any other supporting material demonstrating your qualifications. Please submit this information electronically to the WYC Board of Directors at wycboard@wisconsinyouthcompany.org. Review of applications begins May 30, 2009 and continues until a final selection is made. WYC is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

Supplemental Information

About Our Organization

The Wisconsin Youth Company (WYC) is an exciting and innovative 501c3 non-profit organization serving youth in Dane and Waukesha County since 1974. WYC provides informal education, recreation, care and enrichment programs for children and youth with a focus on kindergarten to middle school and a small number of programs for high school age. WYC is funded primarily by parent fees with additional grant support from Dane County Department of Health and Human Service, City of Madison, the Community Development Block grant, the Madison Community Foundation and numerous small arts-based grants. The WYC staff of 250 full and part-time employees implements and administers programs that combine best practices in youth development with a culturally conscious pedagogy and curriculum. The Wisconsin Youth Company is a well-known and highly valued community asset.

About the Recruitment Process

• General timeline: May 1, 2009 - July 1, 2009 with adjustments and extensions as needed
• Ad placement: online & in print media
• Candidate submission: letter of interest, resume/vita, references, other supporting material
• Initial Screening: letter of interest, etc.
• Telephone Interview with Board panel
• Interview with Board & site visit
• Background and reference checks
• Job offer
• New Executive Director start

About the Terms and Conditions of Employment

Compensation includes a starting salary range of $60 - $71K based on qualifications, and a generous benefits package. The Executive Director of the Wisconsin Youth Company, Inc. is an at-will employment position. WYC is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

Place of Work

The WYC administrative office is located in southwest Madison at 1201 McKenna Blvd. The organization also has a regional administrative office in Waukesha and an in-house print operation on Madison's east side. In addition there are 50-55 "after-school" program sites in Dane and Waukesha counties. Travel between offices and sites are expected.

About Our Board's Policies

Our board uses the Policy Governance® system as developed by John Carver. The authoritative Web site can be found at www.policygovernance.com. Further information is available through www.policygovernanceassociation.org.