Job Description
MISSION Engaging the entire person to facilitate exploration and discovery of life's possibilities through mentorship. Expanding purpose, possibilities, and hope for youth and families
History After 31 years in the video production and corporate communications industry, Joe Baldo was called to a life of ministry. A loving family, a wonderful life, a successful career, and an overwhelming sense of gratitude led Joe to sell his company and dedicate his life to giving back.
Volunteering in juvenile hall, Joe had countless conversations with youth where it became clear to him that many faced unfathomable barriers and challenges that eventually will lead to their incarceration. It was obvious that the youth growing up in these severely under-resourced communities needed support, guidance, hope, and positive role models. This led Joe to the concept of Higher Ground:
- A supportive setting where youth can find guidance, especially when facing critical choices that can have lifelong implications.
- A space where kids know they are always welcome, safe, and lead toward positive opportunities.
- An environment with honest and caring mentors providing ongoing support in all areas that youth need to be successful in life.
Higher Ground achieves this with a multi-use field, a clubhouse, a creative learning center, STEM lab, and modular buildings for enrichment activities, homework help, and tutoring, all supported by deeply dedicated mentors.
Today In twelve years of Joe Baldo's tenure, the organization has undergone a significant evolution from a grassroots vision to a well-respected, culturally inclusive entity serving over 2,700 youth and families annually.
Higher Ground is a thriving nonprofit with a positive flurry of activity, hope, and joy. Joe, with the support of a dedicated Board of Directors, all who give to the organization, and staff have taken Higher Ground from a dream to a 501c(3) nonprofit that has revenue of approximately $2.1 million in calendar year 2023 and healthy reserves with a year of operating budget.
On any given day, Higher Ground will serve on average 120 youth and their families at the main campus in Anaheim, as well as an additional 230 at their 2 on-site school locations in Fullerton. The strength of a dynamic infrastructure leading the work at Higher Ground emulates from a staff of 10 full-time and 59 part-time staff, interns and/or behavioral health Marriage and Family Therapists or Masters of Social Work student practicum students into our mental health programs. Higher Ground's Senior Leadership team is composed of passionate, collaborative, and highly dedicated leaders in their respective fields, who alongside volunteers and interns support youth and families with basic needs, mentoring, counseling, food, and workforce development with 45,000 hours of practical counseling sessions and have educated 14,000 youth in the field of Human Trafficking Prevention.
A major factor in Higher Ground's success is its collaboration with local universities, including Chapman University, California State University, Fullerton, University of California, Irvine, California State University, Long Beach and Biola University. Additionally, Higher Ground integrates practicum students into their mental health programs in partnership with The Chicago School, Hope University, UMass, Loma Linda University and Vanguard University. During any given semester, Higher Ground will have between 60-70 college interns spread between their 3 locations.
Most of the programming occurs in modular buildings situated on local park land leased from the city for $1 annually. Since the pandemic, they have expanded their facilities, increasing their square footage from 5,000 to 12,500. In Fullerton, the programs are hosted at 2 Title 1 elementary school sites.
Joe has spearheaded the majority of their major gift fundraising efforts with support from their Director of Communications. In 2023, this resulted in approximately $900,000 from donations and gala revenue, along with $1.7M in multi-year grants. Recently, they have secured earned revenue from a local school district which has opened doors to the potential of funding from other districts and, with additional grant opportunities in process, they expect their revenue to rise to around $3 million.
THE OPPORTUNITY Founder and Executive Director, Joe Baldo, will be transitioning to retirement as of January 2025. Sterling Search is now seeking a visionary leader to guide the organization into its next chapter. The continued opportunities for growth and other programming are tremendous. Higher Ground is seeking a Chief Executive Officer (CEO), who will embrace and recognize the value of its historical accomplishments, while at the same time engaging the Board, staff, and volunteers in strategic visioning and implementation of organizational best practices and systems to ensure its continued growth and sustainability as a vital community resource.
This is a phenomenal and rare nonprofit opportunity for someone who is inspired by the Higher Ground's mission and respects its wealth of history and the role it plays as the beating heart of the community. The new CEO must bring energy, enthusiasm, passion, and a comprehensive skill set to take the Higher ground to its next stage of growth.
The new CEO will be an innovative and accomplished servant leader, poised to inspire staff, board members, volunteers, and the community. Their role will involve building on Higher Ground's successful track record by refining the organization's vision and advancing its goals. This includes boosting community engagement, developing a sustainable philanthropic program, and enhancing the impact of its services, all while ensuring ongoing financial stability.
This individual must possess intellectual horsepower and be naturally persuasive, adaptive, fair, and value accountability for themselves and others. The new CEO will lead based on the ethics of collaboration, self-improvement, empowerment, and the drive for excellence, ensuring that the best services are being delivered to the community it serves.
POSITION DESCRIPTION The CEO reports directly to the Board of Directors and oversees all strategy and operations which includes human resources, financial management, administrative duties, program management, fund development, marketing, community and civic communications, and strategic planning. The CEO will be forward-facing in the community, representing Higher Ground's mission and vision to all stakeholders, consistently promoting awareness and value the organization provides to the community.
Board and Strategic Visionary Leadership - Lead a collaborative process with the Board of Directors and its committees, executing decisions effectively and ensuring that the Board of Directors and its committees are informed of critical developments in a timely, efficient, and effective manner.
- In partnership with the Board of Directors and senior management team, develop and implement strategies to foster the acceleration of Higher Ground's mission, support leadership, and nurture/sustain the engagement of all staff members.
- Continue to support the development and cultivation of a strong Board of Directors, representative of Higher Ground's diverse community.
- Lead, and with the Board Chair, contribute to the development of the board and play an integral role in developing prospects and cultivating major donors and funding agencies.
External Relations and Fundraising - Operate as the Chief Development Officer in guiding the increased awareness and impact of the organization, clearly articulating its mission, vision, programs, and strategic direction.
- Develop a comprehensive fund development plan that includes the expansion of government grants, identifies individual and corporate prospects and donors, and enhances a short- and long-term diversified funding base.
- Foster strong relationships with current and potential donors, board members, community partners, families, and community leaders to enhance engagement and support for the organization's mission.
- Continue to raise the public profile of Higher Ground by serving as a key spokesperson and advocate for the organization, as well as being a visible, visionary, and influential leader and fundraiser in the community.
- Continuously assess community needs, evaluating partnership opportunities to promote programs uniquely suited to the mission.
- Assess, manage, and develop fundraising systems to ensure ongoing engagement and stewardship of key donors and donor prospects.
Program Management - Works closely with the Director of Programs to evaluate existing and future programmatic needs and develop systems to ensure that outcome data is evaluated.
- Assess, oversee, and execute programmatic excellence by establishing operational benchmarks and setting timelines to achieve strategic goals.
- Continually review and evaluate programs and report findings to the Board of Directors accordingly.
- Define and execute the strategy of effectively mobilizing volunteers in support of its programs.
Human Resources - Direct personnel to ensure that the organization is effectively structured and staffed with competent and high-performing employees; responsible for maintaining a diverse and equitable work culture.
- Manage an effective performance management system for all employees that will include setting objectives and completing evaluations on an annual basis.
- Motivate, build, guide, train, and lead a high-performing management team and provide mentoring as a cornerstone to management development.
- Foster engagement, team building, and consensus across the organization through regular meetings, collaboration, and other professionally sound methods.
- Oversee key cultural initiatives and ensure collaboration with all department leaders.
- Lead, motivate, manage, and develop staff to evoke passion for Higher grounds mission, and foster an environment committed to continuous improvement.
Financial and Operational Management - Oversee the Chief Operating Officer and work with the Board Treasurer to effectively manage, monitor, and oversee all financial reporting including management of budget and revenue; oversee facilities, risk management, and operational management.
- Assess financial systems, including accounting/budgeting software, to ensure efficient and effective workflow.
- Approve budget and expenditures within parameters set in the board, bylaws, and program policies.
- Oversee all legal contracts.
- Execute all other reasonable duties as assigned by the Board of Directors.
Professional Experience and Qualifications - Passion for mission.
- Imagination, vision, servant leadership, and integrity.
- Bachelor's Degree required.
- A minimum of 5-7 years of senior leadership experience within $2-$5M+ non-profit organizations.
- A minimum of 3 years of management of a director-level staff and direct stewardship of a Board of Directors.
- Demonstrated track record in acquiring gifts from individuals and corporations of $100,000 plus.
- Knowledge of government grants and school-based contracts is preferable but not essential.
- A demonstrated ability to plan and operate strategically, build public support, strengthen infrastructure, inspire staff as well as the board of directors, and develop/grow effective programs.
- Exceptional financial, organizational, and administrative skills.
- The ability to set goals and objectives, with strong execution and follow-through skills.
- Must have outstanding writing and oral communication skills and demonstrated ability to work effectively with and gain the respect and support of varied and changing constituencies including staff, board members, potential donors, volunteers and other related organizations or individuals as required.
- A team leader with a track record of managing a staff inclusive of hiring, rewarding, and retaining talent, and providing empowerment to the entire team.
- Computer literate: Knowledge of Word, Excel, and adaptability to learn database software.
The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following capabilities. - Commitment to the mission and work of the agency with the credibility and persuasiveness to secure support from others.
- A manager who leads by example and exemplifies the values and ethics of the organization.
- An organized individual with strong creative and conceptual skills.
- A doer who functions effectively without being autocratic or political; must be a team player who is inclusive, flexible, creative, energetic, and fair-minded.
- A decisive and resourceful individual who will accept responsibility and take charge of results, as well as work successfully with limited resources.
- A self-starter who is confident enough to express opinions, to forge ahead when appropriate and hold back, when necessary, with a sensitivity to the feelings and opinions of others.
- An energetic person who is emotionally mature and dependable, a collegial individual.
The position offers a salary range of $150,000 to $185,000 and a comprehensive benefits package. Sterling Search Inc
Job Tags
Full time, Temporary work, Part time, Local area, Flexible hours,