Since 2002, WriteBoston has fostered deep learning for youth and educators. We elevate and reshape the role of literacy — writing, reading, and discussion — so that all youth think critically and can use their voice to create change.

WriteBoston offers two core programs: (1) professional development and coaching to build capacity of teachers, schools, districts and nonprofits to use literacy to support student learning and (2) Teens In Print, which brings Boston’s students together to learn journalism and publish writing for a large audience. Last year, 130+ students participated in afterschool, summer and community programs, 130+ educators participated in professional development and coaching and 1200 students were reached in our partner classrooms.

OUR STRATEGIC FOCUS

Beginning in 2021, WriteBoston has redoubled its commitment to using principles of equity and inclusion to position our programs and operations to thrive. As we look ahead to the next few years, we are committed to:

• Continued growth of our literacy programs, including:

• Deepening our professional development partnerships with Boston and Gateway City public school districts. Currently, we have partnerships with schools in the following districts: Boston, Framingham, Lowell, Nantucket and Boston Collegiate Charter.

• Testing a hybrid model for our Our Teens in Print program. Thanks to a new partnership with Babson College, we tested hybrid programming this summer at our six-week Summer Journalism Institute. This year, we’ll deepen opportunities for students to build community and grow their leadership skills.

• Continued internal growth within our team and organization:

  • Using our updated mission and values to open the door to new partnerships and program adaptations.

  • Creating and sharing an equitable compensation guide and revised performance management structure to increase transparency, steer pay practices, and better support employee growth.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

We seek an Executive Director with strategic acumen, exceptional team management skills, and a collaborative and strengths-based approach to leadership. You will be successful in this role if you can nurture a culture of teamwork, continue our focus on diversity, equity and inclusion, plan and support implementation of our fundraising strategy and goals, and position WriteBoston for continued success and growth.

As Executive Director, you will be responsible for overall strategic and operational leadership of the organization, including managing staff, programming, communications and marketing, financial management, and development. As an experienced and entrepreneurial professional, your primary focus is to ensure the health of organizational operations, fundraising for sustainability and programmatic growth.

This role reports to WriteBoston’s Board of Directors. The Executive Director directly manages three staff members: the Interim Director of Development + Communications, the Interim Director of Professional Learning and Partnership Development, and the Program Director, Teens in Print. Today, WriteBoston has a total of 7 staff members and an annual budget of approximately $1MM. In 2023, WriteBoston will add a full time Administrative Coordinator and a Grant Writing Consultant.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

As the Executive Director, you will be responsible for the following threads of work:

Organizational Strategy and Execution

• Develop and execute WriteBoston’s strategic priorities, which will guide the organization’s work over the next 3-5 years, and monitor progress toward goals

• Ensure ongoing programmatic excellence, rigorous program evaluation, and consistent quality of finance and administration, fundraising, communications, and systems; recommend timelines and resources needed to achieve the strategic goals

• Evaluate operational needs and work with the Board to improve organizational efficiency and effectiveness

• Develop, maintain, and support a strong Board of Directors; seek and build board involvement with strategic direction for both ongoing operations as well as for broader expansion

• Support and foster a culture that embraces teamwork, transparency, seamless communication and mentorship for staff

Fundraising and Partnership Development

• Cultivate and steward critical relationships with community partners, funders, and schools, to reach organizational growth and sustainability goals

• Execute ambitious but achievable annual and long-term plans for revenue generation and partnership creation

• Effectively engage the Board of Directors to provide ongoing support and engagement in the areas of growth, community partnerships and resource development

• Provide funders and partners with data, reports, and information to feel confident that their contributions are being deployed in a cost-effective and results-driven manner

• Maintain a working knowledge of significant social and educational developments and trends and build WriteBoston as a sought-after resource in the field of youth literacy

• Build and sustain excellent relationships both within and external to WriteBoston. You will be a natural partner with demonstrated ability to connect, build bridges and work collaboratively. This Executive Director will be a culture carrier who models passion for the mission, a respect for people and a commitment to moving the organization forward

• Nurture a transparent and compassionate culture where staff feels able to bring their full selves to work, supported and cared for personally and professionally and able to productively and openly engage in critical conversations

• Oversee WriteBoston’s efforts to ensure diversity, equity and inclusion are primary in all decision making, organizational practices and culture

• Lead internal work on diversity, equity and inclusion and implement systems and ongoing training designed to encourage sometimes hard but necessary conversations

• Apply an anti-racist lens to all job design, recruiting, staffing and transition processes and ensure that all systems support the organization’s goals in these areas

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

There are innumerable ways to learn, grow, and excel professionally. We respect this when we review applications and take a broad look at the experience of each applicant. We want to get to know you and the unique strengths you will bring to the work. This said, we are most likely to be interested in your candidacy if you can demonstrate the majority of the qualifications and experiences listed below. Successful candidates will demonstrate deeply held respect for and understanding of the power of our programming, even if their primary professional background is in another field.

• Senior-level leadership experience with a proven track record of successfully leading, managing, and growing a performance- and outcomes-based department, organization, or enterprise, preferably within the educational, nonprofit or philanthropic sectors

• A proven track record and passion for fundraising that is demonstrated in a commitment to maintaining current funders, a zest for cultivating new donors, an ability to generate new revenue streams, and a history of successfully taking organizations to the next level of sustained philanthropic support

• Commitment and experience to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging best practices and continuous learning

• Thrives in a lean, fast-paced, highly collaborative, and entrepreneurial environment; the integrity, wisdom, persistence, and humor necessary to address the practicalities of a growing, dynamic, organization

• A management style that combines respectful collaboration with disciplined productivity; the respect and team orientation to effectively support staff and the continued growth and direction of the organization

• Self-motivated and inspirational problem solver with maturity and tact to collaborate effectively with colleagues, Board Members, external partners and team members

• Desire to play a key role in partnering with Board and staff to achieve an ambitious vision requiring cultural responsiveness, bold thinking and comfort with pivots to harness opportunity to strategically advance our work

• Track record of effectively leading and scaling an organization and staff; ability to point to specific examples of having developed and operationalized strategies that have taken an organization to the next stage of growth

• Excellent strategic, analytical, and problem solving skills with the ability to overcome challenges through the development of thoughtful and creative solutions

• Exceptional oral and written communication, networking and public engagement skills, including the ability to adapt style and approach to diverse local constituencies and needs

• Ability to build sustainable and productive partnerships with nonprofits, philanthropic partners, academic institutions, and city and state government. Comfortable and capable of speaking to these constituents and other stakeholders about the power and potential of WriteBoston’s model.

• Ability to compel others to action as a key storyteller of our path to impact, priorities for growth and ongoing contributions to the communities and young people we serve

OUR VALUES

Transformative Learning: Powerful learning experiences are engaging, empowering, and inclusive. Our programming taps into the talents, knowledge, and identities of all learners: youth and educators alike. We help educators transform their teaching and leadership practice with new ways of thinking, strategies, and inspiration to realize greater possibilities for their classrooms and students. We help youth to broaden their learning and experiences to become critical thinkers and powerful writers.

Empowering Literacy: Reading, writing, and discussion are essential tools across all areas of study, work, and life. They are necessary for critical thinking, self-expression, connecting with others, and advocating for change. We honor the language assets and literacy backgrounds that young people bring. Through literacy-rich experiences, learners build further skills to advance their educational, personal, and community goals.

Youth Voice: We center and amplify youth voices. Youth deserve spaces where their experiences, perspectives, and opinions are heard – and respected. We believe this is central to their personal development and sense of agency. We know that our institutions and communities are better when young people participate and contribute their ideas.

Justice: Young people’s learning experiences should enrich their lives and equip them with the tools they need to create positive change. Our programming honors the multiple identities and lived experiences of people. We use learning spaces as sites to resist and interrupt long-standing patterns of marginalization and oppression.

In collaboration with our partners, we strive toward the vision that all young people have high-quality learning experiences with educators who are deeply skilled and continuously learning.

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS & WORK LOCATION

Salary range for the role is $120,000-$130,000 and is commensurate with lived and professional experience. Comprehensive benefits include medical and dental insurance, a 401k plan and Flexible Spending Account, as well as 4 weeks of paid vacation, 3 personal days, 10 sick days, and 11 approved holidays. WriteBoston is closed between Christmas Eve and New Year’s day, so this is an additional week of vacation granted to all staff.

The WriteBoston team is based in schools, in their Roxbury office, and remotely, based on the needs of their roles. The full team comes together each Friday for a shared work day. The Executive Director will be expected to be in the office at least two days/week. All WriteBoston employees must be vaccinated against COVID-19.

MAKING THE DECISION TO APPLY

To apply to this position, please prepare a resume and apply through the application portal run by our recruitment partners at Positively Partners. For confidential inquiries or for assistance in completing the application, please contact Rose Costello at rcostello@positivelypartners.org.

TIMELINE AND HIRING PROCESS

We will review and respond to all applications received. While subject to change, candidates selected to advance will progress through a process that includes initial conversations with Positively Partners and interviews with members of the Search Committee. Finalists will have an opportunity to meet key stakeholders, including the Board and staff. Anticipated start date is March 2023.