Bike Works is the kind of organization that fills you with hope, power and love, and it does it through bicycles. When Bike Works looks at a bicycle, they don’t see dollar signs, they see freedom. Having a bicycle and knowing how to fix it gives someone power. Bikes give us the chance to control where and when we move. Bikes free up money and keep us healthy. When fighting poverty and inequality, especially among young people, perhaps no machine is more powerful than a bicycle.
Jake Beattie has stepped down as Executive Director of Bike Works to take a position at the Northwest Maritime Center. In a letter to the Bike Works community, Beattie said:
This decision was incredibly difficult for me to make. Bike Works is a fantastic organization, both for what it adds to the community and the incredible community of people that surround and support it to success. The organization is on solid financial footing and is will continue programming and service for the community uninterrupted.
— Advertisement —
Bike Works is taking applications for the position through January 7 (it’s rolling, so you can apply until it is filled. However, these apps will be considered first). Here’s the job description, from their website. I wish them the best in their search.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Executive Director assumes primary responsibility for leading Bike Works in fulfillment of its mission and vision, including management of fundraising and administration, ensuring staff capacity, coordinating activities with the Board of Directors, and overseeing the organization’s finances.CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS: The successful Executive Director will:
1. Exhibit strong leadership, strategic vision and human resource management skills;
2. Value cultural diversity and reflect a deep and abiding passion for the mission of Bike Works, specifically youth empowerment and bicycle transportation;
3. Possess experience providing strategic and business leadership to a small organization embarking on a phase of potentially significant growth and change.
4. Have proven ability to secure significant funding from individuals, foundations and government agencies;
5. Understand the internal and external workings of a 501(c)(3) organization;
6. Be a resourceful problem solver and have a sense of humor.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director’s role and responsibilities include the following:1. Lead staff, Board, volunteers, and other key stakeholders in fulfilling mission and adhering to strategic plan. Includes supervision of three department heads who manage programs, the community bike shop, and fundraising. Critical focus in the coming years will be on translating our mission, vision, and values into annual action plans, defining and measuring success targets, and prioritizing and solving key organizational challenges.
2. Work with the Development Manager to develop annual fundraising goals and oversee implementation of strategies to achieve them. Play an active, leading role in engaging with current and prospective institutional and individual donors. Oversee revenue generation through bike shop. Manage cash flow and expenses and prepare monthly reports.
3. Manage operations, including HR policies & procedures, payroll and benefits, insurance, taxes, and oversight of bookkeeper’s work with payables, receivables, and financial records.
4. Supervise, mentor, and inspire staff; ensure a healthy work environment that attracts, maintains, and motivates quality staff. Develop annual staff review process that is aligned with our mission and values, schedule and conduct meetings and retreats as appropriate, and ensure staff member effectiveness.
5. Support and inspire the Board. Develop materials and reports for monthly Board meetings.
6. Ensure that Bike Works maintains a visible and vibrant presence in the community by fostering collaboration with partner organizations and speaking passionately in public forums. Maintain strong organizational image.
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:
The ideal candidate will have developed the following skills through a combination of significant professional experience, community engagement, and/or formal education:• Commitment to our Mission: Passion for building sustainable communities, educating youth and promoting bicycling.
• Fundraising: Demonstrated success in cultivating, stewarding, soliciting and securing major gifts. Experience seeking and incorporating best practices from across the nonprofit sector for development purposes.
• Leadership and Management: Ability to inspire, mentor, and build the skills of a small, committed, hard-working staff. Experience with or interest in working as a part of a team in a small nonprofit organization and being a part of a creative, fun, healthy, flexible and collaborative work environment.
• Communication Skills: Ability to effectively and persuasively communicate our mission verbally through one-on-one interactions and public speaking opportunities, including ability to connect with youth, staff, donors, the board, and our community. Excellent writing skills a must.
• Organizational Skills: Strong organizational and operational skills, including finance, HR, and development. Ability to formulate and execute plans efficiently and effectively. Solid computer skills to work with a tech-savvy staff.
• Critical Thinking Skills: Demonstrated experience solving complex problems and responding to adaptive challenges.COMPENSATION:
$45,000-50,000 (starting salary depends on experience). Bike Works offers a medical benefits program, a generous vacation and holiday package and a flexible work environment.
HOW TO APPLY:
Please visit our website at www.bikeworks.org for more information about Bike Works. Send your resume, cover letter, and contact information for three references to [email protected]. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. Position open until filled; however, applications received by January 7, 2011 will receive priority consideration.Bike Works is an equal opportunity employer and encourages diversity of race, color, national origin, gender, and sexual orientation.
