executive search nonprofit boston, human resources nonprofit boston, nonprofit hr management course

Successful Search! Zalima Oliver Joins Volunteer Lawyers Project as Director of People & Culture

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Volunteer Lawyers Project and Pillar Search & HR Consulting are proud to announce the appointment of Zalima Oliver to the role of Director of People and Culture. Zalima joined Volunteer Lawyers Project on August 23, 2021.

As Director of People and Culture, Zalima will manage all aspects of Volunteer Lawyers Project’s Human Resources function, assess organizational needs, and champion, promote, and guide Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion processes and initiatives. Zalima will partner strategically with Volunteer Lawyers Project’s leadership team to shape employee relations strategies and practices and ensure appropriate employee development and opportunities for advancement.

Zalima brings extensive human resources experience and expertise to her role with Volunteer Lawyers Project. Most recently, Zalima was the Director of People and Culture with YouthBuild USA. Prior, she was the Human Resources Manager at Pharmalogics Recruiting and Human Resources Director at Madison Park Development Corporation. Earlier human resources leadership roles with leading nonprofit organizations included Urgent Care Centers of New England, International School of Boston, Lutheran Social Services, and Boys and Girls Clubs of Dorchester,

Zalima has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts.

About Volunteer Lawyers Project: Volunteer Lawyers Project is a nonprofit organization based in Boston. For over forty years, Volunteer Lawyers Project has strived to give equal access to representation for the people of Greater Boston, standing up for those who are from lower income households and in need of legal aid. Their efforts are propelled by a strong team of volunteers including attorneys, paralegals, and law students from all segments of the legal community. These vital volunteers work together with the entire dedicated staff of Volunteer Lawyers Project.

About Pillar Search & HR Consulting: A woman-owned business based in Boston, Pillar Search & HR Consulting provides executive search/recruiting and human resources consulting expertise to nonprofit and mission-driven organizations, working with senior leaders and boards of directors to hire and develop the very best talent across all functional areas of the organization. For more information, please email Cindy Joyce at cindy@pillarsearch.com or visit www.pillarsearch.com.

nonprofit executive search firm boston, nonprofit recruiter boston, Regis College

Happy Birthday to Pillar Search & HR Consulting!

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It is hard to believe that it has been five years since I started Pillar Search & HR Consulting. It has been a labor of love, a source of joy and purpose. My nonprofit and mission-driven clients are awe-inspiring and do amazing work in education, workforce development, the arts, sustainability, women’s rights, economic empowerment, and so much more. I consider myself so fortunate to help them to advance their missions by hiring for their important roles and developing and empowering their teams.

I intentionally chose July 16, 2015 as my founding date because it was the birthday of one of my best friends, Sharon Mulcahy, who had died unexpectedly the year prior. Sharon and I met the day we moved into Regis College as freshman, and were friends for over 25 years. Sharon was an entrepreneur and cofounder of Jackrabbit Design. Watching her grow her business, which included many nonprofit clients, taught me so many wonderful lessons that have helped me in my own entrepreneurial journey. In the past few years, when I face a challenge, I often wonder “what would Sharon do?” and feel her somehow guiding me in the right direction. 

In honor of Pillar’s 5th anniversary and my dear friend who inspired its founding date, I have made a donation to Regis College’s Diverse Educator’s Scholarship, which honors the mission of Regis and its commitment to diversifying the education profession by offering a select group of undergraduate education students the opportunity to attend Regis through merit-based aid. Upon graduating, these students serve underrepresented populations in education.

Thanks to all who have helped me along this journey. Here’s to another exciting five years!

A woman-owned company based in Boston, Pillar Search & HR Consulting provides executive search and human resources consulting expertise to nonprofit and mission-driven organizations, working with senior leaders and boards of directors to hire and develop the very best talent across all functional areas of the organization. For more information, please contact Cindy Joyce at cindy@pillarsearch.com.

Chief Information Officer nonprofit Boston, JVS Boston jobs, nonprofit executive search firm boston

New Job Opportunity! Chief Information Officer for JVS Boston!

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Executive Search Boston

Pillar Search & HR Consulting is proud to partner with Jewish Vocational Services (JVS Boston) on hiring their new Chief Information Officer.

Organization Overview: 

For 80 years, Jewish Vocational Service (JVS Boston) has helped tens of thousands of individuals with barriers to economic success secure financial independence through training, education and employment services.  As the largest provider of adult education and workforce development services in the region, JVS is a nationally recognized leader in workforce development, and is a key part of the poverty alleviation strategy for the greater-Boston area.  In order to reach people in need of assistance on their pathway to meaningful employment and financial independence, JVS targets most of its services to low-income individuals who are unemployed or underemployed and to low-wage workers in need of career advancement services.  Many have multiple support needs ranging from limited English proficiency and lack of education to disabilities, criminal records, lack of childcare and transportation.  JVS operates on annual budget of more than $15 million, of which is derived equally from public and private sources.

After completing a $6 million Capital Campaign and moving to a new Center for Economic Opportunity in 2015, JVS took on the first-in-the-nation Pay for Success project in workforce development.  In the coming years, JVS will continue to expand its impact, offer the high-quality programs that have shaped its reputation, as well as build innovative new initiatives to move into the next phase of its growth.

 

Position Overview: 

To support its ongoing growth in program development and infrastructure investments, JVS is seeking a highly strategic, forward-thinking, and experienced Chief Information Officer (CIO). Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the CIO will be a member of the executive team. JVS’ strategic plan is focused on growth, including investments in infrastructure. The CIO will be responsible for updating agency hardware, transitioning the agency to a new central software, and defining and centralizing technology spending.

 

Responsibilities:

  • The CIO will establish the mission and vision of JVS’ technology organization to foster a value-added, user-focused mindset.
  • Implement technology, process, and engagement steps in order to optimize staff productivity, support consistent cross-program delivery, and foster an information-driven culture.
  • Implement a single, accessible, fully integrated business operations platform that will power the informed, end-to end, prospect to alumni journey of clients across JVS service segments.
  • Identify IT or technology commonalities across business lines and standardize methods while being mindful of the need for flexibility. These include, but are not limited to, case management, programs, and fundraising.
  • Develop and maintain an appropriate IT organizational structure to ensure appropriate support of the organization’s needs, define and communicate plans, policies and standards for system implementation; ensure continuous delivery of IT services.
  • Assume leadership role in the development and implementation of the JVS disaster recovery and business continuity plans.
  • Ability to recognize and define problems, invent and implement technology solutions, track and evaluate results against goals, and communicate metrics to senior leadership.
  • Manage the annual technology budget.
  • Manage all IT vendors

 

Qualifications:

  • Expert knowledge of information systems principles and best practices.
  • Ability to innovate, develop new strategies, and drive a best-in-class technology organization.
  • Bachelor’s degree required.
  • Deep experience developing and implementing organization-wide information management strategies to support the achievement of strategic business imperatives.
  • Demonstrated ability to think strategically while executing tactically; strong project management and execution skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to become the subject matter expert and trusted technology advisor to senior stakeholders.
  • Exceptional relationship building and interpersonal skills.
  • Strong staff management skills, with the ability to foster inclusiveness, a sense of team accountability, and high performance.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage complex vendor/customer relationships.
  • Flexible and adaptive work style, with the ability to uphold a high degree of personal accountability, as well as exercise solid judgment and proactively address problems as they arise.
  • Understanding and past experience with workforce development issues preferred, willingness to learn essential.
  • Ability to translate complex technical issues into language and concepts that key stakeholders can use to make fully informed decisions.
  • Ability to thrive in a dynamic, mission-driven, and collegial culture, as well as model enthusiasm for an organizational shift to be more goal-oriented, forward-thinking, and innovative.

 

Additional Information: 

JVS is strongly committed to diversity and a workplace environment that respects, appreciates and values employee differences and similarities. By providing and supporting a work culture that fosters and builds upon diversity and its strengths, JVS will better serve our local communities and continue to provide quality services.

JVS is an employment at-will organization and an equal opportunity employer committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws.  Additionally, JVS prohibits retaliation against an applicant or employee because he or she has engaged in protected activity under the statutes prohibiting discrimination in the workplace.

 

To Apply to the Chief Information Officer Opportunity: 

JVS has partnered with Pillar Search & HR Consulting on the CIO search. Please submit your cover letter and resume to Cindy Joyce at cindy@pillarsearch.com.

Raising A Reader, Raising A Reader Frances Lee, Raising A Reader Michelle Torgerson

Announcing Raising A Reader’s New Development Director

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Pillar Search & HR Consulting is excited to announce that Frances Lee will be joining the National Office of Raising A Reader as Development Director.  In this capacity, Frances will be responsible for developing and leading Raising A Reader’s annual contributed revenue plan. Reporting to the President and CEO, she will lead a three-year growth fund campaign to support the organization’s new strategic plan and build relationships with institutional and major donors.

Frances joins Raising A Reader from Girls on the Run of the Bay Area, where she served as Development & Communications Manager.  In that role, Frances was responsible for events, marketing and fundraising campaigns to ensure the continued growth of the organization and creating meaningful partnerships with Bay Area companies and community members to further the mission of empowering healthy, confident girls. Before joining Girls on the Run, Frances served in a variety of roles including as a consultant with the San Francisco Bach Choir, Senior Manager, Field Development with Autism Speaks, and Community Engagement Representative with Be The Match, which is operated by the National Marrow Donor Program. In addition, Frances is currently on the Board of Directors at Little Opera, where she serves as Development Chair, and has done event and fundraising consulting with San Francisco Marathon, A Runner’s Mind Productions, and OneCause.

Hire the best! Pillar Search & HR Consulting provides nonprofit human resources consulting and executive search expertise, working with senior leaders and boards of directors to find the very best talent across all functional areas of the organization. For more information, please contact Pillar’s CEO, Cindy Joyce at cindy@pillarsearch.com.

chief advancement officer LIFT, chief advancement officer nonprofit, national nonprofit search

LIFT’s Chief Advancement Officer

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Pillar Search & HR Consulting is pleased to have been selected to manage LIFT’s search for their new Chief Advancement Officer.

ABOUT LIFT
Founded in 1998, LIFT is a national nonprofit that empowers families to break the cycle of poverty. LIFT operates program sites in four major cities – Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and Washington, D.C. – where they connect hardworking parents and caregivers of young children to the people, tools and resources they need to achieve greater economic security and well-being. LIFT believes that by investing in families during children’s earliest years they can break the cycle of intergenerational poverty. To learn more, visit www.WhyWeLIFT.org.

LIFT seeks to hire individuals who are inclusive, results-oriented, and skilled at communication, teamwork, fostering positive working relationships, and problem-solving.

POSITION OVERVIEW
This is an exciting opportunity for a proven nonprofit leader to manage and build the development and communications functions at a high-impact organization, and to serve as a critical member of the organization’s executive team. Success for this role will be defined by LIFT’s fundraising success in the short and long-term, and LIFT’s national visibility as a leader in the anti-poverty space. The position may be located at any of the LIFT offices (Los Angeles, CA, New York, NY, Washington, DC, or Chicago, IL).

The Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) is responsible for increasing LIFT’s fundraising capacity to achieve its vision and strategic goals. Working closely with LIFT’s CEO, the CAO will be charged with establishing and executing a compelling strategy for revenue generation at LIFT and for leading both national and regional fundraising teams to achieve ambitious development goals. Specifically, the CAO is responsible for the vision, successful organization and execution of all development initiatives including major gifts, foundation grants, corporate partnerships, public funding, and capital campaigns.

The CAO will also lead all marketing, and communications initiatives to ensure cohesive and impactful messaging that aligns with LIFT’s mission and strategic goals. The CAO is a chief spokesperson representing the organization to both internal and external constituencies.

With that, this position will lead and manage the National Communications and National Development teams.  This includes six geographically dispersed team members (with two directly reporting to this position) as well as dotted-line responsibility for other team members at the regional level. This individual will be a mentor and provide oversight of fundraising and communications efforts as well as identifying growth and learning opportunities for all members of the team.

The CAO will report directly to LIFT’s CEO, Michelle Rhone-Collins, and will serve as a member of LIFT’s executive leadership team. They will work closely with the Board of Directors, other senior staff and key stakeholders.

CHIEF ADVANCEMENT OFFICER RESPONSIBILITIES:
Lead Fund Development Strategy:

  • Provide strong, strategic leadership of LIFT’s development function by setting ambitious, attainable goals that will increase annual operating funds; aligning fundraising strategies with LIFT’s strategic plan; and managing the development team to achieve and exceed their revenue targets.
  • Provide oversight of all development-related activities and lead coordination with the CEO, Regional Executive Directors, Chief Financial Officer, other senior staff and appropriate Board committees.
  • Manage and strengthen LIFT’s existing development strategies including major gifts, foundation and corporate funding, and special events.
  • Manage the expansion of the major gifts program, implementing systems and processes to build and sustain an effective pipeline.
  • Coach senior staff (Executive Director, Program Directors & Managers, etc.) and Board members on effective fundraising practices, helping them to identify, cultivate, and steward donors.
  • Collaborate across departments and regions to create an environment that nurtures a fundraising mindset throughout all levels of the organization.
  • Partner with the Chief Financial Officer for budget development and management; assure sound fiscal operation of the development function including timely, accurate and comprehensive development income and expense budgets, reporting, monitoring and implementation. Ensure strategic plans for fundraising and communications are integrated with LIFT’s near- and long-term strategies and priorities.

Lead Communications and Marketing Strategy:

  • Lead the Communications team in defining and building an aggressive marketing strategy that ensures consistent institutional messaging and strong branding aligned with LIFT’s core values.
  • Oversee the development and execution of comprehensive marketing strategies including brochures, annual reports, social media, and websites.
  • Actively seek opportunities for LIFT to share insights through media, conferences, and other public forums and serve as primary point-person for all opportunities and requests.
  • Provide messaging strategy and support for all brand ambassadors, public events and engagements.

Manage Performance:

  • Build a strong and nimble Development and Communications team through strategic recruitment, professional development, performance management, and motivational leadership.
  • Oversee performance measures and monitor results to help the CEO, Executive Directors, and Board of Directors evaluate the effectiveness of the organization’s fund development, communications, and marketing.
  • Foster an environment of cohesiveness, collaboration and achievement, develop and implement best practices, and ensure staff accountability for excellence through clearly defined and measurable goals.

Lead External Relationships with Current and Potential Donors & Partners:

  • Alongside the CEO, serve as LIFT’s lead fundraiser, generating significant, renewable funding.
  • Serve as an ambassador for LIFT and its programs, representing LIFT to external supporters, partners and donors and at the highest level in public forums.
  • Maintain a significant portfolio of principal donors, and facilitate relationships between donors and LIFT’s leadership team.
  • Lead relationship-building strategy and activities with major individual, foundation, and corporate donors, developing relationships with key partners and prospective donors.

LIFT’S IDEAL CANDIDATE

  • You are committed to LIFT’s mission and organization’s core values of equity, diversity, excellence, relationship, and hope.
  • You have 10+ years of non-profit development/fundraising and internal/external communications experience with 3-5 years of executive level experience. Experience working within an organization with a national/regional dynamic is strongly preferred.
  • You have a track record of success in raising significant amounts of money through major gifts from individuals, businesses, foundations, or corporations.
  • You possess a strategic understanding of various development campaign activities, including proposal and grant development, annual fund and planned giving, public funding, direct mail, event planning and management, direct solicitations, and more.
  • You have demonstrated experience building or strengthening the structures, supports, and teams required to support a high-performing development team.
  • You possess demonstrated experience securing and managing both restricted and unrestricted grants.
  • You have exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, and are able to use words to inspire in multiple formats.
  • You are committed to recruiting, mentoring, training, and retaining a diverse team, and you possess the foresight and ability to delegate appropriately.
  • Experience managing remote teams is strongly preferred.
  • You are able to operate with flexibility, creativity, fearlessness and determination while maintaining respect for others’ concerns.
  • You are resourceful in finding alternative ways of reaching funding objectives when barriers arise.
  • You are able to travel up to 50%.

WHAT LIFT OFFERS:

  • Competitive annual salary
  • Employer-paid healthcare coverage
  • 403(b) retirement savings plan with employer matching contribution after 1 year of employment
  • Employer-paid short- and long-term disability coverage
  • Pre-tax benefits for transit, health and childcare
  • Monthly cell phone reimbursement
  • Generous paid-time-off policy. Employees may accrue up to 4 weeks of paid time off during their first year at LIFT, and all employees receive a one-week company-wide vacation over the winter holidays.

TO APPLY
LIFT has partnered with Cindy Joyce of Pillar Search & HR Consulting on the search for its new Chief Advancement Officer. Qualified individuals, please submit a resume and thoughtful cover letter to cindy@pillarsearch.com. Please include your full name in the subject line.

LIFT and Pillar Search & HR Consulting believe that diversity in all dimensions of the organization supports and bolsters the innovative thinking essential to its success. LIFT and Pillar do not make hiring decisions on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic background, age, disability, religion, political affiliation, or ideology.

diversity equity inclusion, leadership advice, linkedin

LinkedIn’s Gender Insights Report: How Women Find Jobs Differently

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Pillar Logo

LinkedIn’s Gender Insights Report, How Women Find Jobs Differently has been published. 

Did you know women are:

  • 14% less likely to apply to a job after viewing it, and
  • 24% less likely to ask for a referral, yet…
  • 16% more likely to get hired to the jobs they apply to? 

This informative report is available at no charge and definitely worth reading as we all #BalanceForBetter!

Hire the best! A woman-owned consulting firm in Boston, Pillar Search & HR Consulting provides human resources and nonprofit executive search expertise, working with senior leaders and boards of directors to find the very best talent across all functional areas of the organization. For more information, please contact Pillar’s CEO, Cindy Joyce at cindy@pillarsearch.com.