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Search Success: Maridel Perdomo Joins Families First as the Senior Director of Programs!

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Families First and Pillar Search & HR Consulting are excited to announce, following an extensive and competitive candidate search, that Maridel Perdomo has joined Families First as the Senior Director of Programs.

This is an exciting time for Families First, as they are seeing incredible outcomes from their programs and are in the process of expanding across the state. With the launch of a 5-year business plan, the organization looks toward significant growth in the coming years.

Reporting to Family First’s Executive Director, Sue Covitz, Maridel will be responsible for the oversight and implementation of Families First’s regional programming in Greater Boston and Western MA. Through this work, she will prioritize Families First’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging by engaging parents and the Families First team to inform regional and programmatic growth as the organization expands.

In addition, she will oversee Families First’s alumni services, support the evaluation and quality strategy, and support the program curricula and training strategy. She will serve on the leadership team to advance organizational goals and cross-departmental priorities and will execute and monitor expansion plans as a part of the 5-year business plan.

Maridel joins Families First from Schools for Children, where she was the Director of Extended Learning Programs. There, she was responsible for multi-site programs for 200 students and leading 30 staff members. Prior roles have included Site Director of YMCA at Gardner Pilot Academy, Preschool Director at Pine Village Preschool, and roles as Job Developer and Youth Program Director with Centro Latino. Maridel earned her master’s degree in public administration from Framingham State University, her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Salem State University, and also holds a degree in Human Resource Administration from Cecilio Acosta University in Caracas, Venezuela. Recently, Maridel served on the Board of Trustees of Watertown’s New Rep Theatre, where she was a member of the Diversity Committee and was involved in fundraising, budgeting, and the annual planning process.

About Families First: Families First’s mission is to partner with parents to amplify their power so they can positively impact the lives of children and communities through their groundbreaking programs. Their model includes parenting education and support, parent leadership, family engagement, and alumni services.

For more than 35 years, Families First has been a leader in providing parenting education across the Greater Boston area. The organization was founded in 1988 with the goal of helping parents navigate the diverse challenges of raising children by providing research-based parenting education services.

Today, Families First provides Massachusetts’s most comprehensive model for early childhood parenting education, family engagement, and parent leadership: The Power of ParentingTM program and The Ripple Program TM.

As a result of Families First’s high-impact, multi-tiered program model, parents will support the development of their children’s social-emotional and cognitive skills, embrace their role as the most important force in their children’s learning and well-being, and gain new skills and resources to support and advocate for their children as they grow. Learn more about this amazing organization at www.families-first.org.

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 visit www.pillarsearch.com.

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New Search! Chief People Officer with UTEC

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Pillar Search is honored to partner with UTEC on the search for their new Chief People Officer (CPO). This role is hybrid and based in their office in Lowell, MA. This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced Human Resources professional with experience building a strong organizational culture, scaling growing organizations, and who shares UTEC’s commitment to diversity and social justice.

ABOUT UTEC

UTEC is a nationally recognized program for justice-involved young adults. The program starts behind the walls of correctional facilities and intensive street outreach/gang peacemaking and transitions into an intensive program in the community post-release. The nature of their educational services, wraparound supports and counseling, social enterprise/workforce development, organizing/policy work, training institute, and innovative partnerships creates a variety of impacts in the lives of the individuals and communities they serve.

Last year, UTEC served over 600 young adults including a range of outreach activities, and approximately 150 young adults intensively through their comprehensive program. During this fiscal year, 75% of young adults at UTEC avoided arrest. With over 20 years of experience, UTEC is a catalyst, innovating in the way they serve young adults (ages 17-25) who are criminally and/or gang involved in Massachusetts’ Merrimack Valley. Learn more about UTEC at https://utecinc.org.

UTEC values a strong, positive culture. Their organizational values are:

  • Assuming goodness behind everyone’s actions.
  • Show madd love, unconditionally accepting each person.
  • Offer everyone a clean slate, never giving up.
  • Carry out respectful curiosity, always seeking out moments to connect.
  • Be a sponge, actively seeking feedback.
  • Embody contagious passion in all they do.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

Above all, the Chief People Officer will drive a joyful, mission-driven, and positive organizational culture!

The CPO is responsible for leading UTEC’s people and talent strategies, managing and mitigating organizational risks, and continuing the development of their human resource-related strategies, policies, and procedures. This role will be responsible for setting strategy, managing employee relations, workforce development, oversight of talent development and acquisition, onboarding, performance management, succession planning, staff and leadership training, policy development, benefits administration, and organizational compliance.

The CPO plays a key leadership role in supporting the agency’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all areas of management and ensuring UTEC’ DEI vision is embodied in their work and workplace culture. This position acts as a strategic advisor to senior leadership on a variety of issues, including employee relations, leadership development, organizational culture, and talent management; therefore, strong expertise in executive-level management, communication, business process improvement, and DEI strategic planning with a social justice lens is required.

This position will report to UTEC’s incoming CEO.

The CPO will work to support and strengthen UTEC’s systems and culture with a customer service and growth mindset. They seek candidates with experience aligning their people and talent strategy to their business strategy. In addition, the CPO will bring expertise independently designing and executing human capital strategies and processes/process improvements across a large team, change management, leading an organization to implement new approaches to strengthening diversity, equity, and inclusion, ability to work across a dynamic and diverse set of relationships, managing complex and sensitive situations rounded in values and in accordance with HR best practices and the law. The PO will also focus on leading the administration of benefits, ensuring that he UTEC benefits continue to remain competitive and meet the needs of employees.

The new CPO will partner with Executive Management in fine-tuning a new performance management process and development of a system of alignment between compensation and performance management.

This role will lead and manage a talented team of HR professionals, including the Director of HR and HR Associate, providing ongoing feedback and coaching, annual review/goal setting, and serving as a strategic thought partner. This role will also oversee, as needed, recruitment consultants.

THE IDEAL CPO CANDIDATE

UTEC is seeking a values-driven CPO with experience as a senior organizational leader in human resources and recruitment with a strong background in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging work, preferably in the nonprofit sector. The ideal CPO candidate will possess the following experiences and attributes:

  • Experience leading the HR function with a focus on employee experience.
  • Strong knowledge of current HR best practices, laws, and trends.
  • Deep understanding of diversity, equity, inclusion, and restorative justice as a steppingstone to transformative justice., the nuances of the topics aligned with it, and creating DEI initiatives.
  • Experience building inclusive and engaged workplaces, and cultural awareness and sensitivity with a lens on racial, gender, sexual identity, class, and all forms of oppression.
  • Ability to deal with conflict effectively and to manage difficult employee relations situations confidently and calmly.
  • A collaborative, influential, goal-oriented, and coaching focused style of leadership with direct reports, peers, employees, and leadership.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and the ability to find creative solutions to cultural, administrative, and organizational challenges.
  • A track record of successful change management.
  • Experience creating and/or implementing leadership development programs.
  • Strong project management and organizational skills.
  • A big-picture thinker who recognizes the impact of decisions and actions on the entire organization. Exhibits sound and accurate judgement and makes timely decisions.
  • Desire to be part of hardworking, collaborative, fun, and values-driven team.
  • At least 7 years of progressive human resources experience, with at least 3-5 years at the management/director level, and proven experience with diversity, equity, and inclusion, with a focus on transformative and social justice.
  • Bachelors/Masters degree preferred, or equivalent work experience.
  • PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP a plus

SALARY & BENEFITS

The salary range for the CPO role is $130,000-$150,000 annually. This is a hybrid role, with 3 days per week in UTEC’s office in Lowell, MA.

UTEC offers a competitive benefits package that starts with 4 weeks of vacation (3 standard for all new employees and week of agency-wide closure between the Christmas and New Year holidays), 12 holidays, 10 sick days, 2 personal days, health, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, an annual cost of living increase, 457(b)-retirement plan, and up to $4,000 per employee of professional development support annually. With time, benefits increase to 6 weeks of vacation, increased coverage of health and dental insurance costs, and availability for a 3-week sabbatical.

UTEC stresses the importance of work-life balance and offers several wellness opportunities including additional time off (i.e., for the past two years they have closed at 3:00 p.m. on summer Fridays), an employee assistance program, down payment assistance for first-time home buyers, parental leave, bereavement support, and unlimited free coffee!

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY

UTEC is an equal opportunity employer and an organization that values diversity, equity, and inclusion.  People from all diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. You can read more about their commitment to diversity at https://utecinc.org/diversity-equity-and-inclusion.

TO APPLY

UTEC’s Chief People Officer search is being managed by Pillar Search & HR Consulting. Please submit your materials via the UTEC website at https://utecinc.applytojob.com/apply/R0J0CAPtZY/Chief-People-Officer

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New Search! Chief Development Officer with UTEC

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Pillar Search is honored to partner with UTEC on the search for their new Chief Development Officer (CDO). This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced development professional with expertise in growing support for an organization and leading a high-performing team.

ABOUT UTEC

UTEC is a nationally recognized program for justice-involved young adults. The program starts behind the walls of correctional facilities and intensive street outreach/gang peacemaking and transitions into an intensive program in the community post-release. The nature of their educational services, wraparound supports and counseling, social enterprises/workforce development, organizing/policy work, training institute, and innovative partnerships creates a variety of impacts in the lives of the individuals and communities they serve.

In 1999, UTEC was founded as the result of an organizing movement driven by young people to develop their own teen center in response to gang violence. In 2010, after ten years in operation as a drop-in center and safe space for young people of all ages, UTEC staff engaged in a Theory of Change process that led to a programmatic restructuring to provide intensive, integrated services for the most disconnected youth ages 17-25. UTEC decided to continue the organization’s gang prevention work and education programming, as well as expand its employment and transitional coaching services.

In 2011, UTEC began construction to expand and renovate its youth center in downtown Lowell to accommodate increased enrollment and grow their social enterprises. By 2016, UTEC had expanded its social enterprises into three industry areas: mattress recycling, woodworking, and food services. In 2017, the 2Gen Center @ UTEC opened its doors to provide onsite early education for young children of UTEC’s enrolled young adults.

Since 2019, UTEC has celebrated the grand opening of new program sites in Haverhill and Lawrence. In the same year, UTEC was selected as the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ provider for a Gun Violence Prevention Training Center for Excellence, which is now the premier training facility in the state for addressing gun violence through both a public health and racial equity lens.

In FY22, UTEC served over 600 young adults including a range of outreach activities, and approximately 150 young adults intensively through their comprehensive program. During this fiscal year, 75% of young adults at UTEC avoided arrest. With over 20 years of experience, UTEC is a catalyst, innovating in the way they serve young adults (ages 17-25) who are criminally and/or gang involved in Massachusetts’ Merrimack Valley.

UTEC values a strong, positive culture. Their organizational values are:

  • Assuming goodness behind everyone’s actions.
  • Show madd love, unconditionally accepting each person.
  • Offer everyone a clean slate, never giving up.
  • Carry out respectful curiosity, always seeking out moments to connect.
  • Be a sponge, actively seeking feedback.
  • Embody contagious passion in all they do.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

UTEC is seeking a talented Chief Development Officer who is deeply committed to advancing racial equity and can act as an ambassador for UTEC and the important work they do, demonstrating a personal commitment to the organization’s values and imparting them to others, both within and outside the organization.

Reporting to the CEO, this position will lead an eight-person development team, carry a portfolio of high net-worth prospects, and create a vision and strategy for doubling UTEC’s philanthropic revenue over the next several years.

The CDO will be a member of UTEC’s senior leadership team and work closely with the Board and the Advisory Committee.

UTEC has had success closing 6 and 7-figure gifts from individuals and has a strong individual pipeline that needs to be cultivated. This will be an area of focus and opportunity for the CDO.

Leadership and Management

  • Lead an overall team of six professionals, which includes three direct reports (Director of Principal Gifts, Director of Major Gifts (to be hired), and Director of Advancement and Donor Services).
  • Create and oversee the implementation of a comprehensive development strategy and measurable plan to grow philanthropic revenue, with an emphasis on individual giving.
  • Develop short-term and long-term fundraising goals and benchmarks and analyze the effectiveness of all development initiatives regularly.
  • Working closely with the Director of Advancement and Donor Services, develop and execute best practice development systems and operations to support a successful and rapidly growing development program.
  • Mentor, inspire and grow the development staff.

Prospect and Portfolio Management

  • Collaborating with other members of the UTEC organization, develop strategies for prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individual, corporate, and foundation prospects.
  • Personally build and manage a portfolio of individual and institutional prospects.
  • Engage leadership in key donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities.
  • Build on current stewardship activities to deepen relationships with current donors.
  • Develop and implement new engagement strategies.

Key Qualifications

  • Strong commitment to social justice and serving UTEC’s young people.
  • Successful track record of closing major gifts and building productive relationships with boards, donors, and colleagues at all levels
  • Solid understanding of development best practices and insight into how technology supports philanthropy.
  • Experience leading and managing a team of development professionals.
  • Passion for supporting the professional development of direct reports through coaching, mentoring and a strengths-based approach.
  • Strategic, persuasive, and action-oriented – entrepreneurial and comfortable taking calculated risks
  • Able to represent UTEC’s diverse culture
  • Flexible and resourceful self-starter who can work well in a fast-paced environment with evolving priorities.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • A great sense of humor and an ability to collaborate with colleagues at all levels.
  • Ability to work a flexible schedule, including some night and weekend events as needed.
  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
  • Experience with Salesforce a plus.

Salary/Benefits: The salary range for the Chief Development Officer role is $130,000 – $150,000. UTEC offers a competitive benefits package that starts with 4 weeks of vacation (3 standard for all new employees and a week of agency-wide closure between the Christmas and New Year holidays), 12 holidays, 10 sick days, 2 personal days, health, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, an annual cost of living increase, a 457B retirement plan and up to $4,000 per employee of professional development support.  With time, benefits grow to include up to 6 weeks of vacation, 80% coverage of employee health and dental insurance costs and availability for a 3-week sabbatical.

UTEC also stresses the importance of work-life balance and offers several wellness opportunities including additional time off (i.e., for the past two years we have closed at 3pm on Fridays during the summer months), an employee assistance program, down payment assistance for first time home buyers, parental leave, bereavement supports and unlimited free coffee!

TO APPLY

This search is being led by Pillar Search & HR Consulting. Please submit your materials to Cindy Joyce via the UTEC career page at https://utecinc.applytojob.com/apply/G9cCnM9JMX/Chief-Development-Officer.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY

UTEC is an equal opportunity employer and an organization that values diversity. People from all diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. You can read more about their commitments here. 

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New Search! Senior Director of Programs with Families First

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Senior Director of Programs

Pillar Search & HR Consulting is honored to partner with Families First on the search for their new Senior Director of Programs. This is a hybrid role based out of their office in Watertown, MA.

Parents have the power to shape their children’s futures and make their communities stronger.

Families First’s mission is to partner with parents to amplify their power so they can positively impact the lives of children and communities through their groundbreaking programs. Their model includes parenting education and support, parent leadership, and alumni opportunities.

For more than 30 years, Families First has been a leader in providing parenting education across the Greater Boston area. The organization was founded in 1988 with the goal of helping parents navigate the diverse challenges of raising children by providing research-based parenting education services.

Today, Families First provides Boston’s most comprehensive model for early childhood parenting education, family engagement, and parent leadership: The Power of ParentingTM program and The Ripple Program TM.

As a result of Families First’s high-impact, multi-tiered program model, parents will support the development of their children’s social-emotional and cognitive skills, embrace their role as the most important force in their children’s learning and well-being, and gain new skills and resources to support and advocate for their children as they grow.

Learn more about this amazing organization at www.families-first.org.

About the Senior Director of Programs Opportunity

This is an exciting time for Families First, as they are seeing incredible outcomes from their programs and are in the process of expanding across the state. With the launch of a 5-year business plan, the organization looks toward significant growth in the coming years.

The Senior Director of Programs is responsible for the oversight and implementation of Families First regional programming in Greater Boston and Western MA, utilizing a lens of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging to support the regions and its programming as the organization expands.

In addition, this position will oversee Families First’s alumni services, support the evaluation and quality strategy, and support the program curricula and training strategy.

The Senior Director of Programs will serve on the leadership team to advance organizational goals and cross-departmental priorities and will execute and monitor expansion plans as a part of the 5-year business plan.

Essential Job Functions

Lead and manage the Program team

  • Guide and inspire team with human-centered leadership.
  • Ensure continuous growth and development of staff through coaching, mentoring, and continuous feedback.
  • Create and maintain a team culture where everyone is valued and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are integrated into all aspects of the work.
  • Manage the Associate Director of Curriculum & Training, two Regional Directors, Family Engagement Manager, and Senior Evaluation Manager, which includes the creation and support of annual goals for each team member, completion of quarterly check-ins and annual reviews, regular meetings, and coaching and mentoring as needed.

Oversee implementation of Families First regional programming and alumni services in Greater Boston and Western MA

  • Guide and determine strategic goals and vision for regional programming, primarily including Power of Parenting, in collaboration with Regional Directors.
  • Develop and oversee strategy for alumni services across the organization with Family Engagement Manager.
  • Oversee the development and management of regional partnerships in collaboration with Regional Directors.
  • Develop and manage enrichment partners to support programming in collaboration with Family Engagement Manager and other staff.
  • Monitor and maintain appropriate staffing levels for program implementation.
  • Oversee the development and management of the program department budget for the regions, alumni, curriculum, training, and evaluation.

Oversee the overall strategy for program curricula and training of Program Facilitators who implement our programs in collaboration with the Associate Director of Curriculum & Training

  • Support the development and implementation of the plan for ongoing curricula updates and training needs, including plans related to future growth and expansion.
  • Oversee curricula and training quality management strategy.
  • Serve as a consultant for major curricula changes and amendments.
  • Attend Program Facilitator meetings and retreat.

Oversee evaluation and quality management strategy to ensure programming is implemented with quality and fidelity to the model and impact is captured and shared

  • Support and guide the development and implementation of the overall evaluation and quality management strategy and plan in collaboration with the evaluation team.
  • Participate in key evaluation meetings such as with research partners and evaluation consultants as needed.
  • Ensure all programmatic efforts meet and exceed the needs of partners and communities through regular evaluation and review.
  • Monitor program data in collaboration with program staff across regions and in central office with a lens on continuous improvement, quality, and consistency across programming and identify needed changes/adjustments.
  • Collaborate with evaluation and administrative staff to assess changes/updates to the evaluation and quality management plan and data systems/protocols as needed.

Execute other organizational and programmatic responsibilities

  • Manage overall program budget.
  • Report programmatic activities regularly to board, staff, and funders.
  • Review grant proposals and attend funder meetings to support the organizational development work.
  • Identify programmatic and system needs and collaborate with administrative staff to build and update systems and protocols across regions to ensure programs are implemented with quality and field staff are supported appropriately.
  • Serve on the leadership team to advance organizational goals and cross-departmental priorities.

Ideal Qualifications

  • 7+ years of experience in managing programs and leading teams responsible for similar types of programs.
  • A master’s degree in social work, public health, public administration, nonprofit management, education, or related, may be substituted for two years of the required
  • Experience working in culturally diverse environments and a deep understanding of issues related to diversity and cultural responsiveness are
  • Strong management/leadership
  • A visionary, big-picture thinker who is able to engage team members and key constituents in pursuit of goals.
  • Experience managing a budget.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and strong communication.
  • Knowledge and experience with curriculum development, training, facilitation, and quality control of programs.
  • Skilled in strategic management of partnerships and/or collaborations.
  • Strong technical skills.
  • Excellent planning and organizational
  • Attention to detail and
  • Bilingual in Spanish is a plus.

Requirements

  • Must be able to travel regularly throughout Greater Boston, Western MA, and other areas as the organization grows. Valid drivers license is required.
  • Available to work evenings/weekends as required.

Salary & Benefits

The starting salary range is $100,000-$110,000, with the opportunity for growth over time. Families First offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes paid time off (including 12 paid holidays), health, dental, FSA, and 403(b).

Schedule

This is a full-time, 40-hour/week, exempt, hybrid position, working two days in-person at the central office in Watertown in addition to some regular travel to regional locations in Greater Boston, Western MA, and other locations as the organization expands. This position also requires availability to attend occasional evening and weekend events/meetings. This position reports to the Executive Director.

To Apply

Please submit your resume and cover letter to Cindy Joyce of Pillar Search at cindy@pillarsearch.com.

Families First has a strong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We aim to attract qualified candidates who hold these same values and help us further recognize and celebrate the diversity among us.

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Search Success: Sher Omerovic Named JVS’ New Chief Program Officer!

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JVS Boston and Pillar Search & HR Consulting are proud to announce, following an extensive and competitive candidate search, the appointment of Sher Omerovic to the position of Chief Program Officer.

This is a well-deserved promotion from Sher’s most recent role with JVS as Senior Vice President of Programs. Sher joined JVS in 2016.

Reporting to JVS’ CEO, Kira Khazatsky, Sher will lead the core of JVS’ work – the development, quality, and delivery of JVS’s services. Sher will provide strategic leadership to the programmatic Vice President team to ensure alignment with the organization’s mission and goals, and support and develop the programmatic VP team to achieve programmatic outcomes. She will collaborate with other principal executives to ensure long-term strategic planning and board management align with the organization’s mission and goals.

Sher brings extensive program, workforce development and leadership experience to the Chief Program Officer role. Prior to JVS, she worked at the Fish Family Foundation, where she developed and implemented a statewide citizenship initiative partnering with multiple community organizations, immigration attorneys, and volunteers to organize large-scale citizenship events across the commonwealth, and held roles in immigration and employment with Catholic Charities of Boston and in grants with United Way. Sher earned her master’s degree in nonprofit project management from Northeastern University and her bachelor’s degree in international relations and modern languages from Beloit College.

About JVS Boston: For 80 years, JVS 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. For more information, please visit www.jvs-boston.org.

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 visit www.pillarsearch.com.

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Search Success: Chelsea Lynn Joins Fab Foundation as General Manager!

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Fab Foundation and Pillar Search & HR Consulting are proud to announce the appointment of Chelsea Lynn to the position of General Manager. Chelsea joined Fab Foundation on January 4, 2023.

As General Manager, Chelsea will oversee the daily operations and administration of the organization, coordinate with the K-12 Education team, the Academany teams, and the International Operations teams to ensure the steady functioning of the organization across all portfolios. She will help design better and more efficient workflows and operational strategies for the organization.

Prior to joining Fab Foundation, Chelsea was the Local Health Liaison Team Manager with Partners in Health, working to implement the Community Tracing Collaborative contact tracing program during the COVID-19 pandemic in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Earlier in her career, Chelsea was a Procurement Specialist in Washington, DC and New Delhi, India with XLA, a firm that
provides technical and administrative solutions to the federal government.

Chelsea earned her Master’s in Women Peace, and Security from the London School of Economics, a Master’s in Intelligence and International Security from King’s College of London, and her undergraduate degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from American University.   Chelsea currently resides in Brooklyn, NY.

About Fab Foundation: The mission of the Fab Foundation is to provide access to the tools, the knowledge, and the financial means to educate, innovate, and invent using technology and digital fabrication to allow anyone to make (almost) anything. They create opportunity. Learn more about Fab Foundation at https://fabfoundation.org.

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 the boards of directors to hire and develop the very best talent across all functional areas of the organization. For more information, please visit www.pillarsearch.com.

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New Search! Head of Public Relations for the B.A.A.!

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OVERVIEW

Pillar Search & HR Consulting is honored to partner with the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) on the search for their new Head of Public Relations. This role will advance the B.A.A.’s mission and vision through strong, innovative, and dynamic leadership. This is a hybrid role; the B.A.A.’s offices are in Boston, MA and Hopkinton, MA.

ABOUT THE B.A.A.

The B.A.A. is a non-profit organization with a mission to promote a healthy lifestyle through sports, especially running. The B.A.A. is committed to a world where all people can access and benefit from running and an active lifestyle. The B.A.A. advances its mission and vision in a variety of ways, such as organizing mass-participatory running events like the Boston Marathon, creating or supporting community fitness events, and sponsoring a running club that serves the greater Boston area.

The B.A.A. believes that everyone—no matter their race, gender, or background—should be able to advance their well-being safely and without fear or discrimination of any kind. The organization is committed to fostering a workplace and community that is diverse, equitable, inclusive and promotes a sense of belonging for all. To learn more about this wonderful organization, please click here.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The founding Head of Public Relations will play a vital role in the development and implementation of an innovative public relations strategy and program to advance the effectiveness and vision of the B.A.A. They seek a hands-on and high-level leader to ensure they capably and consistently communicate their purpose, events, and philosophy to their audience and communities.

You will partner and collaborate closely with media, external stakeholders and each of their internal teams to achieve success. The Head of Public Relations will report directly to the B.A.A.’s Chief Executive Officer and be part of the organization’s senior leadership team. The position will have the opportunity to build a best-in-class Public Relations strategy and function for global impact.

RESPONSIBILITIES

PR Strategy Management

  • Create and manage the B.A.A.’s PR strategy, program, and story – proactively creating a productive image for the B.A.A., its work and its vision.
  • Build and maintain productive relationships with key stakeholders (e.g., media and industry contacts, local, state, and federal government and public officials/public affairs, community partners, B.A.A Marketing and Communications), collaborating appropriately to advance our strategy and promote the B.A.A.
  • Promote the B.A.A. within their industry.
  • Develop and lead campaigns (such as how the B.A.A. is leading in terms of industry innovation, in the diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging space, etc.), external efforts, and outreach. Measure and report on success of efforts, recommending changes to approach based on data insights.
  • Work closely with CEO to develop and deliver the organization’s external messages.
  • Work closely with our Marketing and Communications team members to coordinate and deliver content effectively across multiple channels. Provide guidance to collaborators.
  • Prepare content for various channels and events, such as key talking points, Board materials.
  • Serve as PR lead and spokesperson during B.A.A. races and industry events, press forums, and as needed.

Community Liaison

  • Serve as a “bridge” to their various communities and audiences. Enhance the B.A.A. presence and brand in the local market.
  • Leverage local and regional contacts to ensure B.A.A. work is highlighted throughout the year, and in alignment with their strategy. Continuously build and strengthen these relationships, managing their public affairs and media relations.
  • Collaborate with local cities and towns, and their respective agencies, organization, and contacts. Consistently provide outward communications and engagement with these groups to support B.A.A.’s strategy and position on running throughout the year.

 Crisis Communications

  • Serve as crisis communications leader and point person.
  • Proactively plan for possible scenarios and ensure all involved understand what to do when predicted scenarios do occur.
  • Anticipate and be available (seven days a week, if required) for critical PR needs.

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR

There are innumerable ways to learn, grow and excel professionally. Pillar Search and the B.A.A. knows people gain skills through a variety of professional, personal, educational, and volunteer experiences. We respect this when they 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.

  • Minimum of five (5) years demonstrated leadership in a public relations/media (or comparable) role.
  • Effective interpersonal and creative problem-solving skills; proven track record for working well across teams and with a variety of stakeholders.
  • Experience directing the media/media-related activities to elevate an organization’s profile, including both traditional and social media. The ideal candidate will have an established network within Boston’s media industry.
  • Experience in crisis communications situations.
  • Proven ability to serve as an effective organizational spokesperson, produce excellent forms of written communication, and manage media relations.
  • Knowledge of the organization.
  • A commitment to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.

WORK EXPECTATIONS AT B.A.A

The B.A.A. is a hands-on team and seek employees who are passionate about their work and service to the community. The Head of Public Relations role is a 40 hours/week, exempt position. This role will have an MA-based hybrid work arrangement. Beginning February 1, 2023, the B.A.A. will have a seasonal hybrid work model in which different months of the year require 2-3 days/week in the office while other months require 0-3 days/week. The B.A.A. has two office spaces–one in downtown Boston and one in Hopkinton, MA. The Head of Public Relations will be expected to travel to the Hopkinton office on an occasional basis, though they will primarily be based in the Boston office.

COVID-19 Guidelines

B.A.A. continues to adapt to safety protocols related to COVID-19 as they understand them. All candidates must comply with B.A.A.’s current COVID-19 Guidelines, including B.A.A.’s vaccination requirement. All employees must receive at least the first dose of the vaccination no later than one week after their start date, and must be fully vaccinated no later than 4 weeks later.  For the purpose of this policy, individuals are considered fully vaccinated for COVID-19 two weeks after they have received the second dose in a two-dose series (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) or two weeks after they have received a single-dose vaccine (Johnson and Johnson/Janssen).

The B.A.A. requires all employees to receive the COVID vaccine. For the safety of the community, B.A.A. employees are expected to obtain COVID tests if they have symptoms or have traveled by plane. Quarantining may be required after air travel.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

The salary range is competitive and commensurate with lived and professional experience. The B.A.A. will promote your professional growth and development by providing access to:

  • Competitive health & dental insurance plans with employer contributions of at least 80%
  • Life insurance, short term, and long-term disability plans funded 100% by the B.A.A.
  • 401K matching dollar-for-dollar up to 4% after one year of service, elective deferrals may begin upon hire
  • Paid vacation based on years of service
  • 11 paid holidays, 9 scheduled and 2 floating
  • A private option for Paid Family & Medical Leave with up to 26 weeks of paid leave per year for qualifying leave events

HOW TO APPLY

To apply to this position, please prepare a resume and cover letter to the attention of the B.A.A. Hiring Team and submit your materials to Cindy Joyce, Founder & Executive Search Consultant, Pillar Search & HR Consulting, at cindy@pillarsearch.com.

The B.A.A. is an equal opportunity employer and does not unlawfully discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on the basis of an individual’s race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status or any other status protected by applicable law.