About Path Forward
Founded in 2016, Path Forward is on a mission to empower stay-at-home mothers and other caregivers to restart their careers. We fulfill our mission by working with employers to launch, implement and expand returnships -- a specific workforce development program geared toward professionals with post-college work experience and a significant gap in their career due to unpaid caregiving. Our program changes the culture of teams and companies to create an environment where returning professionals can thrive. Our goal is for these programs to be ubiquitous in corporate America -- as common as campus recruiting, new grad cohorts, and other programs aimed at attracting and retaining early career talent.
We’ve now built returnship programs with more than 100 companies, including top employers like Amazon, Audible, Expedia, Disney Streaming and PepsiCo. We’ve built a brand that is well-recognized by employers and caregivers alike. We have welcomed more than 1,000 caregivers into returnship programs and more than 80% have converted into full-time jobs. Read our 2021 Annual Report here.
At Path Forward, we have created the type of culture we want to see in the workplace. Our team is driven every day by our mission and organizational values. Employees are encouraged to bring their whole selves to work and are valued for their diverse life and professional experiences. As a member of our team, you will have the opportunity to thrive professionally while balancing your life outside of the office. We are purposeful in our mission to create meaningful and lasting change for mothers and all caregivers and welcome you to join us.
For more information on Path Forward, please visit here.
The Opportunity
Path Forward seeks an Executive Director (ED) to manage a 12-person staff and report to an engaged and professional Board of Directors. The ED is a mission-driven leader that will grow the organization in terms of culture, capability, fundraising, and impact. Together with the management team and the Board, the ED will develop and drive the long-term strategic plan.
This is a remote opportunity, with a preference for candidates in eastern or central time zones. The staff are dispersed throughout New York and other eastern states, as well as the midwest. There will be some travel needed for team building or meetings, however significant travel is not required.
Candidate Profile
The Path Forward Board is interested in identifying candidates who offer a wide range of skills, professional and lived experiences, and backgrounds. Significant fundraising experience is crucial and deep experience managing and leading teams, extraordinary communication and leadership skills, and a true passion for the mission are all required.
While it is understood that no one candidate will offer every desired qualification, the details provided below are representative of the competencies, knowledge, and experience Path Forward is seeking for this important hire.
Strategy and Vision
- Craft a strategy that builds toward the vision for the organization and inspires action and support for Path Forward’s mission, including from funders, employers, returners, program alumni, staff and other partners
- Present strategic proposals and plans for organization impact and gain Board approval as needed to implement and carry out the work of the mission of the organization
- Apply a strategic mindset, innovative thinking, and a data driven approach to analyze and support strategic decision-making
- Provide thought leadership on workforce development trends and challenges, gender equity in the workplace, and the systemic changes needed to make real change with how those with caregiving responsibilities are perceived and treated in and out of the workplace; deep regard for intersectionality as caregivers, specifically those who are systemically excluded, return to work
Skilled Communication and Relationship Building
- Serve as the inspiring spokesperson for Path Forward at events, with funders, and with the media, leveraging outstanding communication skills and comfort with public facing work to clearly articulate the organization’s work, and reinforce the organization’s strong reputation with its partners, supporters and the public at large
- Make deep connections with returners and strengthen partnerships with employers, funders and others through thought leadership and a strong, compelling presence and passion for the mission that inspires engagement
- Initiate and strengthen relationships and collaborations with organizations and leaders who are allied to Path Forward’s mission and purpose
Fundraising
- Plan and oversee the organization’s fundraising strategy and operations, in collaboration with the Development Director and leveraging the Board as needed
- Initiate and develop new connections that drive and grow fundraising from a diversified set of funding sources, including foundations, government, individual donors, and corporations
- Cultivate and steward relationships with the organization’s existing portfolio of individual, foundation, and corporate supporters
- Anticipate funding needs and engage program staff as needed to ensure that staff have the resources they need to be successful and have a firm understanding of the finances related to their work
Organizational Leadership
- Provide thoughtful, visionary, and transformational executive leadership that is inclusive, transparent, and empowering, with an understanding of both nonprofit and for-profit business models
- Organize, motivate, manage, and mentor internal team leaders to strategically grow the organization’s impact, programs, and fundraising
- Foster a flexible and collaborative working environment, encourage professional development, champion accountability amongst staff, and align with core values of service, transparency, honesty, trust, empathy, and authenticity
- Design and direct strategies, in conjunction with team leaders, for developing and refining program, marketing, operational, and financial processes that enhance and support organizational effectiveness
- Create, implement, and adapt systems and infrastructure that align with the organization’s vision and direction, laying the foundation for efficiency and sustainability
- Provide leadership, vision, and guidance for all organizational financial and budgetary decision-making, leveraging analysis, reporting, and financial controls to ensure the organization’s financial stability and sustainability
Board Engagement
- Serve as the accountable leader and liaison to the Board, collaborating closely with the Board and its committees to implement the vision, mission and policies to deliver on organizational goals
- Communicate effectively with the Board, providing members with information on risks, issues, and successes that deliver the transparency necessary for good governance and informed decision-making
- In collaboration with Board members, plan for meetings, including agenda, materials, and logistics
Compensation & Benefits
This is a salaried position with a range of $150-200K, commensurate with experience and qualifications. Path Forward offers a generous package of benefits that includes employer-subsidized individual and family health and wellness programs including medical, dental, vision, prescription drug, preventative care, and mental health services.
Path Forward also offers:
- A 401(k)-retirement plan with company match
- Generous paid time off
- Paid Short-Term Disability insurance & Life Insurance
- Pre-tax savings plan (including Flexible Spending and Dependent Care Accounts)
We welcome candidates who have had a career break due to caregiving responsibilities.
Path Forward is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. As an equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnic background, citizenship status, religious creed, sex, gender, sexual orientation, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, familial status, pregnancy, childbirth, age, protected veteran status, political orientation, or other legally protected status.
Contact
Koya Partners, the executive search firm that specializes in mission-driven search, has been exclusively retained for this engagement. Molly Brennan and Sarah Avendaño of Koya Partners has been exclusively retained for this search. To express interest in this role please submit your materials here. All inquiries and discussions will be considered strictly confidential.
Koya Partners is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email NonprofitSearchOps@divsearch.com. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.
About Koya Partners
Koya Partners, a part of Diversified Search Group, is a leading executive search and strategic advising firm dedicated to connecting exceptionally talented people with mission-driven clients. Our founding philosophy—The Right Person in the Right Place Can Change the World—guides our work as we partner with nonprofits & NGOs, institutions of higher education, responsible businesses, and social enterprises in local communities and around the world.
For more information about Koya Partners, visit www.koyapartners.com.
