About Book Trust
Book Trust believes that all students should have equitable access to a wide variety of books and an opportunity to choose their own books of interest, which is critical for developing reading motivation. We believe this leads to the development of a culture of literacy at school and at home, positive attitudes about reading and the habits of successful readers, which fosters a lifelong love of reading and learning. This belief that every child discovers the joy and power of reading to cultivate a lifelong love of learning is embedded throughout our work.
Book Trust is committed to serving children who will benefit from greater access to books and book ownership, greater agency and equity, and who can’t break the cycle of poverty without literacy and an education. Through our donors and partnership with Scholastic, Book Trust acts as an equity game changer, providing students from Title I schools the opportunity to choose and keep their own books – at no cost to their families. It’s about leveling the playing field and giving every child the opportunity to learn and succeed.
Book Trust offers an effective, evidence-based program that delivers measurable improvements in reading motivation and achievement. Throughout the school year, Book Trust teachers engage their students in choosing books that connect to their interests. They bring book choice and ownership, equity, and agency to low-income children, so they might break the cycle of poverty and re-imagine their futures.
Over the course of the school year, teachers in Book Trust classrooms supporting grades Pre-Kindergarten through five, oversee the key components of the program by:
Creating an environment for students to access a rich selection of culturally relevant, reading-level appropriate titles that allow them to see themselves while navigating new worlds.
Dedicating time with each book order for students to select books of choice, ensuring all students are making decisions motivated by their own interests, curiosity, and joy.
Hosting short, important moments in celebration of the choices students made, and welcoming the newest additions of books into students’ growing home libraries.
Promoting engaged reading and ownership beyond the walls of their classroom by encouraging students to share their love of reading with their families when they bring their books home.
For more information on Book Trust, please visit https://booktrust.org/. You can find the 2021-2022 Annual Report here.
The Opportunity
Book Trust seeks a dynamic, mission-oriented, strategic, inspiring, and thoughtful individual to lead the organization as it embarks on its next chapter. The next President and CEO (CEO) will inherit an organization with a passionate and committed Board, a highly engaged Senior Leadership team, and a growing staff. Leveraging the strategic initiatives underway, and the skills and abilities of the team, the CEO will work in collaboration with the Board of Directors to shape a compelling growth strategy and future while respecting and building on its’ 20+ year history.
Creative and entrepreneurial, the CEO will be people oriented and bring a growth mindset with an eye on how Book Trust can continue to have a greater reach. In addition, the CEO will be an effective and flexible communicator, collaborator, and results-driven individual. As a fully remote organization, the CEO will be intentional and thoughtful in stewarding a culture that is inclusive and one where people can show up as their authentic selves.
The need to offer creative ways to help children fall in love with literacy and learning is pressing and growing. This is a tremendous opportunity and platform to serve these needs and to deliver excellence and impact children across the country.
Board Governance
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO understands the importance of a robust partnership with the Board and will ensure best board practices and accountability to the Board.
The National Board of Directors for Book Trust consists of ten individuals. The standing committees of the Board are Development, Executive, Finance & Audit, and Governance. Book Trust’s Board Chair, Stacey Kirkland, has been named interim CEO until a new CEO has been named. When a new CEO is appointed, Stacey will return to her role as National Board Chair.
Regional Boards provide local perspective and support for Book Trust and serve as ambassadors in their communities, leading local fundraising efforts and developing relationships with local funders. Currently, Regional Boards are established in Northern Colorado and Hawaii with efforts to re-establish Regional Boards in Denver, as well as establish new Regional Boards in other key markets.
In addition, Book Trust has assembled an Academic Advisory Board that includes four nationally recognized leaders in the field of literacy. The Academic Advisory Board provides insights and ensures expansion of Book Trust’s program is informed by the latest research and best practices in literacy education.
Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate for this role will be a collaborative and communicative leader who understands how to move a wide range of constituents and lead through inspiration and motivation.
While no one candidate will possess every quality outlined for this position, a successful candidate will bring many of the following professional qualifications and personal attributes:
Passion for the Vision and Mission
As the leader of Book Trust, the CEO will be adept at cultivating a remote organizational culture and crafting strong systems in support of the mission of Book Trust. During a time of transition, the CEO will embrace leading the organization through change with empathy, sensitivity, and transparency. Ideally, the CEO will have experience in education, literacy, early education, and/or a personal connection and belief that all kids should have equitable access to books of choice to promote reading. In addition, the CEO will create a plan to integrate DEI throughout all organizational process, policy and culture.
Visionary and Strategic Leadership
The CEO will play a pivotal role in shaping the organization’s future in close partnership with the Board of Directors, Senior Staff, and staff. Responsible for developing a shared growth strategy that aligns with Book Trust’s mission, the CEO will create realistic goals and objectives designed for organizational growth and impact. A creative, entrepreneurial, and visionary thinker, the CEO will navigate Book Trust through a time of growth and change while positioning Book Trust for long-term success at the national level. As Book Trust thinks to the next stage of impact, the CEO will guide and lead on a new strategic designed for growth.
Fundraising and Partnership Orientation
To further expand Book Trust’s impact, the CEO will lead and oversee fundraising and partnership efforts to diversify and increase revenue. In partnership with the Vice President, Development and the Board, the CEO will facilitate effective strategies aligned with a strategic plan designed for growth. The CEO will be comfortable on the national stage and comfortable engaging with a variety of different audiences to tell the compelling story of Book Trust. The CEO will possess an authentic and genuine ability to convene and inspire individuals, communities, Board, and partner organizations around Book Trust’s vision and will be a strong advocate for constituents, students, educators, the Board, and staff. The CEO will be able to navigate amongst different audiences and systems including school districts and potential funders.
Nonprofit Operations and Finance
The CEO will have overall responsibility for the organization’s day to day operations and strategic implementation. Working with staff, the CEO will develop, maintain, and utilize effective systems and resources for each department and ensure alignment with strategic goals. In addition, the CEO will oversee finances and oversee sound budgeting and accounting systems to ensure the organization’s sustainable growth and continued success. With a current budget of $4.35M, Book Trust looks to increase its revenue with a goal of growing in FY24 to $6M. With a data and metrics lens, this individual will offer creative, yet practical, ideas to continue to strengthen Book Trust’s programs and functions, while staying focused on outcomes and cost effectiveness.
Strategic Organizational Leadership
The CEO will be a strategic and entrepreneurial leader able to develop and articulate a vision for Book Trust’s next chapter. This leader will develop and promote strategic priorities needed to advance the work of a nonprofit organization – from funding to mission delivery. The CEO will bring experience building and leading high performing teams and guiding team members’ growth and development. Leading a team of 16, with five direct reports, the CEO will possess the ability to inspire staff with a diverse set of skills and provide a productive work environment and professional growth opportunities that result in team cohesion and camaraderie. The CEO will engender trust in the staff through a collaborative and transparent management style, help them achieve their potential, and hold them accountable to clearly defined expectations and goals.
In addition, strong candidates will:
- Ensure program outcomes are achieving mission, vision, and intent and that a rigorous method of continuous improvement is active across all programs.
- Bring a strong understanding of assessment and telling the story of impact.
- Have good business sense with strong analytical skills.
- Be a genuine, authentic, approachable, innovative, resourceful, and transparent leader.
- Bring a collaborative and consensus building approach, while also willing and able to act decisively when appropriate.
- Be a strategic thinker with the ability to take a long-term, thoughtful approach to achieving organizational goals.
- Be a demonstrated leadership, coaching, and relationship management experience.
- Offer a high level of emotional intelligence (self-awareness, empathy, and compassion).
- Act with the highest level of integrity and commitment to organizational goals and objectives.
- Be experienced and excited in building and leading successful and cohesive remote teams.
- Be able to manage the details of the day-to-day while leading towards overall strategy.
- Ability to travel as needed, approximately 30%.
Compensation & Benefits
- Salary range: $200,000 - $230,000.
- A collaborative, mission driven remote work environment and the opportunity to make an impact in the education and nonprofit sectors.
- A wide range of benefits, including:
- Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, 100% paid for by Book Trust for the employee – along with Long-Term Disability
- Health Savings Account (HSA)
- SIMPLE IRA retirement plan with employer match
- Flex Fridays
- 25 Days of Paid Time Off, 11 Paid Holidays, and a week-long year-end office closure
- Cell Phone, Technology, and Wellness Benefit Stipends
Contact
Koya Partners, the executive search firm that specializes in mission-driven search, has been exclusively retained for this engagement. Alicia Salerno and Tatyana James of Koya Partners have been exclusively retained for this search. Please submit a compelling cover letter and resume here to express an interest. 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.
Book Trust is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages expressions of interest from people of color, individuals living with disabilities, women and LGBTQ+ leaders.
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 https://diversifiedsearchgroup.com/koya-partners/.