About Girl Scouts
Every Girl Scout has her own curiosity, dreams, and talents—so when they come together to decide which of the thousands of Girl Scout activities to try, the sky’s the limit. Whether visiting an animal shelter, camping, hosting a dance-off, or filming a movie—they’re learning to take risks, trust their gut, and team up with others for good.
The secret sauce holding it all together? Courage, Confidence and Character.
Forever friendship is a powerful thing. It’s what gives Girl Scouts the confidence to be themselves, unapologetically. It’s what makes them feel safe enough to try new things and cheer each other on in tough times. It’s the support that can get them up on tough mornings, help them raise their hand in class, and even climb to the top of a mountain.
There are five outcomes that comprise the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE). These outcomes help girls become responsible, productive, caring, and engaged citizens. Compared to non-Girl Scouts, Girl Scouts are more likely to:
- Develop a Strong Sense of Self (80% versus 68%)
- Display Positive Values (75% versus 59%)
- Seek Challenges (62% versus 42%)
- Form Healthy Relationships (60% versus 43%)
- Be Community Problem-Solvers (57% versus 28%)
Girls participate in Girl Scouts primarily through volunteer-led and staff-facilitated troops. They achieve the five GSLE outcomes by engaging in programs, activities and events focused on the following four pillars:
- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math): STEM takes the natural curiosity and interest girls have and gives them opportunities to succeed in the STEM fields. Girls are invited to search out creative solutions while using design principles and the scientific method.
- Healthy Living/Life Skills: Girls strengthen their physical, social, and emotional health, preparing them for a healthy and independent future.
- Entrepreneurship and Financial Literacy: Girls build good financial habits at an early age through interactive, hands-on activities. They also learn business skills through the Girl Scout Cookie program.
- Outdoor Experience and Education: Girls develop and grow a love for the outdoors and learn how to be good stewards of the environment.
About Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta
Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta (GSGATL) is one of the largest girl-serving organizations in the state of Georgia, as well as one of the Top Ten largest Girl Scouts Councils in the US. With over 20,706 members, and 8,031 volunteers, GSGATL covers 34 counties across the Greater Atlanta area. The organization has a budget of $17.5 million before depreciation, and $18.4 million with depreciation.
GSGATL is either influencing or paving the way in the following areas below:
- GSGATL first piloted what has become the national Troop Cookie Finder, where you can purchase cookies from a troop online.
- GSGATL is a leader in STEM education. The organization hosts an annual STEM Expo for Girl Scouts members and families.
- For this year, the organization awarded 100 Gold Awards, 300 Silver Awards, more than 580 Bronze Awards including 1st year ever, and 122 Bronze Awards to Girl Scouts from staff-led troops (low-moderate income youth).
- GSATL is routinely engaged in various committees at Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) and with top 10 councils.
GSGATL has a commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion not only with its programs like Journey to Justice, and all-staff trainings from the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, but also in celebrating its robust history with the District V Mural in Sweet Auburn and a related exhibit at the Atlanta History Center.
GSGATL has three camp properties in the Greater Atlanta Area:
- Camp Timber Ridge in Mableton, GA
- Camp Misty Mountain in Armuchee, GA, and
- Camp Meriwether in Luthersville, GA
For more information on GSGATL, please visit its website.
The Opportunity
The Chief Executive Officer will work closely with the Council Board of Directors to establish vision and to ensure growth and goal achievement throughout the council's jurisdiction. The CEO is accountable for ensuring the achievement of GSGATL’s overall strategic plan and is charged with leading all aspects of the organization, including but not limited to community engagement, program development, fund development, membership development and efficient operations, fiscal, and facilities management. The CEO will report to the Council Board of Directors and will manage a team of 7 direct reports. GSGATL’s staff size is made up of 125 regular employees and 225 seasonal/temporary employees throughout the year.
The CEO’s responsibilities include:
- Providing leadership, support, and direction to ensure that the mission and core values of Girl Scouting are put into practice within the Council jurisdiction.
- Directing the annual and long-term strategic planning processes by providing facilitation and guidance in the formulation, integration, and implementation of long- and shortterm operating objectives and actions to support the business strategy. Providing leadership on critical issues affecting the council.
- Working with the Board and management team to develop, enhance, and implement policies, procedures and systems that will improve the overall capacity of the Council’s structures, processes, and operations and the effectiveness of its delivery systems.
- Evaluating and advising on the impact of programs and strategies aimed at stimulating and sustaining membership growth; ensure program quality through the development and implementation of standards, controls, and evaluation methodologies.
- Ensuring the corporate and legal responsibilities of the Council are fulfilled by staying informed on legislation ad current legal requirements and by keeping the board informed of pertinent trends and legislative activities that affect the work of the Council.
- Building, leading, and developing a cohesive management team. Leading the team in the design, development, and implementation of volunteer and human resource systems that will guide the selection, management, development, and retention of a well qualified talent pool of volunteers and employed staff who work together to support the Girl Scout mission.
- Fostering a positive and inclusive workplace culture that aligns with the organization's values, encouraging collaboration, innovation, and a shared sense of purpose among team members.
- Leading initiatives for talent development, providing coaching, mentorship, and training opportunities to empower team members, enhance their skills, and promote professional growth within the organization.
- Collaborating with the Board of Directors in the development and execution of fund development strategies to enable the Council to meet growth objectives.
- Ensuring the financial health and integrity of the council by employing sound fiscal controls and by effectively integrating, managing, and leveraging the Council’s resources and assets. Providing strategic financial input and leadership on key decisions affecting the organization.
- Identifying potential risks and implementing strategies to mitigate them. Ensuring business continuity and disaster recovery plans are in place.
- Serving as an advocate for Girl Scouting by representing the Council to all strategic aspects of the communities in which GSGATL operates. Build awareness and support for the Council’s strategy and contributions to the communities’ needs and values.
- Collaborating with the national organization to carry out the purpose of the Girl Scout movement as set forth in the Preamble to the Constitution of GSUSA, to ensure that charter requirements are met, and to obtain information and resources related to operational and governance issues.
- Working in partnership with GSUSA to promote the national policy agenda and implement a unified policy voice and advocacy strategy.
- Actively participating in the development of environments that foster diversity, equity, inclusion, and access through words, actions, and attitude.
Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate will have most, if not all, of the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:
A Strategic Visionary and Leader
The CEO will have a very critical voice for GSGATL as well as GSUSA. This leader will demonstrate a high Emotional Quotient (EQ), functioning as a strong leader capable of leading proactively from the front, both internally and externally. They will consistently model exemplary leadership behaviors to inspire and guide team members towards achieving organizational goals. This leader will be responsible for managing a vision and purpose for GSGATL, bringing innovation and a “thinking outside the box” mindset to the organization. This leader will communicate a compelling and inspired vision and ensure the implementation of the organization’s mission. They will facilitate continuous and healthy growth by engaging their team in long-range strategic planning for achieving its mission and evaluating progress toward goals. The CEO will maintain a working knowledge of research and trends in girls’ issues and in youth development. This person will have strategic agility with an ability to anticipate future consequences and trends, along with their potential impact on the organization. The CEO will provide leadership in developing program, organizational, and financial plans with the Board of Directors and staff and implement Board authorized policies and plans in a timely manner.
Expertise in Fundraising
The CEO will work tirelessly to build rapport and promote GSGATL with its many constituents and partners. This leader will have the skills to articulate the vision of the organization to its supporting community, attracting new and diverse partnerships. This leader will have familiarity with a wide range of fundraising channels and potential organizational funding partners in Greater Atlanta. The CEO will be data driven, strategic and innovative in ways to increase streams of revenue and endowments and have the ability to guide a future capital campaign if authorized by the Board of Directors. The CEO will cultivate and grow relationships to strategically increase GSGATL’s funding and donor base. This person will be able to reinvigorate and sell the GSGATL story to potential donors. The CEO will work in partnership with GSGATL’s senior leaders and the Board of Directors to set and meet membership goals for the organization. The CEO will have an inspirational approach to building collaboration and buy-in while generating support for the organization, continually innovating to help expand brand and reach.
Ambassador and Relationship Builder
The CEO will serve as the face of GSGATL and as an advocate of the organization. The CEO will be skilled at building and sustaining excellent relationships at multiple levels with varied constituencies including the GSGATL Board of Directors, donors, corporate and community leaders, volunteers, Girl Scout alumni, senior team, the staff, and GSUSA. This leader will work in close alignment with the senior team to ensure messages are consistent to all constituents, including donors and potential donors. They will bring a high level of intellectual horsepower and a curious, collaborative, and creative mindset to assist in the growth of membership and development of GSGATL. The CEO will have an inspirational approach to building collaboration and buy-in and generating support from constituents. This leader will be connected to the surrounding community that GSGATL serves, staying up to date with incredible things happening with youth in the community. This leader will be an articulate, charismatic, high-energy leader who can communicate effectively with constituents from a variety of backgrounds and successfully convey GSGATL’s objectives. The CEO will build upon a team-oriented approach to strengthen the internal culture of philanthropy organization-wide. The CEO will be someone who values transparency and fosters comradery throughout the organization.
Passion for the Mission
The CEO will be a Mission-Aligned professional with expertise in community building, brand management, and establishing strategic community partnerships. They will demonstrate a profound understanding of and embody the Council's mission and vision, ensuring alignment in all activities and initiatives. The CEO will inspire and motivate others to push the organization’s vision forward in a collaborative manner. An empathic, confident leader, the CEO will treat others with respect. The CEO will lead by example, understanding that at times, empathy is an essential quality. On the most fundamental level, the CEO will look for ways to enrich, empower, and care for the staff, girls, families, and communities that make up GSGATL. The CEO will navigate with a lens of equity and will have deep experience working in communities with diverse cultures and backgrounds. The CEO will be consistently focused on the future and how to best adapt the organization to its changing environment. The CEO will be an individual of unquestioned integrity, ethics, and values; someone who can be trusted without reservation.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for this role is $230,000 - $373,000 annually, with a bonus of up to 10%, plus a generous and competitive benefits package.
Contact
Ebbie Parsons, Marissa Delgado, George Theotokatos and Reyonia Whipple of Diversified Search Group have been exclusively retained for this search. To express your interest in this role please submit your materials by completing a Talent Profile or email GirlScoutsATL@divsearch.com directly. All inquiries and discussions will be considered strictly confidential.
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GSGATL, in recognition of its responsibility to its volunteers, its staff, and the girls it serves, and in keeping with GSUSA’s Constitution and emphasis on pluralism, reaffirms its policy to ensure fair and equitable treatment in all its practices to all persons, regardless of race, color, religion, ethnicity, age, socio-economic status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or national origin.
GSATL has an anti-racism pledge that reflects who we are: an organization that is rooted in values set forth in our Girl Scouts Law, including honesty, fairness, caring, courage, and respect for self and others. All of these are hallmarks of Girl Scouts’ broader commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and racial justice.
Our efforts include combating discrimination, promoting respect, and creating a sense of belonging as exemplified through the Girl Scouts Constitution and the values of our Girl Scout Promise and Law.
This council is an equal opportunity employer. All applications for employment will be considered without regard to of race, color, religion, ethnicity, age, socio-economic status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, or veteran status.
Diversified Search Group 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.