ABOUT US:
We are the Uniters. We bring people together to solve problems. We identify the most pressing issues in our community, and we bring together the people we think can solve them. United Way funds agencies that, working together, can address the nuances of complex problems like homelessness or the academic achievement gap. We create programs and initiatives to fill unmet needs. We deploy volunteers and socially responsible companies as the engines of change and the feet on the street, delivering hope to people in need. We raise funding through generous donors who understand that social change can't happen without it.
POSITION OVERVIEW:
Working in partnership with the Institute of Nonprofit Practice (INP) and The Partnership, United Way of Massachusetts Bay & Merrimack Valley (UWMB) will redesign and expand its Board Connection program. We will work closely with partners to advance the shared values of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) by: (1) providing training and support for board members and board candidates on their pathway to non-profit service, and (2) increasing representation of historically underrepresented groups on boards in the Greater Boston region.
The Board Connection Project Director is responsible for the overall success of the initiative. Building off UWMB's current curriculum, which already provides instruction on basic DEI concepts, Board Connection will deepen its focus on DEI topics, providing training to Board members and Board candidates on why Board Diversity matters, how to build and maintain diverse Boards and organizations, and how to evaluate the effectiveness of these efforts. Training will build the capacity of nonprofit partners to create and build effective and inclusive boards, with a focus on why diverse boards are essential to the success of communities, and how to prioritize and cultivate diverse boards. Working in partnership with INP and The Partnership and supported by an Advisory Group comprised of leaders in racial and social justice, the Project Director will lead the development and delivery of this new program in the Greater Boston area. This position also provides support to various organizational initiatives, some general department functions and other projects as assigned. This position reports to the VP, Engagement.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Strategic Leadership
- Develop program infrastructure, including program enrollment, target demographics, board placement and other program key performance metrics.
- Create and launch data management system to monitor and track outreach, enrollment, and program performance outcomes.
- Finalize governance structure with roles and responsibilities for lead partners and the program advisory board.
- Create and implement the Board Connection program strategy which may include managing volunteers and program facilitators.
- Plan and facilitate partner meetings.
- Build and maintain relationships with partners, community organizations, companies and other associations/groups for recruitment and placement efforts.
- Manage the advisory board, including developing the advisory body charter, recruitment of members in concert with partners and facilitation of meetings.
- Stay abreast of current research and community relationships related to board service and nonprofit management.
- Identify opportunities to present Board Connection on the local, regional, and national stage to share best practices and successes of the initiative.
- Responsible for lifting up best practices and lessons learned to inform the sustainability planning of the project.
- Engage in Engagement Team and UWMB organizational activities to identify and implement opportunities for collaboration across the impact and engagement work of United Way.
Project Management
- Conduct market research to inform program and curriculum design focused on promising practices for delivering Board training with an emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Coordinate the Board Connection curriculum and training strategy and maintain resources for Board Connection facilitators on best practices in the field.
- Responsible for aligning curriculum and training strategy to the Board Connection program outputs and outcomes.
- Coordinate listening sessions with corporate and nonprofit partners to better understand their priorities and needs related to board service.
- Develop and implement marketing plan.
- Develop outreach strategy for promoting DEI focused Board training program including development of corporate and nonprofit recruitment materials and collateral.
- Provide support to Institute of Nonprofit Practice and other partners in curriculum design, including tapping into UW's existing resources, coordinating testing of curriculum with potential corporate and nonprofit partners and revising content as needed based upon input.
- Establish communication systems between all partners. Maintain consistent and effective communication about grant deadlines, project priorities, resources, and meeting schedules.
- Manage all aspects of the project, as outlined in the descriptions/proposals including executing contracts with partners, facilitators, volunteers, and others as needed.
- Meet with partners to provide data updates, identify successes and challenges, and course correct as needed.
- Develop and finalize budget.
- Raise requisite funding to launch pilot program in 2023.
- Responsible for invoicing from the partners. The Project Director will work closely with UWMB compliance and finance departments to ensure timely and accurate invoicing.
Performance Management & Project Reporting
- Develop preliminary evaluation plan for pilot and full program, including identifying external evaluator to conduct program evaluation and working with external evaluator to develop final evaluation plan for program.
- Responsible for monitoring the performance of the partners relative to the goals for the grant term by having partner check-ins via zoom calls, phone calls, or in person meetings, and managing program data and reporting.
- Responsible for coordinating training of facilitators, and others as needed, in evaluation and other data-related activities.
- Responsible for maintenance and promotion of Board Connection online platform.
- Proactively identify challenges and problem solve with partners to course correct.
- Provide technical assistance to partners, facilitators, and volunteers to help strengthen their performance relative to goals.
- Work closely with the partners, UWMB grants team and the funder to continuously improve the initiative. Use learnings to make recommendations for the future of the initiative.
- Responsible for preparing narrative and quantitative reports as required by project funders.
- Responsible for analyzing data to identify themes and trends across the initiative.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Minimum 3-5 years relevant experience, including: managing projects or programs; program development; and evaluation.
- Strong knowledge of nonprofit board member responsibilities and competencies.
- Experience coordinating multi-organization initiatives with diverse stakeholders.
- Experience supporting direct service staff.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks in a complex project.
- Excellent communication and relationship building skills including listening skills, written and oral communication skills, facilitation skills, and presentation skills.
- Experience analyzing and using data to inform and improve program performance and outcomes.
- Empathy, flexibility, and ability to contribute effectively as part of a professional team.
- Microsoft Office skills and database management experience.
- Travel throughout Greater Boston required.
- Commitment to excellence and to the mission of the United Way.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
- A cover letter is required for this position. Please include with your application materials.
- All employees are required to either provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination status or be subject to COVID-19 testing. In the future, it is likely that vaccinations will be required due to federal mandate.
- This is a grant-funded position (start date to December 2022), with an opportunity to continue, pending grant application to renew for three years.
- Salary Range: $70,000- $80,000 per year
United Way of Massachusetts Bay is committed to hiring individuals
who reflect the diversity of our communities.
For more information, or to apply now, you must go to the website below. Please DO NOT email your resume to us as we only accept applications through our website.