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MCF - President - Executive Position Profile
MCF - President - Executive Position Profile
PRESIDENT
On behalf of our client, the Minnesota Council on Foundations, KeyStone Search is conducting a retained search for a President
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ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW
Minnesota Council on Foundations (MCF) was founded in 1969 and is a regional membership association serving the philanthropic community. Member organizations include family and private independent foundations, community and other public foundations, and corporate foundations and giving programs. With a national reputation for excellence, MCF provides members with educational services, relevant convening sessions around key issues, public policy support, research & information, and access to networks of other philanthropic organizations. MCF members represent three-quarters of all grantmaking in the state, awarding more than $900 million to nonprofits annually. Currently, 170 organizations are active members served by MCF. Minnesota Council on Foundations is headquartered in the Crown Plaza building in the historic Mill District of Downtown Minneapolis.
Communications. MCF delivers the latest grantmaker information to its members. The organizations many publications include: Giving Forum, a quarterly newspaper on Minnesota grantmaking, and two biweekly e-newsletters, MCF Notes, for members only. The Giving Memo is published for nonprofits and others interested in philanthropy. Government Relations. MCF has actively represented and advocated on behalf of Minnesota philanthropy since its inception in 1969. MCF monitors legislation that is important to the philanthropic community through direct contact with legislators and grassroots organizing. Leadership. MCF plays an important leadership role in the state and national philanthropic community, helping grantmakers become more effective. MCF's leadership initiatives include: Philanthropy & Public Trust- Principles for MN Grantmakers and other comprehensive resources help private, corporate and community/public foundations understand their legal requirements and obligations. Diversity & Inclusivity in Philanthropy- a suite of resources including MCF's "Working Towards Diversity" benchmarking reports, the Diversity & Inclusion Action Kit, MCFs groundbreaking Diversity Framework and more. Public Policy- resources to assist grantmakers in using public policy and advocacy to enhance impact, both individually and collectively. Member networks are an important part of the organizational and membership structure. Committees and groups are available to help members and to offer ways for members to engage, learn and grow. Examples of networks include groups focused on early childhood education, family foundations, and young professionals working in philanthropy.
promotes diversity in the course of its operations. In particular, the President supports and furthers the work of the Joint Affinity Groups of MCF in their work encouraging diversity within and beyond the organization. The President is responsible for using best practices to hire, supervise, develop, and manage all staff within the adopted budget, guidelines and policies of MCF. In doing so, the President will foster a workplace environment that promotes positive employee relations, encourages a culture of cooperation and mutual respect, and focuses on outstanding performance and results.
REPORTING RELATIONSHIP
The President reports and is responsible to the board of directors of the organization. The performance of the President is reviewed annually by the executive committee of the board of directors. Feedback on the Presidents performance is solicited from all members of the board. There are 14 total staff members at MCF. Reporting directly to the President are the Vice President of Communications and Information Services, the Director of Operations and Finance, the Director of Member Services, and the Director of Government Relations and Public Policy.
TRAVEL
Occasional travel is required, generally a few times per year, to attend related conferences, and to meet with member organizations in various Minnesota locations.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Champion and implement the strategic plan of the Minnesota Council on Foundations. Clearly articulate the organizational goals for financial and programmatic stability as well as growth for the future. Understand and support a healthy organizational culture at MCF. Respect and uphold the positive aspects of the culture from the past and modify and enhance the culture, as needed, as the organization moves into the future. Invest in staff excellence. Support, develop and retain qualified and excellent staff, particularly supporting and strengthening the senior management team and the capacity of core internal functions. Motivate and inspire others to act by supporting and clearly articulating the organizations strategic direction, mission and vision. Develop excellent relations with member organizations. Recruit and retain member organizations. Continue to learn about evolving member needs, interests and ideas for change. Maintain strong and effective internal relationships, acting as a team leader and a team player.
Oversee excellence in the financial management of the organization; consider new sources of revenue for the organization to add to financial growth and stability. Support the staff in building and maintaining strong external relationships with members, volunteers, non-profit leaders, civic leaders and partner organizations. Along with staff, find ways to excite and engage the next generation of philanthropists . Collaborate with the board of directors and the board committees. Effectively involve others and delegate decisions to appropriate levels. Ensure the smooth and efficient operation of the organization by selecting and developing effective people across the organization. Manage with good business instincts and effective administrative management skills. Enthusiastically live the values of the Minnesota Council on Foundations organization in a positive manner, including maintaining excellent relations with the national affiliate organizations.
QUALIFICATIONS
The fully qualified candidate for this key executive position will be a skilled, visionary, and inclusive leader. At least 10-12 years of related work experience are strongly desired, ideally from the fields of philanthropy, association management, non-profit, or community leadership. The successful candidate will have a passion for the philanthropic purpose of the Minnesota Council on Foundations. He or she will have experience in the public domain, ideally having served as a key spokesperson of an organization. The candidate will be a person of integrity and stature in the community with proven leadership experience, exemplary administrative management skills, and a strong commitment to the mission, vision and values of MCF. A Masters degree in a related field such as non-profit management, business administration or public administration is preferred; a Bachelors degree is required. Other essential skills and experience include: Demonstrated success in organizational leadership, with proven competence in guiding the development and implementation of a strategic plan, successful institutional positioning, and translating ideas into reality. Experience in the field of philanthropy, public policy, business administration and/or trade association management, with experience in association management preferred. Proficiency in the foundation and philanthropic community or the ability to quickly make connections in the community is important. Knowledge of current trends and emerging models for member organizations and in the field of philanthropy is strongly preferred. Proven, practical knowledge of program management, marketing, public relations, related technology and publications. Proven administrative competence in areas such as financial management, budgeting, marketing, technology, planning and goal setting. Expertise in public communications, public relations, fundraising and marketing of the organization and its programs and services.
Experience building, managing, and strengthening teams, including teams with excellence in cultural competence. Ability to develop and lead a high performing, collaborative team. Experience and skill working with a board of directors. A positive orientation including the ability to optimistically manage change initiatives and skillfully navigate working in the gray area, when there are not obvious answers. The ability and commitment to envision and describe the long-term future of the organization in a way that inspires and motivates staff, members and other key stakeholders. The ability and commitment to be an engaging ambassador and advocate for MCF with members, community, and government leaders. This includes the ability to skillfully manage, at times, the needs of competing stakeholders. Demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects.
CANDIDATE CHARACTERISTICS
The successful leader of the Minnesota Council on Foundations must be: A strategic thinker and future-oriented innovator An astute executive with a proven ability to build strategic partnerships An empowering leader who manages and develops internal talent A creator of a positive, collaborative culture where all staff feel valued A strong, but humble leader with high self-awareness and low ego An effective communicator and listener A skilled public speaker and spokesperson Committed to expanding diversity Flexible and open to change, with a demonstrated ability to multi-task Skilled in management including operations, administration and finance Able to promote member participation and grow leaders Understanding and appreciation for the work of the philanthropic/foundation community
COMPENSATION
The compensation package for this position is competitive and attractive. It includes an executive pay structure and participation in the organizations comprehensive benefits plan.
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