Overview
POSITION: Executive Director
CLASSIFICATION: Full time – 40 hours, exempt
REPORTS TO: CEO/Founder and/or Chapter BOD
COMPENSATION: $110-135K
POSITION START: November 2022
WORK SCHEDULE: Full time, working on location at the ASOH warehouse in Hawthorne. Schedule depends on ASOH needs and may frequently include weekends and evenings. At times working remotely will be likely.
ORGANIZATIONAL MISSION
A Sense of Home strives to prevent homelessness by creating first-ever homes for youth aging out of foster care with donated furniture and home goods. 50% of those struggling with homelessness are former foster youth. The homeless crisis can only end through prevention.
BACKGROUND
ASOH was founded in 2014 by Georgie Smith after a random act of kindness. She created a home for a 21-year-old man who was released from the foster care system into a subsidized apartment with no furnishings, arriving with nothing but black plastic trash bags of his personal belongings. Smith’s reaction to this young man’s cry for help was to create a home using secondhand furniture. What she thought was a one-off random act of kindness became a weekly ritual of community members renting trucks to collect donated furniture and home goods and creating up to four homes every Sunday. By October 2015, Smith formed a board and by March 2016, A Sense of Home was a 501c3. That same year Smith was honored as a Top 10 CNN Hero https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0Z_BU4ymIk.
As of today, ASOH has created 700+ homes placing over 1,750 young people in beds. In 2022, ASOH begins scaling the A Sense of Home model into new cities. ASOH was formed because it discovered foster youth exiting the foster care system without family or community connections – who despite this – managed to achieve the miracle of securing a roof over their head. Soon thereafter they feel the need to vacate their empty apartment to seek refuge in their car or a friend’s space or in a shelter where there was at the very least practicality of a bench to sit on to eat or study and use as a bed. What ASOH observed is that four walls do not make a home, and furniture is homeless prevention. 50% of the homeless population in America were at one time in foster care.
ASOH calculated that the ability to manage one’s life within “four walls” requires a minimum of 250 items in order that one can actually properly function, prepare for work or school and actually take care of oneself. Not to mention care for children and likewise prepare them for the world. Without a functional dwelling there is no ability to build and grow healthy relationships, manage emotional and physical well-being, organize one’s life, improve productivity in work and school.
A functional dwelling is widely recognized by the scientific community as imperative for healthy immune systems, and vital to achieve positive outcomes in education and employment. Empirical evidence in both environmental psychology and the study of positive psychology has found a functional dwelling improves the occupant’s sense of agency, and optimism. Both of which are necessary for progress. For the individual and the society.
The ASOH model addresses two major social crises: homelessness and the environment. It matches excess in consumer goods with those in need through a seamless process that adds value to every participant, at every step, and through the hands of passionate volunteers. Youth who receive a home creation pay-it-forward joining volunteers to create homes for their peers. Transformed by their own experience to become architects of their own destiny, they
inspire their peers to follow suit and become more immersed in community, opportunities, and resources to broaden their horizons.
After six years since forming a board, and the transformation of thousands of lives — testing and honing the model within the greater Los Angeles area, the homeless prevention model pioneered by A Sense of Home is now expanding to major cities both in the US and internationally. As the founder and current CEO of ASOH transitions out of organizational activities as it pertains to Los Angeles, ASOH seeks to replace ASOH’s founder in all things at the Los Angeles chapter level with its first ED.
POSITION’S PURPOSE
ASOH is hiring its first ever ED of its first chapter. The ED will also work with ASOH’s HQ. HQ and the LA Chapter work side by side, enjoying a symbiotic relationship whereby HQ elevates the profile of the LA Chapter whilst also drawing upon it’s many successes to gain insights in ensuring that all future chapters are as successful and always improving. The ED has bottom line P&L responsibility for the chapter and is responsible for ensuring that the chapter operates in accordance with established organizational policies, procedures, and guidelines.
ASOH seeks an ED focused on:
•Continuous improvement of best practices & always promoting racial and gender equity.
•Each year introduce new strategic fundraising initiatives to increase individual giving, annually by 30% of gross revenue
•Enhanced reporting tools to honor participant voices in program design and evaluation.
•Develop & support the growth of young leaders; staff, pay it forward youth and student volunteers.
•Activate and engage staff and board as proactive brand ambassadors.
•Strengthen partnerships with aligned organizations to enhance community engagement.
•Each year introduce new strategic marketing campaigns to increase social media following by 25% and brand partnership revenue by 25%, annually.
Ethics and Values
In the space of service, ASOH is an opportunity for a diverse group, to come together to see one another, hear one another and better understand one another, in the intimacy of a home being shaped and created by all hands gathered. ASOH is a paradigm where community members gain much needed understanding through an immersive educational experience. It is an opportunity for much needed healing. And so while ASOH is a homeless prevention model it is equally a vehicle to bring community together to heal and repair the divisions.
ASOH evolved out of a genuine random act of kindness and continued because the best of passionate community response. This overwhelmingly positive response is thanks to the culture of ASOH, its ethics and values and how, we’ve told the story. We hold very dearly our authenticity, transparency, respect, openheartedness and honesty. ASOH seeks a CEO who deeply respects this legacy, values and has a deep passion to amplify the story, mission and the unique opportunity, in this moment time history to propagate human connection and unity.
ASOH’s founder, Georgie Smith has served as its only CEO. Georgie made the decision with the full support of ASOH’s board, COO and staff, that the opportunity expansion is now. ASOH is hiring a CEO with vast experience and skills to meet this moment and the fast-growing need for its services, globally. The CEO will be instrumental in heralding this growth while steering it in adherence to ASOH’s mission, ethics, values and building upon it’s significant brand appeal.
Diversity and Inclusion:
ASOH is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and strongly encourages people of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those with protected class backgrounds to apply. We value the individuals that we hire and look forward to creating a positive work environment for all identities.
Our Commitment:
We are committed to not only provide a diverse and inclusive workplace, but we value the health and well-being of our team members. ASOH offers 100% paid health and medical benefits to employees, along with generous paid sick and vacation time. We also believe in providing a workplace that fosters advancement and professional development for all employees, conducting our day to day business practices accordingly.
History and Context:
ASOH began as a random act of kindness, when the founders saw an injustice and acted upon it. They noticed that young people exiting foster care had overcome the odds against them, achieved securing a roof over their heads, only to be forced to sleep on cold bare floors, and struggle without fridges, stoves, lighting, a table to eat from nor study off of. The lack of means to make a space a home, is a significant inequity that has proven to holdback those working and studying hard to overcome the challenges of the world and create a better future for themselves.
RESPONSIBILITIES
· Direct/indirect management of all staff. Lead executive team comprised of Chapter Director and Development and Communications Director.
· Oversee hiring/recruiting process for all open positions.
· Internalize all ASOH policies, procedures and guidelines and ensure thorough implementation by all stakeholders.
· Fulfill all aspects of existing chapter budget, lead budgeting for future fiscal years.
· Establish and implement chapter level strategic plans.
· Represent the chapter to all stakeholders.
· Establish, maintain and grow relations with sponsors, donors and corporate partners.
Responsibilities in greater detail
Development & Communications
Responsible for the chapter’s P&L and guided by the principle of effective storytelling, the ED will work with the DCD to tell ASOH’s story in accordance with guidelines, while setting and achieving revenue targets from grants, events, corporate sponsors, brand partners, online campaigns, Home Creation sponsorships and major giving efforts.
Program Management
Working with the Chapter Director, the ED will ensure that the flow of youth applications is consistent, that all applications are processed with strict adherence to procedures, that all Home Creations are held in accordance to established protocols, that in-kind inventory is stable and growing, that the chapter volunteer program is robust and expanding, and the warehouse is operating safely and efficiently.
To successfully carry out the management of the chapter, the ED should be able to fulfill and cover all aspects of the chapter’s operations and should actively take part in certain high-profile public facing responsibilities such as leading Home Creations, meeting with foundations, etc.
Role of hosting at home creations
· The ED will be trained in how to host a home creation to fully understand and embrace the vast capacity of this unique, one-of-a-kind immersive experience. It is ASOH’s secret sauce. The ED will host several VIP home creations each year. The ED will be available to host a home creation to be reminded of the important work that we do.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
· An MBA is ideal with ED level experience.
· 10 years of relevant experience required in the for profit and/or non-profit sector.
· Experience working with diverse populations.
· Must have valid driver’s license with a clean driving record and sufficient auto insurance to comply with state laws. Will be expected to drive as a part of the job.
Knowledge of and experience in:
· Media – basic knowledge of editing systems such as Final Cut, Adobe, Photoshop, cameras and equipment (including Go Pro and drones).
· Graphic Design and Web Design – basic knowledge of, Power Point and In Design
· Social Media: Knowledge of best practices in social media posting on Facebook and Instagram, and a hunger to stay informed on the newest advancements and tools to maximize reach.
· Shared Media and Data Management: Comfort with WeTransfer, Dropbox and Google Drive for data/content management
· CRM: Comfort with or willingness to learn Blackbaud platform for the creation of a regular email newsletter and other email communications.
· Analytical Skills: Ability to process and analyze vague, abstract verbal and written instructions. Ability to visualize and assess abstract ideas and develop structured plans for implementation of marketing plans. Ability to read, analyze complex documents, and communicate analysis in oral and written form.
· Reasoning Ability: Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
· Communications: Requires public speaking, phone conversations, use of email, writing letters and memos, face-to-face discussions and presentations with individuals or teams and contact with others
· English Language – Strong knowledge in reading, writing and speaking of the English language including excellent knowledge of spelling, rules of composition, and grammar. Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the Company.
· Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing superior customer and personal services. This includes recipient, donor, corporate partner, and staff needs’ assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of satisfaction.
· Administration and Management: Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, leadership technique, and coordination of people and resources.
· Personnel and Human Resources: Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, evaluating, correcting, negotiating, managing, motivating, and leading.
· Mathematical Skills: Ability to create templates and formulas in Excel, add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
· Computers and Electronics: Strong working knowledge of Excel, Google Apps, email, social media networks, computers, smartphones, equipment, graphics software and CRM systems.
· Clerical Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, and other office procedures and terminology.
· Education and Training – Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
· Sales and Marketing – Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and customer relationship management.
· Law and Government – Knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Lifting and moving – Requires ability to lift, move, transport, and stage furniture and other home goods sometimes in excess of 25 pounds.
Body positioning – requires using hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls and prolonged periods of standing and/or sitting
Competition – requires competition or awareness of competitive pressures
Conflict – requires dealing with potentially unpleasant, angry, or discourteous people; including conflict situations
Impact of decisions – requires making decisions that impact the results of co-workers, vendors, sponsors, donors, volunteers or the company
Opportunity to make decisions without supervision – Requires making decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization
Level of challenge – requires being exact or highly accurate. Also requires repeating the same physical activities or mental activities over and over – often with freedom to determine tasks, priorities, and goals
Pace and scheduling – requires meeting strict deadlines and adhering to tight timelines
Personal Interaction – requires work with external individuals, organizations, businesses or the public. Also, requires coordinating or leading others in accomplishing work activities and work with others in a group or team
Responsibility for Others – Includes responsibility for work outcomes, results and safety of others
WORK SETTING – Requires working in office space as well as warehouse space in cold or hot conditions as well as outdoors in hot, cold, wet, humid and/or dry conditions. Work is often performed in recipients’ homes. Also, requires ability to climb stairs or hills at times while lifting. Work is often performed in warehouse settings with tight spaces for travel/access. Requires ability to lift, reach, hold and move heavy items; at times onto and from shelving units.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Your employment relationship is and is intended to be at will. This job description contains the entire agreement between you and A Sense of Home as to the duration of your employment and the circumstances under which your employment may be terminated. Nothing contained in this, or any other materials generated by A Sense of Home or its employees, or any statement made by any employee of the organization, shall require the company to have “just” or “good cause” to terminate the employment relationship or to change the terms and conditions of your employment. Notwithstanding any disciplinary procedures or A Sense of Home rules or regulations, either you or A Sense of Home may terminate the employment relationship at any time, for any reason, with or without cause or prior notice. Further, A Sense of Home can demote, transfer, suspend or otherwise discipline an employee in its sole and absolute discretion. Nothing in this job description, or any other personnel documents creates or is intended to create a promise or representation of continued or indefinite employment or employment for a specific term, in a specific position, or at a specific rate of pay, or to prohibit A Sense of Home from terminating you for any reason even if previously agreed that such a reason would not result in termination.
I also understand that A Sense of Home has the right to change the compensation, assignments, duties, responsibilities, or geographical location of my job at any time, with or without cause.