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Position: Chief Executive Officer
Posting Date: May 14, 2010
ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION:
Since 1976, Tides has worked with individuals and institutions committed to positive social change. Tides started out of a need to facilitate the giving of an anonymous couple in New Mexico. They wanted to support grassroots community groups and environmental organizations, and the Tides Foundation was created to channel their grants. In 1979, there emerged another need that the organization responded to: helping new projects get started.
Through the 1980s, Tides grew slowly and established itself as a values based infrastructure for progressive nonprofit work. The organization defines "progressive" as creating a positive impact on people's lives in ways that honor and promote human rights, justice, and a healthy, sustainable environment.
The 1990’s was a time of exponential growth for Tides as new Tides organizations were added. In 1996, the Projects Program that nurtured new activities through fiscal sponsorship became the Tides Center, a nonprofit organization independent from the Tides Foundation. In the same year, the Thoreau Center for Sustainability opened - a twelve building complex in San Francisco's Presidio National Park dedicated to nonprofits concerned about social and environmental sustainability. In 1999, Groundspring.org was founded to facilitate online giving to progressive groups. The organization also collaborated in the launching of the Tides Canada Foundation.
In the new millennium, Tides’ real estate endeavors - like the creation of Thoreau Center - evolved into a program called Tides Shared Spaces which creates, operates, and promotes sustainable workspace for nonprofits. A second Thoreau Center was also opened in New York City. In 2005, Groundspring.org merged with Network for Good to form the largest nonprofit provider of Internet-based fundraising and donor management tools.
As an intermediary, Tides has worked with over 15,000 organizations since 1976 both nationally and globally. Since 1996, Tides Center has been the fiscal sponsor nearly 700 projects with combined revenues of more than $530 million, and has worked with well over 800 projects since the first days as the Projects Program. Tides Foundation has had 34 years of visionary philanthropy for progressive social change. In 2008, Tides helped move more than $200 million into the social change sector making it the biggest year in the organization's history. Tides continued to build on this success in 2009 when its grantmaking held pace with 2008 activity. The growth of Tides over its history is a testament to the joint commitment among partners and staff to supporting positive social change domestically and globally.
Mission
The mission of the Tides is to partner across sectors with philanthropists, foundations, activists, communities and government organizations to promote economic justice, robust democratic processes, and the opportunity to live in a healthy and sustainable environment where human rights are preserved and protected.
Tides provides an array of support and infrastructure services to simplify and amplify the efforts of philanthropy and nonprofit organizations. From donor advised funds to fiscal sponsorship, from green nonprofit centers to programmatic consulting, from grants management to risk management and more, Tides gives its partners the freedom to focus on strategy and hands-on social change.
Each Tides core organization focuses on a distinct, yet related, service to promote the Tides mission and is part of one, tightly knit enterprise:
• Tides Foundation provides donor advised philanthropy and grantmaking services to increase and organize resources for positive social change.
• Tides Center provides comprehensive fiscal sponsorship for over 200 projects around the country working to advance progressive social change.
• Tides Shared Spaces creates, operates, and promotes green nonprofit centers.
For more information, please visit www.tides.org.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), reports to the Tides Network Board of Directors and is responsible for the vision, mission, and overall health (financial and otherwise) of the Tides Network. The CEO is supported by two key executive roles that support the strategic and fiscal oversight of the Tides Network; the Executive Vice President and the Chief Financial Officer.
The CEO must be an individual with a strong personal connection and commitment to the mission and values of the Tides Network. The primary responsibility of the CEO is to lead the Tides Network and all of its entities, with the active direction and consent of the Tides Network Board of Directors, and to execute and achieve the stated goals, desired social impacts, strategies, policies, and financial targets. S/he will need to have a demonstrated track record and interest in client services and must ensure that innovation and creativity is a key focus in response to client/ stakeholder needs. Specific responsibilities of the CEO include:
Strategic Vision and Leadership
• Renew a powerful, long-term mission and vision for the Tides Network building on and leveraging the current work and previous successes of the organization. Set goals for its achievement, with the full participation and deliberation of the Tides Network Board and its Senior Leadership Team.
• Serve as the organization’s leading public representative, funding /business development executive, and spokesperson for the Tides “brand” to key constituencies. These constituents represent multiple stakeholders including: individual and institutional donors, non-profit project customers, institutional partners and funding sources, non-profit partners, government legislative and regulatory bodies, and the national/local media.
• Lead the organization’s long-range strategic thinking, planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of impact.
• Ensure that the Tides Network executes its initiatives and operations to achieve its goals. The CEO is responsible for developing an Annual Plan, to be presented to the Tides Network Board for approval in December of each year. This plan will consolidate all Entity Plans, and will include plans and budgets for new collaborative initiatives to achieve greater internal efficiencies and desired social impact.
Fund Development and Cultivation
• Oversee the solicitation, accumulation, investment, and allocation of the Tides Network’s long-term capital resources.
• Cultivate the Tides Development Fund to support the initiatives to achieve the mission and goals of the Tides Network and its entities. Lead the Senior Leadership Team to define and budget for these initiatives, and seek approval from the Tides Network Board for commitments to those initiatives budgeted to exceed an agreed upon threshold in total funds required.
• Appropriately leverage the relationships and resources of the board and encourage board members, volunteers, and staff to actively participate in fund cultivation efforts and activities.
Operations and Fiscal Oversight
• Structure budgets that reflect and integrate annual and multi-year operational plans, goals, and strategic objectives.
• Establish an efficient, effective, entrepreneurial organizational structure and spirit, with clearly defined responsibilities and lines of authority and accountability.
• Oversee financial and human resource management. Ensure that appropriate fiscal controls and procedures are in place to ensure transparency and accountability. Ensure that appropriate resources are available to properly fund and manage the mission and business of the organization.
• Ensure that the Tides Network and its entities are in compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements.
Management and Team Leadership
• Hold full authority to lead and manage the Senior Leadership Team. The CEO must: recruit and appoint; delegate appropriate operating authority to; supervise, coach, develop and support; and regularly monitor the performance of the Senior Leadership Team.
• Supervise, motivate, and hold staff accountable ensuring they have the appropriate skill sets to further the work of the organization.
• Work with the Senior Leadership Team to ensure that these values and mutual trust are fostered throughout the Tides Network. Build and develop a strong, progressive, motivated, entrepreneurial, and collaborative team at all levels.
• Ensure that the Tides Network has a smooth and effective transition in CEO leadership. In either or both planned and contingent scenarios, the CEO will work closely with Tides Network Board, its Chair, and its Nominating Committee to develop and keep current a comprehensive CEO succession plan and leadership development program.
Board Interface and Accountability for Performance
• Work in partnership with the Chair of the Board to develop the Board meeting agendas and reports for the Board. The CEO also serves as a non-voting Director on the Boards of the Network and of each the Tides entities, and contributes to their governance as requested by the Board. The CEO supports the Nominating Committee “ex officio” and will help to evaluate, recruit, and nominate new directors for appointment by the Tides Network Board.
• Monitor and report on the performance of the Tides Network and its entities relative to this plan, at the Tides Network Board meetings. The CEO will be held accountable for overall performance in achieving goals, desired social impacts, policies, and financial targets.
• Help to expand and diversify the board. Recommend new board member criteria when appropriate and facilitate the orientation of new board members.
• Inform staff of board policies and decisions and ensure that they are implemented in a timely and consistent manner.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE / QUALIFICATIONS:
The successful candidate will have a strong track record of proven leadership ability and at least 10-15 years experience in a complex regional or multinational organization. S/he should possess the capacity to assess, analyze, and re-design strategic issues and organizational structures and have a personal passion for the work and mission of the Tides Network.
The Chief Executive Officer must be an inspiring, entrepreneurial, and passionate leader who can affect change where it is needed. Specific previous experiences and qualifications include:
• Proven experiences in leading and growing a large, complex organization through the full spectrum of the business cycle.
• Demonstrated track record in building strategic partnerships and ability to compete for and win philanthropic support or partnerships from individuals, foundations, corporations, and other organizations. This could include previous high-level individual solicitations, building an endowment, and/or managing a capital campaign, joint ventures.
• Working knowledge of progressive issues, the political landscape, and the implications of new developments for the Tides Network. Can appreciate the unique role Tides plays in the social sector and has the ability to clearly communicate Tides Network’s mission and work to external stakeholders.
• Experience working with members of a Board of Directors with a history of strengthening proper governance guidelines and building the consensus necessary to ensure organizational success.
• Creativity and innovation in assessing and identifying opportunities, partnerships, programs, and resource development. Able to facilitate competing interests and priorities to arrive at positive outcomes.
• The proven ability to create constructive partnerships among diverse constituencies, to strength consensus building, collaboration, and communication.
• Effective verbal and written communications, including excellent public speaking skills for formal and extemporaneous presentations.
• Integrity and high ethical standards with a reputation for fairness and transparency.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to use diplomacy effectively both internally and externally.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
• Strong sensitivity and commitment to cultural, racial, ethnic and socioeconomic diversity.
• Passionate belief in Tides’ mission, vision, and values.
LEADERSHIP CHARACTERISTICS:
Understanding the Work
• Knows the work and the mission-critical technical and functional skills needed to do the job; understands various types of business propositions and understands how businesses operate in general; learns new methods and technologies easily.
Making Complex Decisions
• Can solve even the toughest and most complex of problems; great at gleaning meaning from whatever data is available; is a quick study of the new and different; adds personal wisdom and experience to come to the best conclusion and solution, given the situation; uses multiple problem-solving tools and techniques.
Creating the New and Different
• Is able to come up with the next great breakthrough thing to do; is creative, a visionary, and can manage innovation; is an effective strategist full of ideas and possibilities; sees multiple futures; has broad interests and knowledge; can both create and bring exciting ideas to market; comfortable speculating about alternative futures without all of the data.
Dealing with Trouble
• Fearlessly takes on all issues, challenges, and people; comfortably confronts and works through conflict; delivers negative feedback and messages without hesitation; deals promptly and fairly with problem performers; lets everyone know where they stand; thrives in crises and is energized by tough challenges; not afraid to make negative decisions and take tough action; challenges the
status quo.
Communicating Effectively
• Writes and presents effectively; adjusts to fit the audience and the message; strongly gets a message across.
Inspiring Others
• Is skilled at getting individuals, teams, and an entire organization to perform at a higher level and to embrace change; negotiates skillfully to achieve a fair outcome or promote a common cause; communicates a compelling vision and is committed to what needs to be done; inspires others; builds motivated, high-performing teams; understands what motivates different people.
Acting with Honor and Character
• Is a person of high character; is consistent and acts in line with a clear and visible set of values and beliefs; deals and talks straight; walks his/her talk; is direct and truthful but at the same time can keep confidences.
EDUCATION:
An undergraduate degree is required. A graduate degree in a relevant field of study such as nonprofit management, international business, or an MBA is highly preferred.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Interested parties who meet the above-stated qualifications should contact Korn Ferry.
Aimeé Meher-Homji
202-955-4365
Aimee.Meher-Homji@kornferry.com
Cheri Griffin
202-955-0913
Cheri.Griffin@kornferry.com
Equal Employment Opportunity:
Tides is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage and seek applications from women, people of color, and bilingual and bicultural individuals, as well as members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, marital status, or medical condition including acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and AIDS-related conditions.
Applicants with Disabilities:
Reasonable accommodation will be made so that qualified disabled applicants may participate in the application process. Please advise in writing of special needs at the time of application.
