Cents Ability

November 03, 2011

Open Position: Executive Director

Cents Ability is a nonprofit organization that delivers financial literacy workshops to high school students throughout New York City. Cents Ability's mission is to empower New York City high school students to achieve their goals through the prudent and informed management of their financial resources.

We seek a motivated person with strong organizational skills and “self starter” instincts to become our Executive Director. Responsibilities include managing the organization’s day-to-day operations and exploring several key growth initiatives (outlined below). Salary based on candidate profile and experience.

Organization description:

Cents Ability partners with schools and community centers around New York City to conduct financial literacy workshops for high school students. Cents Ability’s curriculum is taught in seven 45-minute modules over three to seven weeks depending on the time allotted to each class. We can adjust our class time according to the needs of each teaching location. Classes are generally taught on the same day over consecutive weeks and short homework assignments are administered between classes. Class sizes vary but our target student-to-teacher ratio is 8-to-1. Our volunteer teachers are professionals in fields such as finance, media, education and law or college students pursuing business majors. These volunteers bring real world experience to the classroom while serving as role models to their students. Cents Ability teaches and administers all student materials free of charge.

Our curriculum reviews general financial topics. The first 3 sessions focus on the financial planning process and place a strong emphasis on goal setting, the value of budgeting and risks and benefits of credit. Students learn why they should start saving today. In the 4th and 5th sessions, the material encourages students to think about investing saved money over the short term and long term so that they can achieve their financial goals. The last 2 sessions include a high level discussion about the stock market and a review of the entire course.

Cents Ability has taught classes at 40+ locations across New York City.

Day-to-Day Operational Responsibilities:

Volunteer and teaching venue coordination

Communicate with volunteers, teachers, principals and community center leaders to ensure a smooth program experience at each teaching location
Provide logistical support to the lead teacher at each teaching venue
Organize school follow ups, feedback, evaluations, etc.

Manage organization communications

Maintain correspondence with volunteer base
Respond to inquiries (website, e-mails, calls, etc.)
Oversee Cents Ability volunteer database management system

Work with Executive Committee to source new teaching opportunities
Maintain records (Executive Committee meeting minutes, documents, etc.)
Coordinate organization events

Growth Initiatives:

Cents Ability is in a period of rapid growth. We are expanding our website, sourcing new teaching opportunities, engaging new fundraising initiatives and growing our volunteer base. The Executive Director may become involved in a number of these initiatives based on experience and interest. An enthusiastic attitude will be key.

Fundraising

Grant writing
Identify and communicate with potential donors
Fundraising events
Improve tracking metrics to demonstrate success to donors
Oversee communications and presentations to sponsors

Organization communications

Consider a monthly newsletter (for volunteers, students, etc)

Curriculum improvements

Enhance classroom experience through multimedia integration

Investigate addition of mentor/mentee model
Publicity

Spearhead media outreach

Volunteer recruitment
Publicly represent Cents Ability
Work with Website Director and 3rd party software provider to develop online budgeting tool

Time commitment:

We seek a minimum two-year commitment with promotional opportunities after 2-3 years

Work normal business hours (9-5) plus Executive Committee meetings (held in the evenings), events, classes, and other engagements when appropriate
Must be available to meet with principals/donors periodically
Must learn the Cents Ability curriculum and teach classes with other Cents Ability volunteers