EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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THE ORGANIZATION

Ada Developers Academy (Ada) is a Seattle-based nonprofit training program for women and gender diverse people. Ada’s mission is to address the gender imbalance in the tech industry by training students for careers in software development. Ada offers an 11-month tuition-free program that combines intensive in-class learning with an internship in a local sponsoring technology company.

And the outcomes are awesome: the post-graduation placement rate in software roles is 96%. As of July 2019, over 330 students are working at tech organizations concentrated in the Puget Sound thanks to Ada. In recent cohorts, 75% of students are women of color or under-represented minorities.

Founded in 2013, Ada became a fiscally-sponsored project of TSNE MissionWorks in 2015 to continue efficient growth. Over the past 6 years, Ada has partnered with 75 organizations, each of whom pay a fee that supports the 6-month Ada classroom program and allows Ada to pay students a stipend during their 5-month internship.

Approximately 90% of Ada’s $4.2M budget for FY20 will be funded by partner companies including many of Seattle’s largest and best known organizations (e.g., Amazon, Microsoft, Nordstrom, Zillow, Indeed, and Tableau). Ada has a very strong positive cash position with 6+ months of operating cash on hand and a strong overall financial position. The Executive Director (ED) reports to the Advisory Board and manages a team of roughly fifteen (15) with three (3) direct reports (Director of Program Services and Operations, Director of Education, Director of Strategic Partnerships and Development).

You can learn more about Ada here.

To view a brief video providing the students’ perspective, click here.

THE PROFILE

Ada Developers Academy occupies a unique space at the intersection of one of this region’s primary employment sectors (technology) and the robust, vibrant non-profit sector. The ED must be equally adept at conducting the business of a nonprofit social enterprise and being a credible partner to the technology sector. They must be passionate about adult education, social and racial justice, gender equity, workforce development, and creating economic opportunities for people who have been underrepresented in this field.

The ED must be inclusive and collaborative and possess a genuine respect for and curiosity in the expertise, talents, and abilities of people with broad, diverse lived-experiences and perspectives. A supportive and compassionate leader at heart, the ED is a strong, skilled manager of people with a reputation for fostering professional development and career growth for staff, and for holding people accountable when necessary. They also possess a “head for numbers” with experience managing budgets and organization finances.

A skilled change manager, the ED is a systems thinker with experience scaling an organization or program. They may not have all the answers, but they know what questions to ask, how to remain open-minded, how to be an attentive listener, and how to take in information from all perspectives before formulating a plan. Finally, the ED is a tireless promoter and spokesperson for the organization who is energized by meeting people, telling the Ada story, and inspiring people to get involved and support the organization.

THE POSITION

Accountable to Ada’s Advisory Board (as a fiscally-sponsored project of TSNE MissionWorks, Ada’s board is considered an advisory board), the Executive Director (ED) will have overall strategic and operational responsibility for Ada’s staff, programs, finances, and execution of its mission.Specific areas of accountability include Leadership and Management, Fundraising and Communications, Strategic Planning and Execution, Budgeting, Fiscal and Program Management, Business Development, and Community and Alum Relations.

LEADERSHIP ABILITIES

Candidates will be evaluated on the full range of their lived and learned experience, professional background, volunteer experience, and direct and transferable skills. Ada is seeking candidates with a compelling combination of demonstrated experience and skills in some, or all, of the following areas:

• At least 5 years of experience leading a well-functioning non-profit organization, or significant department or division, with a $3M+ annual budget and staff of 15+.

• Successful leadership, coaching, and relationship management experience.• Leadership experience within the software industry that establishes credibility with students,

alums and corporate partners is highly desired.

Commitment to:• Furthering women and gender diverse people in technology careers.• Racial and social justice, and gender equity, and in living, learning and addressing the difficult

issues around inclusivity, bias, and diversity.

Ability to:• Manage and empower teams and other managers.• Lead annual business planning and periodic strategic planning.• Manage growth and organization scaling while maintaining quality and meeting mission.• Manage an organization’s budget and finances.• Inspire, motivate and engage others as a persuasive and passionate presenter and public speaker.• Raise money from foundations, individuals, corporations, and other funding sources.• Engage with a wide range of stakeholders and cultures.• Manage a complex array of multiple, simultaneous projects, programs, and initiatives.

IMMEDIATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPACT

Relationship building: Spend the time necessary to form and foster working relationships with staff, Board, alums, corporate partners, community partners, TSNE MissionWorks, and other stakeholder groups.

Strategic planning and execution: Ada Board and staff are in the late stages of finalizing a new strategic plan for the organization. The new ED must become conversant with the plan and continue its execution. Long-term considerations for this plan include: building out other programs beyond the core 11-month Academy program; program expansion beyond the current footprint; diversifying funding sources; evaluating different options for operating models; and recruiting an expanded Board that best aligns with revised strategic goals.

Fundraising. Working closely with the Director of Strategic Partnerships and Development, get to know current donors, donor-prospects and foundation/corporate representatives, become familiar with the existing Development Plan with an eye on expanding funding sources, then continue to play a key role in the organization’s fundraising efforts.

Office move and expansion: Ada leadership is currently identifying options for a larger workspace to accommodate the current organization and prepare for future growth. As the design, build-out and move will not be completed before the new ED starts, they will play a key role in completing this process.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

This is a full time, exempt position with a target starting salary range of $140,000 - $160,000 depending on experience. Ada offers a generous benefits package including: employer paying 80% of premiums for medical insurance and 75% for dental; a pension plan and organizational match of up to 3.5% of your annual salary; a flexible spending account; paid vacation and sick leave and eleven paid holidays per year; employer-paid life insurance, and long-term and short-term disability insurance.

TO BE CONSIDERED

The position is open until filled with a priority deadline of:

November 8, 2019

Candidate materials are reviewed on an on-going basis and initial interviews will begin by mid-October. Please submit a resume and a two-page (or less) cover letter as a single,

combined DOC or PDF at https://valtasgroup.recruiterbox.com

You may direct questions to Mr. Ed Rogan at ed@valtasgroup.com or 206.697.8428.

As an EOE/AA employer, TSNE MissionWorks and Ada Developers Academy will not discriminate in their employment practices due to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identification, and/or veteran or disability status. People of color, people with disabilities, and people of all gender identities are

encouraged to apply.

ABOUT VALTAS GROUPWe are proud of our work as Interim Executive Directors, supporting our clients in times of transition.Our deep experience helps organizations navigate uncertainty during leadership change.   We lead the search process in partnership with the board and staff leadership, as consultants for recruiting and search to support your organization as you identify the ideal Executive Director or leader for your future. We partner with board members and senior

nonprofit leaders on a variety of strategic consulting assignments.

Valtas Group has a variety of comprehensive resources to guide your transition needs.  Contact us to learn about our executive interim and placement services and keep

your organization moving during any transition or major change.

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