Executive Director, Washington State School Director’s Association

The Washington State School Directors’ Association (commonly known as WSSDA) is seeking an accomplished, dynamic leader to serve as its next Executive Director.  Headquartered in Olympia, WSSDA is the largest association of elected officials in Washington, and represents every school board member in all of the state’s 295 public school districts.  The new Executive Director will have the exciting opportunity to lead the organization in expanding its role in education policy development and advocacy, as well as its ongoing role of providing leadership development and support to local school boards throughout Washington. 

Overview of the Organization
Locally elected school boards are at the heart of the public education system in Washington State.  School boards serve as a vital link between the community and the classroom — making policy, setting budgets, and exerting leadership to prepare our children for the opportunities of the future.  Founded in 1922 as a state agency, WSSDA is authorized by the State Legislature to be self-governed through a president and board of directors elected from the state’s local school boards.

WSSDA’s core mission is focused on promoting student learning by ensuring that school board members have the knowledge, tools, and services they need to effectively govern their districts and to champion public education.   

WSSDA’s primary services to its members include: Board Training & Professional Development, Policy & Legal Services, Strategic Planning, Information Resources & Issue Briefings, Advocacy, and Conferences and Regional Meetings

The Association currently has an operating budget of 2.9 million dollars and 17 full-time, and two part-time, staff.

For more detailed information about the WSSDA, please visit their web site: http://wssda.org
 
The Position

Responsibilities: The Executive Director reports to the President of the 17-member Board of Directors.  Board members are elected for three year terms by the membership, while the officers are elected for one year terms.  The Executive Director leads the Association toward its mission; is responsible for the effective conduct and management of Association affairs; recommends and participates in the Board’s development of Association goals, objectives and policies; organizes, coordinates, and directs staff and activities for the Association; and acts as its primary spokesperson. 

Compensation & Benefits: The salary for the position is competitive, commensurate with qualifications and experience.  WSSDA is covered under the State of Washington employee benefit package.  

Diversity Focus: The staff, members and other stakeholders of WSSDA are from wide and diverse socio-economic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds.  A demonstrated commitment to, and understanding of, diversity and cultural competency will be critical in the selection process.

Leadership Philosophy Required: The Executive Director must provide visionary leadership, inspire staff and Board members to do their best work, create, as well as identify, strategic opportunities for the Association, and serve as the “face of the organization” to its many stakeholders.  The Executive Director has wide latitude in exercising independent initiative and judgment, subject to the policies and procedures established by the Board of Directors.

The new Executive Director must be free of any affiliations that could conflict (or could create the appearance of conflict) with the exercise of his/her responsibilities.

Candidate Requirements: Bachelor’s degree or commensurate experience in a related field is required; a Master’s degree or equivalent experience is preferred

The position requires demonstrated skill, experience, and success in/with the following areas: 
 
·      As an Executive Director or senior manager in a similar or larger organization, (in a nonprofit organization preferred, but not necessarily a membership association)

·      Working with elected & appointed government officials at all levels

·      Building and sustaining positive relationships and collaborations with key individuals, constituencies and partner organizations

·      An understanding of the Washington State political and educational “landscape”

·      Developing & maintaining a positive organizational culture

·      Financial management and fiscal responsibility; business savvy/perspective

·      Public policy advocacy at state and national levels

·      Team and coalition building

·      Well-networked in a variety of dif ferent sectors

·      Developing, mentoring, empowering, motivating, engaging and evaluating staff in a team environment

·      Providing high quality customer service and promotion of it through marketing, media and public relations 

·      Understanding current best practices in organizational leadership

·      Understanding WSSDA and its programs is a plus

·      Conflict management and resolution

·      Development & implementation of multi-year strategic plans/initiatives

·      Diversification of revenues through entrepreneurial initiatives and growth of their organization(s) 

·      Leadership in the public education field (a plus)

 
The successful candidate will possess the following personal attributes and competencies:

·      Accountable (holds self and others accountable for performance); sets high expectations for self and others; follows through on commitments

·      Excellent communications skills – oral, written, listening and public speaking; articulate, direct and concise

·      A clear understanding of, and respect for, the role of local school boards, their strengths and weaknesses, and their relationships with superintendents

·      Engenders credibility, trust and respect

·      Collaborative, inclusive, deferential leadership style; willing to share authority; both good leader and a good manager, has a bold leadership spirit; leads by example, willing to “roll up their sleeves”

·      Energetic, strong work ethic

·      High integrity, honest, authentic, genuine, congruent; models the ethics, values and standards of the agency; keeps confidences

·      Customer and member-focused

·      Decisive decision maker, while remaining open-minded and considerate of other’s views; actively seeks input on key decisions; evaluates potential positive and negative consequences of various options; demonstrates consistency and fairness in decisions

·      Out of the box thinker, creative problem solver; resourceful, innovative, entrepreneurial

·      Comfortable being visible as the “Face of the Association;” charismatic, dynamic, outgoing

·      Visionary, with the ability to inspire others toward their vision

·      An advocate for staff and their agency

·      Poised/professional public presence, and demeanor; politically and socially astute; tactful, diplomatic, respectful

·      Action-oriented, proactive, results-oriented; well-organized; effectively sets and follows mission-driven priorities

·      Change agent, courageously challenges “conventional wisdom”

·      Exemplary interpersonal skills; personable; engaging; comfortable dealing with wide variety of people, cultures and constituencies

·      Good common sense and judgment; intuitive

·      Passion for, and commitment to, the organization, the mission, and children

·      Positive attitude; inspires optimism, enthusiastic; open, approachable, “transparent,” inviting, friendly; good sense of humor

·      Well balanced between a systems-wide (holistic) perspective and attention to detail; between an internal and external focus; and between personal and work life  

Application Timing: BEFORE APPLYING PLEASE REVIEW THE FULL POSITION PROFILE BY VISITING http://www.hagelsearch.com/jobs.html.  Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest and resume as soon as possible.  Full consideration is assured if letters and resumes are received no later than Noon  PST, March 31, 2010.  We appreciate all submissions via email to: wssda@hagel.net with documents in MS Word format. 

Contact Information: For further information, please contact: Dave Osmer, Hagel & Company, Phone: 425-643-4223, or email wssda@hagel.net.