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Executive Director, Boston

Executive Search

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
for
Boston

SISTER TO SISTER FOUNDATION

Client Overview

The Sister to Sister Foundation (STS), a rapidly growing, national 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization based in the Washington, DC suburb of Chevy Chase, MD, has retained Sterling Martin Associates to conduct a search for the position of Executive Director (ED) in the Boston market. We are currently seeking nominations and applications for a visionary, passionate and dynamic Executive Director to grow the existing campaign in this market. Currently, STS has a campaign in this city – including media, fundraising and health fair events. The organization is seeking to build on those efforts, add major events and increase fundraising revenue.

Founded in 2000 by prominent Washingtonian and healthcare executive, Irene Pollin, STS currently has a headquarters staff of 10. STS retains an additional 20 campaign managers and deputy campaign managers across the country to manage local campaigns. Sister to Sister is focused on reducing and preventing heart disease in women. The organization offers free cardiac screenings and is developing a robust website that will provide the information, tools, and support women need to take and sustain action to reduce their risk of heart disease. STS emphasizes getting women to take follow-up action after they have been screened.

Since 2000, STS has touched over 200,000 women and screened approximately 70,000 in 17 cities throughout the U.S. Although public awareness of women’s heart health has increased dramatically in the last 10 years, there are still significant unmet needs. Studies show that the majority (54%) of the ~42 million women with heart disease in the U.S. are undiagnosed and only 16% of women believe heart disease is the greatest health problem for women. STS strives to increase awareness that heart disease is the #1 killer of women in the United States today and educates women that making healthy lifestyle changes can reduce their risk of heart disease.

Sister to Sister recently hired McKinsey & Company to conduct a strategic assessment of STS and recommend operational changes. Those recommendations included enhancing program offerings, refining the organization’s fundraising strategy and improving operational efficiency. The new Executive Director position in this market is a key part of those recommendations. The ED manages all activities in their area and is the public face of STS in that market. The Executive Director reports to the Chief Program Officer at STS headquarters in Chevy Chase, MD.

Sister to Sister will conduct campaigns in a minimum of thirteen cities in 2009, including: Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Jacksonville, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Tampa, St. Louis, and Washington, DC. STS anticipates adding up to ten more cities in the next three years, for a total of 23 by 2012.

Position Responsibilities

The Executive Director is responsible for developing the local campaign infrastructure, managing the daily operations, and setting in place a sustainable and growing campaign, all to ensure that the STS mission is carried out in the respective metropolitan area and media market. Central tasks include:

• Represent STS to the public, community and press. The Executive Director is the public face of Sister to Sister in the market.
• Create a Community Council in the campaign market, comprising 15-20 public and private sector members who represent key stakeholders in women’s health. This group meets regularly (3-4 times) throughout the year.
• Identify hospital and public health partners who will assist in campaign activities including screenings and sponsorship of the campaign and health fairs.
• Identify venue and secure contracts for the annual Heart Health Fair, held in first half of year, and Executive Women’s event, held in the fall.
• Conduct all aspects of the annual Heart Health Fair – typically attended by in excess of 2,000 women over 1-2 days.
• Responsible for securing sponsorships, donations, in-kind support, vendors, obtaining local grants—for the annual campaign.
• Create and run fundraising-based events, such as a foot race, that net significant individual donor revenue.
• Implement a year-round media campaign in the media market. Identify and work with media partners for assistance in publicizing STS events.
• Conduct outreach to draw participation/attendance at STS events.
• Participate in additional campaign activities.
• Ensure the local campaign complies with all STS, state and local requirements concerning insurance, indemnification, bonding, confidentiality, fundraising status, and financial reporting.
• Develop and execute a budget.
• Meet reporting and interaction requirements with STS national office.

Requisite Candidate Skills, Qualifications & Experience

The ideal candidate will have the ability to attract multiple local sponsors (hospitals, and others). He/she should possess the ability to develop and execute a fundraising campaign or events (such as fundraiser or footrace) The Executive Director must have the ability to connect and engage community leaders in the corporate, non-profit and political sectors, develop and execute communications/PR strategy in the market and develop and execute a local campaign as outlined above. The Director will be responsible for Developing and executing events that attract media and attendees. A Bachelors degree or equivalent combination of education and experience strongly preferred. STS is an AA/EEO Employer.

For more information please contact:

Sterling Martin Associates is an executive search firm with locations in Washington, DC, New York, NY and Irvine, CA. For more information please visit our website at www.smartinsearch.com.