Chief Executive Officer

Experience Corps

Washington, DC

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Experience Corps is the nation’s premier program engaging people over 55 in focused national service and community problem-solving. A highly acclaimed program with proven results, Experience Corps is poised for growth as members of the baby boom generation near the end of their midlife work. For more than a decade, Experience Corps has been the signature project of Civic Ventures, a think tank and program incubator that works to define the second half of adult life as a time of individual and social renewal.

In this moment of success and opportunity, Experience Corps seeks nominations and applications for a dynamic and visionary Chief Executive Officer to lead the program through its launch as an independent nonprofit organization and to spearhead its next phase of growth and expansion.

With the advantage of Experience Corps’ well-established reputation for excellence, innovation, and results, the new CEO will spearhead Experience Corps’ operational transformation to an independent entity; serve as the public spokesperson for the new organization with partners, affiliates, supporters, donors, policy experts and the media; lead Experience Corps’ highly effective national office staff. Most importantly, the new CEO will work to capitalize on a proven record of service while pursuing future innovations to maximize the positive impact of the boomer population in the United States. The Chief Executive Officer will be a passionate advocate of service; a seasoned and sophisticated leader equipped to transition Experience Corps from its history as a successful demonstration project into a truly national program; and a savvy networker with the ability to leverage networks of affiliates, stakeholders, funders and policymakers. This is a unique opportunity for a gifted strategic thinker and organizational leader.

This search is being conducted by the Nonprofit Professionals Advisory Group, in conjunction with Civic Ventures.

OVERVIEW OF EXPERIENCE CORPS

Program History

In 1988, John Gardner, former Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare and founder of Common Cause, penned a concept paper proposing to mobilize the time, talent and experience of older Americans to revitalize their communities. He called it Experience Corps.

Gardner’s concept became reality in 1995 when Experience Corps was launched as a five-city pilot project with three goals: to channel the talent and energy of growing numbers of older adults into public and community service; to provide significant benefits for the older Americans who participate; and to achieve real outcomes in the community. Reflecting the intense interest in helping disadvantaged young people, Experience Corps began and today remains focused on tutoring and mentoring in urban public schools.

Experience Corps’ recent history has been characterized by rapid growth through dramatic increases in existing sites and by expanding to new communities. Today, in 20 cities across the country, nearly 2,000 Experience Corps members tutor and mentor elementary school students who are struggling to learn to read. In the 2007-2008 school year, Experience Corps members served over 20,000 students. The program is also a leader in engaging a racially and socio-economically diverse group of people. More than half of Experience Corps members are African-American; they represent a wide range of income; and they come from all walks of life and types of work. Experience Corps has a national office of seven, a $1.5 million operating budget and its 20-affiliate programs nationwide manage budgets equivalent to another $15 million in program resources.

Experience Corps began as a research-based intervention, and research and evaluation have always been part of the program’s culture. Throughout its history, Experience Corps has zeroed in on demonstrating its impact on young people, schools and Experience Corps members themselves. Public/Private Ventures, Policy Studies Associates and The John Hopkins University, among others, have conducted in-depth research on Experience Corps.

With funding from The Atlantic Philanthropies, Washington University in St. Louis is just completing a rigorous independent evaluation of Experience Corps’ outcomes for older adults and its impact on young children’s reading achievement. Washington University will release the results of this landmark study in the fall of 2008. The much-anticipated evaluation results from Washington University will play a vital role in shaping the next phase of growth, and the promotion and dissemination of these results will be critical in securing future funding at the local and national levels.

The Future  

Experience Corps is much more than a nonprofit program and a school-based intervention. It is an important social invention designed to capture the tidal wave of talent in older Americans today and use it to solve serious social problems, beginning with literacy. As a committed learning laboratory, Experience Corps constantly seeks pathways to study and strengthen its model and to document and disseminate its findings. Advocacy also is central to the program’s commitment to shape policies and spark public-private partnerships that expand opportunities for boomers to serve and improve the communities in which they live.

The leadership of Civic Ventures has given thoughtful and careful consideration to Experience Corps’ future direction and believes that now is an opportune time to launch Experience Corps as an independent organization, capitalizing on its proven model, strong network and public-private funding support. Experience Corps’ launch builds on a platform of an existing national program and communications staff, an expert network of affiliated organizations operating the program in 20 communities and nearly 2,000 committed member-volunteers. The expectation is that as a separate organization, Experience Corps will deepen and expand its impact with clear focus, organizational dexterity, new champions, increased internal capacity and independent direction.

RESPONSIBILITIES, OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR THE CEO

The new Chief Executive Officer will assume primary leadership for Experience Corps as Civic Ventures completes the formation of a new nonprofit organization. S/he will oversee all aspects of the organization’s management including board development, fundraising strategy and execution, strategic planning, and day-to-day operations. The new CEO will build upon the successes of Civic Ventures’ leadership and benefit from its continued counsel while establishing his or her unique leadership presence, direction and style. Specifically, the new Chief Executive Officer will navigate these responsibilities, opportunities and challenges in the first year of his or her tenure:

In partnership with Civic Ventures, launch Experience Corps as a separate nonprofit organization and chart the internal and external operational transition. The new CEO will assume leadership of and continue building a strong internal team; establish smooth and seamless internal and external communications to ensure the existing affiliate network receives continued support from the national office during the transition; ensure that partners, affiliates, funders and the general public receive a clear message; and capitalize on potential increased publicity during the launch to broaden collaborative relationships and program support.

Complete recruiting a new Board of Directors to lead and govern Experience Corps through the launch phase and beyond to help take full advantage of the organization’s potential. The new CEO will tap Civic Ventures’ extensive networks and other sources to identify and solidify a new national Board of Directors for Experience Corps that reflects the new organization’s strategic and governance needs. S/he will leverage Board members’ abilities, networks and expertise to implement organizational priorities in the evolving landscape of aging Americans and national service. The CEO will orient new board members to the purpose, mission, priorities and vision of Experience Corps, effectively engaging them in their governance responsibilities and leadership roles.

Assess the present strategic direction and engage the Board, staff and network in developing a bold new strategic plan. Experience Corps’ current strategic direction is just beyond its midpoint, and the time is right for the new CEO to engage the board, staff, affiliate network and stakeholders in creating a strategic plan that reflects the current landscape and builds a vision for Experience Corps’ future.

Leading and managing Experience Corps’ highly committed and knowledgeable national staff.  Building on a strong existing core, the new CEO will develop staff leadership that fosters effective teamwork, seamless communication and continued high levels of professionalism.

Capitalizing on fruitful existing funding relationships and forging new avenues of support.  With a history of strong funding partnerships, the new Chief Executive Officer will manage existing funding relationships while exploring and securing new donor relationships. S/he will leverage federal national service funds with corporate and foundation support. S/he will assess potential for building private individual support and lead donor cultivation. The new CEO will engage affiliate partners and local stakeholders to ensure strong financial support for the organization, capitalizing on launch publicity and the Washington University evaluation, as well as a climate of support for national service.

Representing Experience Corps to the broader community. The new CEO will be an articulate, persuasive and charismatic representative of Experience Corps and the powerful potential of engaging older adults in service. S/he will develop strong and strategic relationships with affiliates, partners, volunteers, community organizations and policymakers. As the public face of Experience Corps, the CEO will strengthen key alliances with local and national organizations that advance the organization’s mission and vision. S/he will identify opportunities to cultivate new relationships and partnerships that enhance Experience Corps’ position and mission.

QUALIFICATIONS OF THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

As Experience Corps moves toward a transformed organizational identity, the new Chief Executive Officer will provide leadership at a critical time. While no one candidate will embody all the qualifications enumerated below, the ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional and personal abilities, attributes and experiences:

• Bold, visionary leader with a zealous commitment to Experience Corps’ mission of engaging older adults to solve serious social problems.

• Effective decision-maker committed to the pursuit of excellence and ensuring the long term success of Experience Corps.

• Ten years or more of senior-level experience, with a demonstrated track record of success within one or more organizations.

• Ability to gracefully navigate a variety of settings from grassroots spaghetti dinners and inner- city public schools to courting donors and testifying on Capitol Hill.

• Strong networker with the ability to call upon opinion leaders, public officials and corporate and foundation leaders.

• Proven ability to raise funds from foundations, corporations, public sources and individual donors.

• Adept at developing long-term allies and supporters in a wide variety of settings.

• Proven skills in building boards and a cohesive staff.

• Familiarity with the nature of national-local relationships and diverse affiliate networks. Ability to build and sustain a nationwide coalition through inspiration and trust as well as formal agreements and contracts.

• Exceptional oral and written communicator.

• Contagious enthusiasm, drive, energy and sense of humor.

• Technologically savvy and flexible enough to operate in virtual office settings and with emerging technology.

The new CEO is expected to travel extensively during the 2008-2009 year and to live in or be able to commit to significant work time in the Washington, DC area.

TO APPLY

More information about Experience Corps may be found at: www.experiencecorps.org.

More information about Civic Ventures and all its programs can be found at www.civicventures.org and www.encore.org.

Due to the pace of this search, candidates are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Applications including a cover letter describing your interest and qualifications, your resume (in Word format), salary history and where you learned of the position should be sent to:

ec-ceo@nonprofitprofessionals.com. In order to expedite the internal sorting and reviewing process, please type your name (Last, First) as the only contents in the subject line of your e-mail.

It is Civic Ventures / Experience Corps policy to employ, compensate and advance personnel without regard to sex, race, color, religion, age, national origin, veteran status, physical disability, sexual orientation or marital status.