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Job Opening: Executive Director

JOB TITLE: Executive Director

ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION:
Launched in 1995, Free Speech TV is an independent, publicly-supported, non-profit TV multi-platform digital media pioneer. Using both television and the Internet, Free Speech TV inspires viewers to become civically engaged to build a more just, equitable, and sustainable society. Free Speech TV is owned and operated by Public Communicators, Inc., a 501(c) 3 non-profit, tax-exempt organization, founded in 1974. Free Speech TV is headquartered in Denver, Colorado.

Promoting voices and perspectives under-represented in the media, Free Speech TV broadcasts and webcasts independently-produced programs addressing social, political, cultural, and environmental issues. On television, Free Speech TV reaches 30 million U.S. homes, broadcasting fulltime on DISH Network (channel 9415) and part-time on 200 community cable affiliates. On the Internet, Free Speech TV offers a large collection of on-demand videos, as well as a 24/7 online channel.

Free Speech TV is supported primarily through philanthropic contributions. Viewer donations are the fastest-growing source of support, as thousands of members make annual donations ranging from $5 to $10,000+.  The organization also receives support from foundation grants. The organization has an annual operating budget of $2.5 million, a nine-member Board of Directors, and four senior staff directors, including a General Manager who manages day-to-day operations.

Free Speech TV seeks an energetic, successful leader who is profoundly committed to the vision and mission of the organization. Together the Board and staff of Free Speech TV have developed a profile of our ideal candidate. The person we choose as the next Executive Director of Free Speech TV will be the candidate whose record and ability most closely match this profile:

Fundraising/Resource Development - Effective fundraiser with demonstrated track record, knowledgeable of and expert at the Executive Director role in fundraising and resource development, who is:

  • Effective as mission spokesperson and with relationship management aspects of fundraising (both individual and institutional);
  • Has a comprehensive understanding of fundraising strategies and methods;
  • Able to develop FSTV organizational (staff and board) fundraising capacity, attract, lead and hold accountable FSTV fundraising staff;
  • Will preferably come with existing relationships/contacts to potential funders; and
  • Is creative and capable at conceiving and developing alternative revenue streams.

Industry Knowledge - Understanding of new content development and delivery technologies and a vision for using both traditional and new media to successfully pursue FSTV's mission to address progressive social, political, cultural and environmental issues:

  • Is technologically competent, comfortable with/aware of new media (including social media);
  • Has experience working with progressive communities and organizations;
  • Success in this environment will require a sure hand and making the right bets;
  • Direct, hands-on media leadership experience (and proven success) is preferred;
  • If coming from outside of media, a strategic understanding of changes taking place in media presentation and usage, and the impacts it may have on FSTV is critical.

Entrepreneurial Focus - Lead FSTV by developing innovative strategies for existing services and in developing new services and service delivery mechanisms.

  • Deal maker;
  • Out-of-the-box, entrepreneurial thinker;
  • Focus on innovative models, conquering challenges;
  • Can  generate and become engaged by ideas and possibilities, is inventive and can make connections quickly;
  • Use synthesis to work on or solve problems;
  • Has desire, persistence and resourcefulness to solve problems and make things happen.

Leadership - An energetic, strong, externally focused individual with a high level of emotional intelligence who will help FSTV become an organization that is both financially sustainable and powerfully serves its mission:

  • Puts the mission and success of FSTV first;
  • Has a full set of business skills;
  • Is savvy, passionate, dynamic, and enthusiastic;
  • Provides direction and accountability for organizational and staff results;
  • Is committed to and effective at developing and mentoring others, including the FSTV staff;
  • Experienced and effective with board development - able to work collaboratively with the FSTV Board of Directors;
  • Comfortable dealing with a wide range of stakeholders - from a single member to high-end donors;
  • Effective decision-maker.

Strategic Focus - Powerful understanding of and use of strategy in organizational life:

  • Knowledgeable of dynamics affecting current and future environment of Free Speech TV and effective at maximizing the organization in response to these dynamics;
  • Knowledgeable of population, technology and media consumption trends in the US and beyond;
  • Able to identify and implement organizational (and programming) changes required to maximize FSTV's relevance, including being able to distinguish its current strengths and build on them;
  • Highly developed skill at prioritizing, and accomplished at sequencing change;
  • Able to continuously develop, execute and evaluate strategic plans, in concert with other stakeholders, and to champion strategic perspectives.

Change Management - Demonstrate a history of successfully leading change efforts in organizations:

  • Get results in new and evolving practices being successfully adopted in all disciplines, by the staff and the Board;
  • Able to lead staff and organization to better operational results;
  • Comfortable with ambiguity and embracing change;
  • Good at getting individuals and groups to work together.

Results Orientation - Express an overriding, consistent concern for and a record of:

  • achieving goals;
  • making and meeting commitments;
  • delivering results on schedule;
  • looking for ways to do things more quickly, efficiently, and at lower costs; and
  • describing one's performance in quantifiable terms describing their overall value added.

Collaboration - Strengthen existing and create new relationships and partnerships inside and externally to FSTV.

  • Collaborative spirit and genuine commitment to and enthusiasm for developing and maintaining enduring, successful, win/win relationships that leverage FSTV's and all partners' strengths, assets, needs and interests;
  • Sees possibilities everywhere - anyone doing anything interesting, important in our space;
  • Tells our story powerfully to potential partners to effectively enroll them in working with FSTV.

Vision - Display ability to project FSTV's needs out into the long-term future; see and understand future trends in media, in related fields and the world, and the impact on FSTV's operations;

  • Big picture person;
  • Able to enroll others in working together to execute vision;
  • Balance vision with doing.

Team Building - Inspiring, inclusive, highly competent manager of people, who:

  • Creates and maintains an effective, collaborative, team-oriented, cross-functional culture of openness and professionalism within FSTV;
  • Adjusts style as needed, collaborating, enrolling, delegating and directing as required by the situation;
  • Has a proven ability to effectively attract, develop and get the most out of staff;
  • Is committed to and adept at managing diversity;
  • Hold self and staff accountable; and
  • Has experience as a coach/mentor, with a strong commitment to developing subordinate staff.

Mission Orientation - Understand and support FSTV's mission - its core purpose for being.

  • Believe in the mission and values and is passionately committed to it;
  • Frequently refer to the mission and incorporate it into daily activities;
  • Fosters shared understanding of and commitment to the mission, vision, and community building goals of FSTV;

JOB SUMMARY:

The Executive Director (ED) is responsible for managing the affairs of Free Speech TV and reports to the Board of Directors.

PRIORITIES/DUTIES OF ED

§  Work with the Board and staff in developing and achieving significantly increased annual and long-range financial goals through fundraising;

§  Maintain a high professional profile and build strategic partnerships with donors, foundations and other progressive organizations;

§  Provide visionary leadership to re-imagine the future with a greater embrace of new digital technologies and social media to fulfill the organization's mission;

§  Manage internal operations through consensus building with management, staff and Board;

§  Identify, cultivate and solicit major gifts from individuals, foundations, and other sources;

§  Develop and maintain effective organizational structures, personnel, technology, business operations, and fiscal affairs;

§  Foster an organizational culture characterized by commitment to mission, shared values and outcomes;

§  Facilitate communication among the Board, staff and community stakeholders;

§  Play a substantive role in the national dialogue with other progressive and grassroots leaders in the field;

§  Advance Free Speech TV to the next level in its development.

SKILLS SUMMARY

§  5 years of demonstrated fundraising success;

§  5 years of leadership experience;

§  5 years of management experience with demonstrated ability to work collaboratively;

§  Experience working with and building boards of directors;

§  Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills;

§  Comfortable speaking in front of groups;

§  Knowledge of progressive media, online media/social networking, and grassroots organizing highly preferred.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Salary commensurate with experience, excellent benefits, including: health, dental, vision, life insurance and retirement.  Some out of town travel required.

TO APPLY:
Please apply online at Livingston Associates, www.livingstonassociates.net and upload a cover letter, salary requirements and resume by September 30, 2009.

Free Speech TV is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Free Speech TV welcomes applications from people of color, women, people with disabilities, low-income people, and gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people.