POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT
 
ACES
Athletes Committed to educating students
EXECUTIVE Director​

About ACES
ACES (Athletes Committed to Educating Students) is an innovative out-of-school time program that brings math and social-emotional learning to life for Middle School students. Our mission is to reduce the academic opportunity gap and improve the likelihood of success for students in traditionally underserved communities. ACES’ programming consists of group classroom sessions, one-on-one mentorships and unique experiential learning opportunities, all of which help students develop crucial academic and life skills. We deliver our programs through the dynamic lens of sports. ACES partners with mission-aligned Twin Cities organizations and schools, as well as Minnesota’s professional and collegiate sports teams, to deliver transformational programming for hundreds of students every year. 

A Career Opportunity for a Collaborative, Results-Oriented Leader
This position is perfect for the person who wants to: 
  • Find fulfillment leading an organization that transforms young people’s lives. 
  • Create and carry out strategies that will lead to ACES having even greater impact in society. 
  • Foster collaborative partnerships with schools, community groups, major sports teams, and funders. 
  • Be part of an organization whose culture is both collaborative and proactive. 
  • Close the opportunity gap by delivering experiences that strengthen young people’s academics and help them develop crucial skills like teamwork, perseverance, and goal setting.

The Executive Director’s Responsibilities 
The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors and has overall strategic and operational responsibility for ACES’ execution of mission, impact and effectiveness, organizational culture and financial health. Four staff members report directly to the Executive Director. Primary responsibilities include the following: 

Overall leadership
  • Oversight of Board relations, including support for and collaboration with the Board
  • Implementation of the strategic plan
  • Fostering a culture of collaboration, respect and equity
  • Recruiting and retaining a strong leadership team
  • Maintaining a working knowledge of significant development in the educational and nonprofit field.
Operations and Administration
  • With the Board, assuming accountability for ACES’ financial health.
  • Oversight of program and financial operations and fiscal integrity, in collaboration with the Finance Director.
  • Accountability for benchmarking, evaluation, and continuous improvement of programs, services and operations, in collaboration with the Evaluation Director.
  • Establishment and maintenance of  an organizational structure that responds to community and program needs.
External Affairs
  • Playing a lead role in the development of contributed revenue, in partnership with the Development Director
  • Oversight of ACES programs in the community, in collaboration with the Program Director
  • Serving as the main spokesperson for and public face of ACES

Desired Education and Experience
The Executive Director will have an unwavering commitment to ACES’ mission to reduce educational disparities that affect young people’s learning. The ideal candidate for the job will possess the following qualifications for the job:
  • Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience, with a successful track record of organizational leadership, preferably in a nonprofit or related field.
  • Prior experience effectively leading a performance and outcomes-based organization and staff.
  • A demonstratable successful track record of fundraising and development.
  • Demonstrated strong marketing and public relations experience, with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders and cultures.
  • Past success working with a Board of Directors, with the ability to foster board member relationships.
  • Substantial experience effectively forging new relationships and alliances while strengthening existing relationships with relevant constituents and constituency groups.

Knowledge, Skills, and Attributes
The following qualities will help the Executive Director of ACES to be a successful leader:
  • Passion about the mission and job, 
  • Integrity, positive attitude, self-direction.
  • A high EQ.
  • Ability to handle communications and interactions at all levels effectively and to respond appropriately in sensitive situations.
  • Ability to work as an effective and proactive team player.
  • Creativity, the ability to think outside of the box.
  • A “growth mentality.”
  • Knowledge about the education system and how it works.
  • Passion about middle school education and middle school kids.
  • A background in youth development.

Compensation, Salary, and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $100,000 to $110,000. The salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. There is a generous benefits package.

To Apply
​To apply, interested candidates should send BOTH a letter of introduction and a resume to the following link: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/ed6f3a7e309c467b8f32cad6f3176426

Applicants are encouraged to apply by September 8, 2023

​For more information about ACES visit the website, https://aces4kids.org.