Job Announcement

Executive Director
Campaign to Renew Pennsylvania

Background
The Campaign to Renew Pennsylvania (Renew PA) is a new statewide initiative that will use the 2003 Brookings Institution report, Back to Prosperity: A Competitive Agenda for Renewing Pennsylvania (http://www.brookings.edu/es/urban/publications/pa.htm), as the broad goals for the future growth and development of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Renew PA's mission is to create a network of organizations and individuals that advocates for state policies and local and regional actions that will restore the economic competitiveness, government effectiveness, and quality of life of Pennsylvania's communities. The Heinz Endowments and The William Penn Foundation contributed to the creation of this campaign, which will begin in November of 2004 and is anticipated to continue for at least three years. The hiring of the Executive Director is intended to coincide with the campaign launch. The campaign will be housed at 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania, a statewide non-profit organization committed to revitalizing Pennsylvania's diverse communities and conserving rural, natural and historic resources. 10,000 Friends served as the "on the ground" partner in the development and roll out of the Brookings report.

The Executive Director will lead this campaign to work toward a Pennsylvania whose children want to stay and work here; a Pennsylvania that protects and invests in our assets - natural, built and human; a Pennsylvania that places a priority on economic growth, and good jobs where people live. The Executive Director will work out of Harrisburg; significant travel is required. The preferred start date is November 1, 2004. The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors of 10,000 Friends, with guidance from the Campaign Steering Committee.

The Executive Director is a Senior Level position demanding seasoned and proven leadership skills, tact, tenacity, and the ability to work on both vision and tactical implementation. The position requires: the ability to build and lead a diverse coalition through meaningful public participation; exceptional responsiveness and follow-through; effective representation to senior government, civic, and business leaders, the media, and other important stakeholder organizations; effective leadership and management of staff, consultants, and volunteers.

The ideal candidate demonstrates: a proven track record of successfully advancing a statewide advocacy initiative; developing high-level coalitions and collaborations; success in raising funds from corporate, private and public entities; infectious enthusiasm and optimism; strong professional knowledge of Pennsylvania; a vision and passion for change; strong strategic sense; excellent communications skills; and sensitivity for inclusivity.

Primary Duties

Develop and advance a statewide policy agenda and network for change:

  • Understand and track administrative, legislative and policy developments at the state level.
  • Work closely with state and local leaders of both parties to develop a common agenda around inclusive growth and economic competitiveness.
  • Build a network of regional organizations working together in support of a shared state policy agenda.
  • Build a network of reformers:
  • Manage, guide and engage volunteer leaders from around the Commonwealth.
  • Advance and consistently strengthen relationships with civic, business and government leaders in the state in order to support the goals of the Renew PA initiative.
  • Connect regional organizations with state leaders to form new partnerships.
  • Build a broad, diverse, state-wide constituency to impact significant long-term reform.

Promote and implement on-the-ground change and regional best practices:

  • Mobilize regions to organize and find their own solutions
  • Help build local and regional capacity to implement new strategies/reforms
  • Communicate a reform agenda to state leaders, key constituencies and general public:
  • Act as direct contact for external relations to all audiences including media, legislators and key constituents.
  • Manage all media relations and serve as representative for public speaking engagements.

Lead and manage campaign that will build capacity for long-term success:

  • Lead the steering committee and staff in resolutely addressing a range of strategic, operational and project issues including setting priorities.
  • Track benchmarks for progress.
  • Work regularly with key funders and constituents.

With funders and Steering Committee, help direct campaign funding decisions:

  • Raise approximately $4.7 M in three years.
  • Manage budget and direct allocations to effectively advance agenda.

Experience and Skills

Qualified candidates should possess the following knowledge, skills, and experience:

Substantive knowledge and a minimum of 10 years of experience with the following:

  • Economic development
  • Planning
  • Tax and/or governance issues
  • Community development/asset building
  • Workforce development/labor issues
  • Government policy and programs
  • Regional collaborations
  • Initiatives, organizations, or campaigns in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Management

  • Galvanize networks of different constituencies, including government, community-based organizations, state-wide associations, and private sector businesses.
  • Effective communicator, with a proven ability to listen, write and speak well.
  • Manage programs and people -- competencies needed for hiring, marketing, budgeting, and fund raising.

Personal Attributes and Style

  • Entrepreneurial spirit and an ability to think strategically, creatively and tactically.
  • Risk-taker, willing to push for bold action.
  • Trustworthy and possesses the highest level of personal and professional integrity and quality standards.
  • High energy level and a keen sense of humor.
  • Passionate and optimistic about the change possible in PA.

Salary & Benefits

Commensurate with experience and qualifications.

To Apply

Qualified candidates are encouraged to send cover letter, resume and salary requirements by October 8, 2004 to:

Dewey & Kaye
Attn: Renew PA Executive Director
345 Fourth Avenue, Suite 400
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Fax: 412.434.1390
Applicants may submit information electronically to owens@deweykaye.com.

10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania is an Equal Opportunity Employer.