Executive Director
About Grad Bag
Grad Bag was founded in Scarsdale, NY in 2012 as a small grassroots project with the twofold mission to support college-bound students who have historically received less opportunity and to advance environmental sustainability. This is accomplished through collecting, refreshing, and repackaging lightly used dorm room essentials and distributing them to students to ease the financial impacts of beginning their post-secondary living experiences.
Since its founding and under the direction of active and engaged founders and board of directors, Grad Bad has expanded its partnerships to 17 college campuses and more than 20 not-for-profit organizations in New York, Connecticut, and Boston. While operations ceased during the COVID-19 pandemic, the board worked to develop a strategic plan that would become the guiding light for the future of the organization. Grad Bag is welcoming an exciting moment in time in which the Founding Executive Director will step into the leadership role and lead the organization into its future.
About the ED role
Grad Bag is seeking a Founding Executive Director with an entrepreneurial orientation that will lay the groundwork for continued growth and impact. In partnership with an active and supportive Board, the ED will both sustain and create new partnerships with college campuses, non-profits, and other mission aligned organizations.
The ED will be committed to Grad Bag’s twofold mission and will approach it as a self-starter with a keen eye towards continuous improvement. Representing the organization to both internal and external stakeholders, the ED will be an excellent communicator and will provide overall vision and strategy to prepare Grad Bag to meet the moment.
A skilled fundraiser, the ED will leverage both traditional and innovative fundraising strategies and a wide variety of communications and marketing strategies to build awareness and financial stability of the organization.
How the ED will spend time
Executive & Organizational Leadership:
Develop and execute an organizational strategy and that aligns with the mission and vision of Grad Bag
Enhance effectiveness of an active and engaged Board through maintaining and strengthening partnerships with current and prospective members
Build a cohesive and inclusive organizational culture and provide steadfast leadership, coaching and development to a diverse staff
Create and manage a comprehensive budget, financial controls, and resource allocation
Model flexibility, an entrepreneurial orientation, and a willingness to wear multiple hats in service of the mission and vision
External Partnerships and Fundraising:
Create and implement a comprehensive development strategy to secure funding across a variety of mechanisms including individual gifts, corporate and foundation grants, and events
Effectively represent Grad Bag by establishing and maintaining partnerships with colleges, regional and national organizations, corporate and community partners, foundations, and individual donors
Plan, market, and execute fundraisers and special events
Facilitate the development and distribution of promotional materials, newsletters and other marketing collateral
Ensure the efficient maintenance of the Grad Bag website
Oversee the development, implementation and management of social media campaigns and other communication channels
Advocate for and represent the organization at various colleges, conferences, speaking engagements and the media.
Program Development:
Develop and execute the strategy for recruitment and retention of college partners and grantee organizations
Develop a robust program for the recruitment, training, and recognition of volunteers
Supervise program operations including storage, inventory, laundry services and transportation
Develop the metrics for measuring impact and the tools for data collection and reporting.
Financial Management:
In partnership with the Board Treasurer, prepare and manage budgets to ensure compliance with organizational guidelines
Ensure that Grad Bag maintains sound financial practices
Oversee annual audits and ensure the timely annual filing of financial statements and the Form 990.
Qualifications
Accomplished fundraiser at ease in the role of seeking and asking for individual and major gifts and grants
Solid experience partnering with and supporting a board of directors and/or high level committees; ability to motivate both board members and staff to succeed
Ability to develop and execute a high-functioning business, financial and operations plans that will support a financially stable and sustainable organization
Dynamic leader who is visionary, ethical, and innovative
Location, Compensation, and Additional Information
This role is a remote role in the Northeast with preference for the Greater NYC area. Travel throughout the Northeast is required
Valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle is required
The salary range for the role is $110,000 - $135,000
Grad Bag is an equal opportunity employer and all applications will be considered without regard to an individual’s race, color, religion, sex, age, physical ability, veteran status, or any other classification protected by the Federal, State, and Local laws.
Grad Bag was founded in Scarsdale, NY in 2012 as a small grassroots project with the twofold mission to support college-bound students who have historically received less opportunity and to advance environmental sustainability. This is accomplished through collecting, refreshing, and repackaging lightly used dorm room essentials and distributing them to students to ease the financial impacts of beginning their post-secondary living experiences.
Since its founding and under the direction of active and engaged founders and board of directors, Grad Bad has expanded its partnerships to 17 college campuses and more than 20 not-for-profit organizations in New York, Connecticut, and Boston. While operations ceased during the COVID-19 pandemic, the board worked to develop a strategic plan that would become the guiding light for the future of the organization. Grad Bag is welcoming an exciting moment in time in which the Founding Executive Director will step into the leadership role and lead the organization into its future.
About the ED role
Grad Bag is seeking a Founding Executive Director with an entrepreneurial orientation that will lay the groundwork for continued growth and impact. In partnership with an active and supportive Board, the ED will both sustain and create new partnerships with college campuses, non-profits, and other mission aligned organizations.
The ED will be committed to Grad Bag’s twofold mission and will approach it as a self-starter with a keen eye towards continuous improvement. Representing the organization to both internal and external stakeholders, the ED will be an excellent communicator and will provide overall vision and strategy to prepare Grad Bag to meet the moment.
A skilled fundraiser, the ED will leverage both traditional and innovative fundraising strategies and a wide variety of communications and marketing strategies to build awareness and financial stability of the organization.
How the ED will spend time
Executive & Organizational Leadership:
Develop and execute an organizational strategy and that aligns with the mission and vision of Grad Bag
Enhance effectiveness of an active and engaged Board through maintaining and strengthening partnerships with current and prospective members
Build a cohesive and inclusive organizational culture and provide steadfast leadership, coaching and development to a diverse staff
Create and manage a comprehensive budget, financial controls, and resource allocation
Model flexibility, an entrepreneurial orientation, and a willingness to wear multiple hats in service of the mission and vision
External Partnerships and Fundraising:
Create and implement a comprehensive development strategy to secure funding across a variety of mechanisms including individual gifts, corporate and foundation grants, and events
Effectively represent Grad Bag by establishing and maintaining partnerships with colleges, regional and national organizations, corporate and community partners, foundations, and individual donors
Plan, market, and execute fundraisers and special events
Facilitate the development and distribution of promotional materials, newsletters and other marketing collateral
Ensure the efficient maintenance of the Grad Bag website
Oversee the development, implementation and management of social media campaigns and other communication channels
Advocate for and represent the organization at various colleges, conferences, speaking engagements and the media.
Program Development:
Develop and execute the strategy for recruitment and retention of college partners and grantee organizations
Develop a robust program for the recruitment, training, and recognition of volunteers
Supervise program operations including storage, inventory, laundry services and transportation
Develop the metrics for measuring impact and the tools for data collection and reporting.
Financial Management:
In partnership with the Board Treasurer, prepare and manage budgets to ensure compliance with organizational guidelines
Ensure that Grad Bag maintains sound financial practices
Oversee annual audits and ensure the timely annual filing of financial statements and the Form 990.
Qualifications
Accomplished fundraiser at ease in the role of seeking and asking for individual and major gifts and grants
Solid experience partnering with and supporting a board of directors and/or high level committees; ability to motivate both board members and staff to succeed
Ability to develop and execute a high-functioning business, financial and operations plans that will support a financially stable and sustainable organization
Dynamic leader who is visionary, ethical, and innovative
Location, Compensation, and Additional Information
This role is a remote role in the Northeast with preference for the Greater NYC area. Travel throughout the Northeast is required
Valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle is required
The salary range for the role is $110,000 - $135,000
Grad Bag is an equal opportunity employer and all applications will be considered without regard to an individual’s race, color, religion, sex, age, physical ability, veteran status, or any other classification protected by the Federal, State, and Local laws.
