Executive Director, St. Francis Center of Redwood City

Meet St. Francis Center:

In 1986, the St. Francis Center began providing food, clothing, and other essential services for “working poor” families out of a small house in the Fair Oaks neighborhood. The center focused on providing these essential services so that families had everything they needed to live with dignity. Over the past twenty years, the neighborhood has found itself at the epicenter of the thriving technology sector in Silicon Valley. As the cost of living rises and affordable housing becomes a thing of the past, the St. Francis Center has evolved to meet the needs of the families who live and work in Redwood City.

In addition to the essential services that we still provide, the organization now includes the new 10,000 sq. foot St. Francis Center, Siena Youth Center, Holy Family School, and sixteen apartment buildings for low-income families.

What hasn’t changed is our commitment to providing services with compassion, not judgment. The St. Francis Center is now a thriving community-based organization in the heart of the Fair Oaks Neighborhood that partners with clients to build strong families in a strong neighborhood.

About the Executive Director:

The Center is in the process of searching for a new Executive Director. The Executive Director is responsible for overseeing the administration, programs and strategic plan of the organization. Other key duties include fundraising, marketing, and community outreach. This person will personally form and maintain relationships that serve the community well.

The Executive Director's Responsibilities Include: 

Board Governance: Works with the board in order to fulfill the organization's mission.

• Responsible for leading the St Francis Center in a manner that supports and guides the organization’s mission as defined by the Board of Directors.

• Responsible for communicating effectively with the Board and providing, in a timely and accurate manner, all information necessary for the Board to function properly and to make informed decisions.

Financial Performance and Viability: Develops resources sufficient to ensure the financial health of the organization.

• Responsible for fundraising and developing other revenues necessary to support St Francis Center’s mission.

• Responsible for the fiscal integrity of the St Francis Center, to include submission to the Board of a proposed annual budget and monthly financial statements, which accurately reflect the financial condition of the organization.

• Responsible for fiscal management that generally anticipates operating within the approved budget, ensures maximum resource utilization, and maintenance of the organization in a positive financial position.

Organization Mission and Strategy: Works with board and staff to ensure that the mission is fulfilled through programs, strategic planning and community outreach.

• Responsible for implementation of St Francis Center’s programs that carry out the organization’s mission.

• Responsible for strategic planning to ensure that St Francis Center can successfully fulfill its Mission into the future.

• Responsible for the enhancement of St Francis Center’s image by being active and visible in the community and by working closely with other professional, civic and private organizations.

Organization Operations: Oversees and implements appropriate resources to ensure that the operations of the organization are appropriate.

• Responsible for the hiring and retention of competent, qualified staff.

• Responsible for effective administration of the St Francis Center’s operations.

• Responsible for signing all notes, agreements, contracts and other instruments made and entered into and on behalf of the organization.

Specific Job Responsibilities:

• Provide oversight to the Holy Family School – currently two cohorts of 30 children total. This includes:

  • Hiring and evaluating staff

  • Interfacing with children in both cohorts

  • Fiscal oversight

• Provide oversight of the organization's approximately 300 affordable housing units.

  • Interface with property management company to ensure safe housing

  • Fiscal oversight of the buildings

• Provide oversight to St Francis Center’s living with dignity programs including:

  • Food Pantry Program

  • Clothing Closet Program

  • Holiday Toy Program

  • Community Gardens Program

  • Shower and Laundry Program

• Provide oversight of the Siena Youth Center.   

  • Provide guidance/mentoring to the program director.

  • Ensure healthy lifestyle programming is being provided.

  • Ensure tutoring program meets children’s educational needs. 

• Report to and work closely with the Board of Directors to seek their involvement in policy decisions, fundraising and to increase the overall visibility of the organization.

• Supervise, collaborate with organization staff.

• Strategic planning and implementation.

• Planning and operation of the annual budget.

• Serve as St Francis Center’s primary spokesperson to the organization’s constituents, the media, and the general public.

• Engage in fundraising and developing other revenues.

  • Write for grants as they become available.

• Oversee marketing and other communications efforts.

• Oversee organization Board and committee meetings.

  • Interface with the Investment Committee

  • Interface with the Finance Committee

  • Interface with the Audit Committee

• Establish employment and administrative policies and procedures for all functions and for the day-to-day operation of the nonprofit.

• Review and approve contracts for services. 

• Other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors.

What You Bring: 

The following describes many of the characteristics of the ideal candidate for the Executive Director:

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, public administration, or a related field

• 5+ years of experience in nonprofit management

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Organizational abilities including planning, delegating, program development and task facilitation.

• Financial management skills including budget preparation, analysis, decision-making and reporting.

• Strong leadership, management, and organizational skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to build and maintain relationships with donors, partners, and other stakeholders

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously

Personal Characteristics & Qualifications

• Strong commitment to the organization's mission and goals

• Empathetic

• Has a passion for the community

• Patient

• Empowers others

• Motivational

• Collaborative