Executive Director

Position: Executive Director
Status: Full-time, Exempt
Application Deadline: Thursday, September 30, 2021, 12:00 p.m. EST

About Protohaven 

Founded in 2017, Protohaven serves as a design and fabrication school that fosters the public good. Its mission is to engage people in the process of making things to enrich individual lives, build thriving communities, and contribute to a vibrant, sustainable society. Protohaven operates from a 12,500 square foot building in Wilkinsburg, PA with the goal of building an inclusive, sustainable makerspace and school for the greater Pittsburgh region. It partners with a wide array of other nonprofits, supports dozens of small businesses, and teaches hundreds of classes in design and fabrication. Approximately a third of the businesses and organizations Protohaven supports are women or minority led, and approximately a third of its members and students receive discounted access based on income, work-trade, or through nonprofit partnerships. Protohaven’s community consists of over 150 members and over 20 volunteers.

Position Summary 

Protohaven seeks an Executive Director (ED) to build on the organization’s strong momentum, and to execute its new 2021-2024 strategic plan. Reporting to Protohaven’s Board of Directors (Board), the ED leads teams of talented staff and dedicated volunteers in the delivery of design, fabrication, and entrepreneurship programming. Supported by staff members and external vendors, the ED is responsible for the high-level planning, implementation, and oversight of Protohaven’s financial and facility management, operations, marketing, and development activities. They serve as the primary representative of the organization interacting transparently and empathetically with a wide variety of stakeholders from new students to longtime funders to community partners.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities 

The ED is responsible for the successful leadership and management of Protohaven according to the strategic direction set in partnership with the Board and performs the following with the assistance of the staff, volunteers, and external vendors:

Internal Leadership & Community Engagement

  • Collaborate with the Board in developing and executing a vision and strategic plan to guide the organization, and foster effective teamwork between the Board and the Executive Director and between the Executive Director and Staff
  • Communicate to and advise the Board on all aspects of the organization’s activities, and conduct official correspondence on behalf of the Board as appropriate
  • Act as the principal spokesperson for the organization, and represent the organization at community activities to enhance its community profile
  • Communicate with stakeholders to keep them informed of the work of the organization and to identify changes in the community served by the organization
  • Establish good working relationships and collaborative arrangements with community groups, funders, elected officials, and other organizations to help achieve the goals of the organization

Operations

  • Develop an operational plan which incorporates goals and objectives that work towards the strategic direction of the organization
  • Ensure that the operation of the organization meets the expectations of its members, Board and funders
    Oversee the efficient and effective day-to-day operation of the organization
  • Draft policies for the approval of the Board and prepare procedures to implement the organizational policies; review existing policies on an annual basis and recommend changes to the Board as appropriate
  • Ensure that personnel, member, donor, and volunteer files are securely stored and privacy/confidentiality is maintained
  • Provide support to the Board by preparing meeting agenda and supporting materials
  • Identify and evaluate the risks to the organization’s people (members, staff, volunteers), property, finances, goodwill, and image and implement measures to control risks
  • Ensure that the Board of Directors and the organization carries appropriate and adequate insurance coverage and understand the terms, conditions, and limitations of the insurance coverage

Marketing & Development

  • Cultivate productive relationships with the local, regional, and national philanthropic sector to identify, maintain, and/or secure new or ongoing funding opportunities
  • Implement a strategy to increase contributed revenue from individual donors and from corporate sponsors
  • Ensure that the organization is equipment with the marketing and creative and branding assets needed to engage in communications and  marketing and communications activities
  • Work with the Board and the staff to create a marketing plan that will increase regional awareness and engagement with Protohaven while boosting earned revenue from membership

Programming

  • Oversee the planning, implementation and evaluation of programs and services
  • Ensure that the programs and services offered contribute to the organization’s mission and reflect its strategic priorities
  • Monitor the day-to-day delivery of the programs and services of the organization to maintain or improve quality

Financial & Facility Management

  • Work with staff and the Board to prepare a comprehensive budget, and to secure adequate funding for the operation of the organization
  • Ensure that sound bookkeeping and accounting procedures are followed
  • Administer organizational funds according to the approved budget and monitor the monthly cash flow of the organization
  • Provide the Board with comprehensive regular reports on revenues and expenditures
  • Ensure that the organization complies with all legislation covering taxation and withholding payments
  • Offer a safe, accessible, and code compliant space for staff, student, and volunteers
    Manage the scheduled maintenance, repair, and/or replacement of Protohaven’s design and fabrication equipment

Human Resources

  • Determine staffing requirements for organizational management and program delivery
  • Oversee the implementation of human resources policies, procedures, and practices
  • Establish a positive, healthy, and safe work environment in accordance with all appropriate legislation and regulations
  • Recruit, interview, and select staff that have the right technical and personal abilities to help further the organization’s mission
  • Implement a performance management process for all staff
  • Train, coach, and mentor staff as appropriate to improve performance
  • Discipline staff when necessary, using appropriate techniques; release staff when necessary using appropriate and legally defensible procedures

Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Demonstrates a commitment to Protohaven’s mission, vision, and values
  • Proven track record of fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organizational culture
  • 5+ years of successful nonprofit management and minimum of 5 years of supervisory experience
  • A Bachelor’s degree and/or significant experience with organizational development and leadership, education, entrepreneurship, and/or fundraising
  • Experience developing, implementing, and measuring programming
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • An adaptable, empathetic, and innovative approach to organizational leadership
  • Experience pursuing earned revenue opportunities within a nonprofit organization
  • Experience with grant writing and cultivating funder relationships
  • Experience in maintenance coordination for design and fabrication equipment types
  • Professional and/or academic experience in arts and cultural and or design work
  • Ability to obtain clearances for a variety of programming (i.e. K-12 education)

Compensation 

Salary range of $70,000-$80,000, dependent on experience level. Protohaven offers a competitive benefits package including paid time off, health, dental, and vision insurance, and a 401(k) with matching contributions.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement 

Protohaven seeks to create an inclusive and equitable organization at all levels. To that end, Protohaven is committed to recruiting candidates for employment that represent our diverse community in race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, and ability. With inclusion as one of our core values, we strive to create an environment where all feel welcomed and are treated with dignity and respect.

How to Apply 

Email resume, cover letter, and salary expectations to executive-search@protohaven.org. Applications are due by Thursday, September 30, 2021 and will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Physical Demands 

The person in this position needs to regularly sit, stand, and move throughout the space, utilize manual dexterity and repetitive finger motion, speak, hear and see with close vision. Individuals must be able to lift up to fifty pounds, push or pull, reach or stretch, and utilize distance vision, color discrimination, peripheral vision, depth perception and focusing ability.

Work Environment 

This position is primarily performed at Protohaven, in both administrative and workshop areas, with occasional exposure to outdoor weather conditions. Commuting and event attendance will be required, and candidates are expected to have access to consistent personal transportation. Drivers license and personal vehicle are preferred. This job description is not all inclusive and it is not intended to create nor be construed as an express or implied contract of employment. Protohaven reserves the right to interpret, amend, or terminate any job description, plan, policy, program, procedure, practice, or benefit at any time at its sole discretion.