Executive Director

Cultural Exchange Through Soccer (CETS)

Job Description

About Cultural Exchange Through Soccer (CETS):   
Cultural Exchange Through Soccer (CETS) started in 2003 as a neighborhood-based, community building program in the Elm Park Community School neighborhood, in the heart of Worcester. Its main goal has been youth leadership development and its main vehicle is soccer. It has grown into a city-wide force, training and mentoring a group of mostly immigrant youth on the field and off, producing an amazing pool of young leaders, putting on the most diverse annual event in Worcester, and advocating for equal access to soccer facilities. CETS’s 2023 operating budget is approximately $200k. Learn more about our mission, vision and programs at CETSWorcester.org. 

The Worcester Youth Center (WYC), a youth-serving agency in Worcester, is CETS’s fiscal agent. The WYC is the employer of record for all CETS staff, including the Executive Director of CETS. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between CETS and WYC defines the CETS Steering Committee as its governing body, able to make autonomous decisions on the budget and direction of the organization.  The MOU is revisited annually.

Job Description:

Official Title: Executive Director for Cultural Exchange Through Soccer (CETS)
Start Date: April 1, 2023
Supervision: Position reports to the CETS Steering Committee, with some policies defined by WYC 

Summary of Role:
We are hiring an Executive Director who will lead the organization in collaboration with our Steering Committee and Program Director.  This is a leadership position that requires vision, strategic thinking, organizational management and teamwork. We seek candidates who have the skills and experience to lead with humility and attentiveness, seeking the talents and support of others as needed and appropriate.

Responsibilities & Expectations:
  • Develop a deep knowledge of CETS, commit to, and ensure programs are built upon CETS’s mission and vision;
  • Report regularly to and work collaboratively with the Steering Committee;
  • Develop and track annual and project budgets, and produce financial reports as needed;
  • Work toward consensus with Steering Committee and other stakeholders;
  • Oversee all aspects of CETS and ensure systems are in place for fundraising, communications, staff supervision, program evaluation, and financial controls, in coordination with our fiscal agent;
  • Establish and adhere to standard operating procedures and governance policies, in collaboration with our fiscal agent; 
  • Ensure long-term financial sustainability through income-generating activities such as grant-writing, securing contracts, identifying and stewarding donors, and acquiring event sponsorships;
  • Serve as ambassador and engage in community outreach to forge and maintain strategic relationships;
  • Foster mentorship and leadership with CETS youth by building relationships, integrating them in CETS programs, and supporting their life endeavors;
  • Actively engage and energize CETS’s Youth Leaders, event committees, alumni, partnering organizations, Worcester municipal leaders, and funders through campaigns and events;
  • Work in collaboration with the Program Director in executing all CETS programs and events; and
  • Communicate results to funders and key stakeholders via reports, social media blasts, website updates and newsletters.

Qualifications:
Required
  • Have minimum of two (2) years of organizational management experience; 
  • Have the ability to (i) recruit, retain and manage staff and volunteers, (ii) set and achieve strategic objectives, (iii) evaluate and measure outcomes;
  • Have demonstrated success in income-generation; be resourceful and adaptable to unforeseen changes (both positive and negative);
  • Be able to communicate persuasively and passionately (both written and verbal) with cross-cultural competency and excellent interpersonal skills; 
  • Have marketing, public relations, and event planning experience;  
  • Have the ability to engage and galvanize constituents across diverse backgrounds in carrying out the organization’s mission, including for advocacy work;
  • Have demonstrated experience developing and managing budgets;
  • Have at least three (3) years of experience working with, relating to, and effectively engaging in capacity building with children and youth from marginalized communities;
  • Be self-motivated, detail-oriented, highly organized and reliable;
  • Have the curiosity, ability and commitment to leverage and engage networks, resources and decision-making processes in Worcester; 
  • Be able to represent communities and organizations with humility and confidence, and to maintain a calm demeanor and clear thinking in stressful moments; and
  • Have reliable transportation to attend programming, events and meetings, and the ability to work remotely.
Preferred
  • Have three (3) or more years of nonprofit management experience;
  • Understand youth leadership development methodologies;
  • Have experience with Google Workspace, Microsoft Word & Excel, Mailchimp, Wordpress and Zoom;
  • Know the game of soccer;
  • Reside in Worcester;
  • Have proficiency in another language in addition to English that can help connect CETS with our immigrant communities in Worcester; and
  • Have experience with consensus decision-making.

Schedule and Compensation: 
Salaried position, averaging 35 hours / week, with a flexible schedule to accommodate for weekday, evening and weekend hours. Compensation includes $55,000 - $65,000 starting salary range, PTO, holidays, and health / dental insurance.

Application Instructions: 
To be considered, please submit your resume, a detailed cover letter, and a writing sample in a single email to CETSJobApplicants@gmail.com with “ED applicant” included in the subject line. Position open until filled.