***Major revision to requirements on 7/14/22. We are seeking a nonprofit leader with 7 years of proven experience running a nonprofit organization. We no longer need a master's in special education, or school administration, and we no longer require experience as a teacher, special education teacher or school administrator. There are enough certifications to meet the requirements with current on-site school leadership. (Verified by licensing board).

This is a strategic, nonprofit administrative leadership role leading budgets and board development, et al.

Scion Executive Search has been retained to conduct the search for Executive Director for our client, The Creekside School located in San Jose, CA. The Creekside School serves students on the severe end of the moderate-to-severe autism spectrum. A "typical" student is nonverbal with significant sensory issues who is working towards a high school certificate of completion.

The Creekside School was founded by parents wanting to meet the needs of their children while respecting their individuality. The primary philosophical foundation is based in Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions and the DIR®/Floortime™ model which focuses on recognizing students' unique and special learning differences. The Creekside School takes an eclectic approach using a variety of educational and progressive approaches.

*Some students require 1:1 support for specific activities or during difficult periods of time (across days or months), so are staffed to have 1:1 support to meet these needs.

The Creekside School began informally in the basement of the home of a young boy with autism whose parents had struggled to find an appropriate school setting for his significant neurologic and behavioral challenges. Soon other youngsters who were significantly impacted by autism began arriving at the basement with their parent or daytime caregiver.

In 2006 the school was formally established and soon thereafter leased two classrooms and ancillary space in the corner of a San Jose-based church school. Formed as a nonpublic school, Creekside continued to grow to serve students from many school districts.

In 2018 the school was invited to move into a recently vacated school in the Oak Grove School District of San Jose. The former George Miner Elementary is the perfect campus with its large, sunlit classrooms and expansive blacktop and playground area.

Creekside was founded on the commitment to provide best-in-class schooling for students with moderate-to-severe autism, with the mission to dramatically improve the quality of life for students and their families. That commitment touches every aspect of their operation, from the active inclusion of families in their child’s learning, to the quality of the teaching staff, to the breadth of knowledge and experience of their autism-related services team, to the spacious campus on which all this magic happens.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Executive Director will report to the Board of Directors and will oversee all administrative and programmatic operations of the school. The ED will direct strategies that support and enhance organizational operations including program development, asset management, fiscal stewardship and sound business practices, staff management and advancement. As the School’s representative, the Executive Director will promote the mission and maintain positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Additionally, this executive will be the chief spokesperson for Creekside and the lead person with the various constituencies of the Creekside community: students, parents, staff and faculty, donors, community leaders and organizations, and the Board of Directors. This role takes ownership for creatively shaping a culture at Creekside that promotes academic excellence in all things and at all levels—students, teachers, administrators, parents, Board members, etc. The environment must also promote progress and accountability to create the desired culture of distinction.

The Executive Director motivates, encourages, challenges, holds accountable, and empowers the staff and Principal to be effective. As a skilled communicator, the Executive Director shares the school’s vision and educational philosophy with the staff, faculty, parents, Board, the wider academic community, and the local community.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Cooperation with the Board of Directors

• Develop and direct organizational strategy.
• Provide strategic, high-level direction, recommend visionary goals, promote approved goals, and diligently oversee the implementation of goals.
• Serve as an advisor to the Board. Attend all Board meetings except “Executive Sessions.”
• Inform Board of any unplanned, major events occurring at the School or at a School event.
• Keep Board apprised of organizational risks or any potential risk.

Operations Management

• Oversee the campus operations and business office; information technology; accounting and finance; building maintenance; and asset management.
• Oversee the development, implementation and review of all board-approved agency policies and procedures.
• Oversee all aspects of the human resource functions for the organization.
• Oversee long-range planning, review of annual calendar and maintain a schedule of school events.
• Oversee all business activities including obtaining and maintaining any necessary accreditation, certifications, licensing, registrations, inspections, etc.
• Negotiate and manage all contracts on behalf of the organization.

Program Management

• Provide leadership to support the growth of school enrollment and continuous improvement of educational and therapeutic offerings.
• Assist the Principal in staff hiring, supervision, instruction improvement, curriculum selection and alignment and administration of any corrective action for staff.

Fiscal Management

• Provide leadership and insight for long-term financial planning and stability.
• Lead budget development process and present a recommended annual budget to the board at the start of each fiscal year.
• Ensure regular and relevant financial reporting to the Board including analysis of trends in revenue and expenses.

Agency Representative

• Be an effective spokesperson in dialogue and communication with senior administrative staff at other agencies.
• Be present on campus including special events to establish rapport and visibility with students, faculty, staff and parents.
• Foster good relationships with external school and professional organizations, the general public and other educational agencies.
• Promote the School to the broader Silicon Valley community to create a reputation and brand that will positively impact enrollment and fundraising.

Employee Management

• Provide leadership to ensure ongoing financial resources for the School and a comprehensive fundraising strategy to engage the Creekside “family” and community.
• In conjunction with the School Principal oversee the hiring of all staff.
• Serve as an effective team builder ensuring that meaningful dialogue, consultation, and collaboration are part of the organization’s decision-making process.
• Provide team and employee feedback, leadership, motivation, coaching, mentoring, supervision, evaluation, while ensuring mutual accountability and supporting success and job effectiveness for all employees in a fair and equitable manner.
• Oversee a robust program of professional development and leadership growth.
• Oversee all aspects of human resource management including compensation, benefit management, worker’s compensation, supervision, promotion, employee hiring/firing, employment law and department of labor requirements.

Fundraising and Community Engagement

• Direct new strategies for fundraising including hiring staff to lead initiatives and a capital campaign.
• Be involved in community engagement including potentially hosting a speaker series about Autism, quarterly or bi-annually, as well as other events such as film festival, or having the staff present/participate in Autism conferences

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS & SKILLS:

• Relevant study of business administration and organizational management.
• Over 7 years professional nonprofit experience with a successful track record.
• Budget development and management, +/- $5M.
• Relevant experience with managing employees including supervision, evaluation, and all human resources activities.
• Significant experience in Autism education preferred but not required.
• Proficient in Google Suite.
• Working knowledge of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Excellent communication and public speaking capabilities.
• Possesses strong conflict resolution and negotiation skills.
• People Management Skills including managing employees and teams’ performance and providing feedback, delegation, and direction.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• High level of integrity and honesty.
• Leadership and collaboration.
• Skilled in building relationships and trust.
• A visionary for capital improvement, growth, and expansion opportunities

with a basis for action.

• Ability to use good judgement and tact.
• Develop talent and teams.
• Financial acumen including ability to manage budgets.
• Passion and commitment to the Creekside School Mission, vision, and values

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

If applicable, working and playing with students at The Creekside School requires a considerable amount of strength and physical movement.

Employees must be able to perform the following physical movement functions as needed:

Regularly

• Sitting - Resting position in which the body weight is supported primarily by

the buttocks in contact with the ground or a horizontal object such as a chair seat.

• EXERT- up to 20 lbs. of force to move objects, equipment, and to work/play with students.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

The salary range for this opportunity is $140,000 -$160,000 (DOE) and offers a competitive benefits package. A modest relocation stipend can be discussed for candidates willing to immediately relocate. As a full-time exempt employee, you will be offered: health, dental, pharmaceutical, and vision coverage beginning the first of the month after 30 days of employment, long-term disability insurance and AD&D coverage, as well as a 401(k)-retirement plan with up to a 4% match!

HOW TO APPLY:

The Creekside School has retained the services of Scion Executive Search, a national executive search firm specializing in mission-driven organization recruitment, to assist in conducting this important search. For immediate consideration, please apply with your resume and cover letter formatted in MS Word via: www.scionstaffing.com/job/8677

Please address applications to:
Braden Busch, Senior Executive Search Principal
Scion Executive Search

Review of applications, nominations, and expressions of interest will begin immediately and continue a confidential basis until an appointment is made.

The Creekside School is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages diversity and equity in all facets of the organization’s work. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other protected class.

ABOUT OUR FIRM:

Scion Executive Search is a national award-winning executive search firm! Since 2006, we have had the pleasure of successfully placing hundreds of exceptional leaders to organizations with incredible missions and programs. Through our innovative team building and recruitment solutions, we seamlessly bridge the gap in interim and executive searches. Our track record and recruitment process has made us one of the top recruitment firms in the nation.

We are proud to be part of the Forbes lists of the Best Executive Search Firms and the Best Recruitment Firms in America. Additionally, we have been recognized as a recruitment leader by ClearlyRated, as well as a top recruitment firm by The Business Times for over ten years running. More information about Scion Executive Search can be found online here.

Scion Executive Search, a division of Scion Staffing, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and service provider and does not discriminate based on race, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, political affiliation or belief, or any other protected class. We are committed to the principles of Equal Opportunity Employment and are dedicated to making employment decisions based on merit and value, for ourselves, our client companies, and for the candidates we represent. We are committed to the principles of Equal Opportunity Employment and are dedicated to making employment decisions based on merit and value, for ourselves, our client companies, and for the candidates we represent. For opportunities located in a region that have enacted fair chance, arrest or conviction-based employment ordinances, Scion Executive Search proactively follows the enacted guidance and considers for employment all qualified applications with arrest and conviction records. We believe in following best practices and considering all qualified applicants that apply with us.