The Midwest Literacy Collective is a 501(c)3 funded by the Nebraska Community Foundation in partnership with the Lozier Foundation. The Collective is envisioned as a nonpartisan, trusted hub for coordinating, delivering and sustaining evidence-based literacy practices, research and funding across the state. The ultimate goal, grounded in the Science of Reading, is to help ensure that Nebraska students learn to read at grade level.

Overview

The Executive Director will lead the launch and growth of the Midwest Literacy Collective. This role offers a unique opportunity to launch a funded nonprot, which is ideal for a leader committed to making a meaningful impact on the lives of Nebraska students. The mission of the Midwest Literacy Collective is: we serve as Nebraska’s trusted hub for coordinating, scaling and sustaining evidence-based practices and resources to advance literacy for all learners, from birth through adulthood. Blending strategic leadership with hands-on operational management, the role is designed for a leader who thrives in ambiguity, builds strong teams and has a passion for literacy. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the ideal candidate is comfortable toggling between vision and execution.

Responsibilities

Build the organization’s reach and impact across Nebraska and surrounding communities

      Cultivate strategic relationships with peer organizations, community partners, policymakers, education leaders and teachers, and develop strategic partnerships that advance dened objectives

      Serve as the primary ambassador, promoting public awareness and visibility

      Strengthen credibility and visibility through results and disciplined messaging

      Contribute to thought leadership, marketing initiatives and communications campaigns to support the mission

      Communicate directly and factually to stakeholders, policymakers, and partners

Deliver strategic leadership and operational oversight

      Build, coach and inspire a diverse, high-focused team in preparation for scaling the organization

      Foster an organizational culture rooted in equity, inclusion and belonging

      Continue to develop, iterate and execute on the vision and strategic plan by establishing and achieving annual goals

      Develop and maintain operational systems and infrastructure to support organizational growth

      Develop new initiatives aligned to the organization’s strategic plan and monitor their success and impact

      Maintain control of priorities, ensuring alignment with organizational goals

      Establish tools and metrics to assess organizational effectiveness and progress toward goals

      Oversee the organization’s budget and ensure responsible management of resources

      Ensure organizational compliance with legal, regulatory and policy requirements

Collaborate with the Board of Directors and committees to advance the organization’s mission

      Serve as a trusted liaison between the Board and staff, ensuring transparency, aligned decision-making and accountability

      Continue to develop, iterate and execute on the vision and strategic plan by establishing and meeting annual goals

      Identify risks early and implement corrective actions

      Attend board meetings and contribute to ensure alignment between governance and execution

Competencies (the skills, knowledge, abilities required for success) Equitable Systems Perspective

      Passionate about the importance of literacy as a core tenet of access and achievement for

students and community engagement to support literacy

      Deep understanding of complex education systems with the ability to navigate them to build coherence and drive impact

      Committed to the vision of a more equitable education system

Communication, Connection, and Relationship Building

      Excellent oral and written communication skills that support driving impact and change

      Solicit, elevate, understand, and value--either through personal experience or empathy--the perspective of a wide variety of stakeholders

      Navigate the complex political landscape of a large, diverse community with skill and diplomacy, building trust and productive relationships across various entities served by the organization

      Open to giving and receiving constructive feedback

Strategy and Project Management

      Comfortable thriving in ambiguity and designing new opportunities

      Effectively prioritize competing demands, with strong, inclusive project management and strategic skills, - - able to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously

      Analyze complex situations and data, before making decisions, and then set clear metrics for success, monitor progress and honestly acknowledge mistakes when something does not go as planned

      Operate at a micro and macro level, paying acute attention to detail while balancing the overarching goals with detailed steps to achieve the organization’s objectives and priorities

      Solutions-oriented, demonstrating urgency and sound judgment in accomplishing difcult or complex work