Title: Executive Director 

Job Status: Full Time

We are looking for a candidate who will provide bold and strategic leadership for Bernie’s Book Bank – Chicago. Working with the Bernie’s Book Bank – Chicago Board of Directors and Chicago Leadership Team, maintain the integrity of Bernie’s Book Bank’s mission, culture and goals at all times; while focusing on effectiveness, efficiency, & sustainability.

Critical Skill Sets For This Role Include:

Business Acumen & Entrepreneurial Mindset

The Executive Director will have the business savvy and entrepreneurial mindset necessary to run and grow an organization. They must be easily approachable and seen as direct, truthful, and generous listener. They will know how to effectively lead in an environment that includes business development, logistics, warehouse operations, financial management, fundraising, external partnerships, and people leadership. They are goal-oriented and use metrics effectively to drive success. The ideal candidate will be resourceful, nimble, and calm under pressure. They will have experience leading teams in a fast-paced, growth minded organization. They will know how to problem solve in real time and roll up their sleeves in a pinch to help get things done. This leader must be mission driven and socially-oriented, conscientious about how communities are impacted by the mission delivery of Bernie’s Book Bank and will relish the chance to take the Bernie’s Book Bank – Chicago to new heights.

Operations & Project Management Experience

The ideal candidate will have the demonstrated ability to simultaneously manage multiple projects with tight deadlines, including flexibly and quickly responding to unanticipated challenges. They will be highly organized and will be able to balance the need to provide “big picture” strategic guidance and then be able to execute accordingly. This leader will know how to structure and organize effective workflows, creating clear timelines and areas of responsibilities to ensure alignment and excellence in execution. They will build trust and keep Team-Members focused on key priorities and timelines, while being open to new ideas and proactive in identifying opportunities to improve processes and systems.

Strong Relationship Builder & People Manager 

The Executive Director will be highly skilled in working effectively and in building trusting, authentic relationships with a diverse array of colleagues and collaborators, internally and externally. This includes Team Members, distribution partners, volunteers, donors, corporate partners, and the Board. The Executive Director MUST be a true leader, working inclusively and thoughtfully to build trust and hold people accountable. They will lead by example and inspire others to do their best work. They will have strong emotional intelligence and the ability to form authentic relationships with people from all different backgrounds. They will have strong internal and external relationship management and cultivation skills, conveying our belief in “becoming your partner and not simply your charity”.

Passion for the Mission & Those we Serve

The ideal candidate will have a passion for the work and mission of Bernie’s Book Bank. They will love working at an organization that is dedicated to solving the literacy crisis in our country. They will embrace the opportunity to serve others – internally and externally. The Executive Director will be a highly effective advocate and spokesperson for Bernie’s Book Bank’s mission in a variety of contexts, including fundraising, business development, volunteerism, and donor/partner relationship building. The ideal candidate will understand that operating a strong, financially sustainable organization is not an end goal. It is an essential means for advancing the mission of Bernie’s Book Bank. They will be passionate about working for an organization which can solve one of the bigger issues facing our country but working to increase book ownership and transforming the lives of others.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategy and Planning

• Under the overall strategies and guidance of the CEO, develops and leads the strategy of Bernie’s Book Bank – Chicago by using performance measurements to guide strategic and operational decision-making. 

• Takes a leadership role in driving a collaborative process with CEO and the Board of Directors resulting in innovative approach in the development/achievement of goals, objectives, and operational plans for Bernie’s Book Bank – Chicago. 
• Oversees preparation and growth of the Bernie’s Book Bank – Chicago annual budget and other necessary financial documents. Provides information and justifications for CEO and Board of Directors in budgetary review and approval process. Create and compile financials for Board and CEO review. 
• Cultivates strong partnerships with the Board of Directors, donors, volunteers, Team Members, and supporters in setting expectations and goals consistent with the mission of the Bernie’s Book Bank.

Organizational Management

Oversees and ensures operational excellence for the following Bernie’s Book Bank – Chicago business functions and/or Departments:

• Accounting/Finance 
• Fund Development
• Marketing & Communications 
• Programming/Special Events 
• Volunteer Management

In association with CEO and National Leadership Team, contributes and assists in operational excellence for the following business functions;

• Accounting/Finance
• Human Resources 
• Information Technology; data/analytics driven
• Risk Management & Legal

  Define target Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and hold Team Members accountable for achieving goals.

  Leads, cultivates, and motivates Leadership Team, Team Members and Board of Directors so they are passionate about what Bernie’s Book Bank – Chicago has achieved and are committed to working effectively toward continual improvement and organizational growth.

  In association with CEO and National Leadership Team, ensures the organization is committed to recruiting diversity amongst its Team Members with skills appropriate to the needs of the position through people management activities including hiring, separation of employment, ongoing team development, performance management, compensation, and benefits for Bernie’s Book Bank – Chicago.

  Consistently reviews organizations IT systems, CRM platform, physical space, and organizational chart to operate efficiently and effectively. 

Revenue Development

• Build and manage relationships with Bernie’s Book Bank – Chicago stakeholders and donors. 
• Collaborates with CEO and National Leadership Team to set forth annual fund development strategy for Bernie’s Book Bank – Chicago.
• Leads organization’s financial growth for Bernie’s Book Bank – Chicago to provide full services to our constituents and maintain adequate reserves to support organizational service expansion and risk-taking opportunities.
• Serves as the external facing representative of Bernie’s Book Bank – Chicago. Must have strong networking abilities and willingness to connect to communities through membership in Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Clubs, etc. 

Program Development and Implementation

• Oversees and supports the development, design, and delivery of program initiatives, assuring that the goals and objectives are aligned with Bernie’s Book Bank’s overall strategic plan; effective, efficient, and sustainable. 
• Provides for quality assurance monitoring of all facets of Bernie’s Book Bank – Chicago operations (Administration, Communications & Operations) assuring correction of any deficiencies in program services.

Position Requirements:

· Candidates MUST have and exude the qualities represented by Bernie’s Book Bank Team Pillars: Relationships, Energy, Edge, Limitless and Simple.

· Demonstrated knowledge of literacy challenges facing under-served communities; fully believes accomplishing our mission is a MUST and critical to the improvement of our communities; locally and nationally.

· Candidates will have a Bachelor’s degree, with an advanced degree preferred.

· A minimum of 10 years of professional work experience in the non-profit space or leadership roles.

· At least 5 years of demonstrated success of team leadership, management, fundraising, partnership development and financial planning. Experience in Non-Profits a plus, but not a requirement.

· At least 5 years of demonstrated success of working with or on a Board of Directors.

· Demonstrated success of organizational growth through strategic planning.

· Demonstrated value of and focus on data/analytics-driven operations.

· Strong and effective oral and written communication skills.

· Personal qualities that include; focus on relationships (gratitude and stewardship), entrepreneurial spirit, detail-oriented, process based, appreciation of culture, appetite for continual improvement, innovation and differentiation, smart-risk taker, integrity, commitment to mission, respect for diversity, the ability to inspire and motivate.

· Working knowledge of Salesforce/CRM platform, and working with and engaging in a variety of Social Media platforms.

Working Conditions/ Physical Demands

· While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent will typically be working in an office environment. At times, may be required to travel to speak on behalf of Bernie’s Book Bank.

· Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with special needs to enable them to perform the essential job duties.

Salary and Benefits

· The starting salary range for this role is will be commiserate with experience,  and comes with a competitive benefits package, bonus eligiblity, professional development opportunities and a commitment to a successful work-life balance for our Team Members.

 

· Bernie’s Book Bank is an equal opportunity employer and believes in fostering a diverse and inclusive team. To do this, we not only recognize each individual’s diverse identity but also actively create and maintain a culture of inclusion where all Team Members feel involved, respected, and supported for their diverse identities.

Title – Grant Writer
Job Status: Part-time

Bernie’s Book Bank is looking for someone passionate about helping close the literacy gap in this
country. You will have the opportunity to be a part of an organization that has distributed over 23
million free books to children in underserved communities since 2009. We are looking for an energetic
team player who is passionate about our mission to significantly increase BOOK OWNERSHIP among
underserved infants, toddlers and school-age children.

Bernie’s Book Bank is looking for an enthusiastic and dedicated member of our team to become a part
time grant writer as we continue to grow to meet the literacy needs of children in underserved
communities. This grant writer will be responsible for maintaining current grant funding, as well as
researching and growing revenue from both the foundation and corporate sectors. We are seeking a
qualified candidate who has a successful track record of applying for and winning foundation and
corporate grants. This individual should be highly organized, detail oriented and able to manage multiple
deadlines.

Essential Job Responsibilities:
• Report to and work directly with the Director of Development

• Build Bernie’s Book Bank grant and proposal portfolio for future growth

• Conduct ongoing prospect research to build a pipeline of potential funders

• Build relationships with current and potential funding partners

• Write proposals and reports with an eye toward consistency, quality, and efficiency

• Meet proposal and grant reporting deadlines by establishing priorities and target dates for:
information gathering, writing, review, approval, and submission.

• Enter, monitor, track and pull data from Salesforce

• Create “boilerplate” language and repository of supporting documents that can be edited to
meet the needs of prospective granter/funder requirements.

• Work collaboratively with internal teams and accounting team to generate program and
organization budgets informats required for proposals.

• Other related and development duties as assigned

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in English or related field

• 3+ years of related experience in grant writing or commensurate experience

• Work experience in the not-for-profit sector
• Has handled or participated in the grant proposal process for grants of $10,000+

• Strong ability to multi-task and prioritize

• Natural storyteller; uses creative thinking

• Highly organized and self-motivated

• Excellent verbal and communication skills
Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to enable them to
perform the essential job duties.
Bernie’s Book Bank is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All
qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color,
religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender
identity or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws