Friends of the Children

Friends of the Children was founded in 1993 in Portland, Oregon with just three Friends and 24 children. More than 30 years later, we are a national organization with over 40 locations across the United States.

Our vision is that every child who needs a Friend has one. 

As part of our work to make this happen, Friends of the Children is seeking a passionate, committed leader with strong relational skills to advance our expansion work in the Central and Eastern regions of the U.S. Our model is proven to impact generational change by empowering youth who are facing the greatest obstacles through relationships with paid, professional mentors – 12+ years, no matter what. We are seeking a Chief Expansion Officer to partner with new communities in the Central and Eastern regions of the country to expand our model to serve more children and families. 

The Chief Expansion Officer will be part of the National Expansion Team charged with putting children first as we advance our fundraising and expansion goals. They will cultivate and steward strong relationships with local, regional and national donors and respond to invitations from communities to raise seed capital and build champions in new markets.

The ideal candidate will have proven experience cultivating relationships with top-tier national donors and influencers representing diverse backgrounds and perspectives. They will bring to the role a strong, developed equity lens and a commitment to advancing asset-framed narratives as they steward engagement in our work. They will also have demonstrated skill and comfort working at the national and community levels to build champions and raise funds.

Are you this amazing leader? Here's what we have to offer you:

• Opportunity to work with our highly motivated team to advance our ambitious scaling plan to serve as many children as possible.
• Opportunity to help grow and support an organization that demands equity from ourselves and from our community.
• Opportunity to travel as you partner with diverse communities across the country to bring the model to new locations.
• A comprehensive benefits package.
• The salary range is $130k-$150k + annual incentive. 
• Most of all, you get to lead meaningful initiatives for an exceptional organization that helps children facing incredible odds change their life stories every day.

Want to know more? The job description is below.

 The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work to be performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended as a comprehensive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

 Basic Function / Position Objective:  

The Chief Expansion Officer - Central and Eastern Regions is a thought partner and a dynamic member of the Expansion Team, leading in the execution of the organization’s expansion and fundraising goals. With a geographic focus that includes the Central and Eastern regions of the United States, they will work alongside the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Officer of Strategy and Innovation, the National Board of Directors, and local community leaders, to raise funds for and build champions who support the expansion of the Friends of the Children model to new locations. The position integrates a culture of philanthropy into every aspect of the organization’s work to achieve business goals and advance the mission. It also ensures that the organization’s commitment to belonging, culture and equity is reflected in all decisions, communications, and processes.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Expansion and Fundraising

• Have and be able to communicate an authentic passion for the Friends of the Children mission
• Cultivate and steward strong relationships with local, national, and regional high-profile investors and local champions
• Work effectively with the CEO, National Team, National Board, and independently to identify and cultivate donors including individuals, corporations, and foundations in new markets
• Implement strategies and tactics that advance our National fundraising and expansion goals
• Partner with the Finance Team to build budgets that are localized to expansion markets
• Prepare timely, specific, and relevant materials for meetings and conversations
• Other activities connected to fundraising, development, and marketing as needed to achieve the organization’s goals

New Market Engagement and Fundraising

• Work in new/expansion markets to secure the funds needed to launch a new chapter
• Build relationships with community leaders in new/expansion markets that have invited a partnership conversation about implementing the Friends of the Children model
• Develop strong partnerships with program leaders on the National Team to enable collaboration and partnerships focused on expansion to new markets
• Learn from and document all contacts in a new market, both with funders and community leaders
• Develop an understanding of a new market that leads to a case for support, supported by data, for the Friends of the Children model and its potential focus, partnerships, and impact in that market
• Work collaboratively with the National Grants Team to draft proposals and secure funding commitments in new markets
• Draft materials to secure National Board support and approval for new chapters

New Chapter Launch

• Document pre-launch commitments and leverage pre-launch work to develop a new chapter’s three-year strategic plan goals and objectives
• Steward relationships and invite local champions to serve as initial board members of a new chapter
• Support the recruitment and hiring process of new chapter executive directors
• Ensure a seamless transition of funder and partner relationships to new executive directors and local boards of directors

Essential Skills and Abilities:

• Self-motivated leader who excels in a team environment.
• Strong, developed equity lens.
• Possess - and inspire others to develop - a strategic mindset with respect to donor stewardship and cultivation.
• Demonstrated skill and comfort in cultivating relationships with top-tier national donors and influencers representing diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
• Demonstrated skill and comfort working at the community level to build champions and raise funds.
• Ability to passionately and effectively communicate with funders and the public about our work using an asset-framed lens.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to operate as strategic thinker and tactical implementer.
• Team player, with exceptional interpersonal skills at all levels.
• Positive and collaborative attitude when managing groups and overseeing initiatives.
• Strong decision-making, organizational, time management and follow-up skills.
• Demonstrated success leading, managing, inspiring, motivating others and being flexible within a fast-paced, constantly changing, work environment.
• Proven ability to meet deadlines and budgets.

 Required Education, Experience, and Abilities:

• Bachelor’s degree and at least 10 years fundraising and/or leadership experience required
• Demonstrated success in fundraising as an individual
• Experience managing to results and measurable outcomes
• Able to perform the occasional evening and weekend responsibilities as needed
• Willing to travel to new markets, network locations, and annual network convenings

Compensation: $130k-$150k + annual incentive (Compensation commensurate with experience and geographical location)

Culture of Belonging

Friends of the Children endeavors to create a culture where each and every staff knows they belong.  From our policies to our procedures and practices, we aim to create an environment that is healthy, safe, accepting, supportive, and kind. Our benefits are one way to depict our value for work harmony, empowerment, health, and happiness.

 Benefits:

 Our competitive compensation, benefits package, and employee engagement demonstrate our values to families, children, healthy relationships, love, empowerment, goal achievement, and equity.  We are continuously seeking feedback and researching best practices to meet the needs of staff and their families. Below are ways we actualize a culture of care for each and every staff member.

• Health: Friends of the Children covers 100% of employee only health premium for 2 of the 3 plans
• Dental: Friends of the Children covers 100% of employee only premium
• Vision: Friends of the Children covers 100% of employee only premium
• Basic Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment: 100% paid by Friends of the Children
• Short Term Disability and Long-Term Disability: 100% paid by Friends of the Children
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Employees may contribute to an FSA account: Healthcare FSA minimum of $100 maximum of $3,200.
• Employee Assistance Program
• Voluntary Benefits such as Critical Illness, Hospitalization, Legal, etc.
• 401(k) savings plan with a company match of up to the first 4% of earnings that the employee contributes.
• Office reimbursement of $150 per year on anniversary date.
• Time off:
  •  Vacation: Full-time employees of Friends are eligible for up to three weeks of paid vacation annually for the first 4 years.  The first year the time is pro-rated and vacation increases to honor length of service.
  • Sick Time: Regular, full-time employees are awarded two weeks/80 hours of sick time on January 1 of each year. New employees are awarded prorated sick time, not less than 48 hours. Sick time can be used to care for your own physical and mental wellbeing or that of a family member.
  • Holidays: Eleven paid holidays. Three of which are Floating holidays to help honor how people choose to celebrate their cultural and religious holidays.
• Career Development and Wellness Reimbursement of up to $1000 after the first year of employment. Up to $200 can be used for Wellness. 
• Flexible work schedule/Remote/Hybrid work. (In collaboration with Management and as the duties of the role necessitates.)
• Summer hours and end of year holiday gift of time off. (Assessed annually by Executive Management.)
• Employee Perks and Discount Programs including savings on hotels, rental cars, travel, entertainment, streaming services, electronics, eCommerce, and so much more.

We aim to create an environment that is healthy, safe, accepting, supportive, and kind. Our benefits are one way to depict our value for work harmony, empowerment, health, and happiness.

Location: This is a remote position based in either Central or Eastern Time Zones with 30-35% travel expected. Your home office must be located within 30 miles of a major airport.

Applications without cover letters will not be considered; please use this as an opportunity to show us your writing skills and convey why you want to be a Chief Expansion Officer at Friends of the Children!

 Friends of the Children is growing rapidly as communities across the country are experiencing the power of how “One” changes a child's story: One Friend. One Child. 12+ years. No matter what. #ThePowerOfOne

 Friends of the Children is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to addressing discriminatory practices, and to working toward racial equity. The equal employment opportunity policy of Friends of the Children provides fair and equal opportunities for all employees and job applicants regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, disability, or genetic information, in compliance with applicable federal, state and local law. Friends of the Children hires and promotes individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the job to be filled.

 Learn more about Friends of the Children here: www.friendsofthechildren.org