Executive Director, Los Angeles

About the Taproot Foundation

What if nonprofits had access to the same marketing, technology, hr, and strategy resources as corporations?

Most organizations tackling social problems don’t have access to the marketing, design, technology, management or strategic planning resources they need to succeed. Without this talent, few are able to have their intended impact on critical issues like the environment, health and education.

Taproot is a nonprofit organization that makes business talent available to organizations working to improve society.

We engage the nation’s millions of business professionals in pro bono services both through our award-winning programs and by partnering with companies to develop their pro bono programs. One day, we envision all organizations with promising solutions will be equipped to successfully take on urgent social challenges.

While working to expand the impact of pro bono services nationally by leading the pro bono movement, we concentrate our efforts for social impact within five metro areas where we have offices: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco Bay Area, and Washington, D.C.   

Filling a Critical Need at a Critical Time in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is home to the largest and most diverse nonprofit communities in the country. These organizations are facing tremendous challenges that are arguably more severe than any other place in the nation.  Recent research has also recently demonstrated that the nonprofits in the area are well below average in their capacity to serve.  Fortunately, LA is also home to an incredibly talented creative and business community that is hungry to find better ways to help.

In Taproot Foundation’s first two years serving LA, our office has already made significant progress in leveraging business resources to support nonprofits. We have supported over 100 nonprofits and begun to change the conversation in the city about how companies can best make an impact in the community.  This work was one of the reasons Governor Schwarzenegger and First Lady Maria Shriver this year recognized Taproot as California’s Service Innovator of the year.

For more information on the Taproot Foundation, please visit our web site at www.taprootfoundation.org

THE OPPORTUNITY

We are seeking a dynamic Executive Director that will bring their executive management and social innovation talents to further Taproot’s mission and vision in Los Angeles to create a strong and sustainable pro bono market.   They will not only lead the continued growth of our award-winning Service Grant program but will also support companies and professionals schools in building their own programs.

Reporting directly to the President and in close coordination with the Western Region Executive Director, the Executive Director will lead the Los Angeles office through a tremendous period of growth; building a team that will more than triple in size within five years, and be accountable for creating a $50+ million pro bono marketplace addressing the most critical issues in the community.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Los Angeles Executive Director will use visionary leadership to create and execute effective strategies that will achieve Taproot’s mission and drive our strategic plan in the following ways:

• Set the strategic direction for the Taproot Foundation and the pro bono movement in the Los Angeles area.
• Partner with the philanthropic community to expand the reach of the Service Grant program to help more nonprofits in need.
• Generate demand for corporate programs with Los Angeles employers and support them in building and scaling high impact opportunities for their employees to serve.
• Build coalitions to connect significant pro bono resources to the most critical issues facing the region.
• Serve as the primary advocate of professional schools, trade associations and in the media to inspire all business professionals to donate their skills and to adopt the pro bono ethic.
• Develop the Taproot Foundation’s LA team and serve as their advocate within the organization. 

REQUIREMENTS

The successful candidate will have 5-10 years of significant executive level achievement in the LA nonprofit sector while at the same time demonstrate  the ability to translate to a corporate audience.  Candidates should be strategic critical thinkers and problem solvers that have delivered on rising over $2 million annually.  Candidates should be adaptable and thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic, complex start-up or entrepreneurial environment.

Candidates who meet the above criteria and are inspired by Taproot’s mission to transform our local office from pro bono providers to true civic leaders in the Los Angeles community are encouraged to apply.

Position Details

Compensation

Compensation will be competitive and commensurate with experience and accomplishments.  In addition, the Taproot Foundation offers a healthy benefits package including medical/dental, vacation, holidays and sick days.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please send your resume by selecting "Apply for this Position".

THE TAPROOT FOUNDATION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. The Taproot Foundation strives to reflect the diverse community it serves. Applicants who contribute to this diversity are strongly encouraged to apply.