The Texas After Violence Project Seeks Candidates for Executive Director Position

Since 2007, the Texas After Violence Project (TAVP) has been working to build an oral history archive that documents the effects of murder and capital punishment in Texas and serves as a resource for public dialogue on alternative ways to prevent and respond to violence.

Creating a foundation for productive public dialogue on violence in Texas, especially murder and execution, TAVP listens to people affected by violence, including friends and family members of murdered and executed people, police officers, first responders, prosecutors, defense attorneys, prison employees, victim and defendant advocates, and others involved in Texas’ criminal justice system. The organization also focuses on building collaborative partnerships in the criminal justice and oral history communities to further buttress its efforts to share the stories of those affected by violence. TAVP has a partnership with the University of Texas Libraries' Human Rights Documentation Initiative to ensure the long-term preservation and access of its digital video testimonies, transcripts and organizational records.

In 2011, TAVP developed a set of strategic priorities, including growing their successful program efforts, reinforcing its collaborative partnerships, developing its fundraising efforts, and expanding the board; in 2012, the board will launch a thorough strategic planning process in partnership with the next Executive Director. Governed by a board of 5 community leaders, TAVP has developed more than 120 oral history records with its team of 2 staff and 5-10 volunteers, including interns. The organization’s 2012 budget is approximately $135,000.

About the Executive Director’s Position

The Texas After Violence Project seeks a nonprofit leader who can build on the organization’s rich history and move the organization into its next phase with insightful leadership, well-honed fundraising skills, thoughtful and effective communications, and a keen sense of operating a nonprofit organization. TAVP seeks an Executive Director who will maintain the organization’s strong commitment to achieving justice through oral history, attracting diverse leaders and participants, and serving as a resource to the community.

Desired Experience and Attributes.
The Executive Director will report to the Board of Directors, provide leadership to the organization, and manage day-to-day operations consistent with its mission and financial objectives.

Ideal candidates will bring to the position a variety of attributes and skills including:

• Visionary leadership and an ability to foster connections and conversations among board, staff, and partners designed to achieve TAVP’s mission and goals
• Strong collaboration and relationship-building skills to engage narrators, organizational and community partners, donors, and our board and staff
• An ability to establish credibility with diverse populations and stakeholders
• Nonprofit management and fundraising expertise, with a successful track record of attracting foundation grants and cultivating individual donors
• Genuine connection to the mission and work of the Texas After Violence Project
• Thoughtful, creative problem-solving skills
• Proven leadership and management of operational systems, infrastructure, and resources
• Sufficient fluency with technology to be able to work with specialized software
• Significant understanding of and experience with nonprofit management and leadership, whether through a leadership role on a nonprofit staff, as a board member, or as a key volunteer
• Familiarity with human rights and civil rights issues.

Experience with the following also will be considered an advantage:

• Experience serving as a nonprofit leader who has led an organizational transition inasmuch as TAVP is in a growth and development phase
• Familiarity with restorative justice and the criminal justice system

Job Description
The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors and is responsible for the effective leadership, management, and financial security of the Texas After Violence Project.

In administration and management, the Executive Director will:

• Implement strategic planning, goal-setting, and metrics to ensure consistent progress, success, and mission-alignment
• Build and support a dedicated, engaged team through positive motivation, creative problem-solving, and thoughtful, efficient systems

In development and marketing, the Executive Director will:

• Develop and lead a successful fund development strategy to capitalize on TAVP’s potential for foundation grants in addition to attracting individual donors for major and minor gifts
• Communicate with stakeholders, donors, and collaborators to promote and raise the position of TAVP in the Austin community

In program development and administration, the Executive Director will:

• Ensure effective and efficient day-to-day administration of program and organizational excellence
• Maintain a working knowledge of significant developments and trends in the field to appropriately support and guide staff, as well as to ensure appropriate communication with partners and the community
• Interact respectfully with people of varying backgrounds, including those who have been involved with violent crime

In budget and finance, the Executive Director will:

• Be responsible for applying and maintaining sound financial practices
• Manage resources in an efficient, effective manner to ensure TAVP’s ability to carry out its work
• Provide leadership in developing program, organizational, and financial plans with the Board of Directors and staff, and implement plans and policies authorized by the board