Search Open for Executive Director, Fund for Education Abroad (FEA)

1920 N Street NW, Suite 200

Washington, DC 20036

800/225-4262

www.fundforeducationabroad.org

January 2014

Title: Executive Director, Fund for Education Abroad (FEA)
Job location: Washington, D.C.
Supervisor: Kate Simpson, President
Start date: February 2014

Description of the Position
The Executive Director, working closely with the Board of Directors and the Advisory Council, is responsible for achieving the ambitious goals set for the Fund for Education Abroad.

The Executive Director’s primary duties are to develop and pursue an effective strategy for FEA that follows its mission and grows the Fund through development activities and continual outreach. The Director will implement donor cultivation and fundraising strategies, oversee fundraising events and activities, administer and organize Board activities (including Board meetings), follow through on Board and Council approved recommendations, promote FEA’s mission and presence externally, recruit and direct volunteers, oversee the admissions process, set policy and procedures internally, monitor and manage FEA’s annual budget, ensure proper tax-filing annually, identify and recruit needed resources, investigate new revenue
streams, and document progress.

Description of the Organization
Based in Washington DC, the Fund for Education Abroad is a private 501(c)(3) founded in 2010. The FEA mission is to increase the opportunities for dedicated U.S. students to participate in high-quality, rigorous education abroad programs by reducing financial restrictions through the provision of grants and scholarships. Our goals are to assist committed students in the acquisition of critical foreign language skills, to cultivate US students’ world awareness and appreciation of cultural differences through academic and experiential opportunities, to support institutions and organizations active in socially responsible education abroad programs, and to recognize outstanding education abroad leaders. Scholarships are awarded with
a preference to under-represented students in study abroad, including minorities, science and technology majors, and those choosing to study in non-traditional countries. Please visit www.fundforeducationabroad.org for more information.

Responsibilities

Development and Fundraising

• With Executive Team (ET) and Board, develop fundraising goals and strategy.
• Develop and implement donor cultivation and recognition plan; review regularly with an eye to improvement.
• Research prospects and rate them by highest potential.
• Plan development work timeline and keep FEA Executive Team on track.
• Research and assist with preparation of grant proposals for FEA. With ET, write or assign at least one grant a year.
• Organize at least one major annual fundraising event in Washington, DC and oversee the execution of a number of regional events.
• Investigate and suggest new fundraising ideas.
• Oversee transition to donor database including training and best practices.
• Write and assist in writing of appeals for various donor types; follow up on asks.
• Research and pursue strategic partnerships with government and private organizations.
• Regularly review campaign and initiative results to help project outcomes and improve the following year.
• Seek out educational opportunities in the fundraising field for self and ET.

Program Management

• Oversee the scholarship application and selection process.
• Review and revise scholarship parameters, priorities and requirements as necessary in conjunction with the Board Scholarship Committee.
• Develop robust scholarship program for FEA scholars including orientations, blogging and alumni program.
• Oversee metrics and outcomes measurement.

Marketing

• Develop effective presentations to promote FEA to SAO staff, faculty, and/or potential donors.
• Work with Board Staff member who is CET Marketing Director to ensure website, EDMs, collateral pieces, etc, are up to date and effective.
• Train and heighten awareness among colleagues and at conferences about FEA.
• Gather and disseminate FEA-related stories from news sources, students, alumni, etc to support FEA mission.
• Work with Outreach committee to create FEA promotional pieces.
• Develop relationships with strategic partners in the international education field and outside of it.

Board Management

• Organize, act as liaison and direct FEA Board of Directors and Advisory Council.
• Manage Board Committees including work plan, timelines and goals.
• Assign tasks or projects to Board members when needed/appropriate.
• Review and process Board reports and expenses after meetings.
• Develop and monitor Board rules and procedures, such as tenure, policies on reimbursement, etc.
• Organize regular FEA Executive Team (ET) and Board meetings, arrange all meeting details including agenda, space, lodging, meals, etc.
• Oversee recruitment and training of new board members as needed.

Staff and Volunteer Management

• Recruit, train and direct staff and volunteers throughout the year, both on fundraising and donor cultivation as well as event planning and other aspects of Fund’s work.
• Develop training materials for key volunteer functions.
• Maintain and boost volunteer productivity.

Finance and Administration

• Establish and adhere to annual budget.
• Monitor and control expenses to maximize value for scholarships.
• Process expense requests and pay suppliers.
• Assist accounting department in submitting annual tax forms.
• Ensure registration in necessary states.

Requirements

• Experience of 5 years or more in fundraising capacity
• Donor and volunteer service mentality
• Superior organizational and communication abilities
• Analytical capabilities

Other Desirable Qualifications

• Connections to potential donors in Washington DC area
• Connections to study abroad administrators in the US
• Understanding of Education Abroad field
• Experience studying or living abroad
• Familiarity with donor database

Salary
Negotiable, based on experience.

Application Process
Please send a resume and cover letter via email to ksimpson@academic-travel.com no later than mid-
February, indicating the best way and time to contact you during business hours.

Note:  International Higher Education Consulting is not compensated for this post in any manner.  I do serve on the FEA Board of Directors and am simply helping to promote this open position.