Leadership Profile

A LEADERFUL STORY:

CSS EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP PROFILE

Center for Story-based Strategy (CSS) cultivates imagination spaces where story, grassroots leadership, organizing, and democracy are interwoven strategies to build power.

CSS is excited to embark on another 20 years of changing stories and cultivating radical imagination in movement spaces. With board and staff members leading the way, a new chapter is dawning as we search for an Executive Director who will continue the incredible legacy of past CSS movement leaders.

Are you a visionary leader with a passion for social change?

CSS is seeking a talented and driven Executive Director (ED) to help us achieve our strategic objectives and lead our organizational development efforts. As the ED, you will work closely with a talented staff team and our Board of Directors to implement our Theory of Change and make Story-based Strategy (SBS) an essential ingredient in our movement culture for years to come.

SBS is a participatory approach that links movement builders with an analysis of narrative power and places story at the center of social change. Your leadership and expertise will ensure we achieve our goals of supporting our movement ecosystem We want to hear from you if you're ready to take on this exciting challenge and help drive narrative change! This position is fulltime and exempt.

The ED will lead and inspire an activist team and their efforts to support frontline movement building and their constituent communities. The ED will collaboratively set strategic priorities and work closely with the team to build work plans that reflect our values and priorities while meeting our commitments to our partner funders. The ED will strengthen internal systems, assess the best conditions for organizational stability, manage and oversee CSS’s organizational management/compliance, and steward fiscal sustainability while shepherding a values-driven organizational culture. In the first year, the main priorities for the incoming ED will be organizational strategy & direction, fundraising & financial stewardship, and organizational development & governance.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

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Organizational Strategy & Direction

Build and sustain a values-driven organizational culture prioritizing power sharing, sustainability, and anti-oppression. Support and provide leadership in developing the organization’s strategic plan and program direction. Provide leadership and vision in establishing CSS’s organizational direction.

Fundraising & Financial Stewardship

Represents the organization in working closely with the Resourcing Narratives staff to achieve our resourcing goals and meet the benchmarks set by the team. Guide the implementation of CSS’s business model and revenue strategy (including foundation grants, individual donors, fee-forservice, and more)

Cultivate various revenue streams with the support of the Resourcing Narratives Director Responsible for CSS’s financial health & budget, in partnership with the board’s Internal Affairs Committee and CSS finance and resourcing staff.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Organizational Development & Governance

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Collaborates with the board through the Board Executive Committee

Lead and facilitate long-term organizational structure decisions, consider and assess interim and mid-term leadership needs. Lead top-level organizational development priorities and facilitate the Organizational Management Team’s efforts to build effective organizational systems & practices.

Staff Management

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Work with staff to strengthen internal systems and assess the best conditions for organizational sustainability. Make top-level human resources and administrative decisions in consultation with operations, and resource development staff.

Oversee external communications & key programmatic priorities, engage the board's External Affairs Committee Supervise senior-level staff

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

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ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

The Executive Director will be integrated into a strong organizational culture of regular internal communications, organizational development meetings, and mechanisms to promote ongoing teambuilding, smooth and transparent information-sharing, and alignment with organizational values. Like all staff members, additional responsibilities will include: Participate and facilitate relevant staff and CSS community meetings and planning retreats

Use CSS-designated tools and platforms for team coordination, including communication platforms, file management systems, shared calendars, project management systems, etc. Set and maintain a work plan that will be shared with the board and relevant team members.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

We take care of ourselves and each other. That's why we're proud to provide a competitive salary and a range of benefits that prioritize the well-being of our employees and their families. The salary range for the Executive Director is $155-165K.

We've got you covered with health, dental, and vision insurance, paid vacation and sick leave, 12-16 paid holidays, stipends for cell phone and wifi (for remote work) and your own budget for self-care and personal tech. As our resources grow, we're committed to continually improving and expanding the support we provide to our whole team.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

We are looking for someone who embodies a strong belief in the CSS mission, works within the framework of CSS values, and commits to CSS goals and Theory of Change. We also want someone who has the following qualifications:

Movement & Power Building Oriented

Grounded in narrative strategy, grassroots movement, powerbuilding/training, and building tangible wins that benefit frontline communities

Demonstrated application and facilitation of SBS. Or willingness to be immersed in SBS within the first few months.

Familiarity and kinship with CSS’s methodology as detailed in the book Re:Imagining Change

Interest in organizational leadership, team building; investment in building the organization, as well as building the capacity of our partners and Just Transition work

Thought leadership in narrative strategy and organizational development

Some experience with or knowledge of processes and strategies for movement groups navigating leadership transitions and change

Willingness to assess and continuously learn about the changing landscape of narrative, story, media, and technology as it relates to CSS’s mission and work

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

People-oriented

Leads with integrity and equity, giving feedback to staff and not practicing favoritism

In touch with organizational culture, community politics, and leader interactions

Aware of the need for rest and team/community regeneration

Collective Approach

Actively participate in meaningful and ongoing dialogue to facilitate team alignment and achievement of goals

Is comfortable sharing decision-making power with staff

PHOTO FROM CLIMATE MARCH IN NYC, 09/21/14, THE RIGHT TO THE CITY ALLIANCE CAME UP WITH THE CAMPAIGN SLOGAN HOMES FOR ALL, HOGARES PARA TODOS THROUGH USING CSS STRATEGY AND TOOLS

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Great Organizational Skills

Experience in resource development and finance

Work effectively and efficiently alone and within teams: selfstarter and self-directed while committed to communication and collaboration

Computer skills and working knowledge of various organizational software and platforms

Experience with writing and editing, with an emphasis on managing details

Project management and multitasking experience

Focused on Results

Be challenged, energized, productive, and demonstrate mature self-confidence and grace

Ability to clearly communicate roles and expectations

Anticipate, plan ahead, and act to prevent major catastrophes

Manage and work daily with both a long and short-term perspective

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Experience in organizing, partnership building, campaigning, and/or communications roles preferably in a social justice organization or a progressive communications shop Ideally, you are familiar with both skill sets.

Experiences in management, such as program or organizational management, or supervision

Resource and financial management skills, including foundation and donor development experience

Demonstrated commitment to issues of environmental, social, racial, gender, and economic justice

Experience and cultural competency working in a diverse environment, and commitment to anti-oppression

The Executive Director reports to and serves as a thought partner with the Board Executive Committee and directly supervises the Strategy Director, Operations Director, the Resourcing Narratives Director, and the Network and Communications Senior Manager. The Executive Director will be responsible for further developing the team.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work Week: Generally Monday – Friday, 9-5; some weeks may shift to Wednesday – Sunday, however hours can be flexible. This position will function in a hybrid in-person/remote capacity, with office space available in Oakland, CA. However, we are open to candidates who seek to work remotely, with a preference for those located near an airport hub and/or close to locations conducive to or nearby frontline communities. CSS will consider relocation assistance for candidates interested in moving to the Oakland/Bay area

The role of the Executive Director may include national travel up to 30% of the year.

HOW TO APPLY

Send resume/CV, cover letter, and three references to CSSED@storybasedstrategy.org with “[Your Name]: Executive Director” in the subject line. Please include in your cover letter why you are interested in working with CSS, and how your experience aligns with this position Please send your application materials in PDF format, with your last name in each file name.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. However, preference will be given to candidates that apply by July 20th.

CSS is a values-based organization with a deep commitment to building transformative culture and challenging racism, sexism, homophobia and oppression in all its forms. CSS is an equal opportunity employer committed to identifying and developing the skills and leadership of people from diverse backgrounds and challenging historic patterns of political marginalization and oppression. Black, Indigenous, People of Color, working-class people, disabled people, women, and LGBTQ+ persons are strongly encouraged to apply.

A B O U T C S S

The tale of CSS begins around a crackling campfire, where founders stoked the fires of a decolonial revolutionary imagination while training environmental activists in the art of changing the story As embers scattered into the sky that night, SBS was born. In 2002, CSS grew from an ad hoc project into an organizational catalyst for change, weaving the elements of story, grassroots leadership, and organizing. In the two decades since, CSS has nurtured our movements’ radical imagination, and held space for joy and inspiration with hundreds of frontline organizations forging power to win a better world.

Since its inception, CSS has served as a lantern for those walking the path of social justice. Collaborating with the frontlines in the battle for environmental and economic justice, CSS co-founded the Just Transition framework through a partnership with the Climate Justice Alliance In 2011, participants in CSS's flagship Advanced Training kindled the narrative frame of the "It Takes Roots" Coalition, inspiring the imagination of thousands at the People's Climate March. Their resolute slogan, "Frontlines of Crises, Forefront of Change," adorned the headlines of the New York Times, a clarion call to action.

innovation. CSS forged tools like #The4thBox, which supports organizations and communities to use shared storytelling to dig deep on narratives of equity and inclusion inspiring conversations and understanding beyond the perspectives and “realities” of engrained narratives and control mythologies. Over the years, CSS has collaborated with notable partners such as the Climate Justice Alliance, Right to the City, New Economy Coalition, and Kentuckians for the Commonwealth. Along the way, CSS spearheaded and facilitated many regional and issuesector convenings and collaborations, always fanning the flames of narrative strategy capacity-building From California to the rolling hills of Kentucky and the Diné (Navajo) Nation, cross-sector alliances bloomed, weaving a tapestry of resilience.

BAAmidst the challenges of recent years, CSS has weathered the storm, everadapting and evolving. The current moment invites introspection and strategic assessment, calling us to ponder which strategies will best cultivate frontline narrative power in these turbulent times

CSS’s office is currently located in Oakland, California, with its roots stretching across five states. With a dedicated team of nine staff members and a national network of 31 associates, CSS extends its reach across North America, providing training and support to partners far and wide.

Our board is composed of a diverse group of movement leaders, storytellers, activists, and thought leaders with a particularly deep commitment to social justice, equity, and socially-engaged art. They also have the practical skills and experience necessary for the effective stewardship of a social justice nonprofit, including finance, community organizing, group facilitation, administration, fundraising, network development, and previous board membership

GOVERNANCE CURRENT STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

Increase CSS’s impact and capacity to meet the needs of grassroots organizing groups for narrative strategy, focusing on supporting the radical imagination of frontline communities. Evolve SBS methodology, curriculum, and approach to build narrative power for frontline leadership in a Just Transition.

Strengthen movement infrastructure for narrative strategy by organizing communities of SBS practice, anchored by place-based strategies for a Just Transition.

Transform CSS organizational infrastructure, culture, and systems to support our strategic vision for a regenerative, adaptive, democratic, and innovative organization.

**This is from our 2020-25 strategic plan