RSC Announces Search for Co-Director's Position

An Opportunity for Service and Leadership

January 12, 2021 |
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We are no longer accepting applications for this position. Thank you.


RSC Mission

Building sustainable rural communities through a keen focus on place, teachers, and philanthropy.

Overview

Founded in 2015, the Rural Schools Collaborative (RSC) is emerging as a national leader in supporting rural school communities and encouraging the development of teacher-leaders. RSC believes a healthy American future must include a thriving rural landscape, and that public schools will be at the forefront of this effort.

RSC is led by a volunteer board of directors and is made up of ten regional Hubs, which are anchored by lead organizational partners. Regional Hubs are essential to RSC’s work, and it is through the Hubs that RSC conducts its four “signature” programs: Grants in Place, rural teacher corps initiative, Place Network support, and impact philanthropy.

RSC is seeking a co-director to work closely with its current director, Gary Funk. Ideally, the organization is looking for candidates who are visionary, enthusiastic, and energetic, and who also aspire to a leadership role in the field of rural development.

The Role

The Co-Director will:

  • Report to the RSC Board of Directors on matters of budget, strategy, programs, etc;
  • Manage the RSC in a manner that recognizes and builds on the synergistic links between programs, annual plans, and organizational mission;
  • Take a holistic approach to the work as a culture-building, central initiative around RSC’s commitment to service, philanthropy, and diversity, equity, and inclusion;
  • Serve as a project director for potential high-profile national grants;
  • Have responsibility, with Board oversight, for the effective deployment of RSC funds and support congruent with the mission;
  • Work collaboratively with the regional Hubs and other external partners;
  • Manage and work cooperatively with RSC’s small staff;
  • Drive a robust internal and external communications strategy around RSC’s efforts;
  • Facilitate a comprehensive strategic planning effort during the 2021-22 fiscal year.
  • Coordinate RSC’s asset development planning and implementation.

The Co-Director will be:

  • A consensus builder with the ability to generate excitement about the importance of RSC’s work and forge trusting relationships with stakeholders;
  • Humble, mature, politically savvy, and thoughtful;
  • Creative and an idea generator;
  • Self-motivated, appropriately ambitious, and committed to co-design oriented planning.
  • Dedicated to advancing the work of RSC to a higher level of national significance and recognition.

Qualifications and Experience

  • Energetic and charismatic, with strong leadership qualities and skills.
  • A collaborator—a focus on teamwork.
  • Operational experience with a rural-centric nonprofit, advocacy organization, or educational entity.
  • Strong communicator with a commitment to storytelling.
  • The ability to multitask and “get things done” in a timely manner.
  • Financial acumen.
  • A sense of rurality.

Location, Compensation, and Benefits

  • Although much of RSC’s work is virtual, the current plan is for the Co-Director to work out of RSC’s western Illinois office.
  • The anticipated base salary is in the range of $60,000 to $65,000 annually.
  • Due to the modest salary bases, RSC is committed to providing ample vacation and personal time for its small staff.
  • Health and retirement benefits.
  • Starting date is negotiable, but July 1, 2021 would be the latest start time.

How to Apply

Please send in a letter of interest and a resume. You may be asked to provide references at some point.

The search begins immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected.

RSC is committed to the principal of equal employment opportunity and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at RSC are based upon organizational needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social, or ethnic origin, sex, age, physical, mental, or sensory disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union, or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations of where RSC operates. RSC does not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.

Application letters and resumes should be sent to gfunk@ruralschoolscollaborative.org. RSC Board Chair, Carol Silvey, will head up the search.

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