Vice President of Programs

About Book Trust

Book Trust is a national early literacy 501(c)3 organization founded over twenty years ago with the mission to engage every child in book choice and ownership, cultivating literacy-rich communities. Their vision is that every child, especially children from underserved communities, has access to books and discovers the joy and power of reading. Book Trust acts as an equity game changer, bridging the opportunity gap in order for students to choose books of interest and become life-long learners. 

Now more than ever, Book Trust home libraries serve as a learning safety net as the nation’s education system copes with school closures and distance learning.  Book Trust partners with Scholastic Book Clubs, School Districts, and Teachers to deliver their program to students and families in 13 states across the country. 

For more information, please visit Book Trust’s website.  Read the 2021 Annual Report here.

The Opportunity

A newly created role to support Book Trust’s future growth, the Vice President of Programs will report directly to the CEO. The VP, Programs is a key member of the Book Trust leadership team responsible for all aspects of the Book Trust Program, driving development, integration, and implementation of a growth strategy to meet the organization’s strategic goals.  The position leads Program staff focused on long-term success in partnership with school districts, schools, teachers, and volunteers as well as a Systems Manager focused on the CRM, teacher customer service and data management.

Candidate Profile & Responsibilities

While it is understood that no single candidate will offer every desired attribute and competency, the following is a representative list of the ideal candidate profile and priority tasks and responsibilities.

Strategic & Growth-Oriented

• Serve as a strategic partner to the President & CEO, developing and managing a strategy and program plan to maximize the scale of student enrollment across the country.  
• Collaborate with other focus areas of the organization to improve the program experience, grow enrollment, and ensure program efficiencies to support future growth. 
• Maintain a broad and deep knowledge of current best practices, rules, policies, guidelines and procedures related to program activities, systems, and procedures as consistent with Book Trust mission and values.
• Has the skills and experience necessary to achieve goals and objectives for the department and individual team members, and spot opportunities for growing enrollment and challenges to program sustainability.

An Inspiring Leader & Strong Relationship Builder

• Manage and lead Program team members and consultants in a geographically diverse and remote environment.
• Experience leading and managing teams in the spirit of learning, collaboration, and accountability.
• Participate in and prepare for Book Trust National Board meetings, plus lead Program Committee meetings with National Board members.
• Coordinate school-based Book Trust events with the Development department, such as Book Celebrations and Volunteer activities.
• Manage relationship with Scholastic Book Clubs on matters related to program implementation. 
• Oversee stakeholder relationships with schools and teachers, as reflected in the customer service database.
• An effective and open communicator, with high-level oral and writing skills.
• Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to others’ views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts success of team above own interests; able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; supports everyone’s efforts for success.

Results Focused

• Manage the Book Trust Academic Advisory Board and the organization’s evaluation function as it relates to program impact and grant reporting, as well as the development of performance outcomes.
• Supervise, monitor and report on the team’s progress to ensure program goals are achieved.
• Translate enrollment data into strategic financials, culminating in the annual budgeting process.
• Oversight of a Systems Manager responsible for the CRM, teacher customer service, Scholastic API databases plus other necessary platforms and technology.

Other

• Demonstrates a passion for the organization’s mission.
• Excellent organizational skills and detail-oriented focus.
• A sense of humor and ability to work collaboratively in a remote team environment.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and sustaining collaborative working relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to organize workload, maintain several projects of equal priority at once, and sustain productivity and accuracy under pressure.
• This is a fast-paced and constantly changing environment, so the ability to stay nimble and organized, while managing multiple projects and competing priorities is critical. 
• Understanding of working with and maintaining confidential information.
• Professional and mature demeanor with strong ethical standards and ability to adapt to change.
• Mobilize program team participation at in-person staff retreats and events.
• Ability to travel as needed, approximately 25%.

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Compensation & Benefits

• Salary range:  $125,000 - $135,000
• A collaborative, mission driven remote work environment and the opportunity to make an impact in the education and nonprofit sectors.
• A wide range of benefits, including:
  • Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, 100% paid for by Book Trust for the employee – along with Long-Term Disability
  • Health Savings Account (HSA)
  • SIMPLE IRA retirement plan with employer match
  • Flex Fridays
  • 25 Days of Paid Time Off, 11 Paid Holidays, and a week-long year-end office closure
  • Cell Phone, Technology, and Wellness Benefit Stipends

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Book Trust is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages expressions of interest from people of color, individuals living with disabilities, women and LGBTQ+ leaders.

Contact

Koya Partners, the executive search firm that specializes in mission-driven search, has been exclusively retained for this engagement. Cheryl Stevens, Claire Hunt and Liam Gibbs are leading this search. To make recommendations or to express interest in this role please email [email protected].

All nominations, inquiries and discussions will be considered strictly confidential.

Koya Partners is committed to providing an accessible search process for all, including individuals living with disabilities. If you need assistance expressing interest online or any aspect of the recruitment process, please email [email protected].

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About Koya Partners

Koya Partners, a part of Diversified Search Group, is a leading executive search and strategic advising firm dedicated to connecting exceptionally talented people with mission-driven clients. Our founding philosophy—The Right Person in the Right Place Can Change the World—guides our work as we partner with nonprofits & NGOs, institutions of higher education, responsible businesses, and social enterprises in local communities and around the world.

For more information about Koya Partners, visit www.koyapartners.com.