Executive Director, YALSA, Chicago, IL
Posted April 20, 2018
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YALSA – Young Adult Library Services Association, – a division of the American Library Association, is seeking an Executive Director. YALSA’s mission is to support library staff in alleviating the challenges teens face, and in putting all teens ‒ especially those with the greatest needs ‒ on the path to successful and fulfilling lives. YALSA has a current membership of more than 4,800 members.
YALSA brings together key stakeholders from the areas of libraries, education, research, out of school time, youth development and more to develop and deliver resources to libraries that expand their capacity to support teen learning and enrichment and to foster healthy communities.
The Executive Director sets the direction and oversee the operations of YALSA. This position also:
- Carries out the strategic plans and policies as established by the board of directors;
- Manages all fiscal aspects of the division, including developing and overseeing a yearly operating budget of over $600,000 and three endowments in excess of $1,600,000;
- Supervises 3 full time staff, 1 part-time, 1 contract worker, and occasionally, interns and grant funded positions;
- Supports operations and administration of YALSA’s governing board, including sitting ex-officio on the board;
- Oversees the design, marketing, promotion, delivery and quality of programs, products and services;
- Seeks out and maintains relationships with promotional partners and corporate sponsors;
- Ensures that the organization and its mission, programs, products and services are consistently presented in strong, positive image to relevant stakeholders;
- Maintains a close relationship with ALA and facilitates collaboration with other units in ALA to fulfill YALSA’s mission and goals and to support the ALA strategic plan and mission; and
- Up to 20% travel for this position.
Starting Salary: Negotiable from the high $90’s based on experience. ALA offers a comprehensive and valuable benefits package that includes generous paid vacation and retirement annuity.
Closing Date: Consideration of candidates will begin on March 2, 2018 and continue until the position is filled.
Application Process
In addition to sending in your resume, candidates should include a cover letter outlining the strategic value that they will bring to ALA and YALSA, drawing upon past successes and experience.
Apply online including your cover letter, resume and salary expectations,
OR
Send your cover letter, resume and salary expectations to:
American Library Association
Human Resources Department
Dan Hoppe – Associate Executive Director, Human Resources
Ref: YALSA Exec Dir.
50 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611
The American Library Association is an equal opportunity employer: Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran
Desired Experience:
- Management experience in an association or nonprofit environment is strongly preferred
- Supervision of staff and work with teams
- Advocacy experience
- Successful entrepreneurial skills and history
- Experience developing staff and board members
- A demonstrated commitment to and experience with Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)
- Experience in fundraising, grant writing, and generating other, non-dues revenue
- Demonstrated effectiveness in using social media to communicate, engage others and build support
- Experience establishing and maintaining partnerships and sponsorships
Core Competencies/Skills:
- Strong organizational skills;
- Ability to work collaboratively within a complex organization
- Ability to effectively manage time despite multiple requests with competing deadlines
- Fiscal acuity
- A passion for supporting youth
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence at various levels
- A passion for YALSA’s mission
- Strategic, innovative, creative, future-oriented thinker
- Self-starter who is committed to continual self-improvement and growth
Required Education and Experience
- College degree required, MLIS or other, graduate-level degree is preferred
- Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential is preferred
- Minimum 5 years supervisory experience
- Minimum 15 years overall experience
About ALA
The American Library Association (ALA), the oldest, largest and most influential library association in the world. Founded on October 6, 1876 during the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, the mission of ALA is “to provide leadership for the development, promotion and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.” ALA is a membership association comprised of over 56,000 librarians, trustees, friends of libraries, and others.