Texas Women’s Foundation (TXWF) is a leading driver of social and economic change for women, girls and families in Texas by leveraging research, advocacy, innovative programs and solutions, and grantmaking. It has grown to be one of the largest women’s funds in the world with net assets over $29 million. Under the collective expertise of Foundation Staff and a Board of Directors who represent the diverse interests of the communities, the Texas Women’s Foundation is sharply focused on achieving their:
Mission: Texas Women’s Foundation is a community supported organization that invests in the power of women and girls to drive positive change. Through research, advocacy, programs and grantmaking, we advance economic and leadership opportunities for women, girls and families to build stronger, more equitable communities for all.
Vision: We envision an equitable society where women and girls are full participants.
Values: Integrity – Evidence-based decision making enables TXWF to be a trusted knowledge resource for communities, donors and grantees.
Inclusivity – We embrace ethnic, religious and gender diversity. TXWF hosts a board composed of women leaders, which is 51% women of color and LGBTQ. TXWF staff is made up of 48% members representing diverse populations.
Intentionality – TXWF acts on the conviction that objective research and advocacy are our most important contributions and proudly partners with its grantees to achieve the future we are trying to achieve.
Texas Women’s Foundation’s mission, vision, and values supports all women and girls inclusive of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.
The President & CEO is responsible for the oversight, leadership, and success of all Texas Women’s Foundation programs and functions. With the guidance and support of the Board, the CEO is responsible for establishing the strategic direction for the organization and is active in the community on behalf of the Foundation, acting as its spokesperson and public advocate. The CEO thrives in a growing and changing environment and is comfortable leveraging the Board in Foundation strategy and policy. The President & CEO must live in North Texas and be able to travel frequently.
CORE COMPETENCIES
- Visionary Leadership – Focuses on desired outcomes and how best to achieve them; follows through on commitments to achieve results. Creates an inspiring, shared vision and sense of purpose for the organization that is aligned with the strategic plan. Motivates others through empowerment and inspiration; creates a feeling of energy and focus in those around her/him. Fosters a culture that ensures the mission drives the organization and fosters integrity, honesty, and high ethical standards.
- Strategic Thinking – Sees the big picture and is focused on short- and long-term solutions; senses and adapts to trends that might impact the future of the Foundation; able to develop an action-oriented plan; develops and communicates the roadmap for change and innovation required to achieve the organization’s vision; engages others to create common goals that support the organization’s vision.
- Business Alignment – Mission focused – continually searches for and implements strategies to make the organization’s mission relevant to the changing realities of the marketplace; positively represents the Foundation in the community and continuously builds the organization’s credibility.
- Board Engagement – In collaboration with the Board of Directors and Executive Committee, lead the development and implementation of the Foundation’s strategic vision and plan; and monitor progress in accomplishing objectives. Review and elevate governance policies to best practice.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each of the essential duties and responsibilities listed below. Other duties may be assigned.
Operations and Staff Management
- Meet milestones of short- and long-range plans and guide the modifications necessary for timely adaptation to changing environments and circumstances.
- Supervise Foundation staff and contractors, promoting a work environment that recruits, develops, and retains talent required to meet Foundation objectives.
- Evaluate processes and establish methods for the Foundation to measure its impact on the issues important to the organization.
- Establish best practices related to human resources and ensure the enhancement and adherence to employment policies and practices.
- Ensure the Foundation is compliant with all rules and regulations governing its work.
Donor and Community Engagement
- Cultivate and steward a portfolio of current and prospective fund holders and potential donors.
- Identify opportunities that connect donors to the causes they care about and those that are of strategic importance to the Texas Women’s Foundation.
- Collaborate with the Development team, Foundation Board members, and other influencers as appropriate in fundraising efforts.
- Ensure a robust donor fundraising and stewardship program is developed and implemented to grow the organization.
- Serve as chief spokesperson for the Foundation, assuring its proper representation to the community.
- Alongside the Chair of the Board, enable the Board to fulfill its governance functions and facilitate the optimum performance of its committees and members.
Financial and Investment Oversight
- Work collaboratively with the Board and Executive Team in the development of policy and processes related to investment strategy.
- In partnership with the CFO, leverage relationships with consultants and investment managers to meet Foundation’s investment management objectives.
- Work closely with the executive team to manage the Foundation’s finances.
- Oversee governance, the development of systems, and fiscal activities including operations, budgeting, forecasting, investing, audit related activities, reporting and preparation of annual financial statements.
Advocacy and Public Policy
- Serve as the lead ambassador for the Foundation to voice the collective priorities of stakeholders to local, county, and state elected officials and agencies, resulting in policies that are in the best interest of women and girls.
- Ensure the organization’s state legislative agenda, in collaboration with the Advocacy Committee of the Board, is developed and executed in alignment with the strategic plan.
- Collaborate with other organizations to positively affect policy that benefits women and girls.
- Maintain a general understanding of the top issues affecting women and girls in Texas.
The TXWF CEO reports to the Chair of the Board of Directors and will be evaluated on a semi-annual basis by the Board. The successful candidate will lead an executive team with seven direct reports, including department managers. The CEO will serve as the primary liaison to the Executive and Governance Board Committees. The CEO will also work with and champion the Finance, Audit, Investment, Programs, Advocacy, and Compensation committees of the Board, as well as the following Advisory Boards/Committees: Economic Leadership Council, Women’s Leadership Council and XIX Society Steering Committee.
Why join the Texas Women’s Foundation as their Chief Executive Officer now?
- To lead one of the largest women’s funds in the world, that is a driver of meaningful social and economic change for women, girls and families across Texas. Its research, advocacy, gender-based investment strategy, diversified funding and philanthropy partners and dedicated personal attention, have set the Foundation apart and redefined how a community foundation makes impact.
- While the TXWF has a great legacy and foundation to build on, and the landmark 40th anniversary in 2025, it is the opportunity to set the vision and define the next 10 years. Its brand is well-recognized, and the mission has attracted dedicated support from many of Dallas’ top philanthropists.
- The Texas Women’s Foundation offers an attractive benefits package including medical, dental and vision insurance, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, 403(b) employer match, paid time off, and more.
Successful candidates will bring the following qualifications:
- Demonstrated commitment to advance issues affecting women and girls.
- Professional background where excellence in financial management and business acumen, setting and executing strategy, and organizational management were demonstrated.
- Related experience in high profile account management, sales or fund development.
- Proven success in revenue generation with P&L responsibility.
- Success working in a highly visible environment and serve as a compelling spokesperson.
- Passion for frequent donor cultivation and engagement and external community networking.
- Reported to a Board or served on a philanthropic board.
- Experience as a change agent and is comfortable embracing and leading change, with a focus on both the business and human aspects for successful change.
- Favorable experience leading, managing, and motivating staff.
- Knowledge of and experience with the North Texas philanthropic, civic, and business community, strongly preferred.
Successful candidates will demonstrate the following competencies:
- Strategic mindset: Competently creates strategies that lead to sustainable growth, leveraging the unique assets of the organization. Seamlessly manages multiple short-term complex projects, partnerships, and initiatives, while staying focused on the long-term objectives. Efficiently aligns resources and makes financial and program decisions based on cost benefit analysis.
- Communications: Possesses an accomplished presence in public settings and a knowledge of ways to utilize communications to promote the vision and programs of the organization. Presents ideas orally and in writing in a manner that achieves clarity, buy-in, and inspires.
- Relationship building: Consistently demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills. Actively engages in initiating, developing and maintaining new and existing internal and external working relationships. Builds an inclusive and high-performing culture. Inspires trust and respect with the ability to influence others to accomplish mutual goals. Is effective in “win-win” negotiation style and problem solving.
- Enterprise or program leadership: Understands a broad array of enterprise functions, how they interrelate to drive growth and goal achievement, and how to motivate and supervise others (demonstrated by having achieved programmatic, development, financial management, and growth objectives).
Desired personal attributes:
- Passion for the Texas Women’s Foundation’s mission
- Strong collaborator; an effective team player
- Unquestionable integrity and trustworthiness
- Humble and adept at managing significant partnerships
- Effective working with a multigenerational workforce, donor base, and constituents
- Visionary—imagines what is possible and persuasively articulates that vision
- Models the highest ethical standards of conduct
How to apply:
Please submit your cover letter and resume to nonprofit@victorysearchgroup.com with Texas Women’s Foundation CEO in the subject line. Victory Search Group is honored to lead the recruitment for the CEO of Texas Women’s Foundation.