Director, Regional Capacity Building Initiative
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Type: Full Time
Min. Experience: Executive
The Organization
The vision for the Regional Capacity Building Initiative is to create a stable, connected and accessible network of capacity building resources that builds on existing assets, fills gaps in service and connects nonprofit organizations to high-quality, effective solutions to maximize their community impact.
Referred to formally as the Regional Capacity Building Initiative (RCBI), the initial planning conversations were convened by a group of foundation partners with a desire to better understand the capacity needs of nonprofit organizations and explore investments that could systemically strengthen the sector. Between August of 2023 and January of 2024, over 200 southwestern Pennsylvania nonprofit leaders and support professionals met to discuss key challenges and opportunities to positively transform the capacity of nonprofits in the region. These conversations were built upon the recognition that when nonprofits have the right tools, they can serve their communities more effectively. The planning process also conducted national and regional scans to understand the capacity building landscape and identify promising ideas to strengthen nonprofits.
To start, RCBI is focused on capacity building efforts that are integrated, accessible, and responsive to the needs of small and midsized organizations, which often lack the resources required to secure specialized skills and essential operating systems. Key activities underway include two pilot programs focused on financial management and fundraising, as well as the development of a nonprofit capacity building “hub” that will help organizations assess their needs and navigate to helpful resources, as well as create greater connections between existing capacity building providers. By creating a stable, connected, and accessible network of capacity building resources that builds on existing assets, RCBI will fill gaps in service and connect nonprofit organizations to high-quality, effective solutions to maximize their community impact.
For more information, please visit: https://nonprofit-capacity.org/
The Opportunity
As a critical, long-term solution to capacity building in the region, RCBI is creating an Assessment & Navigation Hub to operate as an entry point for needs assessment, to connect nonprofits to the right resources, and to identify gaps in existing capacity building supports. This pilot program will serve as a centralized resource to enhance the work of existing capacity building providers in the region – including The Bayer Center for Nonprofit Management, Bridgeway Capital, Equity Impact Center, The Forbes Funds, Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council, Neighborhood Allies, New Sun Rising, and the Program to Aid Citizen Enterprise (PACE) – and will connect nonprofits to high-quality services and supports. The Hub will also act as a knowledge sharing site, vetting and curating educational materials and templates that can be accessed by organizations, as well as serving as a venue for peer connection between nonprofit staff and Board members.
RCBI seeks a resourceful and entrepreneurial Director to build and oversee the Assessment & Navigation Hub, establishing critical infrastructure and strategy for its formation and launch. The Director will steward the development of an assessment tool and intake protocol aimed at connecting smaller, less-resourced nonprofits with the tools they need for success as well as providing them with a library of vetted resources, including services and programs being piloted by RCBI (currently the Shared Financial Services and Fundraising Training pilots). The Director will cultivate the connective tissue between the region’s intermediaries, consultants, and other capacity building providers, as well as fostering critical relationships and knowledge sharing by means of the assessment tool and resource library. The position will report to the RCBI Executive Committee and will collaborate with the Hub Design Group to develop and launch the pilot.
The Director will be primarily responsible for the following:
Hub Launch & Strategy
- Leads and develops the Hub in collaboration with the Hub Design Group, establishing clear definitions of services and overall operations, protocol, and strategy.
- Works with the Hub Design Group and RCBI Executive Committee to set vision and goals.
- Identifies strategies for Hub stability and longevity, pursues grant and fundraising opportunities where appropriate.
- Directly works with nonprofits for intake, assessment, and resource guidance.
- Helps to develop a digital home for capacity building solutions that fill gaps in services.
- Maintains a public presence on behalf of RCBI and builds relationships with the southwestern PA nonprofit community, philanthropic foundations, and other community leaders.
- With support from the RCBI Evaluator, coordinates the assessment of the effectiveness of the Hub through measurable, objective, and quantitative evidence and shares data with appropriate stakeholders.
- Supports efforts to evaluate effectiveness of RCBI interventions.
- Identifies gaps in services and iterates solutions with the Design Group and RCBI Executive Committee.
Assessment Tool & Navigation Process Development
- Develops and oversees creation of a systemic intake protocol and assessment tool (or tools) with the goal of defining organizational health and need. Applies deep thinking to how intermediaries, funders, and potential users can interact with and benefit from the tool and the needs assessment process overall.
- Surveys extant intake tools currently utilized by intermediaries and other capacity building providers both locally and nationally; interviews stakeholders if necessary for maximum efficacy of tool.
- Creates and curates comprehensive resource library and navigation tool to house regional capacity building knowledge in partnership with the Shared Financial Services and Fundraising pilots (and other RCBI initiatives as they develop).
Relationships & Outreach
- Cultivates relationships between the Hub and intermediaries, other capacity building providers, nonprofits, and funders.
- Creates mechanisms for peer networking and sharing.
- As part of the larger RCBI communication efforts, implements relevant components of a communications and recruitment strategy among smaller nonprofits and helps publicize efforts to showcase RCBI’s work.
The Candidate
RCBI’s Assessment & Navigation Hub Pilot requires a hands-on, pioneering individual who is unafraid to build and explore the possibilities offered by the Hub’s creation. A master connector, communicator, and problem-solver, the Director will gather the threads of capacity building opportunities in the region and knit them together into a complete menu of possibilities for nonprofits. The successful candidate will be skilled at both long-term strategy as well as the practical elements of program development and execution, easily oscillating between the two to operationalize the Hub with an eye to a sustainable future.
The position requires a start-up spirit and the confidence to break new ground while understanding that their position will grow and evolve as the Hub develops. At every stage of the Hub’s evolution, the successful candidate will need to cultivate and maintain strong working relationships with the region’s intermediaries, capacity building providers, funders, and other leaders, inviting them into the work of the Hub for greater nonprofit success.
All candidates should have exceptional and proven management, leadership, relationship management, and a comprehensive knowledge of capacity building, as well as possess a combination of the following skills and attributes:
- Passion for RCBI’s vision as well as its larger goals in the capacity building sphere.
- Educational background that supports the required skills and competencies. Strong knowledge of nonprofit organizational management, including budgeting and fundraising.
- Demonstrated experience working with and in nonprofit organizations.
- Strong understanding of capacity building and its current role in the southwestern PA region.
- Proven track record with leading teams, coaching and mentoring.
- Confidence and comfort in working with unknowns; able to thrive in an environment where the systems are yet to be well-defined. Excited by opportunities and nimble when confronted with challenges.
- Past success working collaboratively with partners, including but not limited to corporate and business leaders, philanthropic leaders, like-minded organizational partners, and a Board of Directors.
- Strong cultural competency with deep experience working with diverse populations.
- Excellent analytical, reasoning, and problem-solving skills.
- A strategic thinker: someone who can execute short and long-term strategic and operational plans while balancing day-to-day organizational priorities and goals.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills; a persuasive and passionate communicator.
- Excellent interpersonal skills centered in integrity and commitment to mission.
Performance Objectives
In the near term, the Director will continue to deliver outstanding outcomes while successfully addressing the following in the first 6-12 months:
- Develop and implement assessment tool for organizations utilizing available models while focusing on addressing need and filling gaps.
- Strategize best format for navigation and resource library. Survey and gather best available resources prioritizing those that would most benefit smaller organizations.
- Assess future staffing needs to meet the defined goals of the Hub, as well as possible contractors for assessment tool development and capacity building service provision.
- Prioritize relationship-building with regional intermediary groups. Complete personal outreach in order to deepen understanding of current capacity building opportunities, resources, and connections.
- Support the creation of a long-term strategy and sustainability plan for the Hub.
Workplace Environment & Compensation
This opportunity will begin as a virtual position as the Hub launches. It offers a competitive salary range of $150,000 - $160,000 and a progressive benefits package. The employer of record will be Nonprofit Partners, a core subsidiary of the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies that provides charitable organizations and individuals who want to support nonprofits, grassroots projects, and large-scale initiatives the support and capacity to work for community good.
DEI Imperative
The Regional Capacity Building Initiative seeks to recruit candidates for employment that represent our diverse community in race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, and ability. Inclusive and equitable in our recruitment and retention practices, we are dedicated to uplifting diverse opinions and backgrounds in order to grow and evolve as a welcoming workplace for all.
How to Apply
The Regional Capacity Building Initiative has retained Nonprofit Talent to assist with this important organizational change process. Specific questions related to the position may be emailed to Sarah Deibler, Senior Consultant, at [email protected]. Please direct all inquiries related to this position to Nonprofit Talent, and do not contact the Regional Capacity Building Initiative.
Resume, position-specific cover letter, and salary expectations can be uploaded via this portal.
APPLICATIONS ARE DUE BY 5PM ON FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2025
About Nonprofit Talent
Nonprofit Talent is a boutique executive search firm with a deep understanding of the nuanced cultural and financial landscape of the nonprofit and philanthropic community. We know the organizations and the people that commit to the sector. Our candidates, through regional and targeted national recruitment, frequently come from the same communities as our clients. We firmly believe in uplifting the extraordinary talent of our region in addition to seeking out new and vibrant talent through national networks.
