m/Oppenheim Associates Seeks Leader for Youth UpRising

February 18, 2020 – Non-profit executive search firm m/Oppenheim Associates has been enlisted to find the next president and chief executive officer for Youth UpRising, a community group that provides education, employment and wellness programs for at-risk youngsters in Oakland, CA.

Founder Mark Oppenheim and principal Kevin Redick are leading the assignment for the San Francisco-based search firm.

Youth UpRising’s board of directors wants a fundraising CEO to continually refresh and drive innovation in its youth programs, and to deliver positive change for youths in the East Oakland section of the city, said m/Oppenheim Associates.

The CEO will be expected to provide visionary leadership and management of Youth UpRising, its staff, volunteers, partners and programs, said the search firm. The CEO must assure healthy and sustainable growth, and strategically position Youth UpRising as a San Francisco Bay area and national beacon for the field of youth leadership development and urban community transformation.

Key Responsibilities

The CEO will be responsible for all aspects of Youth UpRising’s fundraising, programmatic development, and fiscal and staff management, including annual strategic planning, budgeting and day-to-day management, said m/Oppenheim Associates. The CEO will be expected to maintain and grow successful and productive local and regional community relationships, especially among funders. He or she will also be called upon to marshal the collective talent of the Youth UpRising community to deliver quality services in fulfillment of its mission.

The next CEO must be an experienced leader who has proven senior-level managerial and operational experience, a track record of fundraising success, human resources knowledge, problem solving, financial experience as an executive in the not-for-profit, public or private sectors. He or she should have knowledge of effective programs and services that inner-city youth embrace. Deep-seated values in working with a culturally diverse staff, clientele and community is also essential. Recruiting, developing and retaining a balanced workforce whose skills, lived experience and languages spoken reflect the communities of East Oakland will be a key part of the role.

Spanish language ability would be advantageous, said m/Oppenheim Associates. Experience with effectively managing similarly-sized budgets and staff is necessary. Candidates should also have the proven ability to attract financial support from foundations, businesses, individuals and government sources as well as demonstrated success with fundraising and personally interacting with and cultivating donors.

Prospects must have outstanding oral and written communication skills; a history of public advocacy, including excellent public speaking skills for formal and extemporaneous presentations; and a demonstrated ability to work effectively with representatives, advocates and professionals with different backgrounds and from various communities. Experience with Alameda County-based agencies and networks is desirable but not required.

Non-Profit Recruiters

Youth UpRising’s mission is rooted in community transformation driven by investing in youth. Since its opening in 2005, Youth UpRising has grown from a bare-bones operation into a key East Oakland resource with a annual budget of between $5 million and $7 million, and a 29-member staff operating in a bustling 25,000-square-foot high-tech youth leadership development center with community café, media arts center and health clinic.  The organization serves and empowers Alameda County residents between the ages of 13 and 24 (primarily at-risk youth) through innovative, culturally relevant programming in arts and expression, career and education, health and wellness, civic engagement and social enterprise.

m/Oppenheim Associates was founded by Mr. Oppenheim after a 28-year career in organizational development, professional services and executive search consulting. The organization goes back to two firms founded by the Oppenheim family: CM Oppenheim & Associates, a New York-based company which later extended its operations into Europe, and Phillips Oppenheim, based in New York and focusing on service to non-profits.

After a career spanning the business, non-profit and government sectors, in 2003 Mr. Oppenheim joined Phillips Oppenheim and upgraded the firm’s operating infrastructure, founded the West region’s office, extended its presence nationally and drove an expansion of its business. In 2008 the East and West regions split, and Mr. Oppenheim and his team founded m/Oppenheim Associates.

Mr. Redickhas 30 years experience as a chief executive, fundraiser and recruiter for youth development, human services, K-12, higher education and healthcare nonprofits. He has strong experience working with economically disadvantaged communities, and in the process has fostered partnerships with churches, civic groups, legislators, and other community leaders. As a professional baseball player who was signed with a minor league affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, Mr. Redick integrates ideas of teamwork and the power of the group into his approach to search and service.

Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor  – Hunt Scanlon Media

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