Mayan Hands is hiring an Executive Director in Albany NY
Mayan Hands is seeking a creative, dynamic and skilled leader to succeed our retiring Executive Director and guide the overall administration and implementation of Mayan Hands’ vision and strategic plan. Mayan Hands’ next Executive Director should possess both broad business and nonprofit management skills and experience, a passion for social justice, and an entrepreneurial spirit.
This is a unique opportunity to lead a thriving organization poised for expanded growth and impact. Mayan Hands is a fair-trade nonprofit organization with more than 30 years experience providing economic and educational opportunities for Mayan women and girls in Guatemala, so that they can build sustainable futures for themselves, their families and communities, as they continue to preserve the culture they cherish.
Mayan Hands creates opportunities for more than 200 Mayan women artisans living in 15 communities throughout the Guatemalan Highlands. Our artisan partners earn consistent income by bringing their finely crafted handmade products to an international market through long-term, fair trade relationships. By participating in capacity-building programs organized by Mayan Hands, they develop their business, technical, and leadership skills and enhance their quality of life. Mayan Hands also invests in the next generation by providing educational scholarships and programmatic support to Indigenous girls.
A new strategic plan outlines an expanded and inclusive future of Mayan Hands and includes continued growth of sales and increased artisan agency and well-being through programs and other services. This plan builds on annual growth of product sales. currently $500,000, and Mayan Hands’ extensive experience working in the artisan and fair trade sectors.
Position Overview and Responsibilities
The Executive Director is a full-time member of a highly collaborative US staff of three and a Guatemala team of six, and reports directly to Mayan Hands Foundation Board of Directors, providing leadership and management for the organization in the following areas:
Strategy and Operations
- Assure that Mayan Hands makes consistent and timely progress in achieving its mission.
- Oversee implementation of the strategic plan.
- Communicate effectively with the Board and provide all information necessary for the Board to function well and to make informed decisions.
- In collaboration with Guatemala and US team members, plan and oversee Mayan Hands direct working relationships with artisan partners and services that address economic, educational and other critical needs of Mayan women and girls.
- Continually foster a collaborative work environment between the US and Guatemala teams, as well as with individual team members.
Social Enterprise
- Formalize an overall business plan and growth strategy.
- Develop and coordinate marketing and sales strategy.
- Coordinate new product development
- Oversee quality control in collaboration with the team in Guatemala.
- Create product orders to team in Guatemala
- Manage design of and update website branding, including content pages, product listing and visual content.
- Expand our already established robust customer base.
Financial Viability
- Provide fiscal oversight that anticipates operating within the approved budget, ensures optimal resource utilization, and maintains Mayan Hands in a positive financial position.
- Nurture customer and other wholesale/retail partner relationships.
- Create an annual budget for Board approval.
- Create and implement an annual fundraising plan.
Communications
- Serve as primary spokesperson to constituents and the general public.
- Establish and maintain relationships with various organizations and utilize those relationships to strategically enhance Mayan Hands’ mission.
- Oversee marketing and other communications efforts, including social media and emails.
- Create an Annual Report demonstrating the impact of Mayan Hands’ work.
- Manage annual tour to visit artisan communities in collaboration with US and Guatemala teams
Skills and Qualifications
Essential
- 5+ years post-college work experience (that may include relevant graduate study) in nonprofit management, entrepreneurship, and/or strategy.
- Excellent verbal, written communication skills (English). A high level of proficiency in Spanish (speaking, reading, writing) is required; fluency is highly preferred.
- Proven skill as a manager and mentor who supports others and delegates well.
- Ability to work in a highly collaborative, cross functional capacity.
- Strong conceptual and strategic skills. An ability to blend analytical and creative thinking.
- Ability to effectively prioritize and manage time to address multiple responsibilities.
- Demonstrated record of entrepreneurial and creative thinking.
- Literacy across a variety of computer-based platforms.
- Demonstrated experience handling financial responsibilities with detail and integrity.
- Commitment to Mayan Hands core values and fair trade principles.
- Willingness to travel to Guatemala on yearly basis.
Preferred
- Experience working with artisans, appreciation for artisan techniques, cultures and practices. Experience developing handmade products from concept to production. Understanding of Guatemalan textile traditions and techniques is advantageous.
- Experience working in a business environment selling B2B and B2C, selling on e-commerce platforms and social media channels.
- Strong attention to detail and eye for design.
- Demonstrated success in nonprofit fundraising campaigns and history of building strong donor relationships.
What We Offer:
- Salary range $52,000 – $60,000
- Flexible hours with partially remote options
- Generous paid time off
- Health benefits: QSHERA plan
- Employee discount
- Friendly, collaborative work environment
- Work that matters
Mayan Hands is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
How to Apply:
Please send your resume and cover letter to opportunities@mayanhands.org with “Executive Director” as the subject of your email. For best consideration, please submit by May 31.
