LEADERSHIP PROFILE Executive Director Southface Energy Institute Atlanta, GA Southface promotes sustainable homes, workplaces and communities through education, research, advocacy and technical assistance. Southface mission THE OPPORTUNITY The Southface Energy Institute has been a pioneer in sustainability since 1978. Focusing on the marketplace as a force for environmental change, Southface has innovated science-based solutions that have earned national recognition and elevated Atlanta to #3 nationally in green office space. Entrepreneurial, nimble and practical, Southface creates breakthrough change through education, research, advocacy and technical assistance. Iconic Executive Director Dennis Creech, who co-founded Southface and has served as its leader and public face for 38 years, has announced his intention to depart in late 2016. His successor will inherit a strong, well-regarded $5 million organization that is poised for its next set of accomplishments. The new ED will lead Southface to new levels of innovation, reputation and achievement, building upon current momentum, financial strength and sustainability results. This is a time of transition and promise, driven by new environmental policies and emerging global discourse, consumer and business interest in sustainability and significant ongoing changes in the marketplace. Southface aspires to remain at the pioneering edge of emerging trends and high-return solutions.
Page 2 of 7 The new Executive Director has an exciting mandate. In partnership with a strong, engaged Board and staff, the ED will: Lead Southface to next-level innovation, accomplishment and impact. Photo: Jonathan Hillyer, 2009 Create revenue growth, enhancing the organization s visibility and ability to raise philanthropic, corporate and earned revenue. Evolve the infrastructure and business model to support growth and measurable successes over the next several years. THE ORGANIZATION Southface is a nationally recognized leader in sustainability, with a strong, committed Board and staff and 1000 members. The organization s entrepreneurial, science- and market-based approach has led to game-changing advances and partnerships, among them: The Atlanta Better Buildings Challenge, which is on track to save 20% on energy and water costs for commercial buildings by 2020. Grants to Green, which has saved hundreds of nonprofits over $150 million in energy and water costs savings that can go to support mission work. EarthCraft Green Building programs, which have certified over 40,000 homes ranging from affordable housing to high-end residences. Southface works with consumers, the construction and development industry and policymakers to forge market-based solutions for creating green jobs, clean energy solutions and sustainable communities. The organization is actively engaged in helping to shape energy policy at the federal, state and local levels. Southface conducts Green Jobs Training and convenes a monthly Sustainable Atlanta Roundtable, which has spawned many successful local initiatives including the genesis of the Atlanta Beltline. Areas of current focus include conscious incorporation of equity, inclusion and community-building throughout the organization s work. The Sustainable Communities work promotes sustainability beyond the scale of individual buildings, working with towns, cities, universities, nonprofits and neighborhood associations.
Page 3 of 7 Southface Vision A regenerative economy, responsible resource use, social equity and a healthy built environment for all. Southface Energy Institute aspires to be synonymous with sustainability in the Southeast and a national thought leader. As a catalyst for transforming the region through leading-edge initiatives in policy, ideas and practice, Southface seeks to achieve demonstration-scale impact that influences national policy and programs. Southface aspires to be a force for racial and economic equity, and to always be entrepreneurial, flexible and grounded in science and data. To achieve its aspirations, Southface needs to create new, growing and sustainable sources of revenue. The organization s 2016-19 Strategic Plan serves as a framework for annual work plans, which are developed in concert with the organization s budgeting process. This process links plans, funds, organizational goals, outcomes and impacts while increasing flexibility and accountability. This planning format will enable the new Executive Director to have meaningful input to direction early in his or her tenure. The three overarching organizational goals are: 1. Integrate work across the four pillars (education, research, advocacy, technical assistance) to enhance current initiatives and maximize impact. 2. Strengthen infrastructure to support a nimble, impactful and secure organization. 3. Focus engagement with strategic audiences and partners to advance our mission and grow new revenue sources. Southface is lean, with annual revenues of about $5 million and administrative costs held at 11%. The organization is challenged to increase philanthropic support that is not directly linked to project work, currently less than 10%, to diversify funding sources, and to more fully monetize the organization s estimable thought leadership and contributions to sustainability practices. Sources of Revenue and Expenditure ($5 million)
Page 4 of 7 Southface has an endowment of approximately $1 million. A capital campaign to purchase the city-owned land on which Southface buildings stand was halfway to raising the $2 million needed, but is temporarily suspended pending clarification by the city on how and where to make the payment. Southface is represented on numerous business, foundation, nonprofit and government advisory committees, and is often consulted by private industry and professional associations connected to the energy and building industry. It has won numerous regional and national awards, from the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Urban Land Institute, the National Association of Home Builders and numerous other organizations. For more about Southface Energy Institute, go to www.southface.org. Southface in 2015 -- by the Numbers 236 to 0 Yes to No votes on GA House Bill 57, the Solar Power Free Market Financing Act. 46% - Increase in Southface membership (to 1000) since the 2014 Winter Solstice event. 6,800 People who participated in a Southface course, tour or seminar. 100,000,000 sq. ft. of commercial real estate in Atlanta that has pledged to save 20% on energy and water bills by 2020, which leads the nation. 100 Perfect Energy Star Score achieved by the Atlanta Neighborhood Charter School, a Grants to Green Participant. 72 Percentage of commercial building space subject to the City of Atlanta Energy Project s energy and water use benchmarking. 2,500+ - Number of EarthCraft homes certified in 2015. 99,232 Visitors to the Southface website in 2015. THE RESPONSIBILITIES The new Executive Director will be a leader with vision, charisma, authentic passion and credibility in the field of sustainability. The ED will have a compelling presence, strong relationship skills and proven expertise in growing revenues. The ED will: 1. Be a visionary, inspiring leader of mission and the organization. The ED will be a magnetic, strategic leader able to chart and resource nextlevel vision and accomplishments for Southface. The ED will be an influencer and catalyst who foresees and leads sustainability trends and provides vision, strategy and resources to advance the Southface mission. The ED will be or become nationally and internationally known as a thought leader, and a sought-after expert on issues of sustainability.
Page 5 of 7 2. Increase resources to support the mission. The ED will build relationships, engagement and support. The ED will inspire growing support for Southface s mission and priorities, with current and new philanthropic and governmental partners, individual members and donors, corporate sponsors and partners. The ED will enhance Southface s fundraising capabilities and reach, and will find ways to increase monetization of the value Southface provides. She or he will develop a sustainable, growing revenue stream consistent with the organization s aspirations. 3. Be a compelling advocate and ambassador for the brand. The ED will be inspirational and influential at making an informed, persuasive case for sustainability and the Southface mission. The ED will envision and project the voice of Southface in ways that are compelling, nuanced and impactful. He or she will position Southface as a pioneering force for positive change. Through one-on-one meetings, speaking opportunities, media interviews and communications including social media, the ED will elevate Southface reputation, visibility and impact. 4. Be an uncommonly good relationship builder. The ED will be approachable, engaging and a good listener with high emotional intelligence. He or she will be someone people from all walks of life naturally trust and want to work with a person with an approachable style and unimpeachable integrity. The ED will create collaborative, win-win relationships that engender new opportunities and resources. 5. Lead, manage and strengthen Southface. The ED will be a proven developer of great talent, teams and infrastructure. She or he will be an outstanding, trusted manager and mentor who builds an environment of shared vision, values, high standards and accountability. Through authentic, visionary and pragmatic leadership, the ED will enhance the culture in ways that inspire staff and achieve results. PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS The ideal ED candidate is a compelling leader with success in sustainability and relevant organizational contexts. Entrepreneurial, innovative and results oriented, the ED will understand and have an informed commitment to the work of Southface. The ED will be experienced and comfortable in the worlds of philanthropy, business, government, diverse communities, the media and public opinion.
Page 6 of 7 The ED will: Have authentic expertise and a solid, nuanced understanding of bigpicture sustainability issues and policy, science, marketplace, consumer and business contexts. Demonstrate passion and capability around economic, social and racial equity and justice issues. Be oriented to an approach that is grounded in science, facts and pragmatic, market-based solutions. Be a thought leader who is open to new ideas, solutions and innovation. Be a great team builder, role model and inclusive leader of the staff. Possess superior communication and relationship-building skills. Be a servant leader with passion for mission, low ego needs and no personal agenda. Be a compassionate person with a sense of humor, values and beliefs that are a fit with the culture of Southface. THE RELATIONSHIPS The ED reports to the Southface Board of Directors and manages a team of 50+. The ED reports to: ED direct reports include the leaders of: Board of Directors Development and Communications Operations Finance Commercial Sustainability Services Residential Sustainability Services Community Customer Services Education and Technical Assistance Policy Other key ED relationships include: Southface members and volunteers Current and potential partners, clients and donors Corporate, civic, philanthropic and community leaders Elected officials Global sustainability thought leaders and practitioners Business leaders and home owners
Page 7 of 7 THE LOCATION The ED is based at Southface Energy Institute headquarters in downtown Atlanta. Atlanta is among the most dynamic metropolitan areas in the country. Regularly cited for livability and civic engagement, Atlanta is a top-three city for sustainability and home to over five million residents. Atlanta ranks third nationally in corporate headquarters. It is home to the world s busiest airport and major educational institutions including the country s largest consortium of historically black colleges and universities and nationally prominent public-benefit and nonprofit organizations such as the Task Force for Global Health, American Cancer Society, Habitat for Humanity International, Children s Healthcare of Atlanta and CARE. Compelling candidates could come from a variety of backgrounds. Southface Energy Institute is an equal opportunity employer, and a diverse slate of candidates is being sought. To apply or suggest a prospective candidate, email Southface@BoardWalkConsulting.com or call Kathy Bremer or Patti Kish at 404-262-7392.