Lamaze International (aka “Lamaze”) is seeking a new Executive Director to lead the organization and work closely with Lamaze volunteer leadership to fulfill the organization’s mission to advance safe and healthy pregnancy, birth and early parenting through evidence-based education and advocacy.  The search is prompted by the planned retirement of Lamaze’s current Executive Director, who served the organization for nearly three decades.

The Lamaze HQ is in Washington D.C. in the offices of SmithBucklin, who Lamaze selected as its management partner in the early 1990s.  The new Executive Director, like the current, will be a SmithBucklin employee.  This position has been and would ideally be DC-based.  However, we are open to exploring alternative arrangements.

 About Lamaze

Please visit the following website pages for helpful information that describes Lamaze.  https://www.lamaze.org/about-lamaze   and  https://www.lamaze.org/what-is-lamaze

The Lamaze goal is simple: for all parents to feel confident, supported and powerful as they ask questions, make decisions, and navigate their path through pregnancy, birth and parenthood.

About SmithBucklin

Founded in 1949 as an association management company, SmithBucklin is a 100 percent employee-owned company. SmithBucklin offers all employees —regardless of position or compensation — an equal chance to experience the fulfillment of employee ownership. SmithBucklin is an industry leader, is values-driven, client-centric, and fully committed to diversity and inclusion.

 This role might be for you if you are…

•  Passionate about the mission of Lamaze, work hand-in-hand with the Board
• Outcomes-focused, with a can-do attitude, are skilled at project management, and proactively drive for results
• Globally-minded and are able to envision ideas and programs implemented with cultural sensitivity and agility throughout the world
• An effective engager of Lamaze stakeholders and able to relate to their needs, circumstances, and priorities
• An effective leader of the Lamaze staff, encouraging individual development within a matrix environment, resulting in service excellence, and maximizing the resources available through SmithBucklin
• Future-thinking and constantly looking ahead to anticipate how Lamaze might adapt to remain relevant and valued
• Accepting of accountability for outcomes, and circumstances that are within your sphere of control
• Revenue-minded and able to creatively identify AND market new revenue-generating programs, products, services
• Highly collaborative, with a proven record of accomplishment in building partnerships with other professional associations in the United States and around the world
• An effective relationship builder who can skillfully navigate differences and difficulties while maintaining healthy relationships and a positive environment

 What you will do…

•  Demonstrate executive leadership and Board/committee collaboration, as well as outstanding society/association management expertise through communications, thought leadership, and action-taking
• Be accountable for the success and impact of all Lamaze programs, including education, certification, marketing, and more.
• Advise, when appropriate, Lamaze leadership on legal issues, strategic considerations, operational improvements, and other matters that advance the mission of the organization
• Collaborate with leadership to develop long-term strategic plans that advance the Lamaze mission
• Lead staff and other resources to put strategic thinking into action, communicating regularly, and achieving desired outcomes; achieve a high-performing, collegial, engaged staff team
• Interact with partner organizations, companies, and public health agencies
• Oversee all financial matters of the society, including budget development, AP/AR, reporting, etc.
• Actively learn and subscribe to Lamaze beliefs and philosophies
• Develop performance objectives for staff, and implement People Manager Effectiveness techniques
• Continuously test for satisfaction of Lamaze stakeholders and take action to continually improve
• Serve as the primary representative of SmithBucklin; communicate principles, philosophies, and practices of SmithBucklin; live, through communications and actions, the SmithBucklin chosen values

Qualifications

•  Minimum 5-7 years related executive management experience with demonstrated organizational, operational and leadership experience within the non-for-profit sector, preferably with a similar professional association
• Experience as an Executive Director, CEO, COO or the top P&L leader of a comparably sized organization
• Experience working with public health agencies is preferable
• Experience in grant development and fundraising is highly preferable
• An analytical mind, capable of “out-of-the-box” thinking to solve problems
• Relationship building skills to cultivate and maintain engagement with partner organizations and volunteers
• Effective communication skills are essential
• An undergraduate degree is required, a MPH or MBA is preferred
• High level of strategic and financial management experience
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

 Equal Employment Opportunity

 At SmithBucklin, Equal Employment Opportunity is our commitment and goal. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status or any other protected status designated by federal, state or local law. Applicants are encouraged to confidentially self-identify when applying. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a reference and background investigation based on position.