Location: Portland Metro
Closing Date: Open until filled however we will begin interviewing top applicants the week of 3/16.
Industry: Non-profit, yoga studios, fundraising, mindfulness, health and fitness
Type: Fulltime
Our Mission:
The DAYA Foundation is a non-profit yoga therapy center supporting Pacific Northwest communities. We deliver accessible yoga alternatives in the form of public and agency-based yoga classes, yoga therapy interventions for anxiety, depression and addiction, and adaptive yoga programs for those with medical conditions that require medically-sensitive yoga. Our mission is implemented via outreach programs and in-studio programs conducted at our nonprofit
yoga studio located in SW Portland near John’s Landing.
Position overview:
The DAYA Foundation was founded in 2012 by Sarahjoy Marsh, yoga teacher and yoga therapist. (Sarahjoy is also the founder of the non-profit, Living Yoga). The new Executive Director will have regular support and consultation with Sarahjoy as she/he acclimates to the position, but the goal is for the Executive Director to lead the organization and take it to the next level with sustainable funding and expansion of staff and programming. This is an opportunity
for a talented, energetic, visionary professional to step in to this promising organization and grow its non-profit and business into the innovative studio and non-profit model inherent in DAYA’s mission and vision.
Candidates should have an entrepreneurial spirit, a dedication to yoga and social justice, and a great deal of integrity in supporting the mission. Being that we are a small non-profit and a busy business, candidates should be prepared to be hands-on with all facets of the business and have broad and well-developed skills with office administration, office technology, business planning, and non-profit development and administration. The Executive Director will have the support of a small team (4 part-time staff), the founder, and some transition time with the outgoing Director. Experienced Executive Directors as well as up and coming professionals ready for their first Executive Director role are encouraged to apply.
Key Responsibilities:
Program Management and Direction (supported by Studio Coordinator)
• Manage staff and systems in the scheduling of classes, workshops, series and events
• Management of teacher contracts and teacher meetings (quarterly or as needed)
• Manage staff in coordination of the following programs
o Outreach classes at schools, hospitals, correctional facilities and rehab centers.
o Yoga classes and Adaptive Yoga classes within the DAYA non-profit studio.
o Continuing Education (CE) classes and coordination with American Psychological Society for administration of credits.
Organizational Support (Supported by the DAYA founder)
• Act as a professional, approachable and positive source of assistance, information, and
referral on all matters for employees
• Act as a cultural “monitor” for employee satisfaction and engagement and work with the
Founder to continuously improve the “employee experience” at DAYA.
• Handle and resolve basic employee relationship issues and work with Founder on more
complex matters, in order to increase employee participation, satisfaction, and loyalty to
the company.
• Prepare or update company job descriptions
• Along with Studio Coordinator and Graphic Design Specialist, edit written materials
(newsletters, fundraising letters, marketing fliers, etc.)
• Assist with special projects as assigned
Marketing – (Supported by Graphic and Design Specialist and Studio Coordinator)
• Produce a bi-weekly e-newsletter and occasional special event and workshop specific e-
newsletters and updates.
• Produce a marketing plan both to market the non-profit studio and its offerings as well as
market the non-profit to potential donors, supporters and partners.
• Launch marketing initiatives to increase studio attendance.
• Ongoing marketing of workshop offerings and events as needed.
• Market two main donation campaigns a year: Spring Membership Drive and Holiday Donation Campaign.
Fundraising and Donor Development
• Create and coordinate fundraising events that are mission compatible with the DAYA Foundation as well as raise funds to support the organizations activities. Such events have included kirtans, concerts, fundraising yoga workshops, and dharma talks.
• Seek new fundraising events and bring them in to DAYA’s annual offerings such as auctions, dinners, and other benefits.
• Develop donor base and manage current donor relations, donor database, and timely donation recognition.
Grants and Sponsorships
• Work with DAYA Founder, DAYA Board of Directors, and advisors to develop strategic
plan and identify grant opportunities and needs.
• Target grantmakers that are a match with DAYA and write grants to support
programming and operations
• Identify and solicit corporate and individual sponsorships for DAYA as a whole and for
DAYA events and offerings. Office Administration (Supported by the Studio Coordinator, Workshops Coordinator, Graphic Design Specialist and, as needed, our technology consultant)
• Act as primary contact and manager (internally & externally) for studio computer software, accounts and hardware, including maintenance, troubleshooting, training, and purchasing advice.
• With Graphic Design Specialist, manage & maintain studio websites, including current content, website design, and technical troubleshooting.
• Along with Studio Coordinator, set up, manage and maintain MindBody Online software, including training of studio staff and teachers.
• Track studio revenue and refunds,
o Process daily income.
o Prepare and submit weekly bank deposits.
o Work with studio staff and customers to resolve issues as necessary.
• Provide monthly reports on studio attendance and revenues; quarterly reports on student attendance for each class/teacher and additional reports on request
• Track donations through MBO point of sale and contact management software.
o Provide quarterly fundraising reports
• Provide attendance data to contracted studio teachers and coordinate their submission of invoices for work done and issue checks.
• Support special events at the studio, including concerts, kirtans, lectures, fundraisers, etc.
Knowledge/Skills Required:
• Exceptional organizational, follow-up and customer service skills.
• Effective communication and listening skills.
• Ability to solve problems with high energy and a positive attitude.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
• Understanding of financial management systems and basic proficiency with QuickBooks.
• Ability to conduct social media campaigns, as well as knowledge of Mind-Body Online (Our point of sale system), are a bonus.
• Master’s Degree in business business management or non-profit and public
administration or equivalent combination of education or experience
• Proficiency with Mac OS and MS Office. Ability to learn additional software applications
as required.
• Demonstrated ability to use discretion and maintain confidentiality with employee and company issues at all levels.
Additional Qualifications:
• Must be able to work during requested times.
• Maintains a high level of personal accountability and integrity
• Desire and ability to contribute to and enhance DAYA’s unique culture and values.
• Passion for the yoga and social justice a plus
• A team player who can partner with internal and external colleagues.
• Must possess passion, versatility, personal maturity, “can-do” attitude, self-confidence to be a “change agent,” commitment, dedication, self-motivation, detail-orientation, and a sense of humor
Physical Requirements:
• Ability to sit and use computer for extended periods of time
• Ability to hear and speak in-person and over the phone
• Ability to see close up
• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds
Employee Conduct: It is the responsibility of every employee to contribute to a positive work environment through teamwork, empathy, honest and effective communication, and professional interactions with co-workers, customers and partners.
Hours: 40hrs a week. Flexible work hours. Some weekend work may be needed due to events and workshops. Conversely, an alternative workweek is possible and encouraged when management duties and studio responsibilities allow. (i.e. 4 day work week or half days on Fridays)
Salary: Dependent on experience. $35,000-40,000 starting salary. This is a new organization with excellent growth potential and the compensation and benefits for this position will grow accordingly.
Benefits: 1 week paid vacation, free yoga classes, flexible work schedule.
Application guidelines: Please send a cover letter, resume of not more than 2 pages in length and your answers to the additional questions below to michael@dayafoundation.org.
Additional Questions: (Please limit your response to 250 words per question.)
1. Based on your experiences of social activism, social justice, yoga or other well-being practices, please describe the intersection between social justice and yoga.
2. Please describe your experiences with cultivating donors providing examples of ways you have had success in growing funding from individual and corporate donations.
3. Considering this is currently a small non-profit with significant vision in an industry (yoga) that has grown exponentially in the last 10 years, what skills will you be bringing to grow this organization? DAYA will consider developing sister organizations, partnerships, or franchises, or other ways of expanding the model to meet the growing demand for accessible yoga options
for physical and mental health. Feel free to comment in any of these areas.
How to apply
Application guidelines: Please send a cover letter, resume of not more than 2 pages in length and your answers to the additional questions to michael@dayafoundation.org.