"One of the biggest things that was missing from my cancer treatment was my friends. I think that having the resources to connect us with other people going through the same thing, made a world of a difference when we’re going through this journey. "

"It's been my pleasure to support Teen Cancer America over the years, such an amazing and well deserving charitable organization. TCA fulfills an incredibly important need; filling a gap to help hospitals and institutions provide even better patient care geared specifically towards young people.”

Who We Are

Teen Cancer America (TCA) is dedicated to improving the lives of teens and young adults with cancer. TCA's vision is to ensure that every adolescent and young adult (AYA) diagnosed with cancer has access to age-appropriate, specialized programs and spaces across the United States. The organization helps hospitals create evidence-based programs tailored to the specific needs of teenage and young adult cancer patients, addressing the lack of specialized services in many healthcare institutions.

Founded by The Who’s Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend in 2012, TCA builds on over a decade of similar work in the UK and is the only organization in the United States offering this specialized education, guidance, and support.

TCA is proud of its accomplishments, including:

Impacting 31,350 families through hospital partnerships
Awarding 62 hospital-partnered grants
Providing consultation to 130 hospitals
Offering free, individualized consultations to health systems interested in AYA program development

TCA has a Los Angeles office which is the base for six staff and there are four remote staff.

TCA has an annual budget of $2.5 -$3 million which can be boosted by another million from an extraordinary event that has been run by Board members every couple of years to date. To learn more about TCA, please click here.

About The Opportunity

After thirteen years of founding and growing TCA in the United States and expanding its international reputation, Chief Executive Officer Simon Davies is retiring at year-end 2024 and joining the TCA board. Simon purpose-built TCA to be financially stable, programmatically ambitious, and patient-centered. As TCA looks to its next chapter, the organization is poised for meaningful growth and expanded impact.

Core to TCA’s continued success in hiring its next Chief Executive Officer. Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the CEO will provide strategic and operational leadership for TCA's staff, programs, expansion, and mission execution.

Success in this role hinges on identifying and cultivating new opportunities for growth and impact, developing and executing overall growth and fundraising strategies, building and leading a high-performing team, and anticipating challenges while implementing infrastructure to position the organization for expansion.

The ideal candidate is a results-driven leader with proven experience in guiding organizations of similar size, complexity, and growth trajectory. They should demonstrate strong strategic and operational management skills, expertise in nonprofit fundraising and program development, and in-depth knowledge of the healthcare sector, preferably regarding adolescent and young adult cancer care. Building and maintaining relationships with diverse stakeholders and health system decision makers is crucial, as is a passionate commitment to TCA's mission of improving outcomes for young cancer patients.

This position offers the opportunity to significantly impact the lives of teens and young adults with cancer while leading a growing organization at the forefront of specialized cancer care.

Major Functions and Responsibilities

As the CEO, you will be responsible for the following threads of work:

Leadership and Management:
- Develop and implement strategies that align with TCA’s mission and goals.
- Oversee the day-to-day operations, ensuring the effectiveness and efficiency of all programs and activities.
- Lead, coach, and mentor a high-performing team, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
- Develop and implement staff development programs that enhance skills, knowledge, and performance, ensuring alignment with the organization’s mission and goals.
Fundraising and External Affairs:
- Serve as the primary spokesperson for TCA, representing the organization to stakeholders, partners, and the public.
- Develop the charity's regional, national and international profile and act as a media spokesperson.
- Develop and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies to ensure TCA's financial stability and grow revenue to $5M
- Cultivate relationships with donors, sponsors, and partners, leveraging networks to enhance fundraising efforts.
- Ensure robust revenue generation through diverse funding sources, including grants, donations, and partnerships.
- Lead the forecasting process and conduct thorough risk assessments to ensure accurate financial planning and mitigate potential challenges related to grants.
Program Development and Implementation:
- Oversee the development and implementation of TCA’s core programs and initiatives.
- Lead efforts to expand the program nationally, completing the strategic business planning process for growth.
- Build new corporate, healthcare and charity partnerships, establishing relationships with the funders, and political, healthcare and community leaders.
- Become a nationally recognized presence that publishes and communicates program results with an emphasis on the successes of the program as a model for regional, and national and international replication.
- Ensure programs are aligned with the organization’s mission and goals and effectively meet the community's needs.
- Monitor and evaluate program performance, using data and feedback to drive continuous improvement.
Strategic Planning and Execution:
- Lead the strategic planning process, working closely with the Board of Directors to set organizational priorities and goals.
- Implement and monitor strategic planning, ensuring progress toward achieving TCA’s mission and vision.
- Adapt strategies as needed in response to changing circumstances and opportunities.
Governance and Board Relations:
- Maintain strong and effective relationships with the Board of Directors, providing regular updates on the organization’s performance and strategic direction.
- Support the Board in its governance responsibilities, facilitating effective decision-making and accountability.
- Ensure compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

There are innumerable ways to learn, grow, and excel professionally. We respect this when we review applications and look broadly at each applicant's experience. We want to get to know you and learn about the unique strengths you will bring to the work. We will most likely be interested in your candidacy if you demonstrate most of the qualifications and experiences listed below.

Ten years of progressive senior-level leadership experience with a proven track record of successfully leading, managing, and growing a performance- and outcomes-based department, organization, or enterprise, preferably within the health, nonprofit, or philanthropic sectors.
Deep understanding of the American health system and the specific challenges related to teen cancer.
Commitment and experience to diversity, equity, and inclusion best practices and continuous learning.
Thrives in fast-paced, entrepreneurial environments, possessing the integrity, wisdom, persistence, and adaptability to address the challenges of a growing organization.
A management style that combines respectful collaboration with disciplined productivity; the respect and team orientation to effectively support staff and the continued growth and direction of the organization.
Self-motivated and inspirational problem solver with maturity and tact to collaborate effectively with colleagues, Board Members, external partners, and team members.
Excellent strategic, analytical, and problem-solving skills with the ability to overcome challenges through the development of thoughtful and creative solutions.
A proven track record and passion for fundraising that is demonstrated in a commitment to maintaining current funders, a zest for cultivating new donors, an ability to generate new revenue streams, and a history of successfully taking organizations to the next level of sustained philanthropic support.
Exceptional oral and written communication, networking, and public engagement skills, including the ability to adapt style and approach to diverse local constituencies and needs. Ability to compel others to action as a critical storyteller of our path to impact, demonstrated experience in marketing and public relations.
Excellent financial acumen, including budget management, analysis, and forecasting skills.

Compensation, Benefits, and Location

This is a full-time, exempt position with a competitive salary range of $220,000-240,000. The range has been established after a comprehensive analysis of market data, industry benchmarks, and our internal salary structures. This is a remote position within the United States, with a preference for Los Angeles. The majority of the team at TCA is based in Los Angeles. Candidates outside of Los Angeles should expect to travel 25% of the time to the TCA office.

In addition to the base salary, TCA offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, but is not limited to:

Comprehensive health benefits are provided through our Professional Employer Organization (PEO), including medical, dental, and vision insurance with multiple plan options to suit individual needs.
401k with Employer Match Contribution
We offer a comprehensive paid time off package that includes flexible personal time and paid holidays for New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, the day after Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.
Performance-based incentives may be awarded annually, subject to board approval.

How to Apply

Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their application through our online portal promptly. All applicants will receive a response to their application. Please email mcarlton@positivelypartners.org with questions or for support submitting your application.

Phone interviews will commence in early fall with select candidates, followed by a second interview with a member of the Positively Partners team and a video interview with the TCA Hiring Team. Finalists will have a final interview day via video with other members of the TCA staff. The expected start date is early winter 2025.

Teen Cancer America is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Teen Cancer America’s Values

TCA’s values guide actions, behaviors, and decisions:

Collaboration: We support individuals and teams with honesty, integrity, and openness. We are committed to shared goals, collective engagement, and teamwork, which are critical to our success.
Ownership: We are responsible and accountable for our actions while supporting each other in striving for excellence.
Innovation: We adapt to changing circumstances, learn from each other and our experiences, and find creative solutions to opportunities and challenges.
Empowerment: We invest in and empower individuals, building trust and promoting responsibility in pursuit of our goals. We embrace learning and acknowledge mistakes.
Humility: We approach our work and each other with kindness, respect, and compassion. We recognize individuality and celebrate our differences.

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