TITLE: Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Society for the Protection & Care of Children

START DATE:  May 1st, 2021

ACCOUNTABILITY:  The CEO reports to the Board Chair or delegate (Vice-Chair or Board Executive)

ROLE DESCRIPTION:  The CEO provides essential leadership for 140 employees and manages an annual budget of up to $7 million.  They provide leadership in advancing the agency’s strategic direction, workplace culture, and stakeholder relationships. This position is entrusted with the fulfillment of the mission, vision, and strategic plan of the agency, and is the lead staff person for organizational governance. Further, this role is the key and leading role for the business of the organization, and involves planning, organizing, directing, controlling, and administering all SPCC operations.

This high-profile position requires a dynamic, adaptive, and resourceful leader who, amidst an ever-changing environment, inspires committed engagement in diverse communities, staff, and board alike. The CEO is a strong leader with the emotional intelligence needed to foster a safe and supportive environment for staff through proactive conflict management. Further, the CEO leads with an antiracist lens, in both practice and approach. The CEO’s leadership is consistent with the agency’s vision, mission, guiding principles, values, governance/operational policies and strategic plan.

In particular, and in the interest of quality events, programs and services, this position is responsible for strategic leadership, collaborative and supportive people management, and oversight in the following areas:

  • Advancing the Strategic Direction, Workplace Culture & Stakeholder Relations
  • Philanthropic Cultivation and Stewardship
  • Strategic Community Relations
  • Financial Integrity and Accountability
  • Strategic Planning
  • Risk Mitigation
  • Reporting to the Board, Board Relationship and Collaboration

Advancing the Strategic Direction & Workplace Culture 

  • Demonstrates future orientation and planning to address changing community, program, event, and service needs;
  • Provides leadership, quality assurance, and excellence in special events, programs, and services;
  • Provides a strategic level of thinking and implementation of business development initiatives to support the viability of the organization;
  • Provides leadership to the board and staff with respect to political advocacy necessary to fulfill the operations of the organization;
  • Implements an antiracist leadership practice for both internal and external stakeholders;
  • Implements the Vision, Mission, Guiding Principles, Values, Governance and Strategic Plan;
  • Oversees and engages in high-level human resources issues relating to significant issues concerning employees, volunteers, or contractors; and
  • Creates a safe and motivational work environment, through proactive conflict management and mentoring, to enhance employee satisfaction and productivity.

Philanthropic Cultivation and Stewardship 

  • Provides leadership, guidance, and mentorship to enhance the financial strength and viability of special events;
  • Develops foundations for strong and positive relationships with all donors, funders, business support, and potential funders in an effort to realize stronger revenue for the agency into the future;
  • Ensures compliance with public sector funding agencies; and
  • Serves as the key contact with key financial supporters.

Strategic Stakeholder and Community Relations 

  • Creates and maintains strong and positive relationships with internal stakeholders (staff, contractors, volunteers, the Junior Board of Young Professionals and the Board of Directors) and cultivates an equitable, diverse, and inclusive internal culture;
  • Cultivates and maintains strong and positive relationships with the community donors, sponsors, funders, potential supporters, and other stakeholders and finds pathways for future collaborative working relationships;
  • Ensures excellent quality in programs, services, and events.

Financial Integrity 

  • Acts as the key oversight and financial control of the organization;
  • Cultivates diversification of the current funding base;
  • Prepares and controls the annual operating plans to align with the Strategic Plan;
  • Works in adherence with prudent financial practices; and
  • Provides leadership in contract negotiations/ contract management.

Implementation of the Strategic Plan 

  • Works with the board to design annual strategic planning sessions to identify opportunities to meet emerging trends, key opportunities, known and unknown challenges, and community interest/needs;
  • Aligns operations and develops staff buy-in with current Strategic Plan through an impacts- focused lens;
  • Ensures that the Strategic Plan is communicated, as appropriate, with internal and external stakeholders; and
  • Communicates with the Board of Directors in a timely manner to present the work accomplished or any challenges experienced in implementing the strategic plan.

Risk Mitigation 

  • Oversees legal, regulatory and professional requirements for a charitable organization;
  • Ensures the provision of adequate insurance for Directors’ Liability, facility and properties, staff coverage and other, as required;
  • Ensures that organizational practices are in compliance with all regulatory and legal standards;
  • Stays abreast of community developments and helps to identify and address potential public relations challenges.

Reporting to the Board: Board Relationship and Collaboration 

  • Provides the Board of Directors with relevant and current information for its consideration regarding governance decisions;
  • In partnership with the Board Chair, navigates and contributes to healthy boundaries between governance and operations;
  • Provides strong and clear communication through established written reports to the Board, in addition to verbal reports and discussions at regular Board meetings;
  • Creates a positive environment that attracts and motivates qualified and competent Board Members.

 

Qualifications and Competencies:  The CEO has a master’s degree (preferred) in social work or related fields, non-profit management, or equivalent experience, as well as 5 to 7 years of professional work experience in a leadership role working in complex environments and serving diverse communities.  Required competencies include:

  • Strong understanding of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) principles.
  • Exceptional people leadership skills
  • Strong skills implementing a fund development strategy
  • Strong financial management and budgeting skills
  • Strong coaching and mentoring skills
  • Strong change management skills and experience/understanding of systemic change
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Skills and experience with trauma-informed workplaces
  • Strong, proactive, and sensitive HR competencies
  • Strong understanding of governance and experience reporting to or working closely with an Advisory Board of Directors
  • Ability to adapt management style to diverse staff
  • Ability to implement operations and decisions in a political environment
  • Must complete Confidentiality Agreement, be cleared through the NYS Central Registry, and have a valid driver’s license and driving record that meets the Agency insurance requirements.

Benefits of Working at SPCC: As an employer, SPCC believes that it is our responsibility to offer a work environment that is family-friendly, supportive, and trauma-informed, with generous paid time off and flexible scheduling.  Professional development opportunities that enhance agency and employee needs are offered, including many no-cost CEUs for clinical positions (LMHC, LMSW, LCSW, LCAT).   This position will be eligible for health insurance, group life insurance, long-term disability insurance, dental and vision insurance, EAP, and 401K.

SUBMIT CURRICULUM VITAE & COVER LETTER, INCLUDING DESIRED SALARY RANGE, BY MARCH 19, 2021 to:

ceosearch.spcc@gmail.com (Preferred)

OR

Mary Drechsler, SPCC Board Chair
148 S. Fitzhugh Street
Rochester, NY 14608