Position Description. Executive Director. June 30, 2014

Transcription

1 Position Description Executive Director June 30, 2014 WBB+McCormack 1399 Franklin Avenue, Suite 201 Garden City, New York Phone: Fax:

2 The Client Celebrating 35 years of service to the Washington Heights and Inwood communities, the Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation (NMIC) is a community-based, not-for-profit organization founded to serve neighborhood residents through client-centered programs. NMIC minimizes evictions; maximizes improvements to the housing stock; provides education and training to increase employment opportunities; supports families with childcare, case management, and domestic violence intervention services; and, gives residents a greater voice in the decisions that affect their lives. All NMIC services are free and provided in English and Spanish. NMIC s operating budget was over $13 million during FY2012/2013, which represents a realignment to the agency s stable growth trajectory after a recent operating budget spike driven by the more than $15 million in federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding NMIC received between 2009 and early The large majority of NMIC s program funding comes from public sources, while a significant portion of its unrestricted support comes from private sources. STRUCTURE & PROGRAMS ADULT EDUCATION The Adult Education program provides the following instructional offerings: English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), GED (English and Spanish), Adult Basic Education (ABE), Basic Education in the Native Language (BENL), civics and citizenship, financial literacy, and computer skills. These classes improve students employment and educational prospects, while fostering learners capacity to be active, contributory members of society. In FY 2013, NMIC s Adult Education instructional offerings served over 1,425 students and attracted over 400 volunteers. The New York State Education Department ranked NMIC s adult education offerings as the top performing community- based program statewide. COMMUNITY ORGANIZING The Community Organizing program focuses on three principal areas: tenant organizing, housing development, and community organizing. The staff educates and organizes residents into tenant associations to address unsafe building conditions and abusive rent practices, and frequently partners with NMIC s legal program to provide group representation to tenant associations. It also supports tenants through the process of converting rental buildings to tenant-controlled cooperatives, which provide high quality homeownership options that allow low-income residents to build equity in the community. On a broader level, the staff organizes community members in the Union Communal, a membership organization of over 2,600 Washington Heights and Inwood residents who work together to address common housing issues and other collaboratively identified community priorities. LEGAL SERVICES NMIC s Legal Services program provides comprehensive civil legal services through the provision of proactive legal representation and assistance to tenants and tenant associations. Through this comprehensive approach, the program protects community residents from the increasing threats of homelessness, displacement, and substandard living conditions. Clients also receive legal assistance regarding domestic violence, immigration, consumer debt, public benefits, disabilities, and 1

3 environmental justice. In FY2013, 5,993 individuals were served, and the program saved New York State taxpayers over $36.1 million in avoided homeless shelter costs by preventing tenant evictions. The program also established a dedicated Immigration Unit in the past year, and is currently developing a Mental Health Unit in close coordination with NMIC s Social Services program. SOCIAL SERVICES The Social Services program promotes asset building through benefits screening and enrollment, financial counseling, and free tax preparation services; strengthens families by combating domestic violence; prevents homelessness with intensive case management in partnership with our Legal Services program; builds coalitions by working with other community based organizations and institutions; and targets health problems associated with poverty through case management and education about asthma, diabetes, and lead paint poisoning. The Social Services program also participates in advocacy campaigns and efforts that promote social justice and the well being of our families and community. Over 3,000 residents were served in FY2013, generating over $15 million in benefits for the community. WEATHERIZATION NMIC s weatherization assistance program, offering energy conservation services to buildings with high concentrations of low-income residents, is at the cutting edge of green energy technology. The program provides funds for retrofitting buildings to replace energy-inefficient systems with the newest energysaving materials and techniques. Weatherization assistance projects in our community, as well as other parts of Manhattan, have encouraged environmentally-conscious collaborations between tenants, landlords and building owners, and helped significantly reduce energy costs for low-income households while producing jobs and environmental benefits. In FY2013, 8 buildings were served, impacting over 530 households. The program also served 228 clients this year in the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) cooling program. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT NMIC s Workforce Development program targets the needs of young adult and adult job seekers with limited English, literacy, and work experience, in order to improve their skill set and job competitiveness. The training and assistance NMIC provides includes employment-focused case management, job readiness training, industry-specific job training programs, internship development, job search assistance, job placement and retention services, and career advancement services. Over the past year, the program was strengthened by the addition of an industry-recognized certified training and assisted more than 1,300 individuals in taking the next step in their career path. The Position LEADERSHIP In conjunction with the Board of Directors, the Executive Director provides the overall vision, leadership, management and motivation to the organization and is responsible for all aspects of day-to-day operation. The Executive Director clearly articulates the vision for and mission of the organization to ensure staff engagement and allowing them to be connected to NMIC s work, instilling an ethos of continual learning, improvement, accountability and teamwork among all staff members. This includes 2

4 the supervision and evaluation of staff, development of organizational systems and procedures, fundraising, oversight and management of financial and compliance functions and management of all programs. S/he ensures a cohesive work environment and a strong management team with four (4) direct reports: Assistant Executive Director for Programs; Chief Financial Officer; Strategic Development & Operations and Director of Human Resources. As the chief spokesperson, representative and fundraiser for the organization, the Executive Director s external focus includes responsibility for marketing the organization and communicating with its various constituencies and funding sources, other social service organizations. The Executive Director must be able to work effectively with all external stakeholders including NMIC s clients and the general public. Ensuring effective fundraising and program planning processes are in place; the Executive Director will lead the development and implementation of the agency s short and long term strategic planning. In addition s/he develops and maintains relationships with local elected officials, community/government agencies senior and Executive Directors of other agencies, while pursuing opportunities of joint ventures and collaborative support. Overseeing more than 80 staff working across diverse program areas including social and legal services, the Executive Director will lead by example providing inspiration and motivation to ensure the organization is collaborating across departments and upholding the highest standards of professionalism. BOARD RELATIONS Tasked with maintaining a strong relationship with the Board, the Executive Director works with the Board Chair to create an annual work plan and to ensure the Board of Directors is able to fulfill its governance function, facilitating an effective partnership and acting as the key communication liaison between management and the Board. The Executive Director will also foster the productive involvement creating lines of open and direct communication of relevant and critical matters to members, partnering with the Board Chair, to ensure an effective committee structure. Additional responsibilities include participating as an active member of the Board s working committees and in the Board recruitment and training process. The Executive Director leads strategic planning processes, evaluation and development of innovative business models; engaging Board, staff, and external stakeholders as appropriate. FUNDRAISING Strengthen fundraising capability, the Executive Director builds relationships with and increase funding support from a variety for sources, including individual major donors, corporations and foundations. S/he proactively manages government relationships; negotiate contracts (existing and new) with government agencies. Evaluate, recommend to the Board and negotiate potential new public partnerships, capital projects, entrepreneurial ventures and revenue generating opportunities, while identifying future program funding opportunities. 3

5 PROGRAM AND POLICY Assessing and evolving programs, the Executive Director will develop a comprehensive strategy for analyzing program offerings and outcomes, ensuring that programs and services continue to be responsive to the needs of the community. Devise and implement mechanisms to ensure that all NMIC services are best-in-class. The Executive Director oversees the development and maintenance of reporting instruments to document program activities and their effectiveness as well as maintaining/analyzes data of various programs to ensure contract compliance and fiscal responsibility. Developing or expanding programs or services for community health and welfare promotion. FINANCE/ADMINISTRATION Partnering closely with the CFO, the Executive Director will guide and lead the organization s fiscal functions, including preparation of the annual budget, proper allocation of funds to assure achievement of NMIC s mission. The Executive Director will ensure proper fiscal accounting and controls, as well as legal and fiduciary compliance, and must prudently manage organizational resources within budget guidelines according to current laws and regulations. In the area of human resources management function, including recruitment, hiring, training, retention strategies, and terminations, the Executive Director is expected to develop and maintain an effective staffing plan to meet operational and programmatic needs, as well as to manage the human resources of the organization according to policies and procedures approved by the Board of Directors. In addition, the Executive Director will maintain a climate and culture within the agency, which attracts, motivates, and retains top quality staff, and Board of Directors. Professional Requirements Master's degree in human service, public and/or business administration with 7 to 10 years progressive responsibility, including program development, management and administration. Knowledge of and experience with government and public funding. Experience managing multiple funding sources and annual budgets in excess of $5 million. Ability to direct senior management staff and experience working with diverse populations. Bilingual skills in Spanish/English is a plus but not required. Organizational management experience including staff supervision, board development, coalition building, program development, and strategic planning are essential skills. Demonstrated experience is required in fundraising, including government grants, corporate/foundation giving, major gifts, planned giving, campaigns and events. Understanding of grant-making and contracting processes and concepts of responsive philanthropy, and ability to effectively relate to the grant-seeking community is essential. Personal Characteristics NMIC is seeking a highly organized individual with strong leadership and organization management skills. Energy, dynamism and the ability to inspire are necessary for success. The candidate must be a strategic, innovative and proactive thinker with the ability to maintain the organization s position as a leader in the community. It is critically important that the Executive Director have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work with a variety of constituencies including leaders from its private and public funding sources. In addition to high emotional intelligence, the Executive Director 4

6 should possess the managerial expertise necessary to coordinate the activities of a complex community service organization. Other characteristics include: Committed to and enthusiastic about the mission and programs of NMIC, with an appreciation for the complex issues facing the Washington Heights/Inwood community. Creative and resourceful, with the ability to envision the organization from a broad perspective and partnering with the Board, map out its future growth. A deep understanding of poverty and its insidious impact on communities A seasoned professional who is strategic, fiscally aware and politically astute. A well-organized, with exceptional attention to detail and follow through. An effective verbal and written communicator, with proven public speaking skills. Able to sell programs, express ideas, motivate people and direct an organization toward common goals. A confident, intelligent and articulate self-starter and finisher, who is creative and entrepreneurial, yet collaborative and team-oriented, with an ability to delegate effectively and provide effective and supportive supervision. Highly energetic, flexible and able to juggle multiple priorities. Emotionally mature, with a sense of humor Skilled listener and problem solver who excels in building consensus, culling visionary strategy, harnessing creativity, and building social movements; Credibility and gravitas to propel public policy, fund raising, and system-development goals; The highest professional standards of integrity, humility, honesty, and kindness. NMIC IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively encourages candidates of diverse backgrounds (men and women) to apply for employment. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements in terms of qualifications. An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered unless specifically stated otherwise. Please submit a brief cover letter and résumé as attachments via to: Soladé Rowe, Partner WBB +McCormack 1399 Franklin Avenue, Suite 201 Garden City, NY Phone: resume@wbbusa.com All inquiries or referrals will be held in strict confidence. Please note that your education, dates of employment, compensation and other information provided will be verified prior to employment. WBB+McCormack work only with equal opportunity employers. 5