OVERVIEW
The Cornelia de Lange Syndrome (CdLS) Foundation (Foundation)is a national nonprofit, family support organization based in Avon, Connecticut, that exists to ensure early and accurate diagnosis of CdLS, promote research into the causes and manifestations of the syndrome, and help people with a diagnosis of CdLS, others with similar characteristics, and their families and supporters, make informed decisions throughout their lives.
With a staff of 9, a $900,000 annual budget and a 20-member Board with a strategic and development focus, the Foundation serves over 2,600 individuals and their families, and continually responds to the 1 in 10,000 who are born in the U.S. with the syndrome.
More information about CdLS can be found at: www.cdlsusa.org
CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES
The Foundation Board is intent on maximizing the potential of this Executive Director transition, and doing all that it can to foster extraordinary leadership.
A healthy and well-managed organization is already in place. Since its founding in 1981, the Foundation has benefited from effective leadership and a thoughtful transition among three Executive Directors, each of whom has brought a strategy fitted to the developing needs of the organization. The Foundation has been particularly effective in building a strong staff and organizational culture. This legacy includes a deeply felt and skilled commitment to serving CdLS families, a strong sense of teamwork and mutual support and an engaged Board, which is ready to support a strong Executive Director, respect clear staff/Board boundaries, enthusiastically support family service and contribute to fund raising and development activities.
While celebrating the strength of the Foundation, Board and staff agree there are critical challenges and opportunities awaiting the next Executive Director. We anticipate having a candid and mutual dialogue with our top candidates in which we will invite an analysis of how to build on these ideas, and how the new Executive Director will work with the Board and staff to bring about positive change and growth.
Family support is at the heart of the Foundation’s culture and purpose, as revealed in the caring disposition of the Executive Director and the dedicated work of the support staff and volunteers.
While the Foundation has sound finances, there is both a need and opportunity for the Executive Director to broaden and diversify support, while also advancing currently effective fund raising activities. In particular, the Foundation needs to build fruitful relationships with corporate sponsors and grant making institutions, and to nurture relationships with friends, patrons, and major donors.
The Foundation has built an effective network of medical providers, educators and researchers, but there is room to grow these networks and extend their reach and impact.
Advances in research and treatment show potential to alleviate the effects of this syndrome. The Foundation has a vital role to further advance knowledge and awareness and to connect innovators, providers, advocates and families.
While the Foundation is focused on the United States, it is also viewed as the global leader in this field. Finding ways to continue to support this movement, while concentrating on our work in the United States, will be a feature of this role.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITY
The Executive Director will report to the Board of Directors, and will have overall responsibility for the planning, implementation, administration and management of all Foundation programs, services and systems. S/he will serve as an advisor to the Board on all organization matters, and can expect the active involvement and support of its members.
The Executive Director will be the spokesperson for the Foundation in a wide and highly visible range of situations where s/he will be expected to provide confidence-inspiring leadership, mobilize broad based support, and identify and act on opportunities for the growth and funding of the organization’s mission.
Fundraising, institutional strategy and forming external relationships to bolster the Foundation’s growth will be central to this role.
The Executive Director is accountable to the Board for assuring that the Foundation’s activities achieve the organization’s performance and outcome goals. In addition to direct services, if successfully accomplished, the Executive Director and the Foundation will be able to influence education, innovation, health care, family service and public policy at the root level.
The Executive Director, with the management team, is accountable for the fiscal health of the organization. S/he oversees the Foundation’s operating budget, maintains fiscal control over expenditures and works with the management team to develop plans to anticipate shifts in programs and funding throughout the year. S/he provides leadership in identifying potential sources of support for its operations and development.
The Executive Director must be diligent in sustaining the Foundation’s commitment to team building and organizational development, assuring that all parts of the organization are working toward the same goals.
QUALIFICATIONS
The Foundation is seeking an Executive Director who has an unswerving commitment to service and innovation, who will inspire broad-based, deeply felt commitment to the advancement of the Foundation’s mission. The Executive Director will be a leader with extraordinary vision who is able to realize that vision through a rich interaction with families, the Board, staff, supporters, volunteers and those who are served by the organization. The Executive Director must have a value set consistent with a culture that is based upon respect, collaboration, high ethical standards and a passion to make a difference.
The Executive Director must have the skills to assure that the Foundation’s programs are responsive to the dynamic, changing needs of those it serves, and that the methods and resources employed reflect best practices. The ideal candidate will have experience in fund raising, communication and advocacy and in working with membership and service organizations. Ten years experience in a senior leadership role, or its equivalent, is preferred. A successful track record in effective organizational leadership and management is critical. An advanced degree in development, management, public policy, social work or other related disciplines is preferred.
Specific skills and commitments required of the Foundation’s Executive Director include:
Fundraising: Skilled as a fundraiser and capable and comfortable in the role of lead fundraiser for the organization. Some travel, principally in the U.S. will be required.
Leadership: Commands respect for his or her character and accomplishments. Is well connected and has extensive experience working with service, policymaking and grant making institutions and leaders. Can inspire others and engage in collaborative leadership.
Vision: Has a clear vision for advancing opportunities for the Foundation and for using the resources of the Board, staff, volunteers, funders, policymakers, families and the media to realize this vision.
Management Skills: Possesses a proven track record managing staff, finances and a complex organization in a manner that is progressive, fair and consistent. Experienced in program development and implementation and skilled at building and growing an organization.
Communication Skills: Demonstrates superior verbal and written communication skills and is capable of serving as the primary spokesperson for the organization, while directing and inspiring Board leaders, program directors and volunteers to effectively represent the organization in their areas of expertise. Familiarity with the role of contemporary social media is a plus.
Interpersonal Skills: Is well grounded in techniques and skills of listening, providing feedback, catalyzing learning and creative activity, promoting respect, and setting limits.
Knowledge/Understanding: Has a sophisticated understanding of the health, political, business, social, technological and educational issues confronting contemporary society in the United States and worldwide. Conversant in national and international current events, and able to digest medical, treatment and public policy-based information for communication to constituents, policy makers and the public.
Organizational Skills: Is creative and imaginative. Has a proven ability to attract outstanding and diverse talent. Is resilient, decisive, and has the ability to stick to a plan and lead it through to completion. Is skilled in appropriately assigning responsibility and authority.
Diversity: Embraces diversity of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, age, and sexual orientation; and has a demonstrated track record of developing and reinforcing diversity in the workplace.
Application
The Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. All candidates will be evaluated on a merit basis. Compensation and bonus incentives are negotiable, depending on qualifications and experience.
Resumes and a cover letter may be submitted, in confidence, to:
Ford Webb Associates
60 Thoreau Street
Concord, MA 01742
Or
10/28/15