Posted on February 26, 2013

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Executive Director

BronxWorks is a settlement house with a mission to help individuals and families improve their economic and social well-being. From toddlers to seniors, BronxWorks feeds, shelters, teaches, and supports its neighbors to build a stronger community.

Founded in 1972 as part of the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies and later by the Community Council of Greater New York, BronxWorks became an independent organization in 1985. In 1991, the organization became a member of United Neighborhood Houses and in 2009 the organization's name was changed from Citizens Advice Bureau to BronxWorks to more accurately reflect the organization's purpose, commitment to the borough, and positive feelings about the Bronx.

Since its inception, BronxWorks has played an important role in the lives of the people in the South Bronx. In the 1980's, the organization addressed severe housing and income issues, homelessness, and later AIDS. Children and youth programs were added in the 1990's, with a further program expansion following the Welfare Reform Act in 1995 to include workforce development, and programs to help low-income individuals adjust to welfare reform. With the changing demographics of the Bronx, BronxWorks developed a range of services and programs for new immigrants. Over the last 10 years, there has been a strategic expansion of programs in many of these areas, most notably homeless and workforce development services as well as children's programs.

Recently, BronxWorks' Executive Director announced her retirement after leading the organization for 34 years. The Board is leading a search to find a successor capable of running and expanding a diverse, complicated organization with a $36 million operating budget serving over 35,000 Bronx residents each year while leading and managing a staff of over 450 full and 100 part-time professionals.

The Position:

BronxWorks is seeking a dynamic and dedicated individual to be its next Executive Director. Reporting to a Board of Directors, the ED will be a leader who will provide visionary leadership in concert with a passion for the mission and advocate successfully on behalf of the organization and its constituents in the public and private sectors. He or she will have experience in a top management role in organizations such as, but not limited to, community-based human service programs, youth services, educational programs, workforce development, supportive housing and/or other social service disciplines, and must demonstrate significant accomplishments and past successes. In addition, he or she must possess strong fiscal management skills along with a proven fund-raising track record.

The Board seeks an entrepreneur capable of formulating, in concert with the Board of Directors and the staff, a strategic plan in keeping with the finances of the organization. He or she will possess excellent negotiation and communication skills and be able to foster a collaborative culture clearly aligned behind the organization's mission. He or she must be able to work closely with the Board and staff to promote an open, inclusive environment that emphasizes cooperation and teamwork with a minimum of ego. "Fit" within a broader organization with a strong brand and culture is essential. In addition, he or she will be bright, diplomatic, analytical, of the highest integrity, and possess sound judgment as well as a sense of humor.

He or she will demonstrate a commitment to the Bronx and understand and be a part of the BronxWorks community. He or she will have either developed successful communities and/or integrated successfully into established communities.

Position Responsibilities:

Manage BronxWorks toward ambitious goals

• Work with the Board of Directors to develop, communicate, and sustain a clear vision, mission and strategy for the organization and develop internal policy and budgets.
• Partner with the Board, with input from the staff, to set annual goals that are in line with the approved strategic plan.

Ensure programmatic excellence

• Keep BronxWorks at the forefront of delivering services and, where appropriate, extend the organization's reach into new programs and communities to address emerging needs in the Bronx.
• Ensure the provision of high-quality services in compliance with funding source requirements (City, State, and Federal); interact with government agencies on a regular basis, particularly regarding community needs, contract negotiations and management.
• Review and evaluate the effectiveness of program activities and, when necessary, recommend which existing programs no longer meet quality or social investment objectives.

Elevate BronxWorks’ profile

• Promote BronxWorks' visibility by having a current knowledge of social service policies on all levels of government and managing an effective advocacy program.
• Develop and leverage an ongoing communication and public relations strategy.
• Serve as the chief spokesperson and program leader of BronxWorks in the community-at-large with key figures in the government, leaders in the corporate, philanthropic, and not-for-profit sectors. Work in concert with key members of the organization's staff to communicate effectively at the local level.

Ensure superior fiscal management

• Oversee financial management of the organization, including the development of the annual budget for presentation to the Board of Directors.
• Develop financial strategies in an increasingly competitive and ever-changing landscape.

Build, manage, and lead a team

• Lead the overall operation of BronxWorks, including recruitment, retention, motivation and compensation of staff with a wide range of competencies and qualifications.
• Take overall responsibility for the leadership of staff in the development and implementation of short and long range plans, policies and other activities which lead to the achievement of BronxWorks' mission.

Engage and cultivate stakeholders

• Take an active leadership role in development activities of the agency.
• Oversee and work with the development team to maintain and create additional support from foundations, individual donors and corporate funders.
• Offer guidance on financial development strategies and oversee fundraising proposals to corporations, foundations, individuals, and government entities.

Qualifications

• MSW, MPA, JD or other graduate degree in a relevant field
• Previous Executive Director experience preferred
• At least 10 years of increasingly responsible executive experience in a large community, governmental, and/or policy/advocacy, non-profit or a similarly diverse organization
• Experience in operations and sound management of the finances of a non-profit organization or an organization of similar capacity and complexity
• Proven ability to set an inspiring and galvanizing vision
• Experience in building and mentoring a high performance management team in a complex organization with demonstrable skill in developing strong teams, collaborations and partnerships

Skills

• Entrepreneurial, innovative, flexible. A visionary leader, strategic thinker and problem solver; able to respond to issues quickly and effectively
• Keen sense of priorities
• Strong communicator; presents information in a concise and compelling manner to external and internal stakeholders
• Understands how to build and integrate into both internal and stakeholder community
• Understands contract administration and negotiation
• Knows how to build interest, sponsorship and financial support

For more information about BronxWorks, please visit their website at www.bronxworks.org

Application Instructions

BronxWorks has retained the services of Harris Rand Lusk to conduct this search. Inquiries, nominations, and applications may be directed in confidence to: