Posted on November 25, 2012

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Executive Director

Be a part of something special! Somerset Home for Temporarily Displaced Children is seeking an Executive Director to provide strategic, executive leadership to our agency. Founded in 1970 and located in central New Jersey, Somerset Home has a proud, successful history of living its mission to provide abused, neglected and homeless youth ages 13-26 with housing, a stable environment and supportive services. Last year Somerset Home provided services to over 300 youth through our unique age- and need-appropriate programs, exemplifying our guiding principles of valuing and empowering youth and fostering positive youth development. Somerset Home helps guide our youth through difficult family situations toward becoming contributing members of society.

Position Summary

The Executive Director is responsible to Somerset Home’s Board of Trustees for providing strategic and executive leadership to the organization in alignment with the agency’s mission, guiding principles, strategies, by-laws, policies and procedures. The Executive Director develops and maintains relationships with other social service and government agencies at the local, state and federal levels. He/she is responsible for the general health and welfare of the organization and its employees, and the delivery of quality services to the youth served.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The Executive Director is a non-voting member of the Board of Trustees and ex-officio on all board committees, working with the Executive Committee to implement the agency’s strategic plan. He/she is responsible for the fiscal management and overall administration and operation of the agency within board-approved budget, policies and regulations. The Executive Director must be able to lead the development, implementation, continuation and evaluation of service programs, ensuring compliance with the provisions of all standards for programs as well as local, state and federal codes. He/she will assure the quality of programs and services provided, and maintain accreditation with independent accrediting bodies. He/she will accomplish these responsibilities utilizing a demonstrated ability to recruit, retain, motivate and mentor a skilled leadership team, staff and volunteers.

The Executive Director must be able to represent the agency in the youth services community and advocate for the needs of the agency’s youth served and target population. The Executive Director will be proactive in supporting appropriate legislation at the local, state and federal level, including but not limited to the NJ Department of Children and Families and US Department of Housing and Urban Development.

He/she will assure the development of public relations, publications and fundraising programs for the agency. He/she will focus on the development of resources in the public, private, government and foundation sectors to ensure the financial viability and ability of the agency to provide services.

Competencies

• The successful Executive Director candidate will demonstrate the skills needed to communicate effectively, orally and in writing. He/she must possess leadership and decision-making competence and have the self-confidence, adaptability and ability to exercise sound supervisory principles. The Executive Director should possess the ability to engage and develop staff, creating an organization that can quickly and readily adapt to change—both anticipated or unforeseen. The agency must be willing and ready to change and grow at all times.
• The agency’s Executive Director must possess a high degree of business acumen and knowledge of sound fiscal procedures and management. The Executive Director is responsible for implementation and maintenance of the agency’s financial practices and controls, and is charged with oversight of the fiscal management of the agency.
• The Executive Director must demonstrate effective fundraising skills and have the ability to develop community connections and partnerships. He/she will have knowledge of, experience with and competence in dealing with local, state and federal agencies associated with child welfare.
• We are looking for an experienced practitioner in the delivery of direct services, who is passionate and committed to child welfare advocacy

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Human Services or related field; Master’s degree required. LSW, LCSW or other applicable state certification or licensed professional certification a plus.
• Proven executive experience is required. We are looking for a track record of strategic leadership and supervisory, financial and administrative management. Candidates should have a minimum 7 years relevant professional experience with at least 5 years in a senior management position, preferably with a social services agency.

EOE

Somerset Home is an equal opportunity employer. We value the strength provided by a diversity of background and perspective.

Application Instructions

To Apply

Email cover letter and resume to boardmail@somersethome.org