Position Guide
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POSITION: Executive Director
ORGANIZATION: AIDS Care Service, Inc.
LOCATION: Winston-Salem, NC
REPORTS TO: Board of Trustees
AIDS Care Service, Inc.
MISSION
The mission of AIDS Care Service, Inc. is to help our brothers and sisters living with HIV disease improve their quality of life.
BACKGROUND
AIDS Care Service (ACS) was founded in 1991 as a grassroots endeavor to help those living with HIV disease in and around Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Formal operations began in 1994 with the opening of two programs, an adult day care program (“Day Activities”) and a Housing Program. Both programs were based in a former apartment house in the Holly Avenue neighborhood of Winston-Salem, immediately adjacent to downtown. The Day Activities program provides a daytime home for HIV+ adults at risk for isolation and depression and helps create a network of mutual support. The Housing Program provides a temporary shelter, long-term housing placement, emergency housing grants, referrals and administrative support for homeless and potentially homeless persons living with HIV disease.
In 1997, ACS initiated an Outreach Program to provide home and hospital visits and support to those living with HIV. The Outreach Coordinator and a group of dedicated volunteers offer material and psychological support as well as referrals to community resources. In 1998, ACS met one of the long-term objectives of the founding Board of Trustees, and designed, constructed and opened a $500,000 family care home to provide around-the-clock care and support for the seriously ill. Designed as the final home for many living with AIDS, instead “Holly Haven” has become for many a stop on the road to regaining self-sufficiency. With intensive holistic care, a number of individuals with terminal diagnoses have regained their health to the point where they can return to independent living.
As a result of the changing demographics of the disease in our community, in 2002 ACS began a Latino Outreach Program to meet the unique needs of Latinos living with HIV disease. The program, in addition to helping overcome linguistic and cultural barriers, helps to educate the infected about their disease, coordinates access to medical care and social services, and helps HIV+ Latinos overcome the often-imposing institutional infrastructure of local government. As an extension of this endeavor, in 2004 ACS launched the AMiGOS Program. Its mission is to recruit leaders in the Latino community and train them as lay health educators who disseminate AIDS prevention messages. In addition, in 2004 ACS took over the Food Pantry previously administered by a sister agency whose doors have closed. The changeover was seamless, without any missed meals. The Pantry continues to operate with many of the same mechanisms of supports and volunteers.
Today, ACS is the only not-for-profit AIDS service organization (ASO) based in Forsyth County. ACS enjoys a collaborative working relationship with a variety of other local groups. The agency, through a combination of support from private donors, foundations and federal, state and local government, now has an annual operating budget in excess of $800,000. With a staff of 20 working at 5 sites, ACS oversees more then $1,000,000 in assets. Although the agency has grown remarkably from the vision of the founding trustees, it continues to strive to identify new ways in which it can assist the community in helping to deal with the devastating social, psychological, economic and health consequences of HIV disease.
AREA INFORMATION
Winston-Salem is a bustling community located in the heart of west-central North Carolina. According to the 2000 census, there are over 300,000 people living in Forsyth County with over half of those in the city limits itself. The community is considered a part of the Piedmont Triad metropolitan area, encompassing the cities of Greensboro and High Point and being the home for over 1,000,000 people. Earlier this year, Winston-Salem was proud to be named to the list of “America’s Most Livable Communities”. Members are chosen for taking novel approaches to economic development, using such assets as arts and cultural resources, creative financing strategies and collaborative leadership to renew their downtowns and develop their economies in the global arena. These livable communities promote a strong quality of life, economic development and social equality. Currently, major employers include manufacturing, healthcare, biotechnology and transportation. The cultural scene includes events such as music and film festivals, opera and theatre. Winston-Salem is proud to be the home to a number of exceptional institutions of higher learning, including Winston-Salem State University, North Carolina School of the Arts, Salem College, Forsyth Technical Community College and Wake Forest University.
THE POSITION:
Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the Executive Director of AIDS Care Service will provide leadership of the agency in regards to its philosophy, mission, vision and structure and give direction to the daily operations including the formation of its annual objectives and goals. The Executive Director will develop strategies designed to promote the mission of ACS, including evaluating the ever-changing needs of HIV+ individuals, increasing community involvement and enhancing agency identity, identifying and garnering sources of revenue and creating cost effective operating procedures. The Executive Director is responsible for developing and managing the annual budget, and administering agency policies and procedures necessary to the efficient functioning of the agency. The Executive Director will oversee a staff of approximately twenty.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Develop and manage the agency’s strategic plan including long and short-term goals and action items. Ensure and oversee the preparation of reports, agency records and other documentation as requested, which represent the progress, and status of these plans and activities.
2. Establish an annual income development plan with strategies and attainable goals in order to ensure the stability and growth of the agency. Research, evaluate and cultivate resources, including individual donors, foundations and corporations in order to maintain and expand the agency’s activities. Source, identify and obtain grant opportunities and government funding for agency specific clientele. Serve as primary spokesperson to promote understanding of the ACS mission and presence in Forsyth County.
3. Serves as a liaison to the Board of Trustees, providing leadership and support in building and implementing their annual plans and ensuring the ongoing development of a strong board; motivate and manage the board’s fundraising opportunities to realize their maximum potential.
4. Draft and oversee the annual budget for the agency in conjunction with the finance committee; administer the agency’s accounting practices, maintain its fiscal policies and prepare its financial reports. Appraise operating results in terms of cost, budget constraints, operating policies, trends and increased income opportunities.
5. Provide leadership, direction, management and training for agency staff in the development and implementation of organizational plans. Oversee the efficient and effective operation of the staff and ACS facilities, insuring that all policies and procedures are in accordance with those established by ACS.
6. Implement the process for all contracts, purchases and banking activities in accordance with operational policies and practices.
7. Perform other related duties as assigned by the Board of Trustees or designee(s).
THE PROFILE:
We seek an accomplished leader whose exceptional interpersonal skills and leadership have been demonstrated throughout the candidate’s career and/or notable community involvement. The leader must be capable of conveying a high degree of commitment and passion for the mission of AIDS Care Service and must be able to communicate effectively in a variety of environments. A background in fund development is highly desirable. In addition, having a significant understanding of cultivating individual, corporate, foundation and governmental sources of support, as well as new and special events, is also necessary. The successful candidate should have a significant track record working closely with all levels of donors, key constituents, volunteers and other stakeholders in complex organizational venues. Qualified candidates may come from the nonprofit, corporate, civic or public sectors.
This leader is a competitive, intelligent, independent thinker and a creative problem-solver whose senior-level management experience in addressing organizational challenges has been characterized by a participatory and open style of communication and collaboration. This person should demonstrate a highly effective, team-focused management approach to staff development, operations and administration. The ability to create and lead a positive, high-energy culture is essential to generate enthusiasm and excitement for all agency events and occasions. Prior experience in developing and leading a strategic planning process and development plan is highly desirable, as is a proven track record in the administration of a nonprofit organization or for-profit enterprise.
We seek an energetic ambassador of goodwill whose accomplishments in previous assignments are well regarded and whose credibility in these endeavors is unquestioned. This person should demonstrate a positive attitude to change, yet have the appreciation of continuity; an ability to articulate a sense of urgency and passion about issues, yet set a tone of inclusiveness among affected constituents; an ability to relate effectively to volunteers, corporate leaders, medical leaders and other constituents with diplomacy, humor and effectiveness. This person should be highly interested in all varieties of clientele affected by this disease, particularly those community groups and populations in greatest need of programs and services. Finally, this candidate must engage the local philanthropic community in an effort to identify potential donors to AIDS Care Service.
A Bachelor’s Degree is required. The candidate should also have advanced successful experience as senior leader within a non-profit or for-profit, civic or public, organization. For more information, nominations or application inquires, please contact:
Executive Search Committee
AIDS Care Service, Inc.
PO Box 21373
Winston-Salem, NC 27120
Phone: 336-722-6494; FAX 336-725-8142
E-mail: fowlerconsult@triad.rr.com
Closing Date for applications: February 11, 2005
Interviews completed: April 15, 2005
Position filled: May 1, 2005
Start Date of position: July 1, 2005