Executive Director

Job Objective

1. The Executive Director is responsible for the successful leadership and management of the organization according to the strategic direction set by the Board of Trustees.
2. Provision of overall management and leadership by implementing board policy consistent with the mission and goals of The Sight Center of Northwest Ohio.

The Executive Director reports to the Board of Trustees of The Sight Center of Northwest Ohio. This person attends all Board meetings and meetings of the Executive Committee of the Board. The Executive Director will supervise all full time and part time employees.

The Executive Director represents The Sight Center in public and private meetings and acts as its chief advocate and spokesperson on a local and national basis.

Working relationships with:

• Board and Staff
• Executive Committee
• Funders (institutional and individual)
• Community Associations and National Organizations
• Governmental Entities (city, county, federal)

The Executive Director is responsible for the following areas:

1. 1. Strategic and Operational Planning
   2. Oversight of efficient and effective day to day operations for the agency
   3. Ensure HR compliance and provide oversight for all employee development, performance and engagement
   4. Responsible for all financial management of the agency
   5. Develop, maintain and revise all policies and procedures
   6. Responsible for fund development, lead fund raising strategy and set annual and long-range plans
   7. Community relations, partnership development and donor cultivation

Key Job Responsibilities and Essential Duties

Strategic and Operational Planning

• Participate with the Board of Directors in developing a vision and strategic plan to guide the organization
• Oversee the planning, implementation and evaluation of the organization’s programs, special projects and services to ensure they reflect the mission and priorities of the Board
• Develop an operational plan which incorporates goals and objectives that work towards the strategic direction of the organization

Day to Day Operations

• Identify, assess, and inform the Board of Directors of internal and external issues and activities that affect the organization
• Foster effective team work between the Board and the Executive Director and between the Executive Director and staff
• Conduct official correspondence on behalf of the Board as appropriate and jointly with the Board when appropriate
• Ensure that the operation of the organization meets the expectations of its clients, Board and Donors
• Provide support to the Board by preparing meeting agenda and supporting materials
• Identify and evaluate the risks to the organization’s people (clients, staff, management, volunteers), property, finances, goodwill, and image and implement measures to control risks, including adequate insurance coverage

Human Resources Planning and Management

• Determine staffing requirements for organizational management and program delivery
• Oversee the implementation of the human resources policies, procedures and practices including the development of job descriptions for all employees
• Establish a positive, healthy and safe work environment in accordance with all appropriate legislation and regulations
• Recruit, interview and select employees that have the right technical and personal abilities to help further the organization’s mission
• Ensure that all employees receive an orientation to the organization and that appropriate and ongoing training is provided
• Implement a performance management process which includes monitoring the performance of employees on an on-going basis and conducting an annual performance review
• Coach and mentor employees to maximize their performance and contribution
• Discipline and release employees when necessary and according to policy

Financial Planning and Management

• Work with staff and the Board (Finance Committee) to prepare a comprehensive budget
• Approve expenditures within the authority delegated by the Board
• Ensure that sound bookkeeping and accounting procedures are followed
• Administer the funds of the organization according to the approved budget and monitor the monthly cash flow of the organization
• Provide the Board with comprehensive, regular reports on the revenues and expenditure of the organization
• Ensure that the organization complies with all legislation covering taxation and withholding payments

Policies and Procedures

 Draft policies for the approval of the Board and prepare procedures to implement the organizational policies

• Review existing policies on an annual basis and recommend changes to the Board as appropriate

Fund Development & Revenue Generation

 Set the strategic direction for fund development and revenue generation

• Oversee the development of fundraising plans and work with the Board and fundraising staff to secure adequate funding for the operation of the organization

Create a strong fundraising plan with the help of the board and fundraising staff in order to develop a strong program that services the agency.  The executive director will ensure that:

• Fundraising programs are carried out with high ethical standards
• There are clear policies in regard to fundraising activities
• Funds are being accepted and used responsibly through communication with individual contributors and contributing organizations
• All board members have made a financial contribution
• Fundraising strategies benefit and complement the mission and vision of the agency
• Donors are kept happy and are regularly informed about the organization
• Employees have the opportunity to engage in fundraising efforts

Community Relations, Partnership Development and Donor Cultivation

• Communicate with stakeholders to keep them informed of the work of the organization and to identify changes in the community served by the organization
• Establish good working relationships and collaborative arrangements with community groups, donors, politicians, and other organizations to help achieve the goals of the organization
• Direct efforts designed to secure contributed resources in support of The Sight Center programs, such as gifts, grants, bequests, memorial contributions, or specialized commitments such as trusts or annuities
• Represent The Sight Center before national, state and local legislative bodies affecting policy toward blind or visually impaired individuals
• Represent the organization at community activities to enhance the organization’s community profile
• Serve as primary contact with affiliated organizations serving blind and visually impaired constituencies.
• Clearly convey information and ideas though a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the message

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Adaptability: Demonstrates a willingness to be flexible, versatile and/or tolerant in a changing work environment while maintaining effectiveness and efficiency.
• Builds Relationships: Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with others, both internally and externally, to achieve the goals of the organization.
• Communications: Communicates well both verbally and in writing. Delivers clear, concise information.  Shares information and ideas with others.  Communicates proactively.
• Creativity/Innovation: Develops new and unique ways to improve operations of the organization and to create new opportunities.
• Customer Focus: Is dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers.  Acts with the customer in mind.  Is committed to increasing customer satisfaction.  Assumes responsibility for solving customer problems and ensures commitments to customers are met.
• Builds Effective Teams: Works cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness.
• Initiative and Leadership: Shows initiative, tackles problems and takes independent action.  Seeks out new responsibilities, acts on opportunities, generates new ideas and practices self-development.
• Decision Making: Makes good decisions (without considering how much time it takes) based upon a mixture of analysis, wisdom, experience and judgment.
• Organization: Set priorities, develop a work schedule, monitor progress towards goals, and track details, data, information and activities for the agency.
• Planning: Determine strategies to move the organization forward, set goals, create and implement actions plans, and evaluate the process and results.
• Strategic Agility: Assesses options and actions based on trends and conditions in the environment, and the vision and values of the organization.
• Executive Disposition: Conveys an image that is consistent with the organization’s values: demonstrating the qualities, traits, and demeanor (including intelligence, competence or special talents) that command leadership and respect
• Building Trust & Operating with Integrity: Interacts with others in a way that gives them confidence in one’s intentions and those of the organization.
• Influencing Others:  Uses appropriate interpersonal styles and techniques to gain acceptance of ideas or plans; modifying one’s own behavior to accommodate tasks, situations, and individuals involved.

Education, Experience and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent required
• Advanced degree in appropriate field to assist in programs and services for the blind and visually impaired, or equivalent desired
• Executive Director should have strong administrative experience in either running a for-profit business, a non-profit agency, or a governmental subdivision, background and experience in a blind and visually impaired agency a plus
• Executive Director should believe in independent living for the blind and visually impaired and in specialized education for all persons who are blind and visually impaired
• Executive management (5+ years as the top executive or second person in charge in a similar organization
• Fiscal background (demonstrated track record of success in creative and strong budget management)
• Fundraising (significant experience in creative fundraising including major events, direct donor solicitation, direct mail, estate planning, corporate contributions, grants)
• Business management experience (strong background in managing a complex $1+ million budget operation)
• Strategic and operational planning (has successfully led board and staff in short- and long-range planning and implemented those plans)
• Board development (extensive background in working effectively with volunteer Board of Trustees; has successfully cultivated active Board members)
• Policy and procedure development (has worked with Board and staff in developing agency policies and procedures)
• Knowledge of visual impairment (experience and knowledge of organizations at the local, state, regional and national levels which focus on service to visually impaired/blind constituents; has a personal level of knowledge of the dynamics of blindness and visual impairment)
• Proficient in Microsoft applications, embraces technology and social media for enhancing agency performance

Please send resume to [email protected].