Background
Due to continued expansion of programs and services and to position the organization for future growth, the Cooperative for Human Services Inc. (CHS) is seeking a Vice President of Programs and Services.
The mission of CHS is committed to protecting, expanding, and promoting the rights and dignity of all people with disabilities and to empower, support, and expand the knowledge, skills, and the capacities of the people served to direct and live full and meaningful lives.
Based in Lexington, MA, CHS was founded over forty years ago in response to the needs of adults with intellectual, cognitive, and other related developmental disabilities. CHS has an operating budget of nearly 31 million dollars and employs at least 500 individuals across the multiple services provided. CHS also provides Guardianship services to individuals throughout Massachusetts.
The organization makes lifelong commitments to the individuals served regardless of health, medical or behavioral challenges. Services are built around the individual’s needs and personal goals for the future.
CHS offers an array of services, including:
- Residential Services
- Individual Support Services
- Shared Living Services
- Acquired Brain Injury Services.
- Guardianship Services
- Social & Leisure Day Services
Based eight miles northwest of Boston, Lexington and the surrounding communities represent highly desirable places to locate within the region. The area is home to a broad range of business types, and some of the largest employers including high tech businesses in biotechnology, defense research, educational, and software fields.
High-quality public schools provide attraction for residents who settle in Lexington and the surrounding communities. In addition, the region strongly values arts and culture, and this is best demonstrated by the range of cultural organizations that flourish in the area.
Position Responsibilities
Vision & Strategy Inspiring Leadership
The successful candidate will demonstrate a deep commitment to protecting, expanding, and promoting the rights and dignity of all people with disabilities and provide effective and thoughtful leadership by building strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels of the organization, including individuals, families, with a strong focus on siblings, community partners, volunteers, and the Commonwealth’s entities while continually reinforcing CHS’ mission, vision and values.
Strategic Vision
Contribute to developing the vision while providing motivation and accountability in the implementation of the organization’s strategic plan. Provide strategies, with assistance around programmatic needs, staffing, training, infrastructure, and system needs that will help the organization carry out its mission with a focus on continual quality improvement.
Program Oversight and Operations
Work in collaboration with the President / CEO, Operations Director, Chief Financial Officer, Clinical Director, and Direct Reports to strengthen programmatic policies, processes, and infrastructure. Through effective communication, the successful candidate will assist in creating clear program goals and drive those goals to completion, as well as lead the organization through its Licensing and Certification process with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Developmental Services.
Program Impact & Evaluation
Evaluate programs based on data collection and analysis to strengthen program service quality, identify trends and organizational gaps, and develop plans that address those needs. Work closely with the Chief Financial Officer in developing the annual programmatic budget. Communicate requirements and processes at all levels to ensure accountability.
External Relations Development
Assist with strengthening and developing programmatic, and stakeholder partnerships including families, with a focus on siblings, which will enhance programs and deepen ties to their communities. Other roles include relationship development within the Department of Developmental Services professional associations, non-profit peer groups as well as current and potential donor bases.
Direct Reports
The following functional areas will report directly to the Vice President:
Director of Residential Services, Director of Program Management & Staff Development, Director of Human Resources, Directors of Individual Support Services and Director of Social & Leisure Day Services.
Employee Relations
Value and appreciate the diversity of the organization’s workforce, as well as build and expand policies and practices which support these values. Maintain the agency’s representation with Service Employee International Union (SEIU) and assist with strategic approaches to contract management. Develop strategies for successful outcomes ahead of union grievances, negotiations, and bargaining.
Other Responsibilities
Remain informed of best practices regarding administration, programmatic, organizational culture, and capacity building. Remain informed of requirements imposed by Federal and State regulators.
Qualifications
To perform this new and critical position successfully, the Vice President of Programs and Services must be able to fulfill all the elements of the job description to the highest standard and be able to work well with colleagues in a high energy and collaborative work environment. All employees are expected to contribute to ongoing growth and improvement in their departments via excellence in job performance and proactive communication. Each employee and department are integral to the CHS mission.
- Seasoned nonprofit professional with a minimum of 15 years’ experience in a similar position.
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university required. Master’s degree strongly preferred.
- Possess a strong commitment to working with people with disabilities and an innate desire to provide flexible and supportive services throughout the community. Proven track record of effectively leading a direct service organization, with a complex array of programs, the ability to leverage staff strengths across program areas.
- Strong management and decision-making skills including the ability to influence, engage, motivate, and lead others to new levels of effectiveness and programmatic impact.
- Strong emotional intelligence with the ability to coach, mentor, relate and listen to the team members.
- Demonstrated ability to be an analytic and decisive decision maker as well as the ability to prioritize and communicate to key staff the objectives and tactics necessary to achieve organizational goals.
- Exceptional written, oral and presentation skills with the ability to effectively interface with senior management, staff, and all external stakeholders.
- Experience in program evaluation, knowledge in nonprofit evaluation methods and tactics.
- Superior project management, organizational, teamwork and interpersonal skills.
- Demonstrated computer expertise with Microsoft Office tools, Google applications as well as email applications, database systems and the ability to learn CHS proprietary databases.
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity, work and lead comfortably in multicultural environments.
- Self-motivated, results driven, detail oriented, and adaptable.
- Proven ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and confidentiality.
- Must submit to, and successfully pass, a criminal history background check, CORI,
- fingerprinting processes and possess a valid driver’s license.
- Must understand, support, and articulate CHS’s Mission, Guiding Principles and
- Strategic goals as well as program-specific information.
Working Location
This position is based in CHS’s Administrative Office located in Lexington, Massachusetts with local travel throughout the organization’s service area.
Compensation
The projected compensation range for this position is $125,000 to $140,000. Compensation is supplemented by a strong benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, auxiliary insurance programs, vacation, holiday, personal, sick pay, and 403b plan with match.
Non-Discrimination
CHS is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
Application Process
The search for the Vice President of Programs and Services is being conducted by the Moran Company.
To apply for this position, submit a cover letter and resume to Ann Graff at the Moran Company. Resume should include all professional experience, dates of employment (month and year), position/title, and organization names.