Executive Director - GroWest

Neighborhood housing and community revitalization agency seeks Executive Director. Candidate should be proficient in the areas of non-profit management, public finance, grant writing, human resources and public relations. Salary range $50-55K plus benefits.

Interested candidates should send materials to:
Robert Baber
President, GroWest Board of Directors
1124 State Street
Utica, NY 13502

No calls please. Application deadline is 3/15/10, with target hire date of 4/15/10

Executive Director, Direct Report to the GroWest Board of Directors

THE ORGANIZATION:
GroWest, Inc. seeks an Executive Director to lead our Utica, NY based community revitalization and development organization. S/he will provide leadership and vision to ensure that GroWest fulfills its mission, realizes its vision and achieves its institutional goals for excellence, innovation and service to the community. The Executive Director is responsible and accountable for the overall programming, organizational and financial success of the organization.

Our mission is to develop an attractive, safe, economically viable community through the promotion of home ownership, business opportunity and neighborhood pride. We are dedicated to preserving and increasing the supply of decent, safe and affordable housing to low and moderate-income households, and to identifying and developing resources to improve neighborhood conditions within our program area.

We accomplish this through a combination of rehabilitation loans and grants, technical assistance and hands-on construction management to provide housing rehabilitation assistance to low to moderate income, elderly and disabled homeowners in the near west side of downtown Utica.

GroWest is a Certified Housing Development Organization (CHDO) and Neighborhood Preservation Company (NPC), whose service area is currently eligible for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding, and has already been designated an Economic Opportunity Zone, an Empire Zone, an Urban Renewal Area and an Empowerment Zone.

In its strategic plan, the Board affirmed three major goals: maintaining the quality of existing housing and rental stock through rehabilitation; increasing the number of owner-occupied homes; and increasing community involvement and cultural opportunities in the service area.

To carry out these goals, we seek an Executive Director who will lead a staff of 8. S/he will report directly to the 16-member Board of Directors. S/he will oversee an operating budget of around $3,000,000.


THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S ROLE:

1. Board Administration and Support

Establish and maintain a good working relationship with the Board of Directors.

Attend all monthly Board Meetings, Monthly Executive Committee Meetings and Board Committee meetings as necessary.

Advise the Board through a monthly narrative Executive Director's Report, monthly statistical reports and quarterly program progress evaluations.

Interface between the Board and staff, ensuring that all parties have sufficient and up-to-date information.

Assists in the selection, evaluation and training of Board members.

Provide input and assistance to the Board on the strategic plan, fund raising and Request for Proposals, and then assume primary responsibility for carrying out the plans and policies as established by the Board of Directors.

2. Program, Product and Service Delivery

Responsible and accountable for all aspects of the design, quality, marketing, promotion and delivery of programs, products and services.

Develop and maintain strong, innovative, well-balanced programs and projects to meet the needs of West Utica residents and businesses while assisting in the preservation, development and revitalization of its historic and mixed-use districts.

Work closely with staff and Board members to develop new programs, formulate policies and make planning recommendations.

Coordinate all Neighborhood Preservation Company (NPC) and Community Development Housing Organization (CHDO) program activities, including preparing all required audits and reports, work plans and correspondence.

3. Financial, Tax, Risk and Facilities Management

Prepare and present to the Board an annual budget and operating plan for the agency, and later ensuring that expenditures stay within the budgeted amounts.

Assist the Financial Director with a monthly overview of operational revenues and expenditures, and prepare budget revisions as needed through the year.

Prudently manage the organization's resources within the budget guidelines and according to current laws and regulations.

Develop and maintain a program of financial support that is strong enough to underwrite Board approved programs and facilities.

Manage and assist financial staff with all organizational audits and filings, including the annual IRS 990 and Federal program audits.

Sign checks on behalf of the agency; authorize purchase orders, vouchers and payments within parameters set in the by-laws.

Administer contracts as approved by the Board.

Manage the physical resources of the organization, including property and vehicles.

4. Human Resource Management

Oversee the day-to-day management including supervision of the staff and coordination with the Board according to authorized personnel policies.

Hold weekly staff meetings.

Approve internships, student field placements and other volunteer work assignments.

Create and maintain an operational/procedural manual outlining in detail the various technical aspects of the Executive Director's position.

Oversee the creation and maintenance of an operational/procedural manual for all other GroWest staff positions.

Provide training, assistance and direction as necessary to maintain a happy, diverse, high quality, effective, motivated staff.

5. Community and Public Relations

Preparation of an Annual Report to include: a written account of yearly activities; description of overall programs; activities and accomplishments; eligibility to receive deductible contributions; information about the governing body and structure; and information about fundraising activities and financial position.

Represent GroWest throughout the community as a visible and articulate spokesperson, and supervise other staff in their representation of the agency.

Assure that the organization and its mission, programs, products and services are consistently presented in strong, positive image to stakeholders and the public.

Ensure that the organization maintains positive and productive relationships with the philanthropic and financial communities; arts, education and cultural institutions; government; its neighbors; and other community organizations.

Establish and maintain a good working relationship with the local media.

6. Fundraising

S/he leads the fundraising effort by overseeing the development plan and its implementation; identifying resource requirements; researching funding sources; establishing strategies to approach funders; submitting proposals; and administration of fundraising records and documentation.

Responsible for the final drafting and submission of all funding proposals to City, State and Federal agencies, corporations and private foundations.

Generate project/program documents for new and existing projects and programs.

Perform all necessary grants administration, such as program progress documentation, reports to grantors and recognition of donor support.

Sole responsibility for major gifts and planned giving.

Requirements:
CANDIDATE PROFILE:

We seek a person of integrity and high ethical standards with a reputation for fairness and transparency, who fully embraces our mission, vision, goals and core values, and will bring a sense of humor and passion to their work. The ideal candidate will be an experienced non-profit executive with proven record of leadership ability, excellent management skills, entrepreneurial instincts, and success with fundraising, program development and community engagement.

An Undergraduate degree in a related field is required. A Master's degree in a related field or the equivalent in work experience is preferred. S/he should have at least 5 years of leadership experience, preferably in the nonprofit sector, and experience working with an active board of directors. Experience with governmental agencies and funding sources is strongly preferred. Background in federal grants management and/or lead paint hazard reduction helpful. Additional work experience in the fields of construction, accounting or project management will be viewed as an asset. Advanced working knowledge of MSWord and Excel is absolutely required.

S/he will have superb oral and written communication ability, great interpersonal skills and be an enthusiastic fundraiser with the demonstrated ability to compete successfully for philanthropic support. Experience in hiring, delegating, supervising and evaluating a professional staff is necessary, as are effective time management skills in a fast paced environment. The ability to work a flexible schedule is required, including some nights or weekends, and you must possess a valid NYS driver's license and your own vehicle.