Executive Director

The Moran Company is pleased to partner with Elizabeth Richardson Center to recruit the organization’s next Executive Director.

Elizabeth Richardson Center (ERC) is dedicated to “Enhancing Lives, Removing Barriers, and Creating Opportunities” for children and adults with developmental disabilities in Northwest Arkansas. The vision of ERC is a future in which individuals with intellectual disabilities will transition seamlessly through significant life milestones.

Services are provided in Benton and Madison Counties, and are supported by a current revenue budget of $7.5 million and 160 employees. People are supported through four program areas:

• Day Services and Employment for Adults – Both life skills training and employment training is offered, including community employment with job coaching, and contract work at Richardson Industries. Currently, 74 people are served.
• Intermediate Care Facilities (ICF) – Up to thirty men and women are supported at three locations with 24-hour care including medical oversight (current census is 28).
• HCBS Waiver Services – ERC provides a variety of services funded through the HCBS Waiver including supported independent living and case management. Currently, 45 adults are served through the Waiver at ERC.
• Care Home Assistance Program (CHAP) – A new service of ERC, CHAP Services allows individuals who live in their family home to receive “caretaker” services from a family member or individual independent contractor selected by the family. CHAPS compensates caretakers indirectly. 

ERC is in the middle of a five-year evolution to update its programs toward better client service and lasting financial sustainability. This evolution includes a focus on adult services, a growth in census for day habilitation and employment, and increase in supported community living. The community living expansion will include purchase of neighborhood-based homes. As part of the sustainability focus, the board and leadership are also increasing community awareness and raising unrestricted contributions.

The Executive Director works from the office in Springdale. Northwest Arkansas is consistently recognized as one of the “best places to live” in the United States. The area is the home of a world-class art museum, the state’s largest live-music amphitheater, professional sports, great restaurants, bike and hiking trails, boating, historic and magical downtowns, and the widely recognized University of Arkansas. Wal-Mart, Tyson Foods, and J.B. Hunt Trucking (each headquartered in Arkansas) all provide tremendous support to our communities. Excellent medical care includes a campus of the Northwest Children’s Hospital, the University of Arkansas Medical Services, and five hospitals. “Quality of life” and “best of” recognition have been published by U.S. News and World Report, Time, Forbes, Realtor.com and Money. Also, due to extensive trails, the area has been named one of the best places for cycling in the country. In short, Northwest Arkansas is an affordable, beautiful place to live, with excellent schools, and wonderful opportunities to explore the outdoors and the arts.

Position Summary

The Executive Director serves as Chief Executive of the Elizabeth Richardson Center and, in partnership with the Board, is responsible for the success of ERC. The Executive Director champions the mission and vision, leads in defining the vision, charts the direction, and drives results of the organization. The Executive Director manages the organization, stewards its resources and provides accountability of ERC to its diverse constituents.

The ideal candidate for this position possesses:

• The qualities of an outgoing, passionate, high-energy leader who relates well to everyone so as to motivate staff and increase the positive image of ERC in the community.
• Experience in leading fundraising, as an external face of an organization, as an idea-generator, and as a visionary leader in a successful fund development program.
• Superior management abilities demonstrated in a large organization with budget management, profit and loss accountability, and leading high-functioning teams.
• Skills in refining a vision, operationalizing a strategic plan, and engaging the board toward growing the organization.

Primary Responsibilities

Leadership Responsibilities:  The Executive Director has the authority and responsibility to organize and manage the day-to-day operations of all ERC programs and services.

• The Executive Director is responsible for creating a culture that motivates people and creates value for ERC by empowering others to grow and succeed.
• The Executive Director must walk-the-talk by both emphasizing and embodying values that are important to the individuals that ERC serves, ERC staff and ERC stakeholders.

Organization Management: The Executive Director works with staff to develop, maintain, and use systems and resources that facilitate the effective and efficient operation of ERC to meet the objectives of the strategic plan.

• Ensures there is appropriate planning and oversight of the operations of ERC.
• Ensures ERC has the resources necessary to carry out the plans and procedures adopted by the Board of Directors.
• Maintains accountability and responsibility for the operational and fiscal integrity of ERC.

Financial Management: The Executive Director’s role is to see that the organization’s goals and strategic plan serve as the basis for sound financial management, that solid budgeting and accounting systems are in place, and that appropriate financial controls and risk-management strategies protect the organization’s assets.

• Supervises the development of operations-based financial modeling.
• Coordinates and leads annual budget reviews, monthly and quarterly reviews, and periodic forecast updates with operational and senior management for all locations.
• Protects the assets of ERC against theft, misallocation, and waste.

Organizational Planning: The Executive Director provides leadership and direction to implement the vision, mission and strategic plan of ERC and is accountable for the direction of ERC.

• Ensures compliance with all external legal requirements, rules, licensing regulations, funding sources and ERC’s policies, procedures, and guidelines.

Organizational Governance: The Executive Director is responsible for the development and implementation of policies and procedures established in conjunction with the Board of Directors and committees of the Board.

• Supports operations and administration of the Board by advising and informing Board members and interfacing between Board and staff.
• Ensures that the ERC Board is responsibly informed and will submit regularly scheduled reports to the board of directors through the committee structure.
• Ensures all reports are succinct with supporting documentation available to the Board of Directors upon request.

Organizational Advancement: The Executive Director serves as a primary spokesperson and public face for ERC. This role has three major components:

• Effectively promoting ERC: Supervises the Organizational Advancement agenda to identify, cultivate and solicit major donors.
• Advocates for the mission and work of ERC: Ensures that services and funding relationships are robust enough to meet or exceed strategic goals and objectives.
• Builds relationships with constituent or stakeholder groups critical to the success of ERC.
• Promote a culture of friend raising and fundraising in ERC at both the staff and Board of Directors level.

Professional Skills

• Strong organizational skills, consistent follow-through, self-motivation, ability to maintain confidentiality and the ability to lead and handle conflict and ability to work with different constituencies and cultures.
• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills with a collaborative management approach.
• Strong organizational leadership skills and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently, as well as in a team.
• Ability to analyze and find solutions to complex operational and financial challenges.
• Ability to communicate passionately the vision and mission of ERC.
• Strong public relations, negotiating and budgeting skills are required
• High proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite products and comfortable with technology.
• Experience in developing a diverse range of fundraising opportunities including events, grants and securing of public funds preferred.

Supervision 

The Executive Director will be supervised by the Board of Directors and the board is responsible for the annual performance review.

Required and Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required / Master’s Degree preferred.
• At least five years senior leadership experience in a nonprofit organization required; experience in services to people with disabilities preferred.
• High degree of commitment to serving adults with physical and cognitive disabilities.

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $120,000 - $145,000 annually, and the final salary will be based on the individual candidate and skill set. ERC currently provides a medical plan, plus dental, vision and life insurance, and a retirement plan with a 6% matching contribution.
 
Statement of Non-Discrimination

It is the policy of the Elizabeth Richardson Center to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Application Process

To apply for this position, submit resume and cover letter to Bruce Scott, The Moran Company. Within your cover letter or resume, please provide a description of your qualifications related to the Position Summary and “ideal candidate” traits.