Executive Director

Position Title:  Executive Director / Chief Executive Officer

Reports to:  Chair, Board of Directors

Supervises:  All VRS staff and/ or designates senior staff to assist in supervision of

                     Specific assigned staff.

General Responsibilities:

The Executive Director, with authority delegated by the Board of Directors, is responsible for the overall administration of the Organization. The Executive Director provides leadership and carries out the Organization’s programs including fundraisers, approved by the Board, within the budget and in accordance with its Mission Statement and established policies and procedures.

The areas of the Executive Director’s responsibilities include:

1.  Program Planning

     A. Identifies the needs of the blind and visually impaired population in the service delivery area and the resources for meeting those needs.

     B.  Formulates practical programs for the Organization to meet the needs of the blind and visually impaired population and/or participates in community planning with another organization to meet them.

     C.  Develops a good working knowledge of significant developments and trends within the broad field of vision rehabilitation services.

     D.  Encourages members of the Organization’s staff and Board to be aware of new trends and helps them understand the implications these trends may have upon the services the Organization offers.

     E.  Utilizes staff to plan the program of the Organization’s individual services such as low vision, rehabilitation teaching, orientation & mobility, support groups, access technology training, etc.

     F.  Guides and develops long-range planning and evaluates activities in terms of established organizational objectives and financial bench markers.

     G.  Guides the re-accreditation process with the National Accreditation Council (NAC).

2.    Policy Making

     A. Makes recommendations to the Board concerning changes of policies that will improve the services the Organization offers to the community.

     B.  Interprets to staff the goals and policies that the Board has established; in turn, presents to the Board the views of the staff.

     C.  Acts as liaison between the community and the Board; helps the Board to understand the unmet needs in the community and helps agencies in the community to understand the Organization’s services and needs.

3.  Fiscal Control and Fundraising

     A.  Prepares, in cooperation with the Board Finance Committee, an annual budget for the Organization; projecting all staff and operating expenses to carry out the program which must be approved by the full Board.

     B.  Responsible for fiscal management and ensuring the fiscal integrity of VRS operations through development, implementation and monitoring of policies and procedures and appropriate accounting principles, as well as the annual budget. Works closely with the Board Treasurer on all matters related to fiscal management of VRS, including accounting procedures, budget development, annual independent audit, tax filings with appropriate agencies.

     C.  Develops and implements, in conjunction with appropriate staff and consultants, a development plan to include: fundraising goals and strategies, and donor cultivation and recognition activities adequate to support the annual budget.

      D. Develops and implements a planned giving program. Implements and monitors a grant writing strategy. Supervises the grant writing process of the Organization including research and follow up. Develop strategies regarding other funding sources, such as third party reimbursements.

4.  Personnel Management

     A.  Responsible for implementing approved personnel policies.

     B.  Responsible for the recruitment, hiring and termination of all staff.

     C.  Responsible for delegating authority to staff members to carry out the individual services or programs to which they are assigned.

     D.  Responsible for review and updating job descriptions.

     E.  Provide annual evaluation of all staff members.

     F.  Encourages the professional growth of staff by allowing them to attend professional conferences, seminars and meetings – when finances allow.

5.  Community Relations

     A.  Coordinates the services of the Organization with other appropriate community service providers or agencies.

     B.  Provides leadership and participates on professional committees in the community as a whole and the vision rehabilitation field in the state and region.

Personal Qualifications

• Minimum 4-year degree from college or University
• Demonstrates solid leadership and management skills.
• Demonstrates solid financial management and fiscal responsibility.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the human services field.
• Understands the multi-discipline approach to teamwork required in the rehabilitation of persons who are visually impaired; has the ability to lead a team of professionals in this process.
• Understands the principles of vision rehabilitation services.
• Demonstrates a working knowledge of the programs related to the State / Federal Program of Vocational Rehabilitation and Independent Living Program for Older Blind Persons.
• Demonstrates an ability for effective community organization.
• Communicates clearly and effectively, in both verbal and written form.
• Demonstrates good knowledge of personnel practices, supervisory skills

       Note: The Board of Directors prefers the Executive Director lives in the community in which the Organization is located.

Experience and Education

1. A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in a supervisory or administrative capacity; preferred experience in social  service or vision rehabilitation field.
2. Must have experience in the development and implementation of strategic planning process and budget process.
3. Must be of sufficient professional stature to deal with / collaborate effectively with personnel in local, state and national agencies.
4. Must have experience in working with / motivating non-profit Board of Directors.
5. Demonstrated success in establishment of creative fundraising and development plans.  
6. Must have a basic knowledge of vision rehabilitation practices.

The salary will be commensurate with experience; the starting salary will range between 

$55,000 to $65,000 a year, but there will be opportunities to earn possible incentives. 

Submit resume and cover letter by clicking the "apply" button. Resumes submitted any other way will not be reviewed or accepted.