The Planning Council, Chief Executive Officer

The Client

Since 1941, the Planning Council (TPC) has been a leader in transforming ideas and dreams – supplemented by good information and data – into reality. Through consulting, creative partnerships, diligent research, and expert planning, TPC delivers comprehensive solutions and services to communities, organizations, and individuals in Southeastern Virginia, Western Tidewater, Virginia and Maryland Eastern Shore, Northeastern North Carolina, Northern Virginia, and the District of Columbia. For more than 80 years, TPC has been improving quality of life and building stronger communities.

TPC’s expertise in community needs assessments, research and evaluation, and strategic planning has resulted in expanded access to affordable healthcare, the formation of model programs for senior care and childcare, expansion of mental and behavioral health services, and the establishment of a regional foodbank. In partnership with local governments and businesses, nonprofit agencies, and the faith-based community, TPC works for the betterment of the most vulnerable populations.

Supplementing its core convening, planning, and assessment work, TPC also administers and executes contracts with government agencies, public authorities, and private foundations. Last year, TPC administered $8.2 million in federal and state funds to provide healthy daycare meals to 205,288 children. Through the U.S. Navy Respite Care Program, they coordinated in-home respite care for 465 active-duty military families with children.

In addition to facilitating $7 million for HUD-funded programs and serving as the regional administrator of the Continuum of Care (CoC), last year, TPC coordinated nearly $16 million of emergency funding for homeless services across Southeastern Virginia. As the lead agency for the CoC, TPC is responsible for managing the local Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), a HUD-mandated data collection and reporting system.

Headquartered in Norfolk, The Planning Council is governed by a 23-person Board of Directors and operates with a $13 million annual budget and 38 staff.

For more information, please visit: https://www.theplanningcouncil.org/

Mission, Vision and Values

The Planning Council envisions a community where all members contribute to a successful today and an extraordinary tomorrow. Their mission is to identify community needs, connect people with solutions, and improve lives. The organization’s core values are grounded in a passion for equity, opportunity, and dignity for all. Key characteristics driving TPC’s success are commitments to continuous learning, empathy, curiosity, equity, meaningful relationships, quality products and finding solutions.

The Opportunity

This is an extraordinary opportunity for a transformational leader to craft a radically progressive strategy to create and enhance supportive programs for diverse communities. Pervasive and growing inequities that have increased demands on human service providers, have also created space for innovative planning and management. The need to develop and enhance services and to determine how and where programs are delivered has amplified the need for rigorous data collection and analysis, strategic planning, and regional collaboration. With increased institutional and government investment in community-based organizations, the opportunity for a visionary leader to leverage TPC’s expertise to inform the expansion of services and facilitate connections has never been greater. 

The Position

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer will evaluate the organization’s programs, assess community needs, and develop a strategic vision for TPC to effectively support the region’s entire population. The CEO will represent the agency across the region developing and maintaining effective relationships with elected and government officials, and nonprofit, business, and community leaders. The CEO will be responsible for upholding the community’s trust and ensuring the organization’s fiscal health. Essential responsibilities of the position include:

Strategy and Vison

• Review the organization’s 2019 (pre-pandemic) strategic plan and analyze within the context of the current social and economic climate, and funding environment;
• Conduct a needs assessment to ensure programs and services are meeting community demands;
• In collaboration with the board, update strategic goals and objectives;
• Evaluate the agency’s programs, core competencies, human and fiscal resources; adapt and enhance as needed to increase impact.  

Leadership

Inspire, motivate, and lead a team of diverse, talented and dedicated staff through a period of community assessment, program evaluation, and goal and outcome setting;

• Lead by example to foster a culture of inclusion, transparency and accountability and ensure organizational cohesion;
• Recruit, retain, and develop a competent, diverse and qualified team to manage programs, contracts, compliance, and fiscal functions;
• Leverage the expertise of diverse community contacts, and institutional knowledge of the board; partner with and engage them in process of change management by providing timely updates, critical information, and analysis.

Fundraising and Fiscal Management

• Review the existing business model, identify opportunities to increase efficiencies and diversify revenue streams;
• Lead business development efforts to expand partnerships and secure new contracts;
• Manage the development of budgets and related program and staffing plans that support the organization’s updated strategic goals;
• Ensure adequate resources to build internal operational capacity, to apply technological solutions in meeting human service needs, and to deliver actionable data to providers in the community and region.

Community Engagement

• Serve as the organization’s primary spokesperson representing TPC in public, in the media, and at community, regional and state events;
• Manage effective relationships with business, government, and nonprofit leaders across TPC’s entire service area;
• Establish strong partnerships built on a foundation of equity, trust, reliability, and open communication;
• Convene diverse leaders, partners, and influencers to brainstorm ideas, align strategies, and deliver access to funding;
• Foster diverse collaborations to identify needs, mobilize resources, and positively impact communities.

Branding and Marketing

• In partnership with the board and staff, define the organization’s purpose, distinguishing characteristics, and unique value-add;
• Oversee the development of messaging for use by all internal stakeholders and for dissemination across all platforms;
• Manage effective marketing to ensure cohesive messaging and consistent branding internally.

Professional Requirements

The Planning Council is seeking an entrepreneurial change agent with extensive strategic and business planning experience. The successful candidate will have a deep understanding of the critical role that planning plays in developing healthy, thriving communities and a deep appreciation for the importance of rigorous data collection and analysis in the creation and enhancement of human services. The new CEO will have the following:

• Executive or senior leadership experience with a human service agency, regional planning entity or consulting organization. Nonprofit CEO experience is ideal;
• Demonstrated ability to relate to individuals of diverse racial, ethnic, religious, sexual orientation, generational, and socioeconomic backgrounds;
• Change management experience including a track-record of success in leading organizational assessments and transformations;
• Expertise creating and implementing strategic plans, including experience developing business and staffing plans to advance strategic goals;
• Prior experience developing, refining, and positioning brands, including an understanding of marketing principles;
• Experience overseeing government contract execution and compliance;
• Strong analytical skills with knowledge of data collection best practices, metric and outcomes-based analysis, and evidence-based program evaluation;
• Innovative approach to assessing organizational capacity, evaluating programs, identifying gaps, and building new models;
• Understanding of homeless services, including HUD’s Continuum of Care program;
• Understanding of children’s services, including the myriad compliance requirements required of childcare providers;
• Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree preferred.

Personal Characteristics

We are seeking a visionary leader who is enthusiastic about developing and executing strategy and working collaboratively to increase organizational impact. The selected candidate sees challenges as opportunities and is committed to creating real change in the world. Purpose, planning, and partnership will be key drivers of success for The Planning Council’s next CEO. The ideal candidate will have:

• An approachable, collaborative, and transparent leadership style;
• A strong commitment to upholding the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion in every level of management, strategy, and relationships;
• Exceptional interpersonal and communications skills including active listening and public speaking ability;
• Strong relationship-building skills including a track record of success in convening experts and fostering collaborations;
• Enthusiasm for sourcing solutions and building systems that advance communities;
• Patience and tenacity to develop projects that take years to come to fruition.

Compensation

Our client is offering a competitive salary, commensurate with the experience and qualifications of the selected candidate, and an excellent benefits package including 100% employer paid health, dental, and vision insurance, a 403(b) retirement plan, and generous PTO and holiday policies. Reimbursement toward basic relocation expenses will be considered for the exceptional individual they are seeking.

Location

Located in Southeastern Virginia and Northeastern North Carolina, where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean, the historically rich region of coastal Virginia is influenced by vast shipping and fishing industries. Home to the world’s largest naval base and several universities, the region includes the Virginia Stage Company, Virginia Symphony, Norfolk Botanical Garden, the Virginia Zoo, and Chrysler Art Museum. Southeastern Virginia encompasses seven cities including Norfolk, Newport News and Virginia Beach offering a variety of urban, suburban and waterfront communities. Long, warm summers and mild winters provide ample time for residents to enjoy waterside festivals, fishing, biking, and boating. With an abundance of fresh seafood, vibrant arts and entertainment scene, easy access to white sand beaches and an enduring sense of Southern Hospitality it’s no wonder four Southeastern Virginia cities, including Norfolk, made WalletHub’s list "2018 Happiest Places to Live."

 

 

The city of Norfolk, home to The Planning Council, is one of the nation’s fastest-growing ports, a destination for world-class cuisine and the center of a thriving arts community. The city has a population of 245,000 and a median home price of $207,000.

 

 

 

With below average crime and high-performing schools, it’s easy to see why Travel+Leisure named Norfolk  "Favorite American City for 2018."

 

   

 

What’s it like to live in Southeastern Virginia?!

 

https://realestate.usnews.com/places/virginia/virginia-beach

 

 

 

https://www.forrent.com/find/VA/metro-Hampton+Roads

 

 

 

Contact

 

 

 

Please submit a résumé and original cover letter that describes your interest in the organization’s mission and qualifications for the position as attachments via e-mail to:

 

 

 

Michelle Kristel, Managing Partner

 

Bryan Epps, Consultant

 

McCormack+Kristel

 

1740 Broadway, 15th Floor

 

New York, NY 10019

 

Phone: 212.531.5003 | Fax: 212.203.9599        

 

Email: search@mccormackkristel.com | Website www.mccormackkristel.com

 

 

 

All inquiries will be held in strict confidence.  Please note that your education, dates of employment and other information will be verified prior to an offer.

 

 

 

McCormack+Kristel works only with equal opportunity employers. The Planning Council is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, ancestry, creed, national origin, citizenship, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, including lactation, disability, military or veteran status, gender identity, sexual stereotyping, sexual orientation, genetic information, familial or marital status, or any other characteristic made unlawful by state or federal laws. Equal employment opportunity will be extended to all persons in all aspects of the employment relationship, including, but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, testing, selection, compensation, benefits, training and development, promotion, transfer, termination, layoff, recall, educational, recreational and social programs, discipline, and corrective action programs. As part of their commitment to equal employment opportunity, The Planning Council prohibits acts of harassment or discrimination in the workplace.