The position of President and CEO is a very critical, high visibility position, not just for the organization, but also for the community. UWMB is in the middle of a transformation, moving from an organization that defined itself as a fundraiser and conduit for dollars, to a partner and leader across greater Boston’s business, non-profit and public sectors. The new President and CEO joins at a very important time for the organization. UWMB is adopting a more strategic and focused approach to its philanthropy in order to achieve greater impact in the community; adapting the workplace giving business model to new industry segments and the realities of today’s workplace; extending success growing its major donor base; and undergoing a rebranding effort to better articulate UWMB’s value in the marketplace. The organization’s success requires a strong, dynamic organizational leader who embraces the mission and plan, and who will extend the impact of UWMB through his or her leadership in the community as a whole. The new President and CEO will play a critical role in shaping UWMB’s impact through refinement of its strategy and through focusing the strategy’s implementation.
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the President is also the Chief Executive Officer and has overall responsibility for the strategic, programmatic, financial, and management operations of the organization. The President and CEO is the leader in communicating the vision and program objectives to internal and external constituencies and will work collaboratively with the board, staff, and volunteers in formulating policy, developing strategy, raising funds, and achieving performance standards. Specific responsibilities will be best defined/measured in terms of the organization’s success in having more measurable impact within the areas it has targeted – child and youth development, housing and workforce development.
S/he must embrace the mission and be willing to be accountable for the success of UWMB’s community impact agenda. As such, the successful candidate will:
- Serve as the chief spokesperson and advocate for the organization’s mission, programs, and services. The President and CEO is expected to be active as a spokesperson for the needs of the community and quickly assume a “prominent player” role in the community;
- Refine, articulate and implement the organization’s strategic direction, working closely with the Board to establish priorities and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of existing and new initiatives;
- Lead and play a key role in the relationship management and fundraising efforts of the organization, which include: cultivation and solicitation of support from foundations, corporations, individual donors and the government. Marketing UWMB’s “value added” to all constituents is especially important;
- Provide guidance and direction to the organization on all financial matters, operational and staff development issues. Modeling/mentoring/improving upon marketing/channel management activities so the UWMB “brand” is optimized will be a critical focus;
- Lead the efforts of UWMB in exploring linkages, partnerships, and collaborations with external organizations and groups, including its constituent agencies, other funders, and government in order to maximize the impact of the human services sector;
- Provide constant thoughtful leadership and promote a forum for creative and innovative ideas.
- Lead by example and promote a culture which champions diversity, equity, access, and inclusion at all levels.
UWMB is seeking a leader of unquestioned passion for good and bias towards action. The successful candidate will have a demonstrated capacity for leadership and should possess significant experience in environments of change and have a track record of accomplishment, credibility, respect, and recognition in those roles. S/he will bring to the role a recognized degree of operational excellence, fundraising ability, intellectual breadth, convening power, and practical experience within and/or working across the non-profit, governmental, and business sectors.
The President and CEO will have experience working closely with boards, staff, volunteers, and other constituents to articulate and achieve ambitious goals in a fiscally responsible manner. S/he should understand the respective roles of the Board, the President, and the staff, and possess the ability to recruit, motivate, delegate to, and retain exceptional people. S/he will have outstanding communication skills, both written and verbal, and the ability to represent UWMB effectively to diverse audiences. S/he must possess a high level of intelligence and intellectual curiosity, and a desire to explore new ideas and approaches to solving problems.
The successful candidate will listen to and learn from key stakeholders inside and outside the organization and embrace the value of the United Way network. S/he will have the capacity to build constructive dialogue and collaboration among people and across organizational structures, while honoring the history of, and respecting and promoting the culture and values of the organization. The successful candidate must understand the role of philanthropic agencies, be comfortable addressing community needs and concerns and have familiarity with public policy issues. The scope of the position is broad, requiring the President and CEO to have proven coalition building success which is necessary to establish and maintain significant relationships with persons at all levels within the public, private and voluntary sectors.
The ideal candidate will have the capacity to lead and manage change as UWMB manages its transition to a digital platform and navigates changing fundraising norms. S/he will also understand the process of gathering, harnessing, and leveraging data to drive donor activity.
Required personal qualities include: unquestioned integrity; a personal commitment to deliver the aforementioned community impact; a long-term perspective; authenticity; a strong sense of accountability and a practical ability to get things done; wisdom and good judgment; an even-handed steady approach to management combined with the flexibility and courage to shift directions and experiment; excellent oral and written communication skills; a high energy level; the ability to build bridges, plus the ability to project genuine warmth and compassion will all be required to assure success in this position. The successful candidate will be a culturally astute and broad-minded individual with a generosity of spirit and clear commitment to diversity, equity, access, and inclusion.
In terms of the performance and personal competencies required for the position, we would highlight the following:
- Setting Strategy: The successful candidate will have a demonstrated record of setting priorities, leading organizations through transition and evolution, as well as delivering results. S/he will be a transparent leader and strategic thinker who will work with UWMB’s senior leadership team and Board to establish plans and methods to reach strategic objectives, build sustainability into existing programs, and develop a business model that allows the organization to realize its full potential and secures its fiscal viability for the long term. Working across a complex organizational structure, the President and CEO will build a positive and affirming work environment ensuring that the management, staffing and culture of the organization align with the mission and strategic ambitions.
- Executing for Results: The successful candidate will demonstrate the leadership necessary to be effective in an organization of highly motivated professionals, many of whom have worked together as a team for many years, and volunteers with a diverse set of skills and perspectives. S/he will foster a culture of engagement while convening and leading diverse constituencies from across the organization to achieve excellence. S/he will encourage transparency, openness and mutual respect while bringing multi-constituency sensitivity and demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion. The candidate will have the ability to set priorities, delegate responsibility, assure accountability, and allocate resources to ensure results.
- Building Relationships and Using Influence: S/he will be an inspiring and proficient communicator who can articulate the organization’s vision and impact to a wide and diverse audience as well as being authentic one-on-one. S/he will possess the ability to influence internally and externally through informed vision, political savvy and networking. S/he will manage a highly effective staff and recommend organizational structures that allow for the supervision and evaluation of quality execution while building unity and shared vision across teams. S/he will make the case for the growing need for donor support, redefine the role of United Way in the context of today, and appeal to the next generation.
- Resource Development: S/he will have the ability to connect with, influence, and secure funds from a wide range of constituents including government, corporate partners, donors, Board and staff. S/he will have a demonstrated ability to fundraise effectively and to recruit the leadership necessary to meet these goals.
- Leading Teams: The successful candidate will have the interpersonal skills and intellect needed to recruit, retain, motivate, and inspire professional staff, volunteers, current and prospective donors, and partners. S/he will be an active listener, demonstrate respect for others and, in turn, gain their respect. The candidate will be able to develop positive and productive relationships, creatively build consensus, and engage people and institutions towards achieving ambitious goals.
Beyond meeting fully its legal obligations for non-discrimination, UWMB is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community where members from all backgrounds can live, learn and thrive.