The Opportunity
For more than 98 years, United Way of Greater Toledo has been a trusted leader mobilizing resources to address the our community’s most pressing issues focused on solutions that create measurable change. Today, the challenges faced by the our communities are significant. Through partnerships with public and private institutions, United Way of Greater Toledo is targeting the root causes of social issues to effect real and lasting change across Lucas, Ottawa and Wood counties.
As an organization, United Way of Greater Toledo mobilizes the caring power of the community to change lives with the help of more than 20,000 donors and 10,000 volunteers. In 2016, those donors contributed over $11 million, supporting more than 65 community programs and volunteer activities across the community. As a convener, United Way of Greater Toledo is uniquely positioned to bring people together to improve lives by preparing children for kindergarten, helping individuals move from poverty to prosperity and providing easy access to medical services.
With bold goals defined in our 2020 Strategic Plan to provide solutions and lasting impact in three focus areas, United Way of Greater Toledo seeks a mission-driven leader who will lead the organization to its next level by serving as a community convener and collaborator who will deepen it’s innovation and impact. Serving as a thought leader for systems change and as a source of inspiration in the local community, this leader will convene and motivate a diverse group of stakeholders to achieve shared community objectives – creating, resourcing, scaling and leveraging strategies for investment and impact.
PRIORITIES OF THE PRESIDENT & CEO
United Way of Greater Toledo’s President & CEO Search Committee engaged in broad discussion with representatives from its constituent groups, seeking input on the most critical priorities for our new President & CEO.
Those discussions informed the following priorities adopted by the board as most important for the success of our President & CEO as United Way of Greater Toledo to lead the work in our three priority areas: education, income and health for every person in our community.
VISIONARY LEADERSHIP
As the primary champion and advocate for United Way of Greater Toledo, the President & CEO will share and guide a compelling vision for the organization to inspire loyal support from a diverse base of stakeholders and gain the confidence and trust of the constituents who are served.
•Clearly communicate the identified complex issues and strategic solutions to promote the organization’s relevance and reputation, garnering support for United Way of Greater Toledo’s critical mission.
•Design and oversee the execution of an agile plan, attainable goals and measurable outcomes, supporting the achievement of strategic solutions.
STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT
The President & CEO will serve as the principal resource to the Board of Directors and its key committees as a partner with the Board of Directors and the United Way of Greater Toledo Leadership Team to develop and deliver organizational goals.
•Ensure coordination and alignment of all United Way of Greater Toledo’s activities to strategic direction in the areas of community impact, resource development and staff alignment.
•Establish a culture of discipline around data-driven decision making, and utilize data and technology to guide the organization’s planning, goal setting, execution and outcome accountability.
•Provide direction in policy formulation and interpretation.
•Demonstrate strong knowledge of and lead community support for United Way of Greater Toledo’s mission, vision, value statements, brand, service standards, confidentiality standards and policies and procedures.
COMMUNITY IMPACT
As the senior executive of the organization, the President & CEO is responsible for the overall impact of United Way of Greater Toledo on the community, with particular emphasis on increasing its capacity to drive the impact agenda. The President & CEO works closely with the Board to craft and adapt the strategy to achieve this increased impact, including raising the funds to support it.
•Build United Way of Greater Toledo’s capacity for convening and collaboration efforts that enhance impact priority outcomes.
•Elevate United Way of Greater Toledo’s profile and reputation in the community so United Way of Greater Toledo is seen as a leader in community services issues.
•Establish and build relationships with top leaders in the community, including those representing the highest levels in business, government, labor and non-profit sectors.
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
The President & CEO is the primary steward of the highest-level donor relationships, supporting and cultivating increased and substantial giving from individuals, foundations and large corporations. She/ he will educate and inspire support across the community in addition to raising funds for United Way of Greater Toledo.
•Drive key results in fundraising (including annual campaign, planned and deferred giving).
•Identify, cultivate and solicit prospective donors and key leaders of prospective new corporate partners.
•Leverage personal and professional contacts and relationships into fundraising opportunities.
•Promote a culture of fundraising in the organization, both at the staff and board level.
ORGANIZATION MANAGEMENT
The President & CEO is accountable for building and leading high-performing teams to achieve organizational results. She/he is accountable for the organization’s operational excellence.
•Ensure all teams are aligned and collaborating.
•Maintain operational excellence through high standard and procedures, fiscal integrity and compliance within policies set by the Board of Directors, United Way of Greater Toledo and United Way Worldwide.
•Identify and recommend to the Board Nominating & Governance Committee candidates for the Board of Directors and Board Committees.
•Directly supervise senior leadership positions and establish individual goals and assess staffing needs to meet organizations objectives within budget parameters.
•Assess organizational capacity to implement strategies and identify gaps in system and staff and develop plans of contingency and succession.
•Work with finance team to manage organizational spending and monitor departmental budget compliance.
•Ensure United Way of Greater goals of inclusiveness and diversity among staff and volunteers are met.
BOARD ENGAGEMENT
The President & CEO will work with the Board of Directors to design focused and relevant meeting agendas and follow up/through on all resulting actions.
•Partner with the Board to establish a strategic plan that supports the agreed upon vision, yet enables the organization to easily adapt to change as necessary.
•As appropriate, join the Board in the recruitment and onboarding of new members to complement the organization’s governance and leadership needs.
•Be transparent, timely and concise in communication to and from the Board.
BOARD ENGAGEMENT
The President & CEO will work with the Board of Directors to design focused and relevant meeting agendas and follow up/through on all resulting actions.
•Partner with the Board to establish a strategic plan that supports the agreed upon vision, yet enables the organization to easily adapt to change as necessary.
•As appropriate, join the Board in the recruitment and onboarding of new members to complement the organization’s governance and leadership needs.
•Be transparent, timely and concise in communication to and from the Board.
DESIRED CHARACTERISTICS AND ATTRIBUTES
United Way of Greater Toledo seeks a leader who will be a passionate, charismatic, authentic and enthusiastic advocate for the mission and be committed to improving student success, helping people move from poverty to prosperity and increasing access to health care. She/he will be respected for their leadership skills and ability to inspire and motivate a dedicated team, individual stakeholders and the community-at-large to collaboratively achieve systemic, sustainable and positive impact for all.
The President & CEO will have relevant expertise in elevating an organization to the next level coupled with proven change management skills. This leader will possess a credible reputation for creating a culture of accountability, operational excellence and servant leadership, and will bring an authentic, diplomatic and inclusive approach that engenders trust, rapport and effective relationships across all levels of United Way of Greater Toledo and our communities. She/he will genuinely listen and invite input to inform sound decision-making that will position the organization as a leader in the community.
Displaying a courageous, humble confidence, the President & CEO will encourage accountability and inspire high performance. This visionary leader will be a connector, convener, collaborator and consensus builder through consistent, concise and transparent communication. A high degree of business acumen with a track record of growing top line revenue and establishing sustainable and innovative sources of revenue is critical.
As United Way of Greater Toledo seeks to elevate to its next level of leadership within the community, the President & CEO sought will possess cultural and political savvy, as well as emotional intelligence. She/he will be a likable role model of the highest ethical and professional behavior.