Employment Opportunities
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
BLIND BABIES FOUNDATION
About the Organization: Blind Babies Foundation (BBF), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, was established in 1949 by the Variety Club of Northern California, a service organization of the entertainment industry. Today, Blind Babies Foundation is a model for early intervention vision impairment services worldwide.
Program services are provided free of charge to families of children from birth to six years of age in 14 northern and central California counties by qualified Vision Impairment Specialists. The agency helps the family identify their needs and collaborate with available community resources. Through the AccessVIS Program, services are provided to children with a wide range of vision impairments. Vision Impairment Specialists (VIS) serve over 540 families per year.
Through home visits, accompaniment on medical visits, family events, consultation and training, the Vision Impairment Specialists work closely with the caregiver and child, sharing information about the impact of vision loss on early development. The VIS provide expertise, information and resources to families and professionals.
Mission statement: When an infant or preschooler is identified as blind or visually impaired, Blind Babies Foundation provides family centered services to promote the child’s optimal development and access to the world.
More information is available on the Foundation’s website at www.blindbabies.org.
Job Description
The Executive Director is responsible for the leadership and management of Blind Babies Foundation (BBF). The Executive Director will move Blind Babies Foundation forward in implementing the internal and external objectives related to the organization’s mission and its strategic plan. In addition, the Executive Director will focus on developing the internal structure and budget to support current and future growth. This position reports to the Board of Directors.
Responsibilities:
Fund Development: Work with Development Team to sustain a diverse funding base to support the agency’s program priorities and growth. Develop long-range funding plans to ensure the implementation and success of the organization’s strategic goals. Particular areas of focus include building BBF’s private donor base with emphasis on major donor giving and relationships, foundation and corporate grants, and special events. Continue the growth of the endowment and cash reserves.
Fiscal and Administrative Management:
- Work with Finance Team to ensure that the agency is fiscally sound and that the annual budget supports implementation of the strategic plan. Work with staff and Board to prepare short and long term agency budgets. Refine and oversee rigorous fund accounting and internal control systems. Work with Finance Team to present and interpret budgets for the Board. Supervise audits and preparation of all other financial reports.
- Work with Human Resource staff to develop and implement appropriate human resource policies and procedures, including training, career development, hiring and firing, succession planning and performance management in accordance with BBF’s Employee Handbook. Provide guidance and resources to staff.
- Oversee an organizational structure appropriate for the agency’s growth within a balanced budget. Delegate effectively while continuing to mentor and support staff.
- Ensure that the agency’s growth is supported internally, including technology, facilities, human resources, fund development and communications. Maximize business efficiencies without limiting program effectiveness. Refine systems, manuals and procedures.
- Promote an organizational culture that fosters cooperation, open and frequent communication, teamwork, while striving toward a common organizational vision. Develop and foster an environment to maximize employee recruitment, professional growth, and retention.
Board Administration: Work with Board leadership to develop an engaged, effective, energized Board. Keep the Board informed of agency operations and changing community needs. Serve ex-officio on all Board committees. Ensure and facilitate the Board’s involvement in the formation of BBF’s policies and programs. Assist in identifying and integrating new members to achieve their greatest effectiveness and involvement. Engage Board members in training and development activities. Promote regular communication between Board and staff. Assist the Board with ongoing strategic planning that is responsive to client and community needs.
Relationship Building: Position Blind Babies Foundation as an effective, vital organization in the community. Solidify relationships with the blindness community and the community working with persons with disabilities, as well as other diverse constituents and communities: families, Vision Impairment Specialists (“VIS”), the Board, public health and medical, educational, and the broader community. Represent the agency professionally and responsibly at public functions, including making effective public presentations. Establish and maintain contacts with key individuals in both the public and private sectors. Build on BBF’s national reputation and develop and introduce BBF to those outside the blindness community. Seek and strategically select collaborative partners. Be knowledgeable about relevant state and national policy issues and advocate, as appropriate, for those that further BBF’s mission.
Program Support: Oversee and support BBF’s home-based services to families and preschool blind children within the Board approved annual budget. Ensure that goals and objectives are met in accordance with the strategic plan. In keeping with BBF’s history, tradition, and culture, and in collaboration with Program Director and Board, periodically review and modify program to meet the continuously changing needs of the constituents, and incorporate the latest advances in the field. Coordinate with Board any program expansion or redirection. Ensure the highest levels of quality and provide support to program staff and VIS.
Major Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will have:
Required:
Minimum 3-5 years nonprofit leadership and management experience with a strong understanding of the nonprofit sector and the particular needs of a small organization.
Proven experience working successfully with a Board of Directors.
Demonstrated experience in nonprofit fiscal management, budget preparation, and fundraising.
Ability to communicate in an honest straightforward manner with donors, Board members, staff, clients and members of the community.
Excellent writing and public speaking skills.
A bachelor’s degree is required; an advanced degree in a related field is helpful.
Preferred:
Experience working with, or a strong sensitivity toward, the blindness community and/or individuals with disabilities.
The ideal candidate will be well-organized, a strategic thinker and creative problem solver, flexible, and capable of sustaining a small organization and moving it to new levels.
BBF is an equal opportunity employer.
Submit cover letter and resume by e-mail only to Executive Search Committee: executivesearch@blindbabies.org
Competitive Salary and Benefits
