Position: Executive Director
Organization: Association for the Advancement of the Blind and Retarded, Inc. (AABR)
Location: New York, NY
AABR seeks a dynamic Executive Director to lead over 30 programs across New York’s five boroughs, oversee a budget of $33 million and a staff of 650 employees, and expand on its stellar reputation for high quality care for developmentally disabled children and adults. The Executive Director will oversee immediate care facilities, independent residential alternatives, community residences, adult habilitation, pre-vocational and work programs, and state educational programs for the disabled. The Executive Director will honor the history and mission of AABR, and work closely with leadership to build on existing organizational values while setting the strategic direction for AABR’s growth and sustainability over the long term. S/he will demonstrate a personal commitment to the quality, service and operating performance upon which AABR has built its reputation.
Successful candidates will be capable of proactively supporting the mission of AABR and will exhibit a passion and commitment for working with the consumers AABR serves. S/he will be a values-based individual who will uphold the mission with integrity, respect for others, collaboration, a commitment to quality and excellence in all endeavors, and a commitment to putting the consumers AABR serves first. The ideal candidate will also be:
- A self-confident individual with a demonstrated track record of operational acumen within a mission-based organization.
- A strong advocate of developmentally disabled populations with a genuine passion for effective and satisfying clinical delivery.
- A leader who is committed to creating an environment where employees can do their best work and are highly motivated to provide outstanding care in support of the overall objectives of AABR.
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director is responsible for the organization's consistent achievement of its mission and financial objectives. S/he provides strategic leadership and vision in establishing direction and policies in the face of constantly changing government and private funding sources; advocates for the needs of consumers and their caregivers; directs overall day-to-day management of operations and oversees staff at multiple locations; leads the continuation and improvement of quality care as well as complies with federal, state and local regulations; and works with the Board of Directors to ensure compliance with bylaws, policies and directives of the Board.
Key Areas of Responsibility:
Program Delivery & Quality Assurance
- Provide oversight and direction for the application of industry best practices in the creation and delivery of individual care plans for all consumers in coordination with families and care providers.
- Supervise and coordinate the work of department heads, including personnel, nursing, social services, psychiatric, psychological, residential, day services and maintenance.
- Maintain relationships and interact with other continuum of care providers to determine trends in providing and monitoring quality care.
- Responsible for carrying out goals and objectives, rules and regulations, and directives of both the Board of Directors of AABR and the NYS Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities and the State Education Department.
- Provide strategic vision and continuing planned approach to growth according to established and approved mission and values.
- Establish and sustain short and long-range goals and objectives as determined by community needs, strategic plan and Board priorities.
- Provide leadership in the establishment and standardization of quality of care criteria for disabled children and adults within AABR.
- Periodically review the organizational and leadership structure and make recommendations to the Board for changes to promote effective and efficient operations.
- Maintain appropriately trained and motivated professional staff with a chain of command and appropriate communication to enable control of the agency.
- Act as manager of the professional staff, coordinating the work of residences, day services, recreational programs, educational programs and Family Services.
- Ensure a risk management plan is in place to cover consumer care, financial and operational issues.
- Review the maintenance of the physical properties to assure good state of repair and operating condition, and recommend to the Board additions or changes to existing services, equipment and facilities.
- Provide for ongoing professional development opportunities for all levels of staff.
- Oversee legal compliance and handle all legal issues related to quality of care, staff management, and union negotiations.
- Provide leadership and direct involvement in ensuring on-going financial stability for the entire organization.
- Manage effectively the staff, resources, funds and facilities for the maximum benefit to the organization.
- Provide fiscal management to the organization at a strategic level.
- Provide monthly reports and keep Board apprised of status, issues and trends related to the organization financials, fundraising, legislative action, industry issues and other impacting events.
- Work with Board Executive Committee on Board meeting agendas.
- Participate in the development and on-going volunteer and fundraising programs.
- Coordinate with the board the cultivation of individual and major donors.
- Actively participate in local, borough, city, and statewide groups concerned with providing quality services to the developmentally disabled.
- Qualified professional in developmental disabilities with a graduate degree in human services and a minimum of 10-15 years experience in a supervisory capacity with the developmentally disabled and/or autistic children and adults.
- Demonstrated track record of success working within a complex, multi-site organization.
- Demonstrated ability in advocacy, fundraising, and donor development for non-profits.
- Exceptional written and verbal communications skills, including presentation skills and experience in public speaking to staff, Board of Directors, state regulators, legislators, and media.
- Ability to create an organizational vision and a plan to move the organization through constantly changing external regulations and funding environments.
- Knowledge of industry standards, laws, and regulations.
- Experience forming and maintaining business partnerships with other organizations, related industries, government agencies and others.
- Experience utilizing emerging technology for operations, fiscal management, and fundraising.
- Demonstrated ability to build and sustain effective relationships with Board, staff, and community.
Starting as a small, parent-founded recreation program in 1956 for severely disabled and blind children, the expansion of AABR to a citywide, community-based agency is ongoing. AABR offers people with development disabilities and autism and their families a wide range of individualized programs and services, including Adult Habilitation, Pre-Vocational and Work Programs, Family Services, Recreation Programs, a Vacation Retreat, Residential Services, Thrift Shop Program, and the New York Child Learning Institute, a school for children with autism. For more information about AABR, please visit www.aabr.org.
Compensation and Benefits:
Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience.
To Apply:
AABR has engaged Koya Consulting to lead the search for the Executive Director. Please send a thoughtful cover letter and resume to Katie Bouton at executivesearch@koyaconsulting.com.
AABR is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBT applicants.