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| Disciples Benevolent Services Begins Presidential Search Process | |||||||
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Disciples Benevolent Services is a 501(c)3 organization and a general unit of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). In the 1880s, six very determined and compassionate women in a St. Louis-based prayer group gave birth to a local program designed to help the area's widows and orphans. From that initial ministry, the organization slowly and steadily grew as it added homes for older adults, orphanages, facilities for adults with developmental disabilities, and even a few hospitals. At its zenith, the organization (then known as National Benevolent Association) owned, operated, and/or was affiliated with facilities across the United States. As trends and needs changed, the organization changed to stay in step. Units that had outlived their usefulness closed or were refitted to meet different needs; orphanages became homes providing refuge for at-risk children and youth; "old people's homes" became communities where older adults enjoy independent and active lifestyles; and adults with development disabilities made the transition to sharing individual houses or apartments in their local communities. Moving into the 21st century brought new challenges. Economic instability impacted the organization and in order to sustain its mission and ministry, the decision was made to take the organization in a new direction. In 2007, the organization changed its name to Disciples Benevolent Services, emphasizing its new role in facilitating partnerships with other faith-based organizations within the Disciples of Christ network and beyond. The focus of service has narrowed, but the vision of new ministries is boundless. For more information, please visit http://www.nbacares.org/index.html. Position Title: President/Chief Executive Officer Key Relationships: Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Administrative Committee, General Board, and General Assembly. Main Focus and Challenges: Our client seeks a thoughtful, strategic executive to act as transformational leader, working closely with the Board of Trustees to refine and implement an overall vision for the organization going forward. This person should have a deep familiarity with, commitment to, and working knowledge of the culture and ethos of the Disciples of Christ, not only at the individual congregation level, but also more widely in terms of regional and general church leadership. Additionally this executive will maintain appropriate relations with Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Administrative Committee, General Board, and General Assembly. The successful candidate will be committed to serving others through Disciples Benevolent Services, collaborating with the Board to set forth a fresh direction and communicate that shift effectively to all stakeholders. As the spokesperson for the organization, the CEO must be articulate, possessing energy, passion, and excellent communication skills in order to convey the organization's goals and aspirations. He/she must have the ability to build trust and to motivate others to support the organization. SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES 1) Grow and develop the organization within the guidelines of its mission statement: In the loving and caring spirit of Christ, DBS will partner with regions, congregations, and others to develop ministries of care in response to the needs of their communities. 2) Build and maintain a positive image and reality for the DBS by bringing congregations into the process of developing new ministries, keeping them included in and energized by the effort. Foster the organization's ability to facilitate and enhance congregational missions. Open new avenues of communication for congregations to express their ideas. 3) Partner with the current DBS Board to expand the number of board members and support the process of maturing the group into an effective governing body. 4) Confer with the DBS Board and staff to develop goals and objectives for the organization, as well as to discuss issues, coordinate activities, and resolve problems. 5) In consultation with the Chief Financial Officer, direct and coordinate DBS's fiscal and budget activities in order to fund operations, maximize investments, and increase efficiency. Approve expenditures, which constitute a budget variation up to $25,000. Operate in a fiscally responsible manner. 6) Serve as ambassador, spokesperson, and designated representative of the DBS, including representing DBS at Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) functions and meetings including: a) Serve as an ex-officio member, reporting to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) General Board. b) Sit as part of the Council of General Ministries and Team Leadership Conference or its successor organization. c) Serve the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) as requested by the General Minister and President, and consistent with the mission of DBS. d) Reach out to local community in the St. Louis area to rebuild and strengthen relationships. e) Report biennially on behalf of the organization to the General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). 7) Exercise final authority for employee relations but may delegate authority to the HR department. 8) Analyze operations to evaluate performance of organization and staff in meeting objectives, and to determine areas of potential cost reduction, program improvement or policy change. 9) Ensure corporate compliance and compliance of Articles and Bylaws of the DBS. 10) Purchase and maintain insurance-related products or self-insurance programs providing adequate coverage for risks associated with the facilities' property and programs. 11) Consult with DBS facility management regarding: a) security, safety and loss control programs, and policies and procedures. b) risk associated with new programs and services, including adding outside parties as additional insureds to the DBS insurance policies. 12) Perform tasks and projects as directed by the DBS Board of Trustees, and serve on the DBS Board of Trustees in an ex-officio capacity. Qualifications & Experience: The ideal candidate will be a highly energetic and compassionate leader who possesses superb management skills combined with the understanding and capability to work effectively within a non-profit governance structure. Able to inspire others with his/her passion and commitment to the mission of the DBS – to serve those in need – this individual should have excellent planning, administration, financial management, and personnel management skills, with a minimum of five years of senior-level experience in a related field. A member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is preferred. If not a member, must have a working knowledge of the Disciples beyond the local congregation. Visionary: an individual who has demonstrated he/she is more than a maintainer of the equipment; an executive who has demonstrated a good track record in grasping the current situation and projecting possibilities for the future. An individual who possesses "a Christian heart with a business mind," with roots in a faith community as well as having business perspective. A seasoned professional with strong business sense, as well as skills and the ability to apply these to the mission of the DBS. This individual must possess firm and decisive managerial skills and be willing to deliver bad news, take action, and be capable of implementing strategy within appropriate deadlines. Academic training from an accredited post-secondary educational institution in the areas of business management or a related field. Advanced degrees are preferred, but not required. Leadership & Management Behavioral Competencies: A strategic thinker and planner with the ability to see beyond the present and immediate future to help the organization see the "big picture" and achieve long-term goals. Able to set priorities and to deal with multiple tasks and functions simultaneously. An effective communicator; a person able to converse with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) general and regional ministries, individuals, families, corporations, boards, and staff members. Sensitive, tactful, and an excellent listener who welcomes and respects diverse viewpoints. Development/fundraising skills: must be capable of expressing and presenting the mission and needs of DBS to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), to corporations, to foundations, to major donors, etc. He/she must be able to lead a strong development team and have an appreciation for the role of fundraising in the success of meeting an organization's mission and goals. This person should be astute and have the ability to deal patiently and empathetically with people at all levels in an organization, as well as with constituent groups and stakeholders. Must be a flexible, self-reliant person who can handle conflict and advocate ideas using deft negotiation and persuasion skills. Able to remain composed and calm when faced with those who oppose or challenge. A risk-taker and innovator, willing to move into unknown arenas and examine the possibilities of service. The ability to see and use more than one model or approach to expanding DBS' ministry. Knowledge of public relations and experience working with volunteers. Ability and fortitude to handle criticism from those who fault the organization for its past and/or its perceived failures or weaknesses. This individual must be pro-active in looking for opportunities, rather than reactive to problems as they are brought to her/his attention. This includes the ability to get to the root of complex issues and be adaptable and flexible in solving problems. Must be open to new ideas and have the ability to offer new concepts that may not be obvious to others. Promote and foster a friendly, constructive working environment while maintaining the willingness to make tough decisions when necessary. The ability to function as a catalyst, coach, and doer. This individual must guide others at all levels of the organization, utilizing the facilitative approach and advancing the learning and development of others. Must be both analytical and creative, and capable of finding original solutions to the unique challenges the organization faces. Personal Characteristics: A person of great personal and professional character who is honest and ethical to the very highest level, thereby gaining the respect of the DBS employees, the DBS Board, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and the general community. A self-motivated, confident style which is coupled with diplomatic skills. This person must possess the ability to persuade, convince, and influence others in order to achieve a specific result, as well as lead by example in challenging the status quo and encouraging the changes required in the organization. Polished, professional image and demeanor coupled with outstanding presentation skills. Strong written and verbal communications skills with demonstrated ability to speak to a wide variety of audiences. Forthright and candid in all matters, articulating both the strengths and weaknesses of DBS to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), DBS employees, local boards, local units, the financial community and prospective donors. HEIDRICK & STRUGGLES CONTACTS Naree Viner Heidrick & Struggles |
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