Position Title: Executive Director, The Arc of Philadelphia
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer, SpArc Philadelphia
FSLA status: Exempt
 

Summary: The Executive Director of The Arc of Philadelphia is responsible for supporting the mission of The Arc of Philadelphia by driving advocacy efforts for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families/caregivers to ensure access to appropriate supports and services that promote community inclusion. Collaborate with SpArc Philadelphia executive team to achieve the strategic outcomes and goals of The Arc of Philadelphia.

 

Position Responsibilities

Services Management 

• Provide day-to-day leadership and management of internal and external advocacy efforts on behalf of individuals served and their families.     
• Contribute to strategic planning, goal setting, and budgeting that will drive strategy.  
• Collaborate with the SpArc Philadelphia executive team, contributing expertise and advice. Drive the leadership agenda throughout the organization.
• Responsible to ensure all advocacy services and programs meet high standards of excellence, quality, and safety. Monitor changes in current federal and state regulations, as well as professional standards, and drive implementation throughout the organization. 
• Spearhead the development of program enhancements to remain responsive to the needs of those served, support funder interests and priorities, and reflect service trends. Adapt services or programs to the changing environment as appropriate.
• Align staff resources, operational systems, processes, and procedures to meet the goals of The Arc efficiently and effectively and in accordance with any regulations and expectations.
• Develop budgets for service or program, and be accountable for responsible fiduciary implementation of those budgets. 
• Seek and obtain diverse funding to support current programs, expand services, programs, and advocacy supports. Provide timely reports on funded programs and activities.
• Provide timely, accurate, and complete reports on program services for internal and external purposes.
• Hire, motivate, and lead a high-performing team that is committed and capable to drive the goals of the organization. Mentor and develop staff to ensure a core team focused on the priorities of the agency. Ensure a diverse staff with the appropriate skills to meet the needs of the various positions.
• Foster a customer-centric, accountable environment within the organization. 
• Champion training opportunities for The Arc staff, parents, caregivers. Ensure the appropriate staff development programs are implemented throughout the organization including educating staff on the needs of people with disabilities.  
• Provide representation at IEP meetings including preparing caregivers to participate.

Partnerships and Collaborative Relationships 

• Develop and leverage relationships with key public and private sector representatives, advocating and contributing to educating, providing information, support, legislative, regulatory, and educational advocacy. Ensure The Arc of Philadelphia is well regarded and represented at disability-related venues. 
• Develop and maintain advocacy relationships at the state and local legislative level to ensure legislative and regulatory attention to the needs of people with disabilities based on best practice standards. Serve on, participate in, and attend various committee meetings. Advocate for reform as appropriate.
• Leverage local and statewide opportunities to participate in events at select, diverse venues.  
• Provide oversight of agency contracts and grants with funders.
• Host and participate in informational and support activities for caregivers and other providers to develop community awareness; i.e. the Parent/Caregiver meetings.  
• Seek and respond timely, compassionately, and expertly to the concerns and interests of individuals served, their caregivers, and other stakeholders.

Staff Management 

• Collaborate with the SpArc Philadelphia executive team to develop and implement plans for the operational infrastructure of systems, processes, and staffing designed to achieve the goals of the organization. 
• Foster a success-oriented, accountable teamwork environment throughout the organization. Establish and hold direct reports responsible for creating a climate that attracts, retains, and motivates high performance. Ensure timely and thorough implementation of performance management program.
• Provide leadership for the successful implementation of strategic plans and achievement of short and long-term goals.
• Model positive customer service and the core competencies of the organization. Hold others accountable to do the same. 
• Conduct regular meetings with staff and participate in organization-wide management meetings to ensure priorities are clear, coordination between entities is good, and communications are open.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree preferred. Or Bachelors’ degree in human services or related field, with five years’ prior experience in management in the area of disabilities and/or advocacy. 
• Demonstration of leadership, sense of vision and ability to motivate around shared vision.
• Demonstration of willingness to collaborate and success in a team-oriented environment. 
• Enterprise-wide perspective that includes change management, strategic planning and implementation, and ability to mobilize resources aligned to organization goals. Able to motivate staff around a shared vision.
• Strong interpersonal skills, professional demeanor and presentation skills. Ability to form and maintain strategic external partnerships.
• Strong verbal, written communication, and listening skills. Good presentation skills.
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse population of funders, community leaders, board members, donors, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to hire and develop a high-caliber staff capable of providing high quality services, accountable for job responsibilities, and motivated to achieve high performance. 
• Ability to effectively delegate.
• Ability to multi-task and be in control of numerous tasks at any one time.
• Demonstrated initiative, problem solving, creativity, analytical skills, and follow-through along with organization and management skills.
• Effective fiscal management and contract compliance skills.
• Strong computer skills.
• Clear criminal and child abuse history, medical and drug screen.
• Demonstrate the organization’s core competencies and solid customer service skills
• Must be flexible to work evenings and weekends as needed. Some travel required. 

How to Apply:

Qualified candidates should send a cover letter and resumé to HR@sparcphilly.org, using "Executive Director, The Arc of Philadelphia" as the subject line.