Executive Director

Description

Leadership and Vision

• Continues the tradition of the mental health Consumer movement in Virginia and encourages change in the mental health system by fostering communication and being a spokesperson for people in recovery from mental illness.
• Provides leadership in establishing and maintaining sound working relationships and cooperative arrangements with community groups and organizations, and represents the programs of VOCAL and the point of view of the organization to agencies, organizations, and the general public.
• Serves as an enthusiastic external representative or spokesperson and provides proactive leadership to constituencies, community leaders, grantees, and funding sources.
• Develop an operational plan which incorporates goals, objectives, and outcomes that work towards the strategic direction and growth of the organization, and meets the reporting requirements of funding sources.
• Implements both the spirit and intent of the Mission Statement of VOCAL and operates within the Bylaws and within all relevant Federal, State, Local, and other applicable regulations, guidelines, and laws.
• Fosters and embodies a collaborative leadership style. 

Administration

• Develops policies and procedures in accordance with Federal, State, Local, and other appropriate regulations, laws, and guidelines and works collaboratively with the Board to ensure that policies and procedures remain up-to-date.
• Reports to the board, as appropriate, any issues that may significantly impact the corporation or individuals therein.
• Oversees all VOCAL programs and activities, staying informed of and maintaining contact with all programs, the Board of Directors, and Board Committees and responding to their needs as appropriate.
• Ensure that all facilities meet health, safety, and service provision needs of staff/volunteers as appropriate.

Positive Consumer-oriented Services and Peer Support

• Promotes an organizational atmosphere of mutual support and empowerment.
• Fosters self-help, informed choice, advocacy, and elimination of stigma and discrimination.
• Fosters egalitarian principals and encourages diverse individuals to provide input regarding VOCAL’s policies, procedures, and services.
• Encourages input and assists with implementation of new ideas.
• Upholds the consumer values of mutual respect, equality, safety, and peer collaboration in all program activities.

 Programs and Services

• Collaborates with Board to develop, assist, and monitor policies to govern programs and services.
• Oversees production of VOCAL outreach materials, including VOCAL brochure and website with links to program websites.
• Submits bi-monthly Executive Director brief or summary of activities to the Board and quarterly to DBHDS, and meets at least quarterly with DBHDS.

 Staffing and Supervision

• Oversees, and as appropriate, directs the delivery of services consistent with consumer values of mutual respect and peer support.
• Provides Program Directors with support, guidance, and supervision.
• Fosters an effective and positive work environment and maintains a climate which attracts, retains, and motivates a diverse, highly qualified staff.
• Works with the Board of Directors to effectively manage the human resources of the organization according to personnel policies and procedures, fully conforming to current laws and regulations.
• Provides mediation and solution-focused suggestions with the goal of resolution.
• Provides personnel and management information to the Board.
• Promotes active and broad participation by volunteers in all areas of the organization’s work.

Financial and Fiduciary Responsibilities

• Provides fiscal management and resource allocations for VOCAL’s budget and ongoing oversight in development and coordination of Program budgets; writes and signs checks; deposits corporate funds; oversees bookkeeping, payroll, and taxes; pays bills; authorizes expenditures; works in partnership with Treasurer of the Board and reports to the Board of Directors.
• In collaboration with Board, oversees fundraising planning and implementation, including identifying resource requirements, researching funding sources, submitting proposals, and administrating fundraising records and documentation.

Skills Required

• Bachelor’s Degree or combination of education and work experience. Equivalent work experience will be strongly considered.
• Three or more years of management-level experience in non-profit organizations preferred, including a background working with grassroots organizations, and experience and expertise in the fields of mental health and peer-run programs.
• Experiential expert: personal experience as a mental health consumer.
• Effective personal communications skills, trustworthiness, and integrity.
• Cultural sensitivity and the ability to attract, organize, and accommodate people of diverse abilities, cultures, sexual orientation, economic status, race, ethnicity, language, and gender.
• Vision and strong belief in recovery-based and peer-run programs.
• Demonstrated successful fiscal management, administrative capabilities, and staff management and supervision.
• Sound understanding of issues affecting individuals with mental health challenges.
• Understanding of public mental health systems, especially in Virginia.
• Skills in advocacy, facilitation, and consensus-building.
• Extensive knowledge and comprehension of the individually unique process of recovery.

Additional Info

VOCAL, the Virginia Organization of Consumers Asserting Leadership, is a 100% peer-run statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to mental health empowerment, recovery, and peer leadership.  It was incorporated in 2000 to develop a diverse statewide coalition of consumers united to provide a voice for individual empowerment and to foster a consumer-driven mental health system.

The Executive Director provides vision, leadership, and motivation to VOCAL Board and staff in furthering the organization’s mission and accomplishing its goals. Working with the Board and staff, the Executive Director implements VOCAL’s goals and objectives and oversees the development of program and organizational strategies.