Position: American Red Cross Community Chapter Executive Director
Reports To: Regional Chapter Executive
Governance / Management Relationship with the Community Chapter's Volunteer Board Chair and Board
The Chapter Executive is the chief executive officer of the Kosciusko County Chapter chartered by the national organization's Board of Governors to deliver American Red Cross services and products to the local community. In this role, the Chapter Executive is responsible for the efficient and responsive delivery of American Red Cross disaster, health and safety, armed forces emergency, international and other community services; as well as supporting delivery of biomedical/blood services within the Chapter's jurisdiction. This requires the Executive to plan for, procure, develop and sustain the financial, human/volunteer and physical resources required to realize that vision based on local community, customer, and donor needs.
The Chapter Executive operates in a governance / management relationship with the Chapters volunteer Chair and Board and is accountable and reports to the Regional Chapter Executive as well as the Board and the Board Chair. The Chapter Executive fulfills key responsibilities in accordance with goals jointly developed with the Board and the larger jurisdictions of the American Red Cross and set forth is strategic, business and financial development plans.
The Chapter Executive is responsible for the day-to-day management of the business operations and systems essential to the service delivery of the Chapter. These include planning, customer/donor relations, financial and human resource management, information systems, organizational accountability, and fiduciary and legal compliance.
The Chapter Executive acts as a representative of the American Red Cross in the local community. Critical to this role is influencing and developing collaborative relationships with external audiences, including government, business, other charitable and social service agencies and the media.
The Chapter Executive is responsible for developing, maintaining, and communicating a thorough knowledge of American Red Cross mission, corporate goals, objectives, policies, and priorities. In addition, the Chapter Executive must ensure that all Chapter activities are conducted in compliance with the policies and procedures of the American Red Cross and relevant laws and regulations. The Chapter Executive is responsible for protecting the name and the emblem of the American Red Cross.
Core Competencies:
The Chapter Executive of the Kosciusko County Chapter of the American Red Cross will, by training or experience, have proven abilities:
In Organizational and Project Management (In a Not-For-Profit Setting a Plus)
Demonstrate Red Cross Organizational Citizenship
Inspire commitment and dedication to the American Red Cross mission, vision, values, principles and traditions by incorporating them into personal behavior and visible actions and by using them as standards for decisions.
Manage for Continuously High Performance
Manage to ensure that the Chapter meets or exceeds corporate expectations and objectives in all areas of operations as currently measured and as those measures change.
Promote Effective Board Relations and Governance
Build and maintain positive and effective relationships with the Chapter's volunteer leaders and support the Chapter Board Chair in leading the board to meet its governance responsibilities.
In Leadership with Board Members, Staff, and Volunteers
Implement Visionary Plans
Create and express a clear and compelling vision for chapter direction, service, and performance and the linkages between current achievement and future goals.
Lead Change Effectively
Act as a catalyst for needed change at the Chapter by convincing others of the need for change due to critical organizational objectives and motivate and help others to adapt and remain effective.
In Fundraising and Financial Development
Develop and Grow Financial / Revenue Sources
Personally demonstrate fund-raising and revenue-generating ability on the Chapter's behalf. Effectively execute fiscal and fiduciary responsibilities.
To be an Integral Member of Our County-Wide Network
Maximize Red Cross Presence in the Community
Promote the Chapter, its reputation, and its services to all audiences in the community including through collaborative relationships with all other potential partners organizations in the community in keeping with corporate guidelines.
Make the Needs of and Services to our “Customers” a Priority
Communicate the mission and programs of the Red Cross in the terms of community needs, concerns, objectives, and aspirations and lead the Chapter in a committed and successful effort to respond effectively to these Red Cross and community expectations and requirements.
Key Responsibilities:
Manages for High Performance: Works to ensure that the Chapter demonstrates a high level of performance.
- Prioritizes and communicates roles and responsibilities concerning the Chapter’s business plan, strategic goals and improvement initiatives
- Demonstrates commitment to cultivating people at all levels within their purview and valuing communication to ensure retention and buy in. Provides effective leadership in recognizing, rewarding and motivating volunteers and employees.
- Ensures through goal-setting, delegating and feedback that employees and volunteers remain committed and accountable to the Chapter, regional and corporate performance objectives and measures
- Develops, in partnership with the Chapter board and the Regional Chapter Executive, an annual budget that is achievable and reflects organizational goals
- Ensures that the Chapter meets or exceeds performance standards
- Ensures a strong volunteer support system within the chapter financial management and public accountability for contributions, income and all Red Cross assets
- Effectively delegates operational issues to employees and employees and volunteers as appropriate
- Builds a strong environment of collaboration and consensus-building between our Chapter and other Chapters within our regional grouping
- Builds capacity and presence throughout Chapter’s regional jurisdiction
- Brings a customer service/satisfaction orientation to the Chapter's product and service development, marketing, delivery and evaluation cycles.
- Works effectively with our Regional Chapter and other Community Chapters within our grouping to build regional efficiencies and performance.
Communications: Maximizes Red Cross presence and relevance in the community.
- Continuously increases community awareness, participation and commitment to the American Red Cross through effective promotion of its services
- Ensures regular media communications to the community regarding Chapter services
- Promotes the American Red Cross and its services to all external audiences.
- Develops and promotes a positive reputation for the organization.
- Uses collaborative relationships, partnerships and informal influence networks to assert that the Red Cross is an effective and efficient charity in the community.
Fundraising: Develops and Grows Financial Revenue/Resources:
- Personally leads fund-raising and revenue-earning activities for the Chapter.
- Works with the Chapter board to ensure that the Chapter has adequate and diversified financial resources to meet service delivery and corporate financial development goals.
- Provides leadership to and actively participates in raising and leveraging funds.
Service Delivery: Ensures consistent and responsive delivery of high-quality American Red Cross services based on regional strategies and locally assessed community and donor needs and objectives.
- Ensures Chapter capacity for service delivery through the effective involvement and engagement of volunteers and partners
- Ensures an emergency services response program to provide services for local emergencies
- Ensures a strong Disaster Service Human Resources program to support major disaster response nationwide
- Ensures a comprehensive Health & Safety program that provides services to individuals and organizations
- Ensures access to Armed Forces Emergency Services for military families
- Ensures Chapter participation in ARC international services programs
- Addresses opportunities for other services that are aligned with national and regional strategies and meet local needs
Partnerships: Builds partnerships within the Chapter jurisdiction.
- Ensures that the Chapter works closely with local government on preparedness and emergency services planning
- Works with local businesses to build partnerships in areas of preparedness, health & safety, response and fundraising
- Ensures that the Chapter works closely with other community charitable and social service agencies
- Works to ensure a strong collaborative relationship between the Chapter and other Chapters within our grouping
- Works to ensure a strong collaborative relationship between the Chapters and Blood Services within our grouping
Promotes Effective Board Relations and Governance: Uses the knowledge and experience of nonprofit, volunteer board governance to build and maintain positive and effective relationships with the Chapter’s volunteer leaders.
- Develops and sustains positive and effective relationships with the Chapter’s volunteer governing Board and Board Chair
- Supports the Board Chair in meeting governance responsibilities for strategic planning, financial development and adherence to corporate policies and procedures
- Provides the Chapter Board with timely and accurate information, analysis and recommendations
- Supports continuous Board and other volunteer leader recruitment, education and development to ensure that Chapter leadership embodies high capacity and reflects the diversity of the local community served
- Encourages and supports collaborative activities between Community and Regional boards
Qualifications
Demonstration by formal education, ongoing training, and experience of the relevant skills to fulfill the Core Competencies and Key Responsibilities of the position.
High school diploma/GED. College degree (BS/BA) or relevant equivalent experience in business, administration, organization, management, or related field.
Three years of business or corporate administration experience directing a workforce, planning and overseeing programs, and solving operational and procedural problems; three years Red Cross experience or in the not-for-profit sector preferred.
Demonstrated ability to motivate participation and cooperation of employees and volunteers. Possess commitment to inclusiveness and ability to work effectively with diverse groups, including key community leaders and organizations. Strong understanding of inter-organizational relationships and ability to build effective work teams and establish consensus.
Demonstrated ability to exercise judgment in appraising situations and making decisions. Possess decisive, innovative and pro-active decision making with strong vision and implementation skills. Possess well-developed crisis management and time management skills.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills including negotiating, coaching, consulting and influencing others. Excellent public speaking and written communication skills.
Demonstrated experience and willingness to assess, plan and actively lead implementation of fund-raising strategies for ongoing and emerging Chapter operations.