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Vice President for Programs and Community Initiatives
Program Department
The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties
Utica, NY
For nearly 60 years, The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties has been connecting people who care to causes that matter. As it approaches this milestone anniversary, The Foundation is a strong, respected community institution dedicated to building a vibrant, healthy and economically viable region that provides opportunities for all people to reach their highest potential.
To prepare for the next 60 years, The Foundation embarked on a strategic planning process in 2010, facilitated by the nationally-recognized Aspen Institute’s Community Strategies Group. The new strategic plan, formally adopted in February, 2011, includes a new values statement as well as refreshed mission and vision statements. The plan uses four implementation strategies to pursue The Foundation’s goals for the community including: 1) Leverage the full range of The Foundation resources to produce desired, measurable results on critical community issues and opportunities; 2) Increase and develop The Foundation’s relationships and the community’s awareness and understanding of its role; 3) Build The Foundation’s financial assets available to catalyze community betterment; and 4) Ensure and align management, governance and infrastructure capacity to achieve its strategic goals.
During the summer of 2011, The Foundation enlisted FSG to complete a cost-revenue study to evaluate its staffing and infrastructure and determine how resources should be aligned to achieve the first three goals. After careful study, it was determined that The Foundation should upgrade and enhance the position of director of philanthropy to a vice president for programs and community initiatives.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
As an enhanced senior position, the vice president oversees all aspects of The Community Foundation’s community investing and engagement activities, as well as all donor-advisor stewardship, to ensure the effectiveness of The Foundation’s grantmaking.
Specific duties include:
- Provide Community Leadership
- Creating internal readiness for community leadership by working with the President & CEO and the Community Leadership & Strategic Initiatives Committee creating the internal understanding, consensus, capacity and organizational infrastructure to learn about, investigate, implement and evaluate leadership activities
- Leading community engagement by facilitating all community leadership activities including, but not limited to serving as the lead staff for community conversations involving or led by the Foundation. Current examples include: facilitating Leadership Alliance for a Vital Community and the Foundation and facilitating a community-wide literacy coalition.
- Working to increase outside funding support to local projects and community collaborations
- Increasing and focusing grantmaking to address critical issues key to the sustainability, viability and livability of the community
- Utilizing grantmaking as a catalyst for achieving significant, measurable community impact
- Seeking new ways to engage and strengthen nonprofit partners
- Participating in regional funder collaborative
- Development of the direction and priorities within The Foundation’s focus and initiative areas with goals of
- Increasing the impact of Foundation funding
- Leveraging additional funding
- Building partnerships through collaborations and coalitions
- Being a proactive and philanthropic community leader and partner
- Oversight of Grantmaking -- Overseeing all aspects of grant administration, (except scholarships) including, but not limited to:
- Providing efficient and effective grantmaking and donor advised grant services
- Ensuring adherence to due diligence and other national standards and regulations
- Understanding the local nonprofit community
- Assuring that data about donors and grantmaking from their funds is well documented, accurate, up-to-date and accessible to other staff.
- Management, motivation and development of Program Team members to:
- Provide exceptional service to the community
- Uphold The Foundation’s values and work integrity
- Ensure that all community investment activities meet the highest possible standards of fairness, rigor and strategic alignment.
- Supervision of the Senior Program Officer and Program Associate in
- Addressing the on-going needs of the nonprofit community and monitoring and strengthening adherence to national standards and regulations
- Ensuring that grantmaking from discretionary, field of interest, donor- advised, designated, agency funds are consistent with donors’ interests and meet all due diligence criteria.
- Establishment and oversight of policies and procedures for managing programs
- Creation and oversight of grants and leadership budgets
- Encouragement of cross-departmental relationships and cross-functionally with the team members in the Development department (in ensuring that public communications about grants and initiatives reflect a consistent message and image for The Foundation), Finance, HR & IT (in understanding financial procedures and controls for all grant disbursements recommended by the department; and in reviewing and implementing field appropriate hardware/software to ensure the delivery of updated and high quality services to grantees and donors).
- Representation of the President at external committee and community meetings when necessary
- Participation and leadership in national community foundation and program-related networking and peer learning activities such as Council on Foundations, Grantmakers for Effective Organizations, and the Literacy Funders Network to further The Foundation’s understanding in particular program areas and contribute to the advancement of the philanthropic field
Given the dynamic nature of The Foundation’s work, the job will inevitably grow and change over time. The Vice President’s recommendations for these changes, and participation in their implementation, will be a crucial element in advancing The Foundation’s ability to carry out its mission. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned by the President as need dictates.
IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIPS
The Vice President will report to the President and CEO, Peggy O’Shea, and serve on her senior management team. Peggy has been with The Foundation since 2000 holding the positions of Senior Program Officer and Director of Programs and Development before being appointed President and CEO in 2005. During her tenure, Peggy has increased the staff by three and implemented two strategic planning processes. A longtime resident of the area, she is dedicated to the mission “To improve life and livelihood in our region The Community Foundation advances leadership on community solutions and philanthropy that connects people who care with causes that matter.” With Peggy at the helm, the total assets of The Foundation have grown from $55M to $92M and over $35M in grants have been made in support of the vision “The Community Foundation envisions a vibrant, healthy and economically viable region that provides opportunities for all people to reach their highest potential.”
The Vice President will supervise the Senior Program Officer, Jan Squadrito, and the Program Associate, Marie Piayai. Jan joined The Foundation in 2002 and held the position of Program and Marketing Officer prior to being appointed to her current post in 2007. Marie is new to The Foundation, arriving earlier this year after returning from Thailand, where she taught English on a Fulbright Award. She served as an intern at The Foundation during the summer of 2008, visiting with local grantees and evaluating their use of the funds.
A key role for the Vice President will be staffing the Community Leadership & Strategic Initiatives Committee. Currently chaired by Board Member Richard Callahan, the Committee has been involved in the strategic planning process and development of the Vice President’s position. The Vice President will also have interaction with the Grants Committee that is staffed by the Senior Program Officer.
The Vice President also serves as the liaison to the Leadership Alliance for a Vital Community. The Alliance is a joint community indicators project of The Foundation, the United Way of the Valley and Greater Utica Area and Mohawk Valley EDGE.
IDEAL QUALITIES AND EXPERIENCE
Due to the complex requirements of the position, The Foundation requires candidates for the Vice President position to hold a Bachelor’s degree (advanced degree preferred) or equivalent and a minimum of eight years experience in nonprofit management, grantmaking, development, community development or customer service work related to community foundations. The ideal candidate will have a background managing a team, projects and volunteers. Because the position will require extensive relationship building with non-profits and volunteers, individuals with strong interpersonal, oral and written communications skills should highlight these skills in the cover letter. Candidates with a sense of humor and desiring to make a difference for the community are most welcome.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The Foundation is committed to a competitive salary and benefits plan that provides opportunities for education, professional development and supports work-life balance.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
The Foundation is located in Utica, New York, part of the Gateway Region of Oneida and Herkimer Counties. Applicants will find world-class entertainment at the historic Stanley Theatre, an eclectic choice in quality local restaurants, and events and activities for every arts and cultural taste. The area offers all of the benefits of urban life in one of New York’s Erie Canal cities with proximity to the outdoors for four season fun. Skiers, snowboarders, snowmobilers, rock climbers, hikers, mountain bikers, fisherman and golfers will all find a range of opportunities. To learn more about all that Oneida and Herkimer counties have to offer, visit:
Leadership Alliance for a Vital Community (Oneida and Herkimer Counties) and
Oneida County Visitors Bureau.
TO APPLY
Inquiries, applications (including a resume, cover letter and three professional references), and nominations should be directed to Peggy O’Shea at moshea@foundationhoc.org. Please list VP Programs and CI in the e-mail subject line. A review of candidates will begin immediately and applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Only candidates who are being actively considered will be contacted.
THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF HERKIMER AND ONEIDA COUNTIES
IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
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