Special Olympics Vermont
President and Chief Executive Officer, Special Olympics Vermont | Full Time
Category: Non-profit
Location:
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, SPECIAL OLYMPICS VERMONT
Special Olympics Vermont (SOVT) is an Accredited Program of Special Olympics International, an organization that has more than 6 million athletes in more than 174 countries. SOVT is a 501(c)(3) not for-profit organization, founded in 1971. SOVT serves athletes of all ages through year-round programming in more than 20 community programs throughout the state.
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of SOVT is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
VISION STATEMENT
Driven by the power of sport, inclusion is at the heart of all that we do at SOVT. We strive to celebrate and promote unity and create a world where everyone belongs. We value and respect differences, backgrounds, and perspectives, and understand that greater diversity, equity, and inclusion makes us stronger and more innovative to deliver better results as we work together in all communities.
CULTURE
SOVT is a dynamic, year-round non-profit. To meet workload and timeline demands, employees are expected to demonstrate personal discipline, self-motivation and a commitment to working as a team. Each SOVT staff member is expected to possess strong interpersonal skills, demonstrate professionalism, and complete their duties with attention to detail and flexibility.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The President and CEO has primary responsibility for the leadership, key relationships, public image, growth and overall health and stability of SOVT. This includes oversight of all areas relating to operational, financial (particularly development/fundraising), program management, and administrative functions, via direct management of are Directors and the senior leadership team. In partnership with the Board of Directors, the President and CEO will utilize and evolve the strategic plan to steward the organization’s future and ensure attainment of strategic goals. The President and CEO will lead the senior staff through the collaborative creation of, and adherence to, a dynamic operations plan, executed and managed by staff and volunteers.
Additionally, this role has the primary responsibility to (design and) implement a comprehensive development plan, complete with targeted strategies to identify, cultivate, engage, and solicit companies, individuals, and government agencies to financially and programmatically support SOVT.
The President and CEO should demonstrate bold thinking, the ability to effectively use resources to achieve the goals of SOVT and possess the skills to strengthen and diversify funding to efficiently deliver impactful programs. The President and CEO must have a passion for and a strong commitment to Special Olympics and its mission.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The President and CEO is ultimately responsible for all aspects of the organization. This position ultimately oversees a multitude of activities including all administrative, financial and human resource functions, resource development, communications and public affairs, and all programmatic offerings. The role serves as a primary contact and relationship holder for several key constituent groups, including but not limited to the Board of Directors and all Board committees and working groups, leadership staff, athletes and athlete leadership, government agencies, community leaders, corporate sponsors and investors, individual donors, foundations, and Special Olympics US, North America, and Incorporated at the leadership level.
- Champion, guide and execute the mission, vision and brand of SOVT, in concert with the Board Chair and Directors.
- Collaborate with the SOVT Board to execute an updated strategic vision for growth and oversee development of an annual operating plan to accomplish goals set out in the strategic plan.
- Offer direction and support to the senior leadership team, responsible for day-to-day office activities and personnel management, as well as all events, competitions and programs offered by Additionally work with this team to recruit, retain, motivate, mentor and lead SOVT office staff and volunteers.
- Provide leadership to and define strategic direction for the SOVT staff, volunteers, and other related constituencies.
- Serve as chief spokesperson for SOVT with media and other external
- Together with the Director of Communications, Marketing & Public Affairs, oversee the Communications, Marketing, and Public Relations functions.
- Together with Director of Programs, and staff team, oversee the growth of key SOVT initiatives, such as: Healthy Athletes®; Unified Champion Schools; Unified Sports®; Young Athletes™; collegiate and professional sports partnerships.
- Be the primary liaison, build strong relationships, and maintain alignment with Special Olympics North America and Special Olympics International’s mission, strategic plan and priorities.
- Advocate on behalf of SOVT with government and legislative officials and bodies; ensure compliance with regulatory agencies.
- In concert with a Director of Development (to be hired), maintain and build financial and organizational stability through revenue generation.
- Lead the development and diversification of revenues from a broad base of new and existing funding sources (corporate partners, foundations, annual giving, major donors, ).
- Collaborate with Board and staff to articulate an effective and comprehensive development plan that includes segmented and targeted fundraising strategies to deliver revenue; at a high level, oversee all aspects of implementation of the development plan;
- Recruit, retain, motivate, and steward donors, investors, corporate partners, and philanthropic foundations.
- Include individual and corporate giving, event and Games sponsorships, fundraising events, end of year giving, additional annual appeals, foundation and government grants, major gifts, and other revenue-generating opportunities, including programs with SOI such as Integrated Direct Marketing Partnership (IDMP) and Planned Giving Collaborative (PGC).
- Draft sponsorship proposals with a long-term relationship-management approach that focuses on the ROI of corporate investment.
- Sell and close investment and sponsorship
- Steward donor and sponsor investor
- Direct development-related record keeping in the SOVT donor database, Little Green Light, as a resource to utilize impactful data analysis for revenue growth and donor stewardship.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
The President and CEO must be an energetic and passionate leader with extensive experience in business and/or in a non-profit organization as a CEO or in Senior Management, with a record of demonstrable achievement. To be successful in this role, the candidate should possess the following qualifications and competencies:
- Creative, entrepreneurial, and strategic perspective with consistently demonstrated ability to develop and successfully implement a vision for a complex organization, one that aligns with the global SOI mission.
- Excellent interpersonal communication to convey the importance of Special Olympics’ mission to a variety of audiences and stakeholders in a clear and compelling way. The President and CEO must rally people to support that mission externally, while conveying to internal audiences an appreciation for their efforts toward making Special Olympics’ goals a reality.
- High emotional intelligence and ability to cultivate relationships and collaborate with stakeholders and Can make a compelling and effective case to secure the funds necessary to fulfill SOVT’s mission with stakeholders from high-net-worth individuals, senior corporate executives, heads of leading foundations, and high-level government officials.
- Knowledge of sports, health and/or education is The President and CEO must have a passion for sports and its power to change individuals, communities, and social structures.
- A community bridge-builder and an effective The President and CEO must seek and develop strategic networking opportunities and collaborative partnerships at the local and national levels.
- Strong ability to evaluate organizational effectiveness and the capacity to align financial resources with strategies and operations in order to manage operations profitably.
- Personal qualities of resilience, optimism, determination, competitive desire to set and achieve goals, deep belief that all humans are worthy of respect, deserve to be included, and have the opportunity, and expectation, that they can and will make their unique
- Proven ability to get along with all types of
SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES
- Ten years of experience in senior management of an organization
- Robust interpersonal, leadership, personnel management, professional coaching skills
- Exceptional communication skills in relationship building and public speaking
- Demonstrated background and success in fundraising/development
- Strong business acumen with a track record demonstrating strong financial management and organizational leadership
- Bachelor’s degree: Advanced degree preferred
- Experience with intellectual disabilities, inclusion, and sport knowledge preferred
- Experience in serving on or working with non-profit organizations preferred
- Extensive experience with events is highly
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Work requires travel by automobile to communities throughout Vermont for meetings and program operations. Employees must maintain a valid Vermont driver’s license and manage travel arrangements, including overnight accommodations.
Additional travel is required to attend Regional, National and International meetings and conferences.
SUPERVISION
Report directly to the Chair of the Board and Board of Directors.
POSITION STATUS
Full time, exempt. Regular travel, including nights and weekends, based upon the organization’s events and needs.
LOCATION
SOVT headquarters, and President and CEO office, is in South Burlington, Vermont. However, given the community and relationship builder responsibilities of this position, the CEO is also expected to be working out in the community. Once established in the role, and with the consent of the board chair, may have the flexibility to occasionally work from home and the road.
SALARY
Commensurate with experience and Vermont non-profit salary rates.
BENEFITS
- Medical and Dental Insurance
- Generous Combined Time Off and Paid Holidays
- HSA Employer Contribution
- Fun, Flexible Work Environment with Great Coworkers!
- 401k Employer Match
- Disability, Life, ADD Insurance
- Cell Phone Stipend
- Mission-Driven Work
- Opportunity for Professional
EVALUATION
At the end of 90 days and henceforth on an ad hoc, organic basis, at quarterly board meetings, and a formal written performance assessment on an annual basis.
EMPLOYMENT and DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION
SOVT is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, neurodiversity, age, parental status, socio-economic background, military service, or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable law.
SOVT strives to create an organization that reflects our communities and where everyone feels empowered to do their best work. SOVT will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or bullying. Anyone who does not comply with this policy and/or is found to have engaged in discrimination, harassment, or bullying will be subject to appropriate action, up to and including separation from the organization.
Please send your resume to applySOVT@gmail.com to apply for the job.
Thank you for your time and consideration!
Deadline: April 10, 2023 12:00 am
To Apply:
Those interested should submit a resume and cover letter to ApplySOVT@gmail.com at your earliest convenience or by April 10th, 2023.
