Chief Executive Officer

Reporting Relationships

The CEO reports directly to the Council for Relationships (CFR) Board of Directors. Reporting to the CEO is a team of 6 staff members focused on the different functional areas of the organization.

Position Overview

The CEO will be responsible for executing the overall organizational vision, strategic direction, operating and fiscal policies in collaboration with CFR’s Board, staff, and members. This leader will be a team builder, both internally with the ability to delegate and develop, and externally to build cross organization collaboration. This individual will instill an inclusive culture of continuous improvement in the organization while broadening CFR’s scope of services, activities, visibility, and appeal within the Greater Philadelphia region, and beyond. Specifically, the new CEO will oversee all educational programs; communication of the organization’s mission and brand, community support, funding; staff development; educational programming.

The successful leader will maintain and steward the mission and vision. This individual will strengthen and cultivate strong relationships with stakeholders, including staff, board, members, the public, community partners, local, state, and federal government partners, and with a wide array of funders including foundations, individual donors, and corporate partners.

Strategic Leadership

• Together with the board and senior team, execute on the organization’s vision.
• Create and deliver expanded programs while maintaining financial sustainability.
• Actively embrace best practices while developing an equitable culture.
• Bring a 21st century perspective to CFR.
• Embrace ever changing technology internally and externally. 

Fiscal/Fiduciary Management/Operations

• Work closely with the board and senior team in setting and achieving multi-year strategic financial plan targets.
• In conjunction with the CFO and Chair of the Finance Committee, ensure full financial transparency by providing regular communication regarding strategic financial plans, budgets, and financial performance to the board.
• Ensure financial stability and sustainability through sound fiduciary stewardship.
• Coordinate and oversee activities with professional advisors, including legal counsel, and auditors.

Resource Development

• Lead and work closely with the development team and all program areas to continually identify, diversify, and increase funding from individual donors, foundations, city, state, federal, and corporate partners.
• Serve as the public face of the organization, carrying CFR’s message to various funding communities.
• Bring together the board, business leaders, and funders to increase financial support for CFR.

Board Governance

• Engage and educate the board on relevant topics affecting CFR. Educate and collaborate continually.
• Assist the board in identifying, attracting, and onboarding new board members.
• Work closely with the board chair to provide a stimulating, meaningful experience for all board members.
• Assist in recruitment of new board members.

External Relations/Communications

• Act as primary point person for information and insight on local and national policies and regulations as they relate to CFR’s mission.
• Serve as spokesperson and liaison representing and promoting CFR’s mission and work to the broader community.
• Communicate CFR’s direction and vision internally and externally to build commitment and support for the organization, driving contributed and earned revenue strategies.

Human Resources

• Promote the development of an effective talent acquisition, retention strategy, and succession planning supporting the professional growth of employees and creating a collaborative team.
• Ensure the organization’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging is clear and evident in all CFR’s operations.
• Motivate the senior team and staff through clear articulation of objectively attainable goals that challenge and engage them as individuals and as a team.
• Provide leadership, direction, and meaningful and timely communication to all staff.
• Develop thoughtful and effective evaluations for the 6-person senior team to assess performance and ensure appropriate alignment with CFR’s strategic and operational goals.

Critical Skills/Qualifications

Passion and alignment with CFR’s mission and vision

• Minimum of ten years of experience in a leadership role with a record of success and achievement of goals and objectives.
• Innovative, relevant, executive-level leadership experience.
• Expertise to unite governance, leadership, and staff around strategy and effective implementation. 
• Ability to stay focused on the mission, vision, and strategic goals.
• Committed to the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and interest in the issues, trends, opportunities, and challenges facing this field.  
• Skilled at working through a strategic planning process with a board.
• Proven fundraiser, comfortable building relationships and asking for financial support from a variety of sources.
• Ability to build, proactively nurture, and maintain networks of credible contacts and relationships.
• Proven ability to “knit together” cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated ability to energize and mobilize stakeholders.
• Ease and ability to understand and work with diverse constituencies and multiple viewpoints.
• An engaging, humble, inspiring leadership style.
• High emotional intelligence, curiosity, sense of humor, and exceptional communication skills.
• Collaborative, creative and “connector” style with strong business acumen.
• Technology and analytics enthusiast.
• Empathetic and focused problem-solver.
• Hands-on individual.

Personal Characteristics

• Collaborative, approachable leader – culturally sensitive, empathetic and engaging.
• Passionate supporter of CFR’s mission.
• Visionary leader capable of inspiring, catalyzing and successfully managing people through organizational change.
• Outstanding communicator – articulate, persuasive, open, transparent and forthcoming.
• Possesses strong interpersonal, relationship building and communication skills to effectively interact and engage external and internal constituents.
• Trustworthy, honest and believable with the highest standards of ethics, integrity and professionalism.
• Able to draw the best skills and talents out of others; possesses an inspirational leadership style.
• Collaborative and inclusive decision-making style. High emotional intelligence.
  • Balance, perspective, a good sense of humor