Organization:      Kerry’s Place

Position Title:      Vice President, Strategic Initiatives

Reports to:          Chief Executive Office

THE ORGANIZATION

Kerry’s Place is Canada’s largest service provider to families with children, adolescents, and adults, with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Since 1974 Kerry’s Place has been creating and providing evidence-based supports and services across the province of Ontario that enhance the quality of life of those with ASD. With staff of more than 1200, Kerry’s Place is one of the only organizations in the country that serves the entire life span of those with ASD.

Through the Ontario Autism Program, Kerry’s Place provides children and youth and their families a timely, evidence-based services needed to achieve their goals at home, at school and within their communities. This initiative serves individuals with ASD up to age 18, delivering skill-building groups, individual consultation, parent training and coaching, system navigation and family support.

Kerry’s Place also provides adults with ASD Residential and Semi-Independent Living Supports at 80 distinct properties across Ontario. Many residents grow with Kerry’s Place, spending upwards of 30 years in their care.

THE OPPORTUNITY

As part of the Kerry's Place Autism Services Executive management team, the Vice President Strategic Initiatives is responsible for providing executive leadership to key strategic initiatives that chosen by the board and senior team to transform programs, services and set new directions for our supported living and community operations. Additionally, the VP Strategic Initiatives will provide leadership and resource management of the Communication, Marketing and Fundraising departments to support in achieving the over-arching organizational strategies and the Vision, Mission, and Values.

RESPONSIBILITIES

General

• Provides executive leadership for key strategic initiatives set by the organization;
• Oversees all stages of project planning for key transformative strategic initiatives, alone or through joint accountability with another executive;
• Provides executive leadership to the identification and response to emerging sectoral opportunities or challenges and leverages cross-program strengths to optimize the organization’s ability to respond effectively;
• Collaborates with the executive team to create, develop, and implement organizational strategies, goals and operational plans;
• Collaborates to develop appropriate measurement and reporting metrics, evaluating results, identifying areas of risk, and developing and presenting strategies to mitigate risk;
• Assists the CEO in leading the strategic planning process for the organization;
• Assists the Senior Leadership Team in contributing to provincial government initiatives in the regions served by Kerry’s Place;
• Oversees the assigned budget to the position, monitoring and identifying budget variances, resolving issues, and ensuring timely preparation and delivery of all financial projections, reports and submissions;
• Contributes to the organization’s budget and financial management processes;
• Ensures all relevant information and reporting is provided to stakeholders in a way that ensures understanding and ease of use;
• Supports the Mission, Vision, Values and Strategic Plan of Kerry’s Place.

 Strategy and Performance

• Collaborate with the Chief Executive Officer, Board of Directors, and management team to continuously advance the strategic direction of Kerry’s Place;
• Maintain effective and productive working relationships with the members of the executive team and contributes to the work of the team;
• Establish and maintains effective external relationships or partnerships that enable and advance Kerry’s Place strategic goals based on strong government relations, broad stakeholders engagement and communication;
• Create a strategic learning environment which fosters and supports continuous improvement;
• Evaluate procedures and technology solutions to improve data management and collection;
• Develop, implement and lead organizational change.

 Leadership and Supervision

• Lead, coach, develop, and retain a high-performance leadership management team;
• Implement a shared vision for the organization and establish an environment that facilitates and motivates employees in working toward achievement of organizational strategic plan;
• Provide inspirational leadership through a passion for excellence, a commitment to employee development and success through teamwork;
• A collaborator and team player with experience leading and building a high functioning team;
• Develop and contribute to an internal communications strategy, keeping employees informed.

 Communications & Marketing Strategy

• Develop an effective communication and marketing strategy related to the new strategic plan for Kerry’s Place;
• Lead, coach, develop, and retain a high-performance staff with expertise in business communications and marketing;
• Provide executive leadership for internal and external communications and marketing;
• Ensure communication and marketing practices meet organizational needs now and for the future.

 Fundraising Strategy

• Develop an effective and comprehensive fundraising strategy in order to meet annual fundraising goals as established by the Board of Directors and the Senior Leadership Team;
• Operationalize the fundraising plan across the organization and through key community stakeholders through building solid donor relationships, events and corporate giving initiatives;

 Kerry’s Place Housing Strategy

• Collaborate with the Chief Executive Officer, Board of Directors, Kerry’s Place Residential Services and management team to advance the Kerry’s Place Housing Strategy;
• Lead the Kerry’s Place Residential Services and Kerry’s Place Autism Services Housing Strategy Committee;
• Responsible for collating, analyzing and making recommendations on demographic data specific to supported individuals within our care, of Kerry’s Place’s current inventory, engineering reports and all data collected regarding housing;
• Lead, coach, develop, and retain a high-performance staff with expertise in housing;
• Consult, analyze, and make recommendations on new housing models that would best serve Kerry’s Place autistic adults for the next five to ten years.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Education:

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline;
• Master’s degree in a related field or MBA is highly desirable

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following knowledge, experience, skills and attributes:

• Expected 10 years of progressive management experience that includes responsibility for relevant areas such as strategic and operational planning, decision support, service system management, government relations, quality and change management;
• Senior management experience gained in either a not-for-profit, public or private sector organization with experience gained within sectors such as: community and social services, and healthcare delivery, long-term care and housing services or government funded organizations;
• Knowledge of the Developmental Services sector of Autism Spectrum Disorder and evidence based treatment models and approaches is an asset;
• Experience in assisted living or housing services is an asset;
• Excellent organizational management and ability to develop high-performance teams and implement coordinated and collaborative program strategies;
• Proven skills in leading a direct service organization with a complex array of programs with the ability to leverage strengths across program areas, demonstrated by excellent project management skills;
• Ability to operationalize a fundraising strategy through community stakeholders, solid donor relationships, corporate philanthropy, giving initiatives and events;
• An empathetic and inspiring leader with a passion for the cause who is mission-driven and self-directed

Kerry’s Place is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity and inclusivity in employment and welcomes applications from all qualified persons. Kerry’s Place is also committed to providing accommodations for persons with disabilities. If you require an accommodation, we will work with you to meet your needs.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Should you have any questions regarding this important and meaningful opportunity, or wish to forward a cover letter and resume for consideration, please contact:

Caroline McLean, Partner  416.928.4539                                         

Cheryl Lai, Senior Consultant  416.928.4580      

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