Chief Executive Officer

Volunteers of America Massachusetts (VOAM) is committed to serving low-income, homeless, and vulnerable populations throughout Eastern Massachusetts. We are dedicated to serving those most in need, especially the hardest to serve and those facing multiple challenges. Our work touches the mind, body, heart, and ultimately the spirit of those we serve, integrating our deep compassion with highly effective programs and services.  We provide vital services to thousands of individuals and their families – and we’ve been doing it for over 100 years.

Our name was selected when the organization was founded in 1896.  In those days, a volunteer was anyone committed to a mission or a cause.  Our founding members were committed to reaching and uplifting the American people as they brought food, medicine, and comfort to those who would otherwise go without, and so came to be known as “Volunteers of America.”  As an organization rich with more than a century of impact and innovation, we do not take for granted our status as a community anchor and leader in the human service field.  As times change, new challenges emerge and old strategies need updating.  Through it all, we galvanize and remain steadied with an unspoken compact – a belief that we are stronger together.

Volunteers of America Massachusetts is a non-profit organization incorporated in the state of Massachusetts and it operates under a charter agreement with the Volunteers of America National organization located in Alexandria, VA.  In addition to being one of the nation’s largest and most comprehensive human services organizations, Volunteers of America is an established interdenominational church providing care and opportunities for people of all faiths. 

Our programs in Massachusetts serve more than 2,400 individuals and families across the life span from at risk youth to elders in need.  Our comprehensive services include:

• Behavioral Health Services
• Veteran Services
• Youth Services
• Re-entry and Diversion Services
• Assisted Living for Seniors

For more information on Volunteers of America, Massachusetts, please visit https://www.voamass.org/. 

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the next Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will bring demonstrated organizational leadership, a deep commitment to serving individuals and families in Massachusetts, and an abiding belief in the power of the community to improve lives.  The ideal candidate will be a proven and respected leader whose skills will inspire continued growth in agency growth, fundraising, stakeholder engagement, and brand awareness.  Internally, the CEO will attract, motivate and retain a top-notch staff and maintain excellence in the content and delivery of Volunteers of America Massachusetts’ programming and services, ensuring that it continues to adapt and innovate to best meet the needs of the community it serves.

As a member of a national organization, the CEO will direct the overall management of Massachusetts activities under the policies, by-laws, and guidelines set forth by the Board and chartering requirements of Volunteers of America.  In this vein, the CEO will strategically and effectively administer the resources and cultivate the culture of the organization ensuring quality care for all those served by VOAM’s services. 

Key responsibilities of the CEO include:

Executive Leadership & Organizational Management

• Articulate and implement VOAM’s vision and mission;
• Provide thought-leadership to guide and inform fundraising, program development, and growth that benefits the individuals, families and communities that VOAM serves;
• Ensure responsible financial management and manage to the annual financial budget as well as long term revenue goals;
• Ensure that all activities of the organization are safely within the applicable statutes and regulations of the state, federal and municipal government;
• Develop and support a strong leadership team to ensure continued success across the organization;
• Advocate for policies and programs that support the mission of VOAM;
• Form partnerships and work collaboratively with other organizations and stakeholders across the state;
• Serve as a liaison with the National Volunteers of America and represent VOAM at national conferences, events, and training.

Board Relations and Community Development

• Collaborate with the Board President and leadership staff to set goals and objectives for the Board, including the planning of Board meetings and agendas;
• Advise the Board on organizational achievement of strategic objectives, significant trends in programming and funding, and important developments in communities VOAM serves;
• Assure the staff is organized to serve as advisor and resource to the Board in all areas of finance, policy, programs and governance;
• Partner effectively with the Board and its committees to maximize their efforts and maintain a focus on the mission and vision, including expanding their role in fundraising to meet the needs of the mission;
• Partner with the Board leadership to identify, cultivate, recruit and engage new board members;
• Advocate for and influence community partners by willingly and enthusiastically driving the mission, principles, and strategic goals of Volunteers of America Massachusetts forward;
• Nurture a strong, successful image for VOAM by creating and maintaining positive relationships with both those doing business with the organization and the populations receiving VOAM core programs and services.

Programming

• Provide the strategic thinking required to ensure VOAM programs evolve to meet the needs of the communities it serves;
• Ensure that the programs make a difference in the lives of those served by VOAM;
• Lead staff in consistent and meaningful program innovation;
• Ensure that programs are aligned to mission, vision, and community priorities;
• Develop and utilize measurement tools to assess annual goals and outcomes.

The ideal candidate will have the following professional and personal skills, competencies and characteristics:

A Passion for the Mission

The President and CEO will have a demonstrable passion for serving individuals and families and addressing the challenges within the communities VOAM serves.  With a commitment to self-efficacy, the CEO will embrace VOAM’s commitment and history working with the state’s most vulnerable communities.  The CEO will be a dynamic, inspirational, energetic, and credible leader, with the presence and gravitas to capture the attention of various constituents and stakeholders. This individual will embrace social justice values and embody a respect for diversity in all its forms. 

Strategic Vision and Leadership

The CEO will be a strategic and creative thought leader and problem solver with a solid understanding of the strategies needed to advance the work of a mission-based organization, from funding to mission delivery.  With a metrics orientation, this individual will offer creative, yet practical, ideas to continue to strengthen VOAM’s programs, while staying focused on outcomes and cost effectiveness. The CEO will attract and retain an empowered team of individuals that will work with the CEO to implement the course of action for achieving the vision. This individual will have a track record of motivating and inspiring others to achieve impact through creativity, teamwork and the leveraging of individuals’ strengths to meet organizational goals. 

External Presence and Partnership Orientation

The CEO will be an inspirational and visionary leader who will serve as the chief ambassador for VOAM. An articulate, informed and passionate public speaker, the individual will represent VOAM as a thought leader in key areas of behavioral health, health care services, veteran services, youth services, re-entry and diversion services, and assisted living for seniors.  The CEO will be able to effectively articulate and convey VOAM’s mission and priorities to a range of constituents including donors, partners, families, the Board of Directors and staff.  The CEO will be able to work with both public and private funders and will establish strong partnerships and seek opportunities to promote VOAM and will have a fundamental understanding that successful fundraising and the development of partnerships with allied organizations are core responsibilities.  

Business and Financial Management Acumen

The CEO will possess significant financial acumen and the ability to set priorities decisively, delegate responsibilities, assure accountability and allocate resources to ensure results. The individual will possess the skills and experience needed to manage and lead, with profit and loss responsibilities, a $14 million organization with multiple facilities, programs, and more than 90 employees. Experienced in managing a large and diverse Board, the CEO will possess the knowledge and ability to ensure that the Board is achieving its primary responsibilities of best practice governance and fundraising. 

A Bachelor’s degree is required; an advanced degree in a related field is preferred. In addition, the CEO must be willing to become a commissioned Volunteers of America minister within two years of accepting the position. After receiving their minister commission, the CEO candidate will be eligible for nomination to the National Board of Directors.