Job Description
Bronx Independent Living Services (BILS)
Seeking: A Leader Who Will Make a Difference
Independent Living Centers (ILCs) are designed to help people with all types of disabilities to obtain services they need, to learn how to advocate for themselves, to change systems that discriminate or act against the best interests of persons with disabilities and to allow people to fully participate in the activities of our society. Centers are run by people with disabilities for people with disabilities.
Bronx Independent Living Services (BILS) has been a force in Bronx County for the last forty years. Core services BILS provides includes Information and Referral, Peer Counseling, Individual and Systems’ Advocacy, Independent Living Skills Training, and Transition Services. BILS is a diversified non-profit with approximately ten major grants and contracts. Funding comes from New York State, Health and Human Services, and various other sources.
Opportunity
BILS is seeking an experienced fierce disability advocate who wants to lead an established organization with a team of 25 talented and dedicated staff. With direction from the board of directors, the new Executive Director will manage BILS in a manner consistent with the core mission while relaying commitment to the mission of BILS both inside and outside the organization. The successful candidate will demonstrate the highest ethical standards and operate with integrity and transparency in conducting the business of the organization. The ideal candidate will lead BILS’ team with a positive, results-oriented style that inspires staff and broadens the circles of support for BILS’ work while being able to foster and promote the professional development of staff through training, coaching and feedback on results.
Leadership
BILS next Executive Director should be able to design and implement a plan to improve the lives of people with disabilities living in the Bronx through changes to the systems that impact their lives as well as build new and maintain current relationships with the disability community, other disability advocacy organizations, and current and former key donors, to advance the mission of BILS. Ability to approach problems and opportunities for BILS and the disability community in a way that demonstrates openness and innovation is important.
Fiscal Development & Management
Work with the Board’s Executive Committee to develop, implement, and monitor the annual budget and all other financial activities of BILS. Exercise sound and prudent fiscal judgment to ensure that BILS meets its
financial obligations and annual budget goals. Oversee finances for the organization including budgeting, and financial management oversight. Work with the board to broaden the financial support for BILS’ work by creating a development plan to grow contributed revenue including the successful fee for service programs over time so that fundraising priorities are aligned with BILS’ organizational mission.
Administration and Operations Management
Manage day to day operational responsibilities, oversee the organization’s management team and staff. The new Executive Director has senior-level management experience with a proven track record of effective strong organizational management skills. Ability to supervise and oversee a staff of 25 persons, including the ability to travel as needed. Ability to manage all operations, including human resources, IT, administration, budgeting, and finance.
Board Relations
Success working with a nonprofit board and a demonstrable understanding of board development, governance, and decision-making. Engage and support the board of directors in their role to oversee BILS by communicating effectively with the board to allow informed decisions.
Personal Characteristics
The new Executive Director is a fierce disability leader with an uncompromising commitment to advancing the rights of all people with disabilities. The successful candidate is an innovative, transparent, and adaptive leader with a commitment to building strong and effective teams, employee development and a drive to mentor, coach, and support all BILS staff. This individual must have lived experience and deep roots in the disability community.
Qualifications:
The successful candidate must have the following minimum qualifications:
• B.A. /B.S. degree in a related field.
• Five years’ experience in a high-level management position at an Independent Living Center or related non-profit organization.
• Clear understanding and commitment to the Independent Living philosophy.
• Experience directing community-organizing actions.
Experience:
The successful candidate must have demonstrated experience in the following areas:
• Experience designing/creating and overseeing an operating budget of at least one million dollars.
• Experience managing a staff of at least fifteen.
• Leadership and supervisory skills.
• Ability to represent BILS and the community on local & statewide committees.
• Knowledge of policy issues affecting individuals with disabilities at the local, state, & national level.
• Knowledge of and commitment to the concepts and philosophies of Centers for Independent Living and independent living services.
• Lived experience with a disability, preferably those who also have lived experience as African American, Black, Indigenous, people of color, women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and those from other traditionally underrepresented groups.
• Experience working with and for a non-profit volunteer board.
• Experience with grant writing and fundraising to increase and diversify BILS revenue.
• Ability to create/implement new programs based on the needs of the community.
• Commitment to diversity & inclusion of all people.
• Commitment and understanding of work life balance.
• Excellent communication skills to include public presentations and written reports.
• Ability to travel to meetings, state-wide and national conferences.
COMPENSATION: Salary 95k-110k, health insurance, four weeks of vacation, with a brand-new office in the mid-Bronx.
HOW TO APPLY:
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled and will be reviewed as they are received. Serious candidates should submit applications as soon as possible, but no later than April 10, 2024. Applications should contain a current resume and a thoughtful cover letter outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position.
Only a select number of highly qualified individuals will be invited to participate in the formal interview process. This is a confidential process and will be handled accordingly throughout all phases of the recruitment and selection process.
BILS has retained the executive search firm and certified disability-owned business enterprise, Bender Consulting Services, Inc. to conduct this search, www.benderconsult.com.
BILS is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified individuals with disabilities including those who are also people of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals and others who contribute to staff diversity are encouraged to apply. BILS provides reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
Seeking: A Leader Who Will Make a Difference
Independent Living Centers (ILCs) are designed to help people with all types of disabilities to obtain services they need, to learn how to advocate for themselves, to change systems that discriminate or act against the best interests of persons with disabilities and to allow people to fully participate in the activities of our society. Centers are run by people with disabilities for people with disabilities.
Bronx Independent Living Services (BILS) has been a force in Bronx County for the last forty years. Core services BILS provides includes Information and Referral, Peer Counseling, Individual and Systems’ Advocacy, Independent Living Skills Training, and Transition Services. BILS is a diversified non-profit with approximately ten major grants and contracts. Funding comes from New York State, Health and Human Services, and various other sources.
Opportunity
BILS is seeking an experienced fierce disability advocate who wants to lead an established organization with a team of 25 talented and dedicated staff. With direction from the board of directors, the new Executive Director will manage BILS in a manner consistent with the core mission while relaying commitment to the mission of BILS both inside and outside the organization. The successful candidate will demonstrate the highest ethical standards and operate with integrity and transparency in conducting the business of the organization. The ideal candidate will lead BILS’ team with a positive, results-oriented style that inspires staff and broadens the circles of support for BILS’ work while being able to foster and promote the professional development of staff through training, coaching and feedback on results.
Leadership
BILS next Executive Director should be able to design and implement a plan to improve the lives of people with disabilities living in the Bronx through changes to the systems that impact their lives as well as build new and maintain current relationships with the disability community, other disability advocacy organizations, and current and former key donors, to advance the mission of BILS. Ability to approach problems and opportunities for BILS and the disability community in a way that demonstrates openness and innovation is important.
Fiscal Development & Management
Work with the Board’s Executive Committee to develop, implement, and monitor the annual budget and all other financial activities of BILS. Exercise sound and prudent fiscal judgment to ensure that BILS meets its
financial obligations and annual budget goals. Oversee finances for the organization including budgeting, and financial management oversight. Work with the board to broaden the financial support for BILS’ work by creating a development plan to grow contributed revenue including the successful fee for service programs over time so that fundraising priorities are aligned with BILS’ organizational mission.
Administration and Operations Management
Manage day to day operational responsibilities, oversee the organization’s management team and staff. The new Executive Director has senior-level management experience with a proven track record of effective strong organizational management skills. Ability to supervise and oversee a staff of 25 persons, including the ability to travel as needed. Ability to manage all operations, including human resources, IT, administration, budgeting, and finance.
Board Relations
Success working with a nonprofit board and a demonstrable understanding of board development, governance, and decision-making. Engage and support the board of directors in their role to oversee BILS by communicating effectively with the board to allow informed decisions.
Personal Characteristics
The new Executive Director is a fierce disability leader with an uncompromising commitment to advancing the rights of all people with disabilities. The successful candidate is an innovative, transparent, and adaptive leader with a commitment to building strong and effective teams, employee development and a drive to mentor, coach, and support all BILS staff. This individual must have lived experience and deep roots in the disability community.
Qualifications:
The successful candidate must have the following minimum qualifications:
• B.A. /B.S. degree in a related field.
• Five years’ experience in a high-level management position at an Independent Living Center or related non-profit organization.
• Clear understanding and commitment to the Independent Living philosophy.
• Experience directing community-organizing actions.
Experience:
The successful candidate must have demonstrated experience in the following areas:
• Experience designing/creating and overseeing an operating budget of at least one million dollars.
• Experience managing a staff of at least fifteen.
• Leadership and supervisory skills.
• Ability to represent BILS and the community on local & statewide committees.
• Knowledge of policy issues affecting individuals with disabilities at the local, state, & national level.
• Knowledge of and commitment to the concepts and philosophies of Centers for Independent Living and independent living services.
• Lived experience with a disability, preferably those who also have lived experience as African American, Black, Indigenous, people of color, women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and those from other traditionally underrepresented groups.
• Experience working with and for a non-profit volunteer board.
• Experience with grant writing and fundraising to increase and diversify BILS revenue.
• Ability to create/implement new programs based on the needs of the community.
• Commitment to diversity & inclusion of all people.
• Commitment and understanding of work life balance.
• Excellent communication skills to include public presentations and written reports.
• Ability to travel to meetings, state-wide and national conferences.
COMPENSATION: Salary 95k-110k, health insurance, four weeks of vacation, with a brand-new office in the mid-Bronx.
HOW TO APPLY:
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled and will be reviewed as they are received. Serious candidates should submit applications as soon as possible, but no later than April 10, 2024. Applications should contain a current resume and a thoughtful cover letter outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position.
Only a select number of highly qualified individuals will be invited to participate in the formal interview process. This is a confidential process and will be handled accordingly throughout all phases of the recruitment and selection process.
BILS has retained the executive search firm and certified disability-owned business enterprise, Bender Consulting Services, Inc. to conduct this search, www.benderconsult.com.
BILS is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified individuals with disabilities including those who are also people of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals and others who contribute to staff diversity are encouraged to apply. BILS provides reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
Additional Details
Experience: 10+ years