Chief Executive Officer

Job Title: Chief Executive Officer

Position Type: Full-Time, Salary
Reporting To: Covenant House International and Board of Directors, Covenant House Missouri.
Direct Reports: Chief Advancement & Advocacy Officer, Chief Administrative Officer, Chief Program Officer.
Location: St. Louis, MO

To Apply: Please visit https://covenanthousemo.applicantpro.com/jobs/2685234.html

For any questions or concerns, reach out at bshallcross@dhrglobal.com

Covenant House Missouri

www.covenanthousemo.org/

Covenant House Missouri (CHMO) welcomes youth who are runaway, trafficked, at-risk, or experiencing homelessness and provides unconditional love, absolute respect and a place to call home. Beyond shelter and basic needs, Covenant House delivers transformative solutions – from wellness services like therapy to education and employment services – to help young people build productive, independent and sustainable lives.

CHMO has been providing shelter and support services to runaway, homeless and at-risk youth, ages 16-24 – those too old for children’s shelters, yet too young for adult residential programs – in the St Louis region for more than 20 years, and it is the only emergency shelter specifically for unaccompanied youth in the City of St. Louis. CHMO youth are typically from underserved populations including those who identify as people of color, LGBTQ+ and transgender, and those who have a history with foster care, trafficking, and/or domestic violence.

Covenant House delivers programs to all in need with the support of a caring staff of 55, an operating budget of $4.5 million and the support of its Board and Covenant House International (CHI). To support its young people, the team at CHMO practices 5 guiding principles:

1. Immediacy: They immediately meet the basic needs of youth experiencing homelessness: a nourishing meal, a shower, clean clothes, medical attention, and a safe place to sleep.
2. Sanctuary: They provide a safe haven from homelessness, recognize the worth of every human being, and create a safe setting where all youth are served without judgement.
3. Value Communication: They believe relationships are based on love, trust, respect, and honesty.
4. Structure: They provide the stability and structure necessary to build a positive future.
5. Choice: They foster confidence; encouraging young people to believe in themselves and make informed choices for their lives.

In recent years, CHMO’s Board of Directors, CEO and CHI, have led the organization through a period of significant change, strengthening programming, finances, and internal operations, establishing a solid foundation for growth. Its CEO, Jessica Erfling, has announced her departure and the organization now seeks its next leaders to work in partnership with its dedicated Board, team and New York-based CHI to guide it into its next phase of development.

Learn more about CHMO’s plans for the future in its 2022-2025 Strategic Plan, as well as its partnership with parent organization Covenant House International and its partners in 34 cities across six countries.

The Role

Reporting to the President of Covenant House International and to the Board of Directors of CHMO, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will be a future-focused, mission aligned leader capable of building upon CHMO’s success to date. The CEO will be a leader of staff and staff culture, a relationship builder who will build connections across the region, and a capable administrator. The CEO will also bring to the role relevant lived experience and a record of achievement reflective of CHMO’s mission.

CHMO’s next leader will:  

• Provide thoughtful and strategic leadership, guiding the organization, its Board, and team through its next phase of development while strengthening its programming and culture.
• Work with leadership to operationalize its strategic plan, developing programs and providing support services (employment, education, health, mental health, substance abuse services) and strong opportunities for collaboration with other youth housing providers and community partners.
• Hire, motivate and develop a group of talented staff to build upon the legacy of excellent service provided by Covenant House since 1972.
• Working with the development team and supportive leadership at CHI, build its Board of Directors in Missouri, as well as its overall base of philanthropic support, thoughtfully increasing the level of service and philanthropy generated through a deliberate, high-touch engagement.

Specific Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership ensuring the effective and thoughtful delivery of strategies that advance Covenant House’s mission and core values; ensure ongoing quality of programs, community relations, fundraising, communications, administration, and operations.
• In collaboration with the Board, staff and key stakeholders, and with the support of CHI, lead implementation of the strategic plan, taking its programs, impact, and fundraising into its next phase of development.
• Play a critical role in building relationships with key stakeholders and increasing the presence of Covenant House in the St. Louis Metropolitan region.
• In partnership with CHMO leadership, advance the organization’s culture work, building a solutions-oriented, human-centered environment of excellence.
• With the support of the CHI Executive Team, raise financial resources, build programs, grow and maintain Board and key stakeholder relationships, and develop long-range policies and programs.
• Champion the development and implementation of the site’s strategic plan.
• Oversee operating and capital budgets and set the professional and organizational performance standards required to lead a successful nonprofit enterprise.

Organizational Leadership

• Provide visibility for the organization and be the spokesperson, representing its mission, values, and expertise to internal and external audiences.
• Establish and maintain relationships with staff across CHMO, building thoughtful and consistent interactions and communication.
• Build relationships with outside agencies, the public and the community constituents, officials, supporters, outside vendors and other relevant stakeholders.
• Interact with senior leaders regarding their departments’ work and performance.
• Support the professional development of leadership; work in a hands-on capacity with the team, ensuring that team members work toward both individual and organizational goals. Build opportunities for mentorship.
• Oversee the development and implementation of all organizational policies and procedures.
• Sustain the strong, positive internal staff culture of Covenant House.

Financial Management & Fundraising

• Work with the Board to establish budgetary priorities, manage annual budget that maximizes impact; monitor CHMO’s financial performance and report to the Board; ensure legal compliance and accountability.
• In collaboration with the Board and senior leadership establish financial plans to identify pathways to growth.
• In collaboration with the Board and senior leadership, lead the cultivation and solicitation of philanthropic donors; identify and cultivate opportunities for support; engage and solicit new donors.
• Work with the team so ensure compliance and renewal of all government grants; oversee the development and use of a monitoring system to track and report program & fiscal activities and results.

Board Relations

• Develop, maintain, and support an engaged Board of Directors; develop a strategic vision for the Board that includes recruitment, and engagement.
• Serve as the main staff liaison to the Board in the areas of programming, fundraising, governance, finance, and policy; cultivate a strong and transparent working relationship with the Board.
• Provide regular reports to the Board on finance, fundraising, program delivery and team management.
• Work with the Covenant House Board Chair to prepare for Board Meetings.

Qualifications

An ideal candidate will possess an ability to translate Covenant House’s goals into meaningful initiatives, as well as an ability to bring the organization’s work and mission to new audiences.

Other qualifications will include:

• Leadership experience in the fields of non-profit management – experience with trauma-informed populations, youth protection, youth development, housing and/or workforce development a plus.
• A commitment to quality and excellence, and experience in organizational change management.
• A track record working with a Board and staff to develop, articulate and implement a shared strategic vision and plan.
• Experience cultivating and recruiting a regional Board; experience building the relationships to support growth.
• Proven experience in management, administration, systems development, and budgeting and staff management of an organization of comparable size.
• An ability to guide and empower a dynamic team and serve as an effective internal communicator and collaborator.
• An ability to cultivate effective relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders (donors, staff, sponsors, government officials, public audiences, the St. Louis community, the media).
• Experience and familiarity with philanthropic funding environments and with government grants.
• Familiarity with affiliate models a plus.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft and other technological-based programs.

Selection Criteria

• Bachelor’s Degree is required.  Master’s Degree in Social Work, Public or Business Administration or other applicable field is preferred.
• 10 years of progressive senior managerial experience required, preferably in the field of child welfare or residential care.
• Leadership and networking experience in the human services sector in the St. Louis Metropolitan region, or relevant geography.
• Experienced serving as an effective fundraiser, particularly with public and private grants, and major individual donors.
• Experience working as a part of a national federation guided by a national headquarters leading local sites.
• Strong oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills; an ability to work effectively with a range of individuals and organizations including Board members, donors, colleagues, public officials, community partners, and the media.
• A collaborative, solutions-oriented work style that demonstrates initiative and sound judgment.
• An authentic commitment and passion for CHMO’s mission and work with young people.
• Experience and ease in communication with teenagers and young adults.
• Self-awareness and empathy; a healthy combination of confidence and humility, political savvy, and a sense of humor.
• The ability to inspire, motivate and lead others; a strong moral code and reputation.
• Energetic and relational leader.
• A willingness to travel throughout Missouri, to travel to New York City approximately four times in the first year and to undertake some evening and weekend work is expected.

The scope of this position and responsibilities outlined in this document are not exhaustive and may change based upon the needs of the organization. This description is not intended to contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. This is a general outline of duties, responsibilities, and activities, which may change at any time with or without notice and at the discretion of Board.

Contact Information

Ed Flowers
Managing Partner, CHRO Practice
North American Executive Committee Member
Atlanta, GA
T: +1 678 385 5000, ext. 5010
E: eflowers@dhrglobal.com

Brian Shallcross
Associate
Chicago, IL
T: +1 312 782 1581
E: bshallcross@dhrglobal.com

Sara Garlick Lundberg
Partner, Nonprofit Practice
New York, NY
T: +1 646 200 6423
M: +1 347 952 0277
E: slundberg@dhrglobal.com

To Apply: Please visit covenanthousemo.applicantpro.com/jobs/2685234.html

Covenant House Missouri
2727 N. Kingshighway Blvd.
St. Louis, MO – 63113
Phone # 314.533.2241