Position Description
PRESIDENT & CEO ARCHSTONE FOUNDATION
(Long Beach, CA)
THE ORGANIZATION:
Archstone Foundation is a private grantmaking organization whose mission is to contribute towards the preparation of society in meeting the needs of an aging population. After 30 years of grantmaking, Archstone Foundation has awarded over 1,000 grants with a total value of over $103 million.
For the first time in our country’s history, individuals are living well into their 80’s, 90’s, and beyond. This growing group of older adults offers astonishing opportunities, and an array of unexpected yet exciting challenges.
Since inception, Archstone Foundation has responded to the implications of these changing demographics and has supported innovative responses to the emerging and unmet needs of older adults. The Foundation has funded a wide range of grantees making important contributions in critical, yet often overlooked areas of need. Archstone Foundation previously provided significant support to sustained initiatives that have helped confront elder abuse and neglect, prevent falls, and provide compassionate and more spiritual approaches to end-of-life care.
Following an in-depth review of its philanthropy, and the needs of California’s diverse aging population, the Foundation today focuses its grantmaking on four major areas:
- Enabling older adults to remain in their homes and communities;
- Improving the treatment of late-life depression;
- Developing innovative responses to the family caregiving needs of older adults; and
- Expanding the health care and broader workforce needed to care for, and serve, the rapidly growing and aging population.
With a special focus on California, and concern for older residents, Archstone Foundation welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with public and private funders, as well as nonprofit and civic leaders, to improve the well-being of older adults.
For more information, please visit: www.archstone.org
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Guided by Archstone Foundation’s mission and values, the President & CEO will work in concert with the Board of Directors and staff and will be responsible for the overall leadership and
management of the Foundation, including assets of over $100 million and $5 million in annual grantmaking. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the President & CEO will supervise the seven- person staff and manage the Foundation’s finances, investments, operations, human resources, and grants. The President & CEO will create the conditions for strategic, effective decision making, and ongoing discovery of opportunities for collaboration and partnership to leverage impact.
Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:
1. Board Relations/Governance – The President & CEO will develop a strong positive working relationship with members of the Board.
2. Programs and Grantmaking – In collaboration with the Board and staff, the President & CEO will create and administer the grantmaking programs, policies, and procedures that fulfill the mission of the Foundation, taking into consideration the legacy, activities, and successes of the past 30 years. The President & CEO will engage in ongoing research and information gathering to ensure the Foundation is making plans about the present and future, understanding and anticipating changes in the landscape, particularly in key focus areas.
3. Partner and Grantee Relations – The President & CEO will develop and maintain strong, positive working relationships with partner/grantee organizations; and develop ways to evaluate the effectiveness of the Foundation’s grantmaking.
4. Budgeting and Fiscal Oversight – The President & CEO will develop, in partnership and concert with the staff, and recommend to the Board an annual operating plan and budget.
5. Philanthropic Education – The President & CEO will provide education, guidance, training, and information regarding the Board’s roles and responsibilities; and the President & CEO will create an environment of mutual respect between the Board and staff.
6. Internal Communications – The President & CEO, with assistance from the staff, will frame the issues for Board discussion for effective decision making; thereby keeping the Board regularly informed of progress, developments, and significant events.
7. External Relations – The President & CEO will develop and maintain constructive relationships and strategic partnerships with key stakeholders and will participate in relevant national and regional associations.
8. Results and Impact – The President & CEO will develop ways to evaluate impact and effectiveness of the Foundation’s grantmaking to inform decision making by the Board.
TRAITS AND CHARACTERISTICS DESIRED:
The President & CEO:
- Will embrace the mission and philanthropic interests of Archstone Foundation (AF);
- Will demonstrate a commitment to the Foundation’s core values;
- Will provide collaborative leadership and help the Board collectively and individually to realize the full potential of the Foundation’s work through focused and disciplined grantmaking;
- Will be an enabler and facilitator who will have the strength of character and conviction to work with the dynamic mission of AF;
- Will be a confident individual for whom the ownership of ideas is less important than the results of the collaborative effort of the staff and Board;
- Should be seen as a convener and facilitator who engages with the Board and staff to distill ideas and clarify issues and translate them into impactful and forward thinking grantmaking;
- Will provide leadership in the development of a framework that supports: the vetting of issues, the delineation of options, and the assessment of programmatic outcomes;
- Should be an inspirational leader whose transparent communications and engaging style encourage creativity and engender trust;
- Should have a good sense of humor and be empathetic, open-minded, confident and professional;
- Will have flexibility, adaptability, and the ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion, and will be an astute listener who is responsive, accessible and open to the ideas and opinions of others;
- Will demonstrate an inspiring, collaborative leadership style and embody a “caring leader” mindset;
- Should be diplomatic, decisive, politically astute, culturally sensitive, and be able to accomplish goals through inspiration, motivation and delegation;
- Must be focused on advancing the work of AF through the rare combination of personal humility, emotional maturity, and a strong desire to effect positive change in the field of aging.
CAREER TRACK LEADING TO THIS POSITION:
The successful candidate will most likely have solid experience in the philanthropic community as a grantor or grantee, but it is also possible that the individual could come from another background. However, the ability to build and manage effective board relationships collaboratively and forge pragmatic solutions on readily changing and complex aging issues is essential. Experience working with diverse communities and across generations is important. The President & CEO should have the ability to work on multiple levels with a wide variety of constituencies.
EDUCATION:
An undergraduate degree is required; an advanced degree is strongly preferred.
COMPENSATION:
Annual compensation will be competitive and relocation assistance, if needed, is negotiable. A comprehensive benefits package will be provided.
TO APPLY:
Please direct inquiries, nominations, and applications, including resume and a compelling letter of interest in confidence to:
Jay Berger, Ph.D. Morris & Berger
500 North Brand Boulevard, Suite 2150
Glendale, CA 91203
Telephone 818-507-1234 – Fax 818-507-4770
jberger@morrisberger.com
Electronic submission is encouraged.
