Executive Director

For more than 30 years, Friends Club has improved the lives of men with dementia and their caregivers by offering meaningful and engaging social activities in a secure and friendly environment. Friends Club operates under the auspices of Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church and runs a half-day non-medical social engagement program four days a week for up to twelve clients per day. Activities offered are guided current events discussions, trivia, physical games, word games, chair exercise, musical performances, lectures, outings, and intergenerational programs.

The Executive Director has four key responsibilities:

• Promote the program, recruit new members, and maintain financial stability of the organization
• Screen new members for suitability for participation
• Participation with the Program Director in providing daily programming
• Ensure the safety of all participants

The Executive Director will screen potential new members and work to build a cohesive group that allows each member to experience joy and camaraderie as they cope with the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The ED will also continuously monitor the behavior of each member and will decide when members are no longer suitable participants. At this point, the ED will refer participants to other, more appropriate programs.

Other duties of the Executive Director include:

• Working directly with the Friends Club Board of Directors to implement the vision of the program
• Hiring and supervising both a Program Director and an Office Manager
• Developing and maintaining an annual budget
• Developing and implementing meaningful programs for the participants in conjunction with the program director
• Enforcing Covid safety protocols and adjusting protocols as the need arises
• Collaborating where necessary with the Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church
• Communicating with caregivers and referring them to other dementia-related services when the need arises. Working in conjunction with the Caregiver’s Support Group leader to assist families in crisis.
• Writing and distributing a quarterly newsletter to keep members abreast of club activities and developments in the areas of caregiving and treatment research
• Recruiting, training, and managing a 15-member volunteer force
• Fundraising and grant writing
• Designing and implementing website and social media marketing and advertising
• Ensuring insurance compliance
• Developing and implementing events to educate the broader community about the basics of dementia and dementia care
• Developing contacts in the senior care community by attending marketing events

The ideal candidate for this position will be superior in both direct care of people with dementia and administration. Friends Club is a small organization with high levels of collaboration by diligent, knowledgeable, and dedicated individuals.

Required:

• Two years (minimum) experience working directly and successfully with people experiencing dementia.
• Designation as Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, Certified Activities Director, Certified Dementia Practitioner, Social Worker, or comparable.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite. (Experience with WordPress website design and Facebook marketing desirable.)
• Financial competence.
• Positive Energy.

This is a full-time salaried position with hours generally worked from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Minimal telework is possible, but most work must be done on site.

Salary range is $55,000 to $65,000 per year commensurate with experience. Benefits provided: health insurance and retirement.   Start date:  November 1, 2021.

To apply, please send a resume and cover letter.  Cover letter should summarize candidate’s ability in each of the requirements.

Send both to Elise Schoux at friendsclub6601@gmail.com.