Executive Director

Adventure House Background

Adventure House is seeking an Executive Director to replace their founding Executive Director. This position will lead the organization, manage and motivate staff, ensure strong programming and financial standing, and chart the course for the future. The Executive Director must be a passionate, dynamic, empathetic, and committed individual who believes in the Clubhouse International Standards (see https://clubhouseintl.org/resources/qualitystandards/) as a means of ongoing recovery for adults living with mental illness.

Adventure House is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to providing a community-based restorative environment for residents of Cleveland County who are experiencing the disabling effects of severe and persistent mental illness. Adventure House is a Clubhouse Model Rehabilitation program with the primary purpose of providing support and opportunities for Members to live a dignified and productive life in the community. With an operating budget of $1.2M, Adventure House employs fourteen staff. The organization is accredited by Clubhouse International and CARF and is licensed and privileged by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

Adventure House offers an array of services, including:

• Employment Program
• Supported Housing
• Work Ordered Day
• Supported Education
• Social/Recreational Program
• Community Support Services
• Transportation

Location

The new Executive Director for Adventure House will need to relocate to Cleveland County, NC. Cleveland County is a launch pad for business spanning the country and the globe. Strategically positioned on the east coast, the area is a home base for individuals seeking convenient access to the west coast and places in between. With fifteen cities, towns and municipalities, Cleveland County covers 469 square miles in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. At its heart is Shelby, the county seat, home to 20,000 plus of the county’s 100,000 residents. Just a short drive away are Charlotte and Asheville, NC and Greenville, SC to the south – three of the southeast region’s growing metropolitan and cultural hubs. Cleveland County hits a sweet spot where heritage is preserved in the community and progressive, boundary-pushing business is encouraged.

Responsibilities

The Executive Director provides overall direction, supervision and coordination of Cleveland Psychosocial Services, Inc. (CPS, Inc.) operations doing business as Adventure House in accordance with board policy. The position provides direct supervision or directs the supervision of all Adventure House staff.

The Executive Director is responsible for financial planning, administration of operations, budget administration and overall organizing, staffing, directing, and controlling the operations of Adventure House. The Director must maintain accessibility to the Members and staff of Adventure House.

Administration of Adventure House

• Directs the administrative operations
• Prepares annual budget and assures proper financial management
• Responsible for the utilization of physical, financial, and human resources
• Provides supervision, direction, and evaluation of all staff
• Ensures that the program meets all licensing and certification standards, including Clubhouse International Accreditation and CARF accreditation, and complies with all requirements of contracts entered into by the organization.
• Directs and administers Orientation and Training program and participates in training colleagues and providing consultations to other North Carolina Clubhouse programs.
• Ensures maintenance and proper utilization of all property owned by the organization.
• Acts as primary liaison with the Board of Directors, keeping them informed of all matters relevant to the overall operation.
• Ensures short- and long-range planning.
• Prepares policy recommendations
• Ensures positive working relationships with all stakeholders.

Clubhouse Program

• Directs the operations of Adventure House. Provides leadership, communicates the mission, and assures that Adventure House programs are consistent with its mission.
• Works directly with Members, engaging them in the work of the Clubhouse and developing relationships with them.
• Fills in for program staff as needed.
• Directs and assists in the development of the Transitional Employment program, making contacts with local employers to secure placement opportunities for Members.
• Ensures provision of case management services to Clubhouse members
• Provides public relation and marketing activities to increase public awareness of the needs of adults with severe and persistent mental illness, advocacy, and fundraising.
• Directs and assists in the operation of the Supported Housing Program. Ensures direct 24-hour on-call services to the Member/residents.
• Ensures that HUD and Section 8 properties are properly managed, and residents receive the support they need, including transportation.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Experience

• An undergraduate degree is required. A master’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, or a related field with emphasis on clinical and community Mental Health services is preferred.
• Experience in a Fountain House model program may be substituted as being equivalent to formal training, provided the employee meets the North Carolina state requirement to be recognized as a Qualified Mental Health Professional.
• An affinity for the mission of working and building strong collaborative working relationships with adults with severe and persistent mental illness.
• A seasoned nonprofit executive, with five years of progressively responsible management experience working in the Mental Health arena, having had, and overseen well, significant administrative responsibilities. Such experience must include work with adults with severe and persistent mental illness.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and to make effective decisions in difficult and complex situations; open to receiving and integrating feedback.
• Demonstrated leader of high personal and professional integrity, who is sensitive and committed to maintaining and enriching the Adventure House mission, values, and culture. Skilled people manager and team builder. Ability to foster strong collaborative teams and actively engage with staff. Will maintain Adventure House’s positive working environment.
• Excellent people skills. Previous success in establishing relationships with the community including public funders, civic leaders, charitable agencies, fundraising sources, and donors. Ability to develop and maintain trusting relationships.
• Ability to build strong collaborative teams and actively engage with staff.
• Ability to create a positive working environment.
• Ability to maintain and strengthen collaborative partnerships with affiliated organizations.
• The ability to successfully adapt to a rapidly changing environment and circumstances. Change agent – effective leadership with the ability to “bring others along.” Can motivate and influence individuals and groups.
• Strong advocacy skills. The ability to communicate and interact with officials at all levels of government. An understanding of the public delivery systems, issues, and regulations that affect vulnerable populations.
• Possess a history of achieving goals, improving bottom line performance, and growing the organization; a history of successfully generating new revenue streams and improving financial results.
• Strong organizational abilities, including planning, delegating, program development, task facilitation, without micromanaging key managers.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including listening to and communicating with diverse groups.
• Solid budget management skills, including budget preparation, analysis, decision making and reporting.
• Active fundraising experience preferred, an understanding of nonprofit fundraising strategies and donor relations unique to the nonprofit sector.
• Experience and skill in working with a Board of Directors.
• Ability to successfully manage conflict and adversity.

Compensation

The projected compensation range for this position is $90,000 to $110,000. Compensation is supplemented by a strong benefits package including: 401(k), dental insurance, health insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, a flexible schedule, paid time off, and relocation assistance.

Non-Discrimination

Adventure House is an equal opportunity non-profit. Discrimination in employment, programs, or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status protected by applicable law is prohibited.

Application Process

The search for the Executive Director is being conducted by The Moran Company. To apply for this position, submit a cover letter and resume to Ann Graff at The Moran Company. Resume should include all professional experience, dates of employment (month and year), position/title, and organization names. APPLY NOW