Executive Director Cornucopia, Inc. Lakewood, Ohio The Organization: Cornucopia, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit social enterprise based in the Cleveland suburb of Lakewood and dedicated to helping people with disabilities develop their skills, confidence and workplace potential. Founded in 1975, the organization serves people with a wide range of disabilities including developmental disabilities, mental illness, autism, visual and hearing impairment, and injuries resulting from an accident or illness. The organization's first outreach effort was a small retail store in Lakewood called "The Bin," training on average 12 people with developmental disabilities each year. Today, Cornucopia has multiple avenues of service and support and served over 200 individuals throughout Greater Cleveland in 2013. Its most well-known training venue is Nature's Bin, a natural food store, which expanded The Bin's successful model of integrated education/training in retail sales and providing a more flexible and responsive education/training program. Nature's Bin opened on Sloane Avenue in Lakewood in 1991, providing work skills training to 45 individuals per year in this larger, more complete facility. An 1,800 sq.ft. expansion and renovation of the market was completed in October 2005 and has resulted in an increase in both training opportunities and sales. Over the past decade, Cornucopia expanded its employment services, providing job placement and job coaching services for people with disabilities. Trainees work at 7 sites throughout northeastern Ohio, working with a Cornucopia case manager, completing work or education/training in various departments. In 2013, Cornucopia expanded its vocational training programs with the purchase and redevelopment of a former McDonald's property on Sloane Avenue into the Cornucopia Vocational Training Center and commissary kitchen. This state-of-the-art kitchen provides people with disabilities the opportunity to learn practical food prep skills that will prove valuable as graduates seek employment in the community. More information about Cornucopia can be found on its website: www.cornucopia-inc.org. Cornucopia has over 70 employees and generates over $7MM annually. Revenue streams include its social enterprises of retail market and rehab training along with fee for service and philanthropy. The current Executive Director has served the organization for over 20 years and is planning to retire in early 2015. As a result, the Board of Trustees has engaged WAVERLY PARTNERS to conduct a search assist in locating a new leader for the organization. The Position: Location: The position is based at Cornucopia's administrative offices at the Vocational Training Center, 18228 Sloane Avenue, Lakewood, Ohio 44107; telephone (216) 521-4600. Reporting Relationships: The Executive Director reports to the President of the Board of Trustees and to the full 20-member volunteer Board. This executive will supervise: Assistant Executive Director, Director-Rehab, Director-Retail Operations, Human Resources Director and Finance Director; a total of 71 full- and part-time employees.
In addition to Board and staff at all levels, other important interactions include: representatives of related human services agencies on a local and regional basis; other community organizations; volunteers, friends of and donors to Cornucopia; representatives from foundations and grant making entities; local school system leaders; other partner agencies and organizations; elected officials and their staffs; members of the media; consumers and their families who are served by Cornucopia; and the public at large. Position Charter: The Executive Director is responsible for overseeing all activities of Cornucopia, Inc., leading the organization by exhibiting strong leadership characteristics, and representing Cornucopia externally to enhance prospects for longterm stability and success. As the highest-ranking non-trustee member of the organization, the Executive Director serves as the Chief Executive Officer and has decision-making power over all day-to-day aspects of the organization and works in conjunction with the Board of Trustees on all significant matters. Other duties and responsibilities include: Assist the Board of Trustees in developing Cornucopia s strategies and strategic objectives: Serve as principal staff liaison to the Executive Committee and to the full Board by providing adequate information and support in order for the Board to make decisions and support desired actions. Responsible for communicating Board activities to the Cornucopia staff. Develop and articulate a vision that is progressive and responsive and set goals that are realistic, forward-looking and consistent with the vision and strategy. Identify and prioritize matters that require action or discussion and consider appropriate response or action and act accordingly. Develop and implement financial and fundraising plans. Work with selected sub-committees of the Board of Trustees. Work witrh management staff to maintain operating policies and procedures to assure attainment of strategic objectives. Ensure that plans and policies are understood and administered by the staff of the Cornucopia. Recruit, select, hire, direct, motivate, evaluate and support professional development of team members. Represent Cornucopia in relations with the local community, funders, the media and government agencies. Build and maintain effective relationships with individuals and organizations that can impact Cornucopia s future and actively represent Cornucopia in forums, groups and activities that are important to Cornucopia's success. Maintain membership in various community and rehabilitory programs or societies. Attend meetings or programs in rehabilitation field. Keep up-to-date on current rehabilitation trends. Overall responsibility for the compliance with CARF guidelines and other regulatory requirements. Travel: The Executive Director is expected to travel on a planned and regular basis to Cornucopia's Community Based Work Adjustment training sites throughout the Cleveland region, along with occasional trips to Columbus to interact with State of Ohio agencies and elected officials as well as to national conferences on developmental disabilities and the natural foods industry. Compensation: The Executive Director is expected to earn an attractive compensation package; some relocation assistance may be provided. 2
The Candidate: Education: A Bachelors degree in an appropriate field is expected; an advanced degree in Social Work, Business, Human Services, Law or related discipline is preferred. Professional Qualifications: The ideal candidate is currently functioning as the top executive of a nonprofit organization with a mission of service to individuals with disabilities or of a related nonprofit organization. Alternative backgrounds could include: a role as the #2 or other senior leader at a similar/larger organization who is professionally prepared to step up to the Executive Director-level position; a top or senior leadership position with another kind of nonprofit organization; a leadership position in private industry with a demonstrated commitment to and involvement with nonprofit organizations. Candidates will have at least 10 years of relevant work experience which includes at least 5 years in senior leadership. Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Attributes: Nonprofit organization experience (management or leadership background in a comparable nonprofit human services organization or social enterprise). Commitment to mission (demonstrated strong belief in the mission of rehabilitation services and support). Fiscal management (demonstrated ability to manage financial affairs of a $3+MMorganization; i.e., develop revenue sources and control expenditures so as to preserve financial stability). Fundraising (experience with multiple funding activities including development programs, capital campaigns, grant writing, major gifts, planned giving, special events; personal experience successfully soliciting individual and corporate donors). Planning (experience in developing and implementing tactical and strategic plans). Accreditation (experience with CARF and other accreditation bodies). Management experience (has effectively led a complex organization and managed large staffs of professional and hourly employees and volunteers). Staff development (strong human resource development and staff leadership experience; team building). Board relationships (significant involvement with governance issues and Board of Director/Trustee interactions). Facility management (demonstrated knowledge of building and facility management). Established contacts (has developed and maintained local and regional connections with other organization and nonprofit leaders). Media relations (experience serving as spokesperson to and working with the media). Community/public relations (effective interactions with the public, partner organizations, community groups, consumers and their families, elected officials). Desired personal traits: Leadership (a take charge individual; can manage, motivate, challenge and delegate to others). Ethical (possesses honesty, integrity and the highest ethical and moral standards). Human relations skills (personable; relates well to people; socially adept). Credibility (can command respect of Board, staff, community). Communication skills (good listener; excellent written and oral communication skills; strong public speaking experience and presentation abilities). Empathetic (understands the needs of the community served by Cornucopia and the challenging environment from which consumers come). 3
Organizational skills (results oriented; meets established goals and objectives). Management style (empowers staff; inclusive while providing basic direction and allowing staff team to execute; holds staff accountable; serves as a mentor for staff in their own professional development). Creative (imaginative; innovative; provides ideas). Strategic thinker/vision (brings outside the box ideas; provides a forward view; calculated risk taker). Persuasive (able to synthesize various viewpoints and convince disparate groups to come to a logical resolution). Energetic (genuinely enthusiastic; strong personal work ethic; recognizes this leadership role goes beyond a 9-to-5 day). Collaborative (demonstrates a willingness and ability to work with and through others). Consensus-building (able to forge effective working relationships with various parties and encourage them to work together toward common goals). Change agent (proven ability to effectively manage change and transition). Visibility (highly visible to staff, volunteers; active in the community and region). Executive presence (polished; self confident). Team work (recognizes that many parties are necessary to accomplish big things; speaks of we first, not I ). Intelligent (bright; street smarts and natural intelligence). Balanced ( values work-life balance; sense of humor). Challenges and Opportunity: The projected first year accomplishments for the new Executive Director include: Maintain stable revenue of $6.2+MM at Nature's Bin while expanding additional resource development through fundraising, catering sales and other sources. Become completely familiar with and evaluate all aspects of Cornucopia including programs and services, staff, Board development, community interaction, fundraising, facilities and assets; implement and/or make recommendations on enhancements and changes. Initiate formal and informal introductions and connections with community and state leadership through varied communications and in-person gatherings and meetings. Proactively form effective working relationships with key leaders of Work Adjustment partners, funders and related public and private nonprofit organizations. Through engagement and netowrking, become recognized as one of the most well known nonprofit leaders in the community. In concert with the Board and staff, initiate the recently formulated strategic plan of Cornucopia; thoroughly review strategic, operational and budgetary plans. Together with the Board and the Assistant Executive Director, enhance current action plans for all fundraising activities. Evaluate the Cornucopia "brand" in the marketplace and make recommendations on enhancement and expansion. The Executive Director position of Cornucopia is an outstanding opportunity for an energetic, bold and committed executive to lead an expanding, growth oriented organization that provides vitally important training programs and services to individuals in Northeastern Ohio. This executive will inherit a solid Board and staff, all committed to the effort necessary to move Cornucopia to new successes. The Board seeks a candidate with the vision and energy necessary to take the organization to new levels of social entrepreneurial activity in terms of number of persons served, depth and breadth of partner relationships and the requisite funding streams to make all of this happen. 4
Cleveland and Northeastern Ohio Cleveland, Ohio, is one of the nation s most exciting metropolitan areas. The Greater Cleveland region includes residents from diverse ethnic backgrounds and have maintained a solid economy with a mix of service, healthcare, and manufacturing businesses. Arts and culture include galleries, community festivals, restaurants, world-renowned orchestra, art museums and thriving theatre. On the shores of Lake Erie, the area is also home to beautiful parks and a myriad of recreational opportunities. Educational organizations include outstanding public and private school systems, community colleges and a number of public and private institutions of higher learning. Professional and collegiate athletics include major league football, baseball, basketball, and collegiate Division I, II and III sports programs. Other information about Greater Cleveland and its communities along with the overall quality of life in Northern Ohio can be found at www.neoisgreat.com. Contacts: The client organization we represent and WAVERLY PARTNERS firmly support the principle and philosophy of equal opportunity for all individuals, regardless of race, religion, sex, age, national origin or disability. Interested candidates should send a resume/cv to the email address below or contact either WAVERLY PARTNERS consultant: Cornucopia@Waverly-Partners.com Heidi Geiger Milosovic Managing Director & Principal WAVERLY PARTNERS, LLC Office: (440) 355-6629 Eric N. Peterson Managing Director & Principal WAVERLY PARTNERS, LLC Office: (440) 892-5961 October 2014 5