VP, Family Empowerment and Self-Sufficiency Services

Vice President, Family Empowerment and Self-Sufficiency

Reports to Job Role: Executive Vice President, Housing and Community Programs

FLSA:  Exempt

Role: Executive Team

Descriptive Summary

The Vice President of the Family Empowerment and Self-Sufficiency Program (VP, FESS) is responsible for the overall development, implementation and effective administration of programs and services that promote the economic health and physical well-being of individuals and families in need of self-sufficiency services, and families eligible or enrolled in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program within our approved service delivery area. 

The goal of the Division is to provide families with wrap around employment supports, life skills and care support services leading to self-sufficiency and independence.  The Vice President will oversee the team of specialists and intake workers at Cornerstones’ Connections for Hope Partnership (C4HP) office, Laurel Learning Center and other programs that support self-sufficiency, and will coordinate activities and reporting from all agency-offered self-sufficiency and TANF services.  The position requires a strong understanding of person-centered and trauma-informed services for community members, as well as the root causes of poverty and homelessness, and the ability to implement racial equity strategies at a family and systems level. 

The Vice President adheres to an Integrated Care Management framework and ensures close coordination with other mission programs and collective impact initiatives. The Vice President is responsible for program quality and equity practices, impact reporting, manager and employee development and oversight, program compliance, and risk and financial management – ensuring operations are client-focused and informed, collaborative and meet measurable goals for success.

Job Duties

Program Responsibilities

• The Vice President has oversight responsibilities for programs under the Family Empowerment and Self-Sufficiency Division:  Laurel Learning Childcare Center, Community Care Management, Self-Sufficiency services and case management for Opportunity Neighborhoods and the Connections for Hope Partnership collective impact initiatives.   
• Manages and directs the implementation of programs and services for the TANF families in strict compliance with state and federal regulations and guidelines while ensuring that services are efficiently and effectively delivered with cultural sensitivity.
• Provide internal and external leadership in understanding barriers to self-sufficiency and why and how interventions that address safety net and community connectedness can help, and the vision for a more stable community.
• Identify and regularly report on the racial and social inequities that impact program design and success, need for systems change and policy priorities that will meet Cornerstones’ goals for building communities of opportunity.
• Plans, develops, implements and evaluates new programs and services, as well as evaluating existing programs and services, to promote the goals of TANF. These include assisting families in achieving self-sufficiency and independence of ending welfare dependency; promoting parental involvement in their children’s education, growth and development; and providing job skills leading to employment opportunities.
• Oversee continuous process improvement through program evaluation, resident outcome measures, satisfaction survey, and other quality assurance techniques.
• Participate in community organizing activities as appropriate. Outreach to community leaders, neighbors and agencies to plan and strategize to increase community involvement in the Cornerstones’ service areas.
• Oversee organization-wide coordination of partnerships that advance family self-sufficiency through direct services and advocacy. 
• Establish and maintain positive relationships with peers and funders across the region.
• Represent Cornerstones effectively with the community, other agencies and funders.
• Oversee other services as needed for Cornerstones as an organization.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Oversee personnel functions within the Division, working closely with Human Resources to address successful recruitment, onboarding, employee development, evaluation and compensation. 
• Provide leadership, guidance and supervision to all program staff to facilitate proper management of employees; strong customer service skills; good communications among division staff and volunteers and across Cornerstones’ departments and grantors; and to provide oversight and assistance with development and follow-up on budgets, compliance and reporting. 
• Lead and coach Division staff in Integrated Care Management and equitable services.
• Identify and adopt equity practices in program administration, including regular mechanisms that ensure programs are community-informed and community-led.
• Guide program operations with thoughtful, clear decisions.
• Work with Finance to draft budgets, track expenditures and identify financial challenges.
• Work with Executive Leadership to plan future growth and identify budget impact; ensure compliance and risk management; identify current or new needs and programs for funding; provide appropriate and timely support for the proposal application and reporting process.
• Serve as requested by the CEO and programs officer as liaison with community groups, governmental agencies, and elected officials to support local and regional strategies to improve strategies for community-building and empowerment, prevention, crisis intervention, housing and human services programs, policies and equity practices.
• Perform any other duties deemed necessary to support the agency.
   

 Leadership Competencies

• Develops and motivates others: (Motivates others and supports their development through strong coaching and mentoring)
• External representation and collaboration: (Represent the organization among external stakeholders and communicates in a sophisticated way about the organization’s vision and work. Seeks innovative ways to collaborate.)
• Manages uncertainty (Identifies and manages risks. Demonstrates openness to change and new perspectives; can manage and adapt to ambiguity)
• Manages with data (Understands data; analyzes data and identifies insights and implications)
• Organization and systems thinking (Has a robust understanding of the community served and the landscape in which the organization operates, and actively applies that knowledge)
• Personnel Management (Effectively manages and develops others)
• Team-building (Builds strong relationships with teams and colleagues; fosters effective teams and collaborative interactions)

Education

• Master’s Degree, plus 8-10 years of experience managing community development or human services programs. 
• Master’s degree in social work, psychology, public administration or related field.  Licensed Clinical Social Worker preferred.

Experience and Skills

• Eight to ten years’ experience in government, nonprofit or community-based organization or related experience; focus on low-income and/or vulnerable populations preferred.
• Extensive knowledge and experience in community-based human services delivery, project design, and project management or a related field.
• Strong knowledge of TANF, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC), Medicaid, as well as a working knowledge of additional programs such as housing, Child Support Enforcement, or disability benefits.
• Has worked with a Self-Sufficiency Assessment Tool and ability to evaluate client and program progress using metrics and database.  Experience with Apricot 360 a plus.
• Knowledge of the structural implications of income, racial, and ethnic inequities on communities, families, and individuals and promoting equity.
• Demonstrated capacity to set priorities; work on multiple complex and detail-oriented projects, often on a time-sensitive basis; and operate effectively both individually and as part of a team.
• Demonstrated skills in supervision, program development and budget preparation.
• Ability to flexibly apply existing skills and knowledge to new content areas, tasks, or projects—and to do so with increasing independence.
• Experience in selecting, mentoring, training, motivating and providing leadership and direction to others including staff and volunteers.
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated analytic and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work successfully in a team environment.
• Capable of managing multiple tasks and thrive in a deadline driven environment with frequently changing priorities.
• Knowledge of federal, state and local regulations related to human services and community development.

Attitude

• Actively interested in learning about new and evidence-based methods for improving operations
• Attentive to constraints of time and funds in setting stretch goals
• Respectful of staff, volunteers, funders and clients
• Forward thinker, considering not just today but what are the implications for tomorrow
• Collaborative leader, working with others individually and in teams

Cornerstones Vision, Purpose and Values:

Cornerstones envisions an equitable, connected community where all individuals and families thrive.  Cornerstones’ employees build and sustain our culture through a commitment to these values:

• Serve and Lead with Passion for Mission Excellence
• Act with Integrity
• Champion Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
• Collaborate and Innovate for Impact
• Equip and Empower for Success

Work Environment

This position is performed in a traditional office environment.  

An Equal Opportunity Employer.  

I understand and agree to the duties and expectations of my role as outlined in this job description, Cornerstones Core Competencies and Values statement. This description is intended to describe the essential job functions and the essential requirements for the performance of this job. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities.