THE POSITION: CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
REPORTS TO: BOARD OF DIRECTORS
LOCATION: CONCORD, CALIFORNIA
THE ORGANIZATION
Vision and Mission Statement
Every person with mental illness lives a meaningful, productive life.
Overview
Mental Health Connections (“MHC”) is based in Contra Costa County and operates three programs:
Connections House, Peer Connections Centers, and Connections Transit Support. All programs are designed
for people over 18 years of age and are provided free of charge. MHC is accredited by Clubhouse International.
โ Connections House (AKA “the Clubhouse”), formerly Putnam Clubhouse, is a welcoming community
where adults recovering from mental illness come to rebuild their lives. Participants -- called members, not
patients or clients or consumers -- share ownership and responsibility for the success of the organization.
The underlying premise is that each member can sufficiently recover from the effects of mental illness to
lead a personally satisfying and productive life. Recovery is achieved at Connections House through work
and work-mediated relationships, which are proven to be restorative and provide a firm foundation for
growth, self-respect, and individual achievement.
Members work in a unique partnership with their peers and core staff, building on personal strengths
instead of focusing on illness. Connections House provides an accepting place to spend the day, valuable
work to perform within the organization, opportunities to socialize, health and wellness activities,
expressive arts programming, and access to education and paid employment within the wider community.
Connections House was the first program in Northern California to be accredited by Clubhouse
International. The Clubhouse International Model is included in the United States Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration's National Registry of Evidence Based Practices and Programs.
Extensive research indicates Connections House members and the communities in which they live benefit
from higher employment, reduced hospitalization and incarceration, improved well-being, and reduced
cost of services compared to other programs.
โ Peer Connections Centers (“PCCs”) support those with mental health challenges, who are early in their
recovery. The PCCs offer groups to support wellness, one on one support, links to resources, outings to
museums, parks and other points of interest. Peer Connections Center sites are in two sites in Contra Costa
County: Antioch and San Pablo. PCCs offer classes, activities, outings and social engagement to help
members build on their interests and find a community. Classes focus on understanding the journey
of recovery from mental illness and learning to live life more fully. Each day at a PCC is organized
around a calendar of activities that include physical activities. Peer Connection Centers help to
connect the members to all the community resources that are available to support their mental
health recovery.
โ Connections Transit Support helps members of both Connections House and Peer Connections Centers get back and forth from home, school, or work and MHC sites.
Organizational Structure
Mental Health Connections is governed by a Board of Directors, consisting of seven members at present, and
growing. The organization has a staff of 30 committed and passionate professionals serving over 500
members annually and an annual operating budget of $3.5 million. Direct reports to the CEO include the Chief
Program Officer, the Administrative Director, and finance staff as well as contractors.
The Opportunity
The incoming CEO will lead this beloved community resource into a new phase of impact and engagement in
the Contra Costa mental health community. This is an exciting era of growth and expansion for MHC and the
next CEO will be leading the organization by setting the blueprint for the future.
The work ahead includes a strategic planning process, strengthening the operational infrastructure to match
the growth, and enhancing the robust program offerings resulting in more members served and more
community impact.
The new CEO will lead with compassion, vision and resilience at a time when the demand for mental health
services is at an all-time high.
THE POSITION
The CEO will provide leadership, vision, and direction to the Mental Health Connections community in pursuit
of its mission.
The CEO is responsible for fund development (from public and private sources, and individual donors),
administering the budget, contract management, day-to-day operations, and publicly representing the
mission and vision of Mental Health Connections.
The CEO is responsible for providing strategic leadership for Mental Health Connections by working with the
Board of Directors and executive management to establish long-range goals, strategies, plans and policies.
Responsibilities
Organizational Leadership & Strategy
๏ง Lead the strategic management and development of MHC.
๏ง Keep informed and offer deep knowledge about issues in the mental health field to the MHC
community to better serve its members.
๏ง Become knowledgeable of the Clubhouse model and standards and be an advocate for the
implementation and expansion of the Clubhouse model in California.
๏ง Provide disciplined leadership to ensure the mission and values of MHC in action; bring long-term
planning abilities to drive the organizational direction of MHC.
๏ง Lead development, communication, and implementation of effective growth strategies.
๏ง Foster a success-oriented, accountable environment within MHC based on collaboration and
integration across all programs and functions at MHC.
๏ง Promote a cohesive culture that engages staff, promotes retention, and supports employee thriving
and development.
๏ง Bring a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion lens to the strategic and operational management of MHC as
well as recruitment and retention of diverse, high-performing staff and board members.
๏ง Ensure that an effective management team, with provision for succession, is in place.
Governance
๏ง Collaborate with the Board Chair and other executive staff on setting Board meeting agendas,
preparing materials and managing meetings.
๏ง Assist the Board in recruiting new members, establishing effective committees and related
governance guidelines; support the Board Chair’s efforts in ongoing board assessment, education and
development, including regular board training; partner with the Board in fundraising.
๏ง Serve in an ex-officio capacity on Board committees, including Finance, Development, Governance,
Strategic Planning, and others as requested by the Board.
๏ง Facilitate robust and appropriate communication with staff.
Finance and Operations and Systems
๏ง Work with staff and Board in preparing a budget and ensure fiscal operations within budget guidelines.
๏ง Lead monthly, quarterly, and annual budget reviews, as well as periodic forecast updates with
operational and senior management for all locations.
๏ง Develop and maintain, in partnership with finance staff and contractors, sound financial practices and
adherence to financial controls and to assure that public funding demands are complete, accurate and
meet the contract requirements.
๏ง Manage high quality management processes, IT systems, and communications which enable effective
programs; ensure MHC’s quality, systems’ compliance, and data integrity.
๏ง Identify and evaluate the risks to MHC’s members, staff, property, finances, goodwill, and image;
implement measures to control risk.
Program Development
๏ง Develop innovative programs that support the mission and vision of MHC that expand the reach of the
Clubhouse and the PCCs.
๏ง Understand the programs; exercise critical analysis and good judgment in program planning,
oversight, and evaluation; ensure a culture of professional development, as well as personal
accountability.
๏ง Work closely with CPO to anticipate upcoming programming changes and priorities in response to changing governmental policy, legislation and funding mechanisms, and position MHC for appropriate support for those changes.
๏ง Assist program staff in understanding how their work supports the total impact of MHC.
๏ง Direct the preparation of responses to Requests for Proposals.
Fundraising
๏ง Lead the development and execution of an annual development plan that generates sufficient
resources to execute program objectives for MHC, including having regular meetings with current
donors, potential donors, stakeholders and foundations.
๏ง Prospect and develop new government and community funding sources.
๏ง Work with the Board to ensure adequate revenue for all programs and services, including institutional
funding (foundations, corporations), government grants, as well as individual donors.
๏ง Collaborate with the Board to assure strategic and sustainable fundraising plans.
๏ง Involve Board members, staff, members and other volunteers in development activities and events.
๏ง Collaborate with the Board in developing a reserve policy, and an investment plan.
External Relations
๏ง Serve as the primary spokesperson and face of MHC in the field and community.
๏ง Provide leadership on legislative relations for MHC.
๏ง Stay connected with local leaders including city, county, and state government.
๏ง Actively enhance the MHC community profile as an active and engaging spokesperson and leader.
๏ง Represent the organization with families, donors, supporters, government partners, and other
community-based organizations in Contra Costa County.
๏ง Actively seek opportunities to speak on panels at industry conferences, give presentations, and serve
as a thought leader.
๏ง Be the inspirational leader of MHC’s brand and lead efforts to elevate it.
Human Resources
๏ง Articulate and codify a talent philosophy centering equity, parity, and transparency.
๏ง Develop a compensation structure.
๏ง Manage the development and implementation of HR policies and procedures, including recruitment,
employment, and release of all paid staff and volunteers.
๏ง Ensure staff implement performance management processes, including job descriptions and regular
performance evaluations.
๏ง Establish a learning environment by encouraging staff and volunteer development and education.
๏ง Maintain a climate and culture that attracts, retains, and motivates a diverse staff of top caliber people.
CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS / EXPERIENCE
Education: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, or equivalent demonstrated experience.
Experience:
๏ง Minimum of five or more years of management and supervisory experience, with continually
increasing responsibilities, in a nonprofit service organization.
๏ง Demonstrated track record of being a thought leader with a commitment to mental health recovery.
๏ง Demonstrated track record of fiscal responsibility for organizational profit-and-loss and annual
operating budget of $2M to $5M.
๏ง Demonstrated experience leading and managing a strategic planning process.
๏ง Experience leading organizational systems change management.
๏ง Track record of building and managing teams, as well as inspiring and motivating staff, engendering
their best work.
๏ง Experience partnering with a Board of Directors in a positive and productive way to achieve desired
organizational outcomes.
๏ง Demonstrated ability to attract and sustain public and private funding. Experience with contracting,
development, proposal and grant writing.
๏ง Experience serving marginalized communities.
COMPETENCIES / ATTRIBUTES
The successful candidate will have:
๏ง Knowledge of current local, state, and federal laws as well as regulations and standards related to
delivering services to individuals living with mental illness.
๏ง Experience reporting into and creating a trusting partnership with a Board of Directors.
๏ง Professional experience and knowledge of marginalized or under-served communities and families.
๏ง Experience with government contracts.
๏ง Experience being responsible for the financial health of a nonprofit organization.
๏ง Experience working with parents, family members and stakeholders in a positive and professional
manner.
๏ง Track record of successfully fundraising for nonprofits, including engendering corporate and
foundation support, and securing government funding.
๏ง Excellent oral and written communication skills for internal and external communications.
๏ง Previous experience and demonstrated comfort with marketing communications including public
relations, public affairs, and governmental affairs.
๏ง Ability to build and maintain a collaborative environment between MHC’s programs and staff.
๏ง Exemplary management skills, with an ability to both delegate and manage, as well as execute when
necessary.
๏ง High emotional intelligence.
๏ง Demonstrated political savvy.
๏ง Excellent computer skills, including with Google suite.
๏ง Familiarity with business analysis, continuous quality improvement and quantitative methods.
๏ง An understanding of the importance of joy and celebration in the workplace.
๏ง Excellent judgment and a sense of discretion, attentiveness to boundaries and role clarity.
๏ง Passion for improving the lives of those living with mental illness.
๏ง A willingness to participate in the three-week Clubhouse Training Program at a Certified Training Base.
๏ง A willingness to travel throughout the state and nation for Clubhouse International events.
The successful candidate will be:
๏ง Passionate about MHC’s mission.
๏ง An executive leader, addressing high-level organizational and strategic issues, with the ability to lead
and manage enterprise goals and objectives.
๏ง A skilled manager of people, able to engender trust and develop staff to whom appropriate
responsibilities can be delegated, supervision can be maintained, and accountable for agreed upon
outcomes can be upheld.
๏ง A persuasive and engaging public “face” of MHC to all external audiences, raising its profile and
visibility in the community.
๏ง Professionally and personally mature, able to exercise good judgment.
๏ง A problem solver – identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner and gathers and analyzes
information skillfully.
๏ง Focused on quality operational management -- looks for ways to improve and promote quality and
demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
๏ง Well organized, structured, and planning-oriented -- prioritizes and plans work activities, uses time
efficiently and develops realistic action plans.
๏ง Adaptable and flexible -- adapts to changes in the work environment and circumstances, manages
competing demands, and is able to deal with the unexpected.
๏ง Available and accessible to others – dependable, open, can be counted on for professionalism,
positive attitude, and “get it done” approach.
๏ง Intellectual and practical curiosity that translates into learning, improving, and innovating.
It is not necessary to meet all the criteria above to apply and be considered for this critical position.
COMPENSATION
The annual salary ranges from $170,000 – $180,000, commensurate with experience. Compensation also
includes a comprehensive benefits package. A bonus after several months is negotiable.
HOW TO APPLY
To initiate consideration for this opportunity, please submit a resume and cover letter, speaking to your
qualifications as per this Position Specification, to the Carlson Beck representatives below.
For additional information regarding this opportunity, please contact:
Sally Carlson, Managing Partner
415.203.5259 mobile sally@carlsonbeck.com
Heidi Holzhauer, Partner
707.963.1250 direct heidi@carlsonbeck.com