Executive Director, FriendshipWorks

FriendshipWorks, Executive Director

Creating connections to end elder isolation

OPPORTUNITY

FriendshipWorks' mission is to reduce social isolation, enhance quality of life and preserve the dignity of older adults in Greater Boston. The next Executive Director (ED) will lead FriendshipWorks as these issues continue to be more visible nationally in the coming years.  Supported by strong relationships with aligned providers and community partners and dedicated, knowledgeable staff and board, this is a unique opportunity for a passionate, strong leader with excellent external relations skills to be a trailblazer in the field and take FriendshipWorks to new heights.

The next ED will continue to lead an organization with a well-developed, unique model and 40 years of expertise and thought leadership in elder care. Founded on the belief that our lives are interdependent, and that we all need connection at every age and stage of life, FriendshipWorks brings awareness to the impact of social isolation, ageism, and the restorative power of friendship while preserving dignity and uplifting the value of elders in society.

ORGANIZATION

FriendshipWorks provides a range of services, programs, and resources to create social connection, reduce isolation, and build community among older adults FriendshipWorks operates five core programs across Greater Boston. Its cornerstone program, Friendly Visiting, provides human connections for elders one-on-one in their homes and matches volunteers with older adults for meaningful friendships to help alleviate isolation and create community. Other core programs include Medical Escort (accompaniment to doctor visits), Friendly Helping (assistance with tasks or errands), PetPals and MusicWorks (both providing group socialization for shared interests). FriendshipWorks serves the geographies of Boston, Brookline, Newton, Somerville, and Cambridge. In addition to this programming, FriendshipWorks continually re-evaluates the needs of older adults and creates, often with other community partners, targeted initiatives aligned with their mission.  For example, FriendshipWorks has tailored social isolation interventions specifically designed for Elders with Low Vision and Elders of all identities (LGBTQ+).

FriendshipWorks is a $1.8M organization governed by a board of 10 and led by a team of 15 full/part time staff. Volunteers are critical to the success of FriendshipWorks. The organization is supported by over 600 engaged volunteers who provide friendship, advocacy, education, assistance, and emotional support to isolated older adults. Serving more than 1,800 program participants annually, FriendshipWorks has enriched the lives of over 40,000 elders since its inception.  EQUITY STATEMENT

THE ROLE

The next leader of FriendshipWorks will build upon a solid foundation and brand developed by the founding ED. The new ED will continue the work with an organization that is in an optimal position to level up, grow, and expand both financially and geographically. Key factors supporting success include untapped funding opportunities for improved financial sustainability, broad and diverse populations served, vast institutional knowledge, a passion for addressing loneliness and social isolation, a large volunteer force, and impact that is directly and immediately visible and experienced at both an individual and systemic level.

Priorities

The ED will ensure operational excellence and a smooth transition while gaining an understanding of institutional knowledge and strengthen relationships with key stakeholders.

• Relationship Stewardship: Build relationships with staff, board, community partners, and funders/donors, particularly those whose support has historically been contingent on their relationship with the founding ED. Establishing trust and relationships with staff at all levels.
• Institutional Knowledge: Focus on learning and establishing a foundational knowledge of FriendshipWorks’ finances, strengths, opportunities, board interests/commitments, and current strategic vision and plans. Adopting a strength-based and inclusive approach to implementing change and strategic planning. Attend all programs firsthand to experience the transformational and deep impact on the populations served.
• Fundraising: Build and steward relationships with funders, partners and potential new individual donors; identify and secure larger and prolonged grant and individual funding sources.
• Board Development: In collaboration with the board, develop and refine roles, responsibilities, and structure of board; strengthen the board’s role in fundraising and stewardship; develop recruitment strategy to fill skills gaps and increase diversity.
• Strategic Evaluation: Assess what is working and what needs to be improved, toward the development of a learning and performance measurement system that enables data-driven decision making.
• Programmatic Expansion and Agility: Increase ability to connect and provide programming to underserved populations; increase, broaden, and update marketing to build awareness and bolster visibility; deepen involvement and role in advocacy circles.
• Internal Operations: Update processes and systems to optimize staff workflows, assess organizational salary and benefit resources to help attract and retain staff, promote innovation to support creative problem solving.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the ED provides overall leadership and management of FriendshipWorks and is responsible for all operations of the organization, including program development and implementation. The new ED will enable the senior management team to run the day-to-day operations while representing the organization in the community, strengthening current relationships and cultivating new connections. Responsibilities of the role include:

• Fundraising & Resource Development
• Strategic Visioning, Planning & Implementation                        
• Partnership and Stakeholder Stewardship
• Staff Management and Development
• Community Outreach and Connection
• Financial Management and Budgeting

The next ED will work collaboratively with staff and board to secure sustainable partnerships and funding sources, identify opportunities to grow and expand mission, enhance decision-making across the organization, maintain connections with internal and external partners, and serve as the spokesperson for FriendshipWorks.

FriendshipWorks understands that candidates rarely meet 100% of the qualifications. We strongly encourage candidates, both locally and from outside the region, in particular people from underrepresented backgrounds, to apply if they meet many of the qualifications.

Passion for the Mission

• Demonstrated commitment to FriendshipWorks’ Understanding of isolation and loneliness as a social determinant of health. Experience with elder populations and/or human services preferred.

Fundraising & Resource Development

• Comfort and demonstrated success in stewarding relationships and soliciting funding from foundation, individual, and corporate donors. Experience partnering with and securing funding from city and state government agencies.

Leadership & Management

• Minimum five (5) years’ professional experience in a management position or as a member of a senior management team.
• Deep working knowledge of the nuances of the nonprofit sector. Strong background in programmatic development and growth.
• Ability to build teams and leverage the strengths of the team; leads by example with a visible and ‘hands on’ approach.
• Leader and builder of complex, diverse teams. Empowers staff to have autonomy in their respective roles.
• Experience recruiting and motivating a volunteer workforce

Strategic Visioning, Planning & Evaluation

• Collaborative, data-driven decision-maker. Emphasizes the importance of evaluation and outcomes measurements. Ability to adapt to a shifting industry landscape.

Relationship Cultivation

• Demonstrated ability to build connections with mission-aligned organizations locally and nationally to raise visibility and the platform of FriendshipWorks as a thought leader.
• Familiarity and pre-existing relationships in Greater Boston communities are helpful. Experience working with diverse, underserved, and underrepresented populations.    

Communication

• Strong oral and written communication and listening skills; experience serving as the public spokesperson of an organization. Multilingual fluency is a plus.
• Ability to convincingly, concisely, and charismatically articulate mission and impact to stakeholders, tailoring messaging for the audience.

In addition to the above qualifications, key attributes of the next ED include building trust, collaboration, innovation, initiative and compassion. The ED will embody and carry forward FriendshipWorks core values: Connectedness, Joy & Comfort, Mutuality, Curiosity, Trust, Empathy, Collaboration.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates can submit materials via the link at the top rigth of this page.

This search is being conducted in partnership with TSNE. All submissions receive an acknowledgment and are confidential within the search committee and TSNE. Electronic submissions sent through the above link are preferred.

Candidates should include a resume or profile summary that displays their skills and experiences, as well as a cover letter describing their interest and how their qualifications and experience match the needs and mission of FriendshipWorks. Candidates are strongly encouraged to apply early; the position will remain open, and applications accepted until the right candidate is identified. The FriendshipWorks Search Committee will review applications and candidates who are selected to move forward in the hiring process will be notified. Questions may be directed to TSNE Search Consultant, Jodi Dowling.

Based in Boston, MA, the Executive Director position is a full-time exempt position with flex work time out of the office (in the field/from home). A regional presence to Boston, and a willingness to work a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings and weekends, is required. FriendshipWorks offers a benefits package including health insurance up to 85% coverage, paid time off, and a Simple IRA with up to 3% matching. Salary is competitive with relevant experience, within the framework of the organization’s annual operating budget, and in the approximate range of $135-160,000.

FriendshipWorks strives to create a diverse and inclusive culture where everyone feels welcome and supported. FriendshipWorks is an equal opportunity employer providing opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, religion or creed, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status recognized by federal, state or local law with respect to employment opportunities. Individuals from underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply.