New Search: Senior Director of Career Center Operations with JVS!

Pillar Search & HR Consulting is honored to partner with JVS on their search for a new Senior Director of Career Center Operations.

JVS is a non-profit, non-sectarian agency. Their mission is to empower individuals from diverse communities to find employment and build careers; and to partner with employers to hire, develop and retain productive workforces.

JVS provides a broad range of services including adult education, skills training, job readiness training, job placement and support, and access to post-secondary education. JVS assists employers in their search for well-qualified job applicants and their initiatives to upgrade the skills of their incumbent workforce.

POSITION SUMMARY: As a member of the Career Services management team, the Sr. Director of Career Center Operations is responsible for the management, compliance, and operating functions at the MassHire Career Center to ensure that high quality, workforce development and labor exchange services are provided to Boston employers and job seekers. The Director ensures that all performance goals and objectives as outlined by the Career Center Charter and State and Federal regulations are achieved. As a member of Career Services management team, the Director develops innovative plans and strategies to ensure the agency’s continued success in fulfilling its mission and achieving short- and long-term goals and objectives. Working closely with the Vice President of Career Services, the Sr. Director of Career Center Operations will provide direct supervision to JVS MassHire staff.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Promotes Agency
• Develop and maintain strategic alliances and collaborations with community-based organizations, training providers, supportive service referral organizations, and the employer and job seeker communities in order to sustain and support the Career Center vision
• Support and promote the mission and philosophy of JVS MassHire both internally and externally.
• Actively serve on state-wide and Boston-based Career Center operating committees in order to coordinate among career centers, to plan for cross-system service improvement, and to maintain cross-system service standards.

Accountability and Results Focused
• Manage day-to-day career center operations
• Read, summarize and ensure compliance with all federal and state One Stop Career Center regulations
• Manage all aspects of funder monitoring including planning, report writing and arranging and facilitating visits and necessary follow up.
• Manage state database, MOSES, reporting
• Assist in the overall process and service delivery improvements to the Career Center, working from a customer centered approach.
• Demonstrate ownership of projects and assignments and respond to organizational requests by deadlines

Coaches and Develops Staff
• Hire, train, and supervise staff (functional or directly as assigned)
• Develop high performance standards and delegates responsibility
• Effectively communicate priorities and decisions to program staff.
• Ensure staff are accountable for meeting programmatic and contract requirements.
• Ensure program staff members work collaboratively with all JVS programs and services.
• Communicate to staff via regular meetings, developing performance expectations and performing annual performance evaluations.
• Monitor the achievement of performance expectations, in accordance with MassHire work plan and take remedial action where necessary.

Planning and Organizing
• Establish sound and systematic course of action to assure results
• Determine priorities and allocate time and resources effectively
• Know and work comfortably with both MassHire and JVS systems, processes, and procedures
• Maintain annual reporting plan, write and ensures data quality for reporting making systems or data collection changes as needed
• Ensure accurate, effective, timely MOSES database usage.

Builds Relationships, Collaboration and Teamwork
• Work collaboratively with and encourage collaboration between JVS departments and divisions to ensure agency performance goals are met
• Lead program planning meetings and team-based projects
• Communicate regularly with Supervisor to ensure successful program performance
• Provide leadership and exemplify resolving disagreements and conflict in a professional and productive manner

MINIMUM QUALFIICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
• 8 years of related work experience in workforce development, compliance, or employment services
• 3 years of program management and supervisory experience
• Proven financial management skills
• Proven program development and management skills
• Demonstrated presentation skills
• Demonstrated technical database skills
• Experience in grant and proposal writing
• Experience in review and creation of budgets
• High proficiency in Micro Soft Office Suite
• Strong interpersonal, communication and organizational skills
• Ability to work as part of a team; experience in team facilitation preferred
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment

EDUCATION REQUIRED:

BA/BS in Human Service, Education, Marketing, Business or equivalent.

KEY COMPETENCIES:
• Accountability and Results Focused
• Adapting to Change
• Building Relationships, Collaboration and Teamwork
• Cultural Competency and Respect
• Communication Skills
• Initiative
• Planning/Organizing
• Promotes Agency

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES:
• Coaches and Develops Staff
• Inspires a Shared Vision
• Manages Effectively
• Administrative/Systems Expertise
• Managerial Accountability

JOB COMPETENCIES:
• Strategic program planning
• Managing program budgets
• Quality Improvement
• Grant management

MENTAL DEMANDS:
• Reading
• Verbal communication
• Detailed work
• Written communication
• Confidentiality
• Multiple concurrent tasks
• Problem Solving
• External contacts
• Language
• Analysis of statistical and financial data
• Math

SPECIAL WORK CONDITIONS:
• Occasional evening and weekend hours required
• Occasional out-of-state travel required
• Frequent local travel required

JVS CULTURE:

JVS is strongly committed to diversity and a workplace environment that respects, appreciates and values employee differences and similarities. By providing and supporting a work culture that fosters and builds upon diversity and its strengths, JVS will better serve our local communities and continue to provide quality services.

M/F/V/DV

TO APPLY: JVS has partnered with Cindy Joyce of Pillar Search & HR Consulting on the search for the Sr. Director of Career Center Operations. Please submit your cover letter and resume to Cindy at cindy@pillarsearch.com.

New Search Announcement: Program Director, Cooperative Elder Services (Arlington, MA and Burlington, MA)

Pillar Search and HR Consulting is honored to partner with Cooperative Elder Services, Inc. (CESI) on their search for their next Program Director. This role is split between the CESI locations in Arlington, MA and Burlington, MA.

Mission Statement:

The mission of Cooperative Elder Services, Inc. (CESI) is to empower seniors and adults with medical or cognitive challenges to age-in-place by serving their health and socialization needs and providing support for families.

About Cooperative Elder Services, Inc.: CESI takes a holistic approach to supporting the health of seniors and adults with medical or cognitive challenges. At each of our four adult day health centers, CESI staff works toward a common goal: to empower participants to age-in-place by serving their health and socialization needs and providing support for families. Founded in 1978, CESI currently operates private, nonprofit adult day health programs in Arlington, Burlington, Concord, and Groton. We serve 500 caregivers and seniors and adults with medical or cognitive challenges, who reside in more than 50 cities and towns in the greater Boston area. CESI participants make 42,000 daily visits to CESI’s centers each year.

CESI provides participants with an environment that supports their whole health; one in which they can:

  • Socialize with peers,
  • Participate in meaningful activities,
  • Exercise their minds and bodies,
  • Learn to manage their chronic diseases, and
  • Maintain compliance with physician’s orders.

CESI programming provides participants’ family caregivers with the services and support they need to care for their families; physical, emotional, and financial wellbeing.

CESI’s adult day health centers are staffed by licensed nurses, geriatric care and Alzheimer’s specialists, service coordinators, and program aides, with regular consultation by an Occupational Therapist and Registered Dietician.

Learn more at http://www.elderdayservices.org.

Job Overview:

The Program Director is responsible for oversight of program operations; providing leadership to and management of all staff in assigned sites to ensure that services required by participants are provided and documented as regulated. This includes Program Coordinators, Program Aides, Services Coordinators, and Nurses. The Program Director is also responsible for agency-wide initiatives and projects, including quality assurance and process improvement.

Essential functions of the position:

  • Responsible for oversight and management of all program operations in the Arlington and Burlington sites, including implementing CESI policies and procedures; ensuring compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements.
  • Leadership and management of staff, including hiring, training, and performance evaluations.
  • Ensure coverage levels and performance excellence through recruiting of new staff for both sites.
  • Oversight of program safety and emergency evacuation plans.
  • Adherence to monthly/annual operating budgets, including preparation and monitoring of monthly income statements and program expenditures. Work with staff to respond to revenue deficits and over-expenditures.
  • Responsible for growing attendance and revenue by increasing community/brand awareness and maximizing programming, in order to reach/exceed census benchmarks; review monthly census data by site.
  • Develop and maintain working relationships with existing, past and potential funders.
  • Develop and maintain working relationships with monitoring agencies, other community agencies, and vendors.
  • Responsible for leading agency-wide initiatives and projects, responding to changes within the healthcare industry while also driving targeted efforts related to strategic business partnerships, and keeping abreast of inventive service models and innovative research.
  • Represent the agency at outreach, education, marketing, and community events.
  • Collaborate with administration to access grants and scholarships.
  • Oversight of regulated documentation; key participant in the Quality Assessment and Process Improvement (QAPI) program.
  • Ensure that the multi-disciplinary teams, led by the program directors, are developing care plan objectives for each participant.
  • Other duties as assigned by Director of Services, Executive Director, or their designee.

Equipment:

  • Ensure proper use of medical and participant care equipment to meet the needs of Adult Day Health Center’s participants.

Working Conditions:

  • Extensive participant contact.
  • Possible exposure to infection, blood and blood borne pathogens.
  • May work with hazardous/infectious waste.

Physical Requirements:

( ) Sedentary Work – Lifting 10 lbs. maximum and occasionally lifting and/or carrying such articles as dockets, ledgers and small tools.

( ) Light Work – Lifting 20 lbs. maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 lbs.

(X) Medium Work – Lifting 50 lbs. maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 lbs.

( ) Heavy Work – Lifting 100 lbs. maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 50 lbs.

( ) Very Heavy Work – Lifting objects in excess of 100 lbs. with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing 50 lbs. or more.

Qualifications & Skills:

  • Bachelor’s degree in human services or a related field required, Master’s degree strongly preferred, LICSW ideal
  • Minimum 10 years’ experience in a senior management/leadership role
  • Proven experience leading and managing teams, including a strong track record of identifying, hiring and training strong performers
  • Experience growing a program or organization
  • Experience working with seniors strongly preferred
  • Project management experience preferred
  • Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation required
  • Computer proficiency required

Personal Characteristics:

  • Ability to lead as a change agent
  • Comfortable pitching in as needed directly with program participants
  • Proven ability to work autonomously
  • Ability to work collaboratively as a member of multidisciplinary and cross-functional teams.
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaboratively with a culturally diverse population of clients, other care providers, family and community members.
  • Able to meet and manage to specific benchmarks around fiscal health, program quality measures, and service levels
  • Ability to function under pressure in a fast-paced human service environment.
  • Ability to negotiate and resolve differences.
  • Ability to be flexible, open and responsive to ongoing industry changes.
  • Effective communicator who can articulate and clearly communicate CESI’s mission and strategic direction in a consistent and enthusiastic manner to departmental staff.
  • Ability to identify opportunities and obstacles, and develop effective, creative solutions to pursue opportunities.
  • Results-oriented.

Cooperative Elder Services has partnered with Pillar Search on the hiring of our new Program Director. Please submit your resume and cover letter (required) to Cindy Joyce at cindy@pillarsearch.com. No calls please. Our apologies in advance, but due to the high volume of resumes received we will only respond to those candidates selected for an interview.

CESI and Pillar Search & HR Consulting believe that diversity in all dimensions of the organization supports and bolsters the innovative thinking essential to its success. CESI and Pillar Search & HR Consulting do not make hiring decisions on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic background, age, disability, religion, political affiliation, or ideology.

About Pillar Search & HR Consulting:

A woman-owned business founded in Boston in 2015, Pillar Search & HR Consulting provides executive search/recruiting and human resources consulting expertise to nonprofit and mission-driven organizations, working with senior leaders and boards of directors to hire and develop the very best talent across all functional areas of the organization. To learn more, please contact Cindy Joyce at cindy@pillarsearch.com.

How to Support Restaurants as Temperatures Begin to Dip

Grab a Blanket and Show Restaurants Our Love!

I am frightened for the future of our restaurants and the impact that losing them will have on the vibrancy of our communities.

Just over a week ago, some friends and I were having dinner in our home city of Boston, MA at Orfano, which is owned by our friend Tiffani Faison. Two of us had walked about a mile to get there, walking through the neighborhoods of Back Bay, Kenmore and Fenway. Several restaurants were permanently closed, some already closed for the night at 5:45 p.m., and those that were open were not overly crowded.

We started talking about the need to support our local restaurants. They give us a place to celebrate, to feel supported in harHow to Support Restaurants as Temperatures Begin to Dipd times, to meet up with loved ones, to unwind after a tough day, and to be nourished, physically and sometimes even psychologically.

Restaurants are a pivotal part of our communities and have been hit especially hard by the pandemic. Add the arrival of fall and the impending winter (which in Boston can be brutal) and restaurants are in dire need of patrons who can embrace a creative approach.

In Norwegian culture, they embrace winter in a big way, and have a saying that “there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing”. They suggest enjoying outdoor life in the “vinter” months with layers, a focus on woolen materials, and topping it off with a wind-resistant layer. Essentially, pretend you’re heading off to your favorite ski slope. Then pretend it’s apres ski time outdoors and enjoy a meal.

My friends and I decided that evening to establish the Boston Blanket Brigade to mobilize fellow Bostonians to help save our restaurants. Our mission is to blanket restaurants in love and support with flash mob dining. Each week, we will announce a restaurant that we are visiting, sitting outside with our friends, with our blankets to stay warm while helping to fill tables. Join us, or create your own brigade elsewhere, any day of the week in any city or town, at the restaurant of your choice.

We had our kickoff event this past Sunday, returning to Orfano since it was where this idea was generated, and I am thrilled to say that was a terrific success.

Not in Boston? There are several different ways to get involved:

  • Follow Boston Blanket Brigade on Instagram at @bostonblanketbrigade
  • Host a DIY Blanket Brigade at your own favorite restaurant, at a time or day of the week of your choice, no matter what city or town you are in. Be sure to take a photo and tag us. It will be fun to see how far the brigade reaches!
  • Make a donation to support the effort to save independent restaurants. The Independent Restaurant Coalition is working tirelessly to save them.
  • Make a donation to support restaurant industry workers. The Emeril Lagasse Foundation Hospitality Industry Relief Fund was created to support industry workers who are experiencing hardship from the COVID-19 crisis and will provide emergency relief grants based on need to workers who have lost employment due to the shutdown for the pandemic.

Think of it this way: when a vaccine comes out and we are able to congregate again, where will you want to meet up with your friends and family? Chance are, many of you said a restaurant. Let us blanket them in our support now to ensure that they are there when we return en masse.

This article was originally published on Thrive Global

Happy Birthday to Pillar Search & HR Consulting!

It is hard to believe that it has been five years since I started Pillar Search & HR Consulting. It has been a labor of love, a source of joy and purpose. My nonprofit and mission-driven clients are awe-inspiring and do amazing work in education, workforce development, the arts, sustainability, women’s rights, economic empowerment, and so much more. I consider myself so fortunate to help them to advance their missions by hiring for their important roles and developing and empowering their teams.

I intentionally chose July 16, 2015 as my founding date because it was the birthday of one of my best friends, Sharon Mulcahy, who had died unexpectedly the year prior. Sharon and I met the day we moved into Regis College as freshman, and were friends for over 25 years. Sharon was an entrepreneur and cofounder of Jackrabbit Design. Watching her grow her business, which included many nonprofit clients, taught me so many wonderful lessons that have helped me in my own entrepreneurial journey. In the past few years, when I face a challenge, I often wonder “what would Sharon do?” and feel her somehow guiding me in the right direction. 

In honor of Pillar’s 5th anniversary and my dear friend who inspired its founding date, I have made a donation to Regis College’s Diverse Educator’s Scholarship, which honors the mission of Regis and its commitment to diversifying the education profession by offering a select group of undergraduate education students the opportunity to attend Regis through merit-based aid. Upon graduating, these students serve underrepresented populations in education.

Thanks to all who have helped me along this journey. Here’s to another exciting five years!

A woman-owned company based in Boston, Pillar Search & HR Consulting provides executive search and human resources consulting expertise to nonprofit and mission-driven organizations, working with senior leaders and boards of directors to hire and develop the very best talent across all functional areas of the organization. For more information, please contact Cindy Joyce at cindy@pillarsearch.com.

New Job Opportunity! Chief Information Officer for JVS Boston!

Executive Search Boston

Pillar Search & HR Consulting is proud to partner with Jewish Vocational Services (JVS Boston) on hiring their new Chief Information Officer.

Organization Overview: 

For 80 years, Jewish Vocational Service (JVS Boston) has helped tens of thousands of individuals with barriers to economic success secure financial independence through training, education and employment services.  As the largest provider of adult education and workforce development services in the region, JVS is a nationally recognized leader in workforce development, and is a key part of the poverty alleviation strategy for the greater-Boston area.  In order to reach people in need of assistance on their pathway to meaningful employment and financial independence, JVS targets most of its services to low-income individuals who are unemployed or underemployed and to low-wage workers in need of career advancement services.  Many have multiple support needs ranging from limited English proficiency and lack of education to disabilities, criminal records, lack of childcare and transportation.  JVS operates on annual budget of more than $15 million, of which is derived equally from public and private sources.

After completing a $6 million Capital Campaign and moving to a new Center for Economic Opportunity in 2015, JVS took on the first-in-the-nation Pay for Success project in workforce development.  In the coming years, JVS will continue to expand its impact, offer the high-quality programs that have shaped its reputation, as well as build innovative new initiatives to move into the next phase of its growth.

 

Position Overview: 

To support its ongoing growth in program development and infrastructure investments, JVS is seeking a highly strategic, forward-thinking, and experienced Chief Information Officer (CIO). Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the CIO will be a member of the executive team. JVS’ strategic plan is focused on growth, including investments in infrastructure. The CIO will be responsible for updating agency hardware, transitioning the agency to a new central software, and defining and centralizing technology spending.

 

Responsibilities:

  • The CIO will establish the mission and vision of JVS’ technology organization to foster a value-added, user-focused mindset.
  • Implement technology, process, and engagement steps in order to optimize staff productivity, support consistent cross-program delivery, and foster an information-driven culture.
  • Implement a single, accessible, fully integrated business operations platform that will power the informed, end-to end, prospect to alumni journey of clients across JVS service segments.
  • Identify IT or technology commonalities across business lines and standardize methods while being mindful of the need for flexibility. These include, but are not limited to, case management, programs, and fundraising.
  • Develop and maintain an appropriate IT organizational structure to ensure appropriate support of the organization’s needs, define and communicate plans, policies and standards for system implementation; ensure continuous delivery of IT services.
  • Assume leadership role in the development and implementation of the JVS disaster recovery and business continuity plans.
  • Ability to recognize and define problems, invent and implement technology solutions, track and evaluate results against goals, and communicate metrics to senior leadership.
  • Manage the annual technology budget.
  • Manage all IT vendors

 

Qualifications:

  • Expert knowledge of information systems principles and best practices.
  • Ability to innovate, develop new strategies, and drive a best-in-class technology organization.
  • Bachelor’s degree required.
  • Deep experience developing and implementing organization-wide information management strategies to support the achievement of strategic business imperatives.
  • Demonstrated ability to think strategically while executing tactically; strong project management and execution skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to become the subject matter expert and trusted technology advisor to senior stakeholders.
  • Exceptional relationship building and interpersonal skills.
  • Strong staff management skills, with the ability to foster inclusiveness, a sense of team accountability, and high performance.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage complex vendor/customer relationships.
  • Flexible and adaptive work style, with the ability to uphold a high degree of personal accountability, as well as exercise solid judgment and proactively address problems as they arise.
  • Understanding and past experience with workforce development issues preferred, willingness to learn essential.
  • Ability to translate complex technical issues into language and concepts that key stakeholders can use to make fully informed decisions.
  • Ability to thrive in a dynamic, mission-driven, and collegial culture, as well as model enthusiasm for an organizational shift to be more goal-oriented, forward-thinking, and innovative.

 

Additional Information: 

JVS is strongly committed to diversity and a workplace environment that respects, appreciates and values employee differences and similarities. By providing and supporting a work culture that fosters and builds upon diversity and its strengths, JVS will better serve our local communities and continue to provide quality services.

JVS is an employment at-will organization and an equal opportunity employer committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws.  Additionally, JVS prohibits retaliation against an applicant or employee because he or she has engaged in protected activity under the statutes prohibiting discrimination in the workplace.

 

To Apply to the Chief Information Officer Opportunity: 

JVS has partnered with Pillar Search & HR Consulting on the CIO search. Please submit your cover letter and resume to Cindy Joyce at cindy@pillarsearch.com.

Pillar’s Article, 10 Things Nobody Ever Tells You about Working from Home, Appears on Thrive Global!

This article was posted on Thrive Global on April 30, 2018.  To read the article on Thrive Global, click here!

When I started Pillar Search & HR Consulting, I went from working in the office 5 days a week to working from home 3-4 days a week. I have loved every minute of working from home. It has been a total game changer. There have been some surprises, though. If you are considering a role that allows you to work from home almost exclusively, here were a few of my “aha” moments:

  • I miss coworkers. Sometimes. Granted, I no longer have to listen to Ned from Accounting complain about the quality of coffee or Mabel from Client Services go on and on about her cats, but I miss the comradery and the ability to bounce ideas off of people. I try to do client or candidate lunches once or twice a week. Some days I will sneak out to the gym just to see another person during the day, because once in a while it feels isolating.
  • Be prepared to redecorate. Believe me, this was on of my biggest surprises. Spending hours on end in your abode will make you realize that cannot stand the paint color in your immediate work area. It started to feel too dark, so I painted it. And then the bedroom looked too dark. And then the guestroom. If the dog stands still long enough, he may get a coat of paint.
  • My dry cleaner misses me. We used to be on a first-name basis. Now I am just some person who brings in her “fancy” clothes every few weeks since the days of suits and dresses are few and far between. Now I work in yoga pants. You know it’s bad when I justify that they are my “dressy” ones, though on the plus side I am saving a considerable amount of money.
  • I now regret the money spent on shoes (okay, not really…) It’s just a wee bit challenging to justify what I spent on my shoe obsession when I now spend most days in gym socks. Same for the suits and dresses that now collect dust. If you believe that working from home will be your reality for the foreseeable future, consider paying it forward by donating some of your former work wardrobe to an organization like Dress For Success.
  • Maintain a Network: If you work remotely, you can still have a relationship with colleagues, albeit virtually. However, having people you see live and in person can be crucial to your sanity. Join a networking or professional group to ensure that you maintain much-needed, real, live contact with others in your profession or industry.
  • Those appointments that I used to schedule way in advance are a breeze. Those annoying four hour windows from the cable company? No problem! I’ll be here! Doctor has nothing in the evenings or Saturday for months? I’ll take that random Tuesday afternoon time slot!
  • Toilet paper. Not to be indelicate, but you never think about that when in an office. Ditto for water, pens, post-its, and coffee/tea. In an office, those things somehow magically appear. You will be amazed at how quickly you run through them. Be sure to stock up.
  • Time Management. Without the normal office cues to indicate time, it is so easy to get sucked down the rabbit hole of a project, look up, and realize the day is gone. You do not see people coming and going, or have the same number of meetings to break up the day – it is great because it keeps me focused, but sometimes I need to set a timer so that I remind myself to take a breather.
  • Family and friends think I am free to play. Set boundaries if you start to work from home. People assume that it means that you can chat on the phone at any time or meet them for downtime when they have a day off. That is not the case. I am working from home, with a big emphasis on the w-o-r-k.
  • MOVE! Living in the city, I often walked a mile to and from the office, and clocked thousands of steps while there going to meetings or to grab lunch. Now I need to remind myself to move. One thing that helped my waistline is the lack of the office candy bowl and endless birthday cake and leftovers from catered lunches, and if I ended a conference call in the office and started doing pushups, I would have been looked at funny. At home, it is a judgment-free zone.

There are a million perks to working from home, and if you can work around the very few challenges, you may just find your professional utopia. Good luck with it!

Hire the best! With personalized service and proven results, Pillar Search & HR Consulting provides retained executive search services and human resources consulting for exceptional non-profits and socially responsible for-profit firms. A woman-owned business, Pillar is based in Boston, MA, and works on the national level. To learn more about how Pillar can assist with your hiring and human resources needs, please contact Cindy Joyce at cindy@pillarsearch.com.