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Search Success: Sher Omerovic Named JVS’ New Chief Program Officer!

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JVS Boston and Pillar Search & HR Consulting are proud to announce, following an extensive and competitive candidate search, the appointment of Sher Omerovic to the position of Chief Program Officer.

This is a well-deserved promotion from Sher’s most recent role with JVS as Senior Vice President of Programs. Sher joined JVS in 2016.

Reporting to JVS’ CEO, Kira Khazatsky, Sher will lead the core of JVS’ work – the development, quality, and delivery of JVS’s services. Sher will provide strategic leadership to the programmatic Vice President team to ensure alignment with the organization’s mission and goals, and support and develop the programmatic VP team to achieve programmatic outcomes. She will collaborate with other principal executives to ensure long-term strategic planning and board management align with the organization’s mission and goals.

Sher brings extensive program, workforce development and leadership experience to the Chief Program Officer role. Prior to JVS, she worked at the Fish Family Foundation, where she developed and implemented a statewide citizenship initiative partnering with multiple community organizations, immigration attorneys, and volunteers to organize large-scale citizenship events across the commonwealth, and held roles in immigration and employment with Catholic Charities of Boston and in grants with United Way. Sher earned her master’s degree in nonprofit project management from Northeastern University and her bachelor’s degree in international relations and modern languages from Beloit College.

About JVS Boston: For 80 years, JVS 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. For more information, please visit www.jvs-boston.org.

About Pillar Search & HR Consulting: A woman-owned business based in Boston, 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. For more information, please visit www.pillarsearch.com.

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New Search! Head of Public Relations for the B.A.A.!

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OVERVIEW

Pillar Search & HR Consulting is honored to partner with the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) on the search for their new Head of Public Relations. This role will advance the B.A.A.’s mission and vision through strong, innovative, and dynamic leadership. This is a hybrid role; the B.A.A.’s offices are in Boston, MA and Hopkinton, MA.

ABOUT THE B.A.A.

The B.A.A. is a non-profit organization with a mission to promote a healthy lifestyle through sports, especially running. The B.A.A. is committed to a world where all people can access and benefit from running and an active lifestyle. The B.A.A. advances its mission and vision in a variety of ways, such as organizing mass-participatory running events like the Boston Marathon, creating or supporting community fitness events, and sponsoring a running club that serves the greater Boston area.

The B.A.A. believes that everyone—no matter their race, gender, or background—should be able to advance their well-being safely and without fear or discrimination of any kind. The organization is committed to fostering a workplace and community that is diverse, equitable, inclusive and promotes a sense of belonging for all. To learn more about this wonderful organization, please click here.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The founding Head of Public Relations will play a vital role in the development and implementation of an innovative public relations strategy and program to advance the effectiveness and vision of the B.A.A. They seek a hands-on and high-level leader to ensure they capably and consistently communicate their purpose, events, and philosophy to their audience and communities.

You will partner and collaborate closely with media, external stakeholders and each of their internal teams to achieve success. The Head of Public Relations will report directly to the B.A.A.’s Chief Executive Officer and be part of the organization’s senior leadership team. The position will have the opportunity to build a best-in-class Public Relations strategy and function for global impact.

RESPONSIBILITIES

PR Strategy Management

  • Create and manage the B.A.A.’s PR strategy, program, and story – proactively creating a productive image for the B.A.A., its work and its vision.
  • Build and maintain productive relationships with key stakeholders (e.g., media and industry contacts, local, state, and federal government and public officials/public affairs, community partners, B.A.A Marketing and Communications), collaborating appropriately to advance our strategy and promote the B.A.A.
  • Promote the B.A.A. within their industry.
  • Develop and lead campaigns (such as how the B.A.A. is leading in terms of industry innovation, in the diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging space, etc.), external efforts, and outreach. Measure and report on success of efforts, recommending changes to approach based on data insights.
  • Work closely with CEO to develop and deliver the organization’s external messages.
  • Work closely with our Marketing and Communications team members to coordinate and deliver content effectively across multiple channels. Provide guidance to collaborators.
  • Prepare content for various channels and events, such as key talking points, Board materials.
  • Serve as PR lead and spokesperson during B.A.A. races and industry events, press forums, and as needed.

Community Liaison

  • Serve as a “bridge” to their various communities and audiences. Enhance the B.A.A. presence and brand in the local market.
  • Leverage local and regional contacts to ensure B.A.A. work is highlighted throughout the year, and in alignment with their strategy. Continuously build and strengthen these relationships, managing their public affairs and media relations.
  • Collaborate with local cities and towns, and their respective agencies, organization, and contacts. Consistently provide outward communications and engagement with these groups to support B.A.A.’s strategy and position on running throughout the year.

 Crisis Communications

  • Serve as crisis communications leader and point person.
  • Proactively plan for possible scenarios and ensure all involved understand what to do when predicted scenarios do occur.
  • Anticipate and be available (seven days a week, if required) for critical PR needs.

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR

There are innumerable ways to learn, grow and excel professionally. Pillar Search and the B.A.A. knows people gain skills through a variety of professional, personal, educational, and volunteer experiences. We respect this when they review applications and take a broad look at the experience of each applicant. We want to get to know you and the unique strengths you will bring to the work. This said, we are most likely to be interested in your candidacy if you can demonstrate the majority of the qualifications and experiences listed below.

  • Minimum of five (5) years demonstrated leadership in a public relations/media (or comparable) role.
  • Effective interpersonal and creative problem-solving skills; proven track record for working well across teams and with a variety of stakeholders.
  • Experience directing the media/media-related activities to elevate an organization’s profile, including both traditional and social media. The ideal candidate will have an established network within Boston’s media industry.
  • Experience in crisis communications situations.
  • Proven ability to serve as an effective organizational spokesperson, produce excellent forms of written communication, and manage media relations.
  • Knowledge of the organization.
  • A commitment to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.

WORK EXPECTATIONS AT B.A.A

The B.A.A. is a hands-on team and seek employees who are passionate about their work and service to the community. The Head of Public Relations role is a 40 hours/week, exempt position. This role will have an MA-based hybrid work arrangement. Beginning February 1, 2023, the B.A.A. will have a seasonal hybrid work model in which different months of the year require 2-3 days/week in the office while other months require 0-3 days/week. The B.A.A. has two office spaces–one in downtown Boston and one in Hopkinton, MA. The Head of Public Relations will be expected to travel to the Hopkinton office on an occasional basis, though they will primarily be based in the Boston office.

COVID-19 Guidelines

B.A.A. continues to adapt to safety protocols related to COVID-19 as they understand them. All candidates must comply with B.A.A.’s current COVID-19 Guidelines, including B.A.A.’s vaccination requirement. All employees must receive at least the first dose of the vaccination no later than one week after their start date, and must be fully vaccinated no later than 4 weeks later.  For the purpose of this policy, individuals are considered fully vaccinated for COVID-19 two weeks after they have received the second dose in a two-dose series (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) or two weeks after they have received a single-dose vaccine (Johnson and Johnson/Janssen).

The B.A.A. requires all employees to receive the COVID vaccine. For the safety of the community, B.A.A. employees are expected to obtain COVID tests if they have symptoms or have traveled by plane. Quarantining may be required after air travel.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

The salary range is competitive and commensurate with lived and professional experience. The B.A.A. will promote your professional growth and development by providing access to:

  • Competitive health & dental insurance plans with employer contributions of at least 80%
  • Life insurance, short term, and long-term disability plans funded 100% by the B.A.A.
  • 401K matching dollar-for-dollar up to 4% after one year of service, elective deferrals may begin upon hire
  • Paid vacation based on years of service
  • 11 paid holidays, 9 scheduled and 2 floating
  • A private option for Paid Family & Medical Leave with up to 26 weeks of paid leave per year for qualifying leave events

HOW TO APPLY

To apply to this position, please prepare a resume and cover letter to the attention of the B.A.A. Hiring Team and submit your materials to Cindy Joyce, Founder & Executive Search Consultant, Pillar Search & HR Consulting, at cindy@pillarsearch.com.

The B.A.A. is an equal opportunity employer and does not unlawfully discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on the basis of an individual’s race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status or any other status protected by applicable law.

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New Search! Director, Academic Services with JVS!

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JVS has partnered with Cindy Joyce of Pillar Search & HR Consulting on the search for the Director, Academic Services.

ABOUT JVS:

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 workforce development 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. JVS’s unique education and career pathway model has been widely recognized by funders, policy makers, and practitioners in Massachusetts and nationally.

ABOUT THE JVS ACADEMIC SERVICES PROGRAMS:

Academic Services provides clients with the academic pathways and related wraparound services necessary for economic independence. These include a high school diploma offered via their partner, the Boston Public Schools Central Adult High School; and multiple Bridges to College pathways that provide students with the knowledge, academic skills, and guidance they need to succeed in college and on the job. Academic Services works with 200 participants annually. Additional information may be found at Adult Diploma Pathway and Bridges to College and Career.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the leadership of the Vice President of Academic Services and Career Path Programming, the Director of Academic Services is charged with executing and leading agency Academic services based on identified needs of clients, employers, funders, and other stakeholders. In collaboration with the Vice President, the Director will execute on the set goals and manage the performance expectations of Academic Services programs, teams, and staff. The Director of Academic Services is responsible for collaborating with the VP around the fiscal health of Academic Services programs, program budgets, and budget modifications, as well as annual revenue and expenditure projections and assisting with development efforts to support academic services. The Director is part of a larger JVS team, all of whom are supporting the education, training, and employment needs of clients and employers.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Department Leadership:

  • Provide oversight and leadership of Academic Services
  • Ensure all contractual and reporting requirements are met
  • Ensure JVS Academic Services are accessible, customer-centered, and providing options
  • Expand scope and impact of program services, and develop new services based on partner organizations and client feedback
  • Generate strategy and solutions in response to unforeseen and planned changes, setback, and challenges
  • Communicate and provide program updates, reports, and metrics; foresee possible changes that may impact volume of work, staffing, or services to the Vice President of Academic Services
  • Increase internal and external visibility of the Academic Services programs
  • Hire, train, supervise, develop, and set performance expectations for the Academic Services team

Build Relationships, Collaboration, and Teamwork:

  • Manage external relationships relevant to Academic Services (BPS, DESE, colleges, philanthropy, state and federal)
  • Support and promote the missions and philosophy of JVS both internally and outside of the agency
  • Establish relationships with key stake holders (clients/ students, employer, partner organizations, funders) and work collaboratively in a structured and on-going manner
  • Encourage collaboration between Academic Services and other JVS divisions to ensure agency performance goals are met
  • Represent JVS at stakeholder and other professional events • Collaborate with development staff on grant proposal and reporting activities

Administrative/ Communication:

  • Manage and oversee full, timely contract implementation including staffing, systems design, and development
  • Ensure Academic Services programs operate in compliance with applicable local, state, and federal, statutes, regulations, policies, and procedures
  • Support budgeting process by monitoring and controlling budgetary expenses and revenue performance
  • Manage contract reporting, ensuring that reports are accurate and submitted in a timely fashion
  • Oversee customer satisfaction surveying and evaluation system; serve as a liaison with clients, including hearing and resolving any complaints or grievances
  • Analyze and report program progress success and challenges to VP for sharing amongst JVS leadership, funders, evaluator, and other stakeholders
  • Perform other duties as requested

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Five years of program management and supervisory experience, with extensive experience in non-traditional/ alternative education
  • Experience leading and managing high-performing teams
  • Knowledge of DESE ACLSE contracting preferred
  • Presentation and facilitation skills
  • Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
  • Interpersonal, communication and organization skills
  • Ability to work as part of a team
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently
  • Possess negotiation skills

EDUCATION REQUIRED:

  • BA/BS or equivalent

JVS COMMITMENT:

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.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

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.

M/F/V/DV

TO APPLY: 

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

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

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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.

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Happy International Women’s Day!

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Happy International Women’s Day from Pillar Search & HR Consulting, a proud woman-owned small business!

According to the International Women’s Day website, “March 8 is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity.  International Women’s Day (IWD) has occurred for well over a century, with the first​ ​IWD gathering in 1911 supported by over a million people in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. Prior to this the​ Socialist Party of America, United Kingdom’s Suffragists and Suffragettes, and further groups campaigned for women’s equality.  Today, IWD belongs to all groups collectively everywhere.  IWD is not country, group or organization specific.​  Make IWD your day – everyday.”

Let’s #balanceforbetter!