Chief Executive Officer

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) provides overall leadership, direction and administrative oversight of programs and services provided by the organization. This individual is responsible for establishing and maintaining the business structure that will efficiently conduct BVARI’s management functions.  Operating under the general direction of the Board, the CEO plans for and administers programs providing service in accordance with BVARI’s stated purpose, and in such a manner that optimal results are achieved in relation to BVARI’s resources.  Drives organizational growth and manages change.  S/he represents the organization to government agencies, VA nonprofit colleagues, the community and the public.

Supervision Received:

This position reports to the Chair of the BVARI Board of Directors

Leadership & Management:

• Ensure ongoing rigorous program evaluation, and consistent quality of finance and administration, communications, and systems; recommend timelines and resources needed to achieve the organization’s strategic goals.
• Actively engage and energize Boston VA Research Institute, Inc (BVARI) employees, board members, event committees, partnering organizations, and VA partners.
• Maintain and support a strong Board of Directors; seek and build board involvement with strategic direction for ongoing operations as necessary.
• Manage, lead, coach, develop, and retain BVARI’s nonprofit high-performance senior management team and staff.
• Ensure effective systems to track scaling progress, and regularly evaluate program components,so as to measure successes that can be effectively communicated to the board, and other constituents.
• Develop high quality business strategies and plans ensuring their alignment with short-term and long-term objectives.
• Oversee all operations and business activities to ensure they produce the desired results and are consistent with the overall strategy and mission.
• Enforce adherence to legal guidelines and in-house policies to maintain the company’s legality and business ethics.
• Responsible for vision and leadership of the organization’s strategic direction and oversight of its execution.
• Expands organizational opportunities for success through approaches including business development, relationship and partnership enhancement, and fundraising activities.
• Partners with VA Boston Healthcare System leadership to enhance organizational mission and effective affiliation in keeping with overarching governance.
• Responsible for direct HR oversight of BVARI management and applicable staff, as well as indirect management of all BVARI personnel.

Planning, Communication, and Execution:

• Serve as institutional Signing Official and responsible party for all organizational signatory requirements and registrations. Some signature authority may be delegated in keeping with organization’s bylaws and other approved documentation.
• Ensure organization maintains all corporate registrations and adheres to all regulatory registrations and and compliance requirements.
• Plan, develop, organize, implement, direct and evaluate the organization's fiscal function and performance.
• Participate in the development of high quality business strategies and plans ensuring their alignment with short-term and long-term objectives as a strategic partner
• Evaluate and advise on the impact of long range planning, introduction of new programs/strategies and regulatory action.
• Enhance and/or develop, implement and enforce policies and procedures of the organization by way of systems that will improve the overall operation and effectiveness of the corporation.
• Establish credibility throughout the organization and with the Board as an effective developer of solutions to business challenges.
• Make high-quality investing decisions to advance the business and increase profits
• Enforce adherence to legal guidelines and in-house policies to maintain the company’s legality and business ethics.
• Review financial and non-financial reports to devise solutions or improvements to BVARI’s overall financial and strategic position.
• Build trust relations with key partners and stakeholders and act as a point of contact for important shareholders.
• Analyze problematic situations and occurrences and provide solutions to ensure company survival and growth.
• Maintain a deep knowledge of the industry, ensuring institutional policy, procedure, technical competence, and priorities are aligned.
• Develop financial management credibility by providing timely and accurate analyses of budgets, financial reports and financial trends in order to assist the Board and senior executives in performing their responsibilities.
• Provide strategic financial input and leadership on decision making issues affecting the organization.
• Oversee Finance Director’s recommendations regarding optimizing the handling of bank and deposit relationships and initiating appropriate strategies to enhance cash position.
• Lead and oversee the development and maintenance of a reliable cash flow projection process and reporting mechanism, which includes minimum cash threshold to meet operating needs.
• Oversee and guide departmental directors’ recommendations regarding contracts into which the Corporation may enter. Serve as contracting authorized official.
• Provide leadership and direction on contracting decisions, including financial decision-making, negotiation of legal and ethical contract terms, appropriateness of contract mechanisms.
• Serve as financial signatory for all payments and financial transactions requiring executive leadership authorization.
• Deepen and refine all aspects of communications—from web presence to external relations with the goal of creating a stronger brand.
• Evaluate the finance division structure and team plan for continual improvement of the efficiency and effectiveness of the group. As possible, provides individuals with professional and personal growth with emphasis on opportunities and promoting internally.

Requirements

•  MBA or post-graduate equivalent strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in nonprofit business operations and Sponsored Programs (federal and non-federal research pre- and post-award management).
• Proven experience as Executive/Deputy Director or in other nonprofit executive leadership position required.
• Direct experience working with US Department of Veterans Affairs required.
• Direct experience managing and leading multiple business departments or functions required.
• Experience leading a medical research organization or business unit of greater than $10M in annual revenue required.
• Experience in developing profitable strategies and implementing vision.
• Strong understanding of corporate finance and performance management principles.
• Familiarity with diverse business functions including Operations, Finance, Human Resources, and Sponsored Programs.
• In-depth knowledge of corporate governance and general management best practices.
• An entrepreneurial mindset with outstanding organizational and leadership skills.
• Analytical abilities and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and public speaking skills.

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. The candidate must reside in Massachusetts.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described in this job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands; and reach with hands and arms.

This position requires the ability to occasionally lift office products and supplies, up to 20 pounds.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time exempt position with hours required Monday through Friday.   

Travel

No travel is expected for this position.

Work Authorization/Security Clearance

An employee in this position must complete all appropriate background checks at the time of hire and periodic reappointment.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Boston VA Research Institute provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, transfer, leaves of absences, compensation and training.