President/Chief Executive Officer

Lutheran Services in Iowa•Des Moines, IA

About The Position

LSI seeks an experienced servant leader to serve as the agency’s President/Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The CEO promotes LSI’s mission, vision, and values in providing health and human services in Iowa, in alignment with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The role stewards the organization’s human and financial resources, provides strategic direction subject to Board approval, and ensures high-quality care services and the agency’s continued viability in a changing human services environment. The CEO leads the development and ongoing assessment of organizational strategy and results, oversees budgets, operations, contracts, quality improvement, and accreditation, and provides direct supervision to the executive staff team. The position fosters an inclusive, positive workplace that attracts, retains, and develops employees and reflects the diversity of the people LSI serves. The CEO maintains relationships with clients and families, staff, donors, community partners, funders, referral sources, legislators, government and regulatory agencies, Iowa ELCA synods, and other stakeholders. The CEO represents LSI externally, supports fundraising and advocacy, and reports to and works collaboratively with the LSI Board of Directors to fulfill governance and strategic objectives. LSI is one of Iowa’s largest human services agencies and has served children and families for more than 150 years. Its services include parenting education, foster care and adoptive support, mental and behavioral health services, services for immigrants and refugees, and services for people with disabilities. The position requires a valid driver’s license, auto insurance, a good driving record, and successful completion of required background checks.

Requirements

Completed master’s degree in a qualifying field.
At least five years of executive leadership experience.
Valid driver’s license and auto insurance, a good driving record, and ability to meet and maintain agency insurance coverage requirements for secondary driving classification.
Successful completion of required pre-hire background checks, including criminal history and applicable abuse and sex offender registry checks.
Comprehensive understanding of the human services field, including human growth and behavior, social service systems, treatment modalities and interventions, evidence-based treatment models, trauma-informed practices, crisis interventions, case management, and client advocacy.
Exceptional organizational development, change management, and consensus-building skills, including the ability to create a shared vision and ensure alignment and communication.
Track record of significant responsibility in strategic planning and programs, and in developing and managing people and processes.
Ability to lead the development of strategic and operational objectives and ensure their execution.
Budget development skills, financial acumen, and fundraising experience.
Commitment to servant leadership and serving employees, clients, and stakeholders.
Strong human resources leadership, management, coaching, and mentoring skills, including supporting employee performance and development in alignment with LSI’s values.
Ability to develop a healthy team environment where members participate, collaborate, and support one another.
Ability to foster and maintain a strong team approach among LSI, its Board, and other stakeholders.
Skill in working with executive management and Board members and leading staff in supporting Board work.
Consistent and effective written and verbal communication skills and public speaking ability to represent LSI externally.
Experience using Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Teams, Word, and Excel.

Nice To Haves

Master of Social Work (MSW) preferred.
Ten years of full-time, progressive management experience in a multi-site, multi-service human services organization preferred.

Responsibilities

Establish relevant and effective organizational principles, standards, structures, and values.
Develop and assess LSI’s annual strategic plan and deliver results that meet or exceed strategic objectives and benchmarks.
Model commitment to LSI’s mission and values and exemplary ethical conduct.
Steward agency resources, including developing, implementing, and maintaining budget goals.
Guide the leadership team toward high operational standards and efficiencies.
Promote continuous quality improvement and mission-aligned service delivery.
Oversee designated contracts and agreements, including compliance, performance measures, progress reporting, and financial performance.
Ensure the organization maintains active accreditation from a nationally recognized accrediting body.
Align the organization with strategic objectives through leadership, communication, and transparency.
Demonstrate inclusive servant leadership through active listening and team-building with staff, partners, and stakeholders.
Ensure a technically proficient, professional workforce and a positive culture that supports professional growth and motivates staff.
Provide direct supervision and leadership to the LSI executive staff team.
Foster equity, diversity, and inclusion so the workforce reflects the diversity of the people LSI serves at all organizational levels.
Represent LSI in external forums and ensure it is positively represented to the public, constituencies, and governmental and regulatory agencies.
Nurture relationships with state funding agencies and use funder feedback to build strong partnerships.
Strengthen relationships with Iowa ELCA synods, congregations, and pastors and create opportunities for financial and volunteer involvement.
Develop collaborative relationships with providers, health associations, Lutheran social ministry organizations, professional societies, business and political leaders, governmental organizations, and other stakeholders.
Understand and promote the agency’s advocacy plan and advocate at local, state, and national levels to help shape public policy.
Participate actively in donor relations and fundraising activities.
Keep the LSI Board informed and engaged, report to the Board, and serve as the interface between LSI and the Board.
Work with the Board to meet annual and long-term strategic objectives and operationalize the board policy manual.
Keep the Board informed of regulatory, policy, and funding trends and maintain regular communication with Board members.