Presents.

Executive Director of Family Alternatives ~

Ballinger|Leafblad is proud to present the following information on behalf of our client,
Family Alternatives, in its search for Executive Director.

www.familyalternatives.org/

www.ballingerleafblad.com

PRESENTING OUR CLIENT ~ Family Alternatives

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION ~
Organized in 1978, Family Alternatives is a Minnesota-based private foster care agency. Family
Alternatives emerged to enhance relationship, advocate for services and support the development
of youth in foster care system. Staff and foster parents strive to provide supportive relationships,
promote healthy environments and embrace youth and families in transition. Since its beginning,
over 8,000 youth have been provided supportive foster care services.
With a $3 million budget and 12 staff members, the organization is fiscally strong and enjoys
enthusiastic support from business, government and the philanthropic community. It is governed
by a dedicated Board of Directors.

SERVICES PROVIDED ~
Family Alternatives is responsible for recruiting and licensing foster homes for children and
supervising the placement of children in these homes. Family Alternatives works closely with area
counties, Department of Human Services and other community organizations to assist clients
during a time they are in need of a safe environment.

MISSION ~

Family Alternatives supports relationships and enhances environments

that embrace youth and families in transition
VISION AND VALUES ~
Vision:
Family Alternatives believes in the strength of relationships. We view youth as people, not clients.
Our youth have the strength and resilience to overcome lifes struggles with the support and
guidance of trauma informed teams of professionals.

Values:
We value and listen to the wisdom of our youth and families.
We value and recognize every persons innate ability to make decisions about their own lives.
We value the importance of life-long relationships.
We value relationships that are honest, responsive and respectful.
We value and embrace the many facets of diversity.
We value the importance of hope in everyones life.
We value the ability to remain flexible in responding to the current social environment.
We value integrity research in our practice.

PRESENTING THE POSITION OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ~

The Executive Director provides strategic leadership for the organization and reports directly to the
Family Alternatives Board of Directors.
Primary Responsibilities
1. Leadership
Advise the Board of Directors
Advocate for and promote Family Alternatives
Represent the organization in public social services and private child welfare initiatives
Ensure a clear mission statement, values statement, up-to-date policies and procedures
2. Vision
Identify trends and opportunities and communicate them with staff and Board
Oversee existing programs and the development of new programs to further the
organizations mission
Maintain connections in the foster care community to identify local and national statistics
and trends

3. Decision Maker
Establish and coordinate strategic planning and decision making process
Formulate policy and planning recommendations to the Board of Directors
Guide staff in their decision making processes
Assure organization remains in compliance with program and employment laws, rules and
contracts
Make final determination of employee disciplinary action
4. Management
Provide oversight for program operations
Hire, supervise, support and evaluate senior leadership of the organization.
Ensure a positive culture of continuous improvement of programs, services and professional
development for staff.
Implement strategic plans
Assure compliance with child welfare regulations
Assure adequate financial and physical resources for the program
Support the Boards evaluation of the Executive Director and the program
Assure the mission is what drives decisions
Coordinate response to any legal action
Coordinate and participate on leadership team
5. Fundraising
Provide strategic direction for fundraising initiatives with corporate and philanthropic
partners and individual major donors.
Create and implement a fundraising plan to meet and exceed the annual organizational
budget.
Build and maintain relationships with corporate and philanthropic partners and individual
donors and actively and directly engage in fundraising.
6. Financial Management
Work to ensure strong systems of financial management in the organization.
Monitor finances of the organization on a monthly, quarterly and yearly basis.
Ensure the organizations continued financial sustainability through long-term planning,
forecasting and oversight.
7. Board of Directors
Engage with Board of Directors, utilizing their strengths and abilities to further the goals of
the organization.
Support board members and committees with regular and open communications.
Evaluate and measure the results of programs; make changes as needed to enhance
programmatic outcomes.
Support the board in their development and self-evaluation

DESIRED EXPERIENCE, LEADERSHIP STYLE AND CHARACTERISTICS:

A masters degree is required and an advanced degree in social work (MSW) is preferred. The fully
qualified candidate will possess at least 5 years of related leadership experience with a nonprofit
service organization, although comparable leadership experience in other sectors will also be
considered. Personal or professional experience in the foster care system is a plus. He or she will
have strong external relations and fundraising experience with the ability to engage a wide range of
stakeholders and cultures.
Knowledge and experience in Minnesota law and rules concerning child welfare services and foster
care systems as well as an understanding of trauma informed child and adolescent development
preferred.
The successful candidate will be a visionary leader and advocate, with proven managerial and
leadership skills. The Executive Director will inspire others and will enhance and grow relationships
with donors, volunteers, the clients served, and local civic leaders. He or she will represent the
organization to various external constituencies.
Other qualifications include:
People Leadership- Experience managing and
developing people, building collaborative teams
and unifying internal and external players
around a shared purpose.
Strategy Experience in developing and
implementing organizational strategies.
Financial Management- Experience overseeing
financial reporting and budgets. Experience
understanding grant compliance and
management.
Operational Management Experience leading,
developing and growing the programs and
operations of a complex and diverse social
service organization.
Nonprofit Board Experience Skills in working
with a volunteer Board of Directors and an
ability to cultivate strong and positive board
member relationships.
Specific Skills Working knowledge of social
service organizations and related partner

organizations.
Leadership Capabilities
Passion for the mission of service to others
Ability to build positive work teams
Skills and commitment to staff growth and
development
Positive and inspirational; strategic and
visionary
Empathic and kind; understanding and
inclusive
Flexible and adaptable
Excellent judgment and decision making skills
Strong public presence and public speaking
abilities
Commitment to diversity in all forms
Communication - Strong written and verbal
communication skills are important for the
Executive Director. This role is best suited for a
persuasive and passionate communicator with
the skills to effectively communicate with a wide
range of state and local organizations, individual
donors and community organizations.

BALLINGER|LEAFBLAD WELCOMES YOU TO CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Diane Steele
Vice President, Executive Recruitment
952-484-4217
dianes@ballingerleafblad.com

Marcia Ballinger, PhD

Co-Founder/Principal
651-341-4840
marcia@ballingerleafblad.com

Family Alternatives is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer