OGS is highlighting an opportunity to join our team as the Executive Director.
About Optometry Giving Sight:
Optometry Giving Sight supports sustainable and scalable optometry-led programs that educate eye care providers locally and enables the establishment and delivery of vision care and eye health to all.
Position Title: Executive Director
Reports To: Board of Directors
Location: Flexible, Remote
FLSA Status (US): Exempt
Time: Full time
Travel Required: Approximately 30%
Position Summary
The Executive Director is the senior staff officer. Leading the work with volunteer Board members and professional staff, they are responsible for the strategic direction and management of all aspects of the organization, both in the US and Canada, to enhance the organization’s image and reputation and promote the mission of funding projects and programs that grow optometry globally to solve the problem of uncorrected refractive error.
The Executive Director is accountable to the Board of Directors* and reports to the Board primarily through the Co-Chairs. The Executive Director provides fiscal and personnel management, thought leadership, and effective relationships with donors and stakeholders, and represents the organization to external audiences. The Executive Director has the authority and responsibility to hire, fire, discipline, and assign work to all staff.
The Executive Director maintains a high level of knowledge of and extensive experience in managing not-for-profit organizations. In-depth understanding and/or knowledge of optometry or global public health issues is valuable.
All functions performed by the Executive Director are carried out within parameters established by the Board of Directors, bylaws, strategic plan, annual budget, and other policies established by the Board of Directors.
*Board of Directors as used in this document refers to the overlapping Boards of Directors of Optometry Giving Sight Canada and Optometry Giving Sight US. Organization refers to the combined operation of the US and Canada offices and staff.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
1. Strategic Direction and Leadership
- Works with the board and staff to develop and maintain a clear vision, defined purpose, and core values for the organization and translates the organization’s mission and vision into realistic strategies.
- Achieves short- and long-term objectives and goals as set by the Board of Directors and identified as priorities within the strategic and annual development, communications, and management plans.
2. Management
- Selects and directs staff and facilitates relationships and culture to build a strong and effective team to support the achievement of the goals of the organization.
- Manages, supports, and coaches staff.
- Recommends new programs or the discontinuation of current programs, as appropriate, to the board.
- Develops and proposes policies and systems to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of the organization.
- Oversees implementation of programs and initiatives in alignment with the Board and strategic plan.
- Ensures ongoing measurement of deliverables for projects and initiatives.
- Ensures compliance with legal and regulatory requirements in all countries and in all states, provinces, and other geographic entities where the organization operates and/or staff reside.
- Ensures and facilitates Annual General Meeting (AGM) per Canada non-profit law.
3. Executive Director/Board Partnership
- Develops and nurtures a strong and effective working relationship and communication process with the board.
- Acts as a broker of ideas to facilitate dialogue among board members to shape the future of the organization.
- Raises issues and provides information on strategic and operational matters requiring attention by the board.
- Serves as a source of institutional history, knowledge and guidance regarding nonprofit management practices and principles.
- Cultivates an atmosphere that encourages and promotes successful collaboration between volunteer leaders and staff.
4. Financial Management and Development
- Working with the Board Treasurer, establishes and maintains an effective system to ensure efficient and sound operations through prudent financial management.
- Demonstrates an understanding of the financial resources and expenditures needed to realize the strategic plan.
- Works closely with investment advisors to implement investment policies in order to maximize the financial position of the organization in both the US and Canada, while minimizing risk.
- Guides and oversees fund-raising and development plans to ensure adequate income.
- Ensures financial reports are presented to the board on a regular basis.
- Ensures annual audits are conducted by skilled and experienced auditors following Generally Accepted Auditing Principles (GAAP) (US) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) (Canada).
5. External Relationships
- Cultivates results-oriented relationships with external stakeholders, organizations, and agencies with compatible missions; policymakers; and corporate, practice, and individual donors.
- Serves as a spokesperson for the organization, demonstrating tangible results and earning the respect of professional peers, enhancing the image of global optometry and OGS.
- Serves as a primary point of communication between OGS and the media.
6. Grant and Project Funding
- With Board and key staff, develop and implement processes to solicit applications for funding.
- Evaluate grant applications and make recommendations to the Board.
- Work with staff to define parameters for and frequency of project reports; evaluate those reports.
- Communicate with program staff of grantee organizations as well as individuals globally who seek funds for eye and vision care services.
7. Perform other duties as assigned.
Skills, Experience, Education & Competencies
- Seasoned professional with at least 15 years of senior leadership experience in non-profit, association, and/or other mission-driven organizations, or similar experience including five years in CEO role
- Positive experience working with a volunteer non-profit board of directors
- Ability to travel up to 30% of time
- Strong financial acumen, including budgeting and fiscal management of similar-size or larger organization
- High degree of organizational, analytical, and project management skills
- Creative and collaborative approach in managing and problem-solving
- Demonstrated tact and diplomacy in difficult or sensitive situations and ability to perform under pressure
- Global cultural awareness and experience
- Superior interpersonal, communication and presentation skills, including the poise, presence, and judgment to work effectively with the Board of Directors, staff, and media in an appropriate and effective manner
- Demonstrated ability to provide leadership and strategic direction while developing trust and strong collaborative working relationships
- Ability to show results while demonstrating the highest standards of professionalism and ethical conduct
- Familiarity with and passion for the community being served as well as eye and vision care or global public health a plus
- Bachelor’s degree required; graduate degree preferred
- Bilingual French/English or Spanish/English preferred
For questions about joining the OGS team and to submit your resume, please email OGSSearch@givingsight.org
Pour Justin, six ans, la réussite à l’école n’a pas toujours été facile. Par le passé, une déficience visuelle importante a entravé ses efforts pour réussir. Pour les enfants comme Justin, qui ont de la difficulté à bien voir, la salle de classe est un endroit particulièrement difficile. Ils ont de la difficulté à lire les directives écrites, à comprendre ce qu’ils lisent, à terminer leurs devoirs et à rester concentrés à l’école. En dehors de la salle de classe, une déficience visuelle peut gravement nuire à la capacité d’un enfant d’interagir avec ses pairs et de participer aux activités physiques et sociales.
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Il y a environ un an, Alisha a commencé à éprouver des problèmes de vision. En raison des difficultés financières de sa famille, Alisha n’en a pas parlé. Sa vision faiblissante a entraîné la chute de ses résultats scolaires. Sa mère et son grand-père se sont aperçus de ses problèmes, mais comme ils n’avaient pas d’argent pour le transport en autobus vers l’hôpital, ils étaient incapables de faire traiter l’hypermétropie d’Alisha.