Interdenominational – founded by Church of Christ

Meet Sunnybrook

Sunnybrook Children’s Home, founded in 1963, has a vision of “Every child and youth in Mississippi will experience the advantages associated with growing up in a healthy Christian family environment,” and has celebrated more than 60 years of providing safe and nurturing environments. Located on its residential campus in the heart of Ridgeland, Mississippi, the organization exclusively serves transitional-age youth ages 14-21, preparing them for a life of sustainability after they exit the foster care system. Sunnybrook programs focus extensively on life skills development, financial literacy training, and job readiness through initiatives like the Transitional Living Program (TLP), Supervised Independent Living (SIL), and the state’s first Transportation and Driving Pilot program. The organization’s strong outcomes are exceeding State and National benchmarks in preparing foster care graduates for life, and it is positioned as a model for foster care reform in Mississippi after recently being awarded a CPS licensing contract.

About the Executive Director

Responsible for the administrative, business, and logistical operations of Sunnybrook Children’s Home in the general area of business affairs, human resources, financial management, information systems, facilities management, and policy development. 

Job Qualifications: 

• Must be a faithful Christian.
• Master’s Degree from an accredited university in Social Work or related field with 2+ years of experience OR a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Social Work with 4+ years of experience. Experience within the foster care and adoption communities is preferred.
• A minimum of 5 years of supervisory experience is required. 
• Substantial experience in administration, supervision, accounting/finance operations, purchasing/inventory operations, human resources management, information systems management, facilities management, and program management. 
• Basic competency in Microsoft Office for Windows applications (word processing, database, spreadsheet, e-mail, presentation graphics, etc.).
• Exceptional pubic speaking/presentation/public relations skills.
• Exceptional time management and detail-oriented skills.
• Availability for travel as needed.
• Must possess a valid Mississippi driver’s license. 

The Executive Director’s responsibilities include:

• Provides corporate leadership to the organization.
• Supervises corporate legal proceedings for the organization.
• Manages corporate organizational issues and Board activities for the organization.
• Supports the mission, vision and philosophy of SCH. Complies willingly with all organizational policies and procedures.
• Supports all functions that attain and maintain accreditation and compliance with regulatory agencies.
• Supports and facilitates positive interaction with others by exhibiting:
• Individual maturity
• Respect for others
• A team-centered approach
• Maintenance of confidential information
• An appreciation of a multicultural workplace
• Exhibits effective communication skills.
• Participates in appropriate professional development programs to attain and maintain competency.
• Supports the growth, development and job satisfaction of all assigned subordinates by utilizing effective staff management techniques, which include but are not limited to:
• Effective and equitable delegation of job tasks
• Provision of timely and effective feedback concerning job performance
• Effective conflict management style
• Provision of effective mentoring/training/goal-setting
• Effective team-building techniques
• Effectively manages financial, informational and physical resources to achieve the organization’s objectives.
• Facilitates and supports the design and implementation of all organizational policies and procedures.

Job-Related Duties

• Maintains a high level of morale and enthusiasm with self & staff.
• Delegates job tasks effectively and equitably.
• Displays (on a consistent basis) an effective conflict management style & cooperates with all SCH employees. 
• Provides effective mentoring/training/goal-setting with personnel.
• Promotes effective team-building techniques with personnel.
• Encourages risk-taking, innovation, and creativity with self & personnel.
• Directs and analyzes operational measurements and standards to determine the effectiveness of business methods and procedures.
• Develops and prescribes procedural changes as needed to provide the basis for appropriate management decisions and control.
• Directs and oversees programmatic, budget formulation and supervision functions to include purchasing, contracting, payroll and accounting activities.
• Directs SCH operations as it pertains to personnel management policies, procedures and the application of human resources, salary, and benefit administration.
• Oversees and directs budget, audit, tax, accounting, real estate and insurance activities pertaining to the organization, and coordinates each area with accounting/business operations. 
• Directs and coordinates formulation of financial programs to provide funding for new and continuing operations.
• Oversees insurance programs and ensures that adequate coverage is maintained.
• Ensures the timely and accurate reporting of financial information to the SCH Board of Directors.
• Develops financial planning procedures to support management decisions.
• Serves as the financial planning information resource to donors, staff and administration. Provides recommendations on asset/liability management, capital planning and acquisitions.
• Establishes goals and objections of information system operations. Develops and oversees information systems policies and procedures.
• Monitors, reviews and administers appropriate office management practices and ensures the adequacy of information systems.
• Serves as staff liaison with appropriate Board committees and Trustees.
• Dispenses advice, guidance, direction and necessary authorization to carry out major plans and procedures, consistent with established business objectives.
• Reviews operating results of SCH, compares them with established objectives, and recommends appropriate measures to correct unsatisfactory results.
• Represents the organization with major clients, donors, local communities and the public in general via face-to-face contact, newsletter or other forms of communication.
• Reviews activity reports and financial statements to gauge progress and status in attaining objectives. Recommends objectives and plans revisions in accordance with current conditions.
• Promotes the Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) process by identifying quality indicators to measure the outcome of departmental projects/functions and by identifying opportunities for process improvement. 
• Establishes and maintains liaison with external vendors, agencies and other resources that relate to administrative and financial operations. 
• Generates administrative reports and related documentation as required.
• Initiates/attends/participates in board/administrative/staff/committee meetings.
• Ensures compliance with internal and external regulations that apply to administrative and financial activities of the organization.
• Participates in various professional associations and community activities to enhance organizational visibility and further personal development.
• Exercises the usual authority of an Executive Director concerning staffing, performance appraisals, employee development, promotions, salary recommendations, terminations and related activities, and assumes additional tasks/special projects as assigned by the Board of Directors.

What you bring

The following describes many of the characteristics of the ideal candidate for the Executive Director:

Education and Experience

• Master’s in Social Work or similar field of study with 2+ years of experience OR Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work with 4+ years of experience. 
• Experience in foster and/or adoptive communities
• Experience working directly with a Board of Directors

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Proven ability to modernize and streamline internal processes
• Nonprofit experience (experience with working with CPS and licensing is preferred) 
• Experience working with a board
• Experience navigating government social services
• Visionary for the future vision of Sunnybrook’s further growth and community impact
• Ability to identify and build key relationships with community partners at surrounding churches and organizations

Personal Characteristics and Qualifications

• Decisive
• Relational, approachable, and highly collaborative
• Christ follower
• Strong Christian faith – rooted in church life
• Agree with Sunnybrook’s statement of faith
• A dynamic leader able to advance the vision for Sunnybrook
• Able to promote Sunnybrook publicly
• Able to build community involvement and support
• Respect for others and an appreciation of a multicultural workplace

What it’s like to live in Ridgeland, MI

Ridgeland, Mississippi, offers a blend of modern suburban comfort and deep Southern history, with roots tied to early trade routes and the region’s agricultural past. Residents enjoy easy access to the Ross Barnett Reservoir, which provides boating, trails, and waterfront recreation that shape much of the community’s lifestyle. The city has a strong Christian cultural presence, reflected in local traditions and community life. Ridgeland’s residents also share a passionate love for SEC sports, making game days a lively and unifying part of the local culture.