Chief Operating Officer

Opportunity Guide
 
http://www.bickerdike.org/
 
Community development anchored in the belief that low and moderate-income residents should be both participants in and beneficiaries of neighborhood revitalization.
 
Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation (“Bickerdike”) is committed to the redevelopment of the West Town, Humboldt Park, Logan Square, Hermosa and Avondale communities for the benefit of and control by the low and moderate income families in these areas.  Located in West Town, Bickerdike is deeply dedicated to preserving the ethnic and cultural character of its neighborhoods, while improving economic conditions of the community.   

Founded in 1967 by residents of Chicago’s near northwest side and representatives of local community groups, Bickerdike is a member-based not-for-profit community development corporation.  Membership is open to anyone who supports Bickerdike’s mission and lives or works in the community.  Nearly 600 individual and 43 organizational members annually elect Bickerdike’s 15-member Board of Directors from among their peers.
 
Bickerdike began by developing affordable single family homes.  While its mission has remained largely unchanged, Bickerdike’s work has evolved into a multifaceted approach to community development.  Bickerdike carries out its mission by providing high quality affordable housing, struggling against gentrification and displacement, promoting economic development by creating and preserving jobs, and advocating for additional resources.  In all of its endeavors, Bickerdike is committed to the principles of honesty, openness, democratic process, education, involvement and empowerment of community residents, self-worth, self-respect and pride.   
 
Bickerdike has a complex operating structure and the Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation is the parent corporation to:

• Bickerdike Apartments, LLC - the property management arm of Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation, oversees a portfolio of 1,000+ units of quality, affordable housing owned by 14 affiliated limited partnerships and is responsible for all funder compliance and regulatory requirements.
• Humboldt Construction Company (HCC) - a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bickerdike organized as a for profit corporation and operating as a full-service, general contractor and carpentry subcontractor, specializing in residential and commercial construction, value engineering, and project planning and management.
• Rockwell Community Development, Inc. and BRC Affiliates, Inc. – wholly owned, tax-paying, not for profit subsidiaries both serving the General Partners in all of Bickerdike’s affordable housing developments.

 
The Opportunity:  Chief Operating Officer
 
The Chief Operating Officer is a newly developed position at Bickerdike, established in response to significant past growth and an anticipated growth trajectory that is significant.  Reporting directly to the CEO, the Chief Operating Officer is a member of the senior management team, along with the also newly-established Chief Financial Officer position (being recruited simultaneously). 
 
The COO is responsible for most internal operations with a focus on enhancing the internal organization processes, building capacity at all levels to meet planned future growth, and bridging inter-departmental communication of Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation and its subsidiaries and affiliates. It is a new role created to allow the CEO to focus on and grow Bickerdike’s external relationships, partnerships and revenue streams.  The COO position will provide internal leadership in support of continued fulfillment of mission, programs, and services, identification and strengthening of operational processes, and cohesiveness of operations and functional teams. There are six (6) direct reports to the COO, including a Communications Manager, Resource Development Manager (fundraising), Technology Manager, Human Resource Manager, Property Management Director and Community Engagement & Organizing Director. 
 
The COO also acts as representative of Bickerdike and its mission in the community, and will have regular interaction with the Board of Directors.   
 

Performance Objectives
 
Leadership Objectives

• Ensure, monitor and coordinate short-term and long-range organizational planning and development efforts, including playing an appropriate role in strategic planning and executive decision making in conjunction with the CFO and CEO as appropriate.
• Serve as the internal day-to-day operational leader of the organization, providing an on-site leadership presence and contributing general knowledge and specific expertise.
• Supervise and mentor staff, imparting a clear vision and providing effective communications, resulting in a team environment dedicated to carrying out the objectives of Bickerdike.
• Provide overall leadership to the communications, resource development, technology, human resource, property management and community engagement departments, supervising six direct reports, and an overall team of 20 members. 
• Develop and implement measurable objectives, strategies, budgets, and timelines for the overall agency as well as provide leadership to the same for each functional area that is overseen by the COO.
• Lead and manage staff through lens of flexibility, openness to suggestions, and the ability to resolve/mitigate conflict.
• Serve as an articulate, enthusiastic and visible leader and role model for Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation in the Community.

 
Management Objectives

• Ensure organizational and individual departmental policies and procedures manuals exist and are kept up to date, and ensure understanding of and compliance with those policies and procedures as well as other internal controls throughout the organization. 
• Direct and ensure the development and installation of procedures and controls, to promote communication and adequate information flow, and thereby ensure clear operational internal management structure and direction of the organization.
• Participate in and inform the development and preparation of project and annual budgets based upon organization goals and objectives, in collaboration with the CFO.
• Oversee and ensure comprehensive and broad ranging risk management programming and strategies for the organization; including but not limited to health and safety program, insurance programs, and incentive and benefits programs.
• Develop, recommend and establish operating policies consistent with the organization’s and CEO’s broad policies and objectives and ensure their adequate execution. 
• Ensure that all activities and operations are performed in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations and laws governing business operations.
• Ensure, recommend and direct the development and establishment of adequate and equitable personnel policies and procedures throughout the organization, including compensation policies and employee benefit plans.

 
Other Performance Areas

• Communicate effectively and promptly with the Board of Directors in conjunction with and at the direction of the CEO.
• Serve as an information resource to Bickerdike constituents, including, but not limited to Membership, Staff, Board, Community Partners, etc.
• Provide leadership as a member of the centralized management team, along with the CFO, to the CEO.

• Ensure the effective and efficient planning and coordination of all aspects of Bickerdike’s membership program; and annual organizational events in conjunction with appropriate staff including the Annual Membership Meeting and Annual Board, Staff and Leader Retreat.
• Oversee and ensure all aspects of fundraising and resource development for the organization in conjunction with appropriate staff and the CEO, including but not limited to strategy development, research, networking and proposal review and writing, public and private fund-raising initiatives, as well as the expansion and diversification of Bickerdike’s funding base through ongoing opportunities, events, and cultivation.

 
The Qualified Candidate
 
The COO of Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation will need to be an expert on internal operating systems in a growing organization.  In this role, the COO will be managing personnel, resource development, strategic planning, and monitoring operational and programmatic systems for quality assurance and program excellence.  Ability to think strategically, anticipate trends, build organizational and staff capacity, and exceed goals is required.  The COO will need to have experience in leading cross-departmental staff teams and promoting effective communication agency-wide that results in excellence in programming.  It is imperative that this individual fully support the mission of Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation.
 

Specific Requirements Include:
 

• Bachelor’s Degree is required; MBA and/or graduate degree is preferred.
• A minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in leadership and management, with documented ability to manage and lead staff teams and program operations.
• A personal commitment to the mission of Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation that also embraces its history, traditions and work.  Familiarity with Bickerdike’s community and/or housing development is strongly preferred.
• Past experience and proven leadership skills in team management, conflict resolution; mentoring and professional development.
• Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills and the ability to effectively interface with senior management, Boards of Directors, community partners and leaders.
• Strong analytic and strategic-thinking skills, with demonstrated ability to create, implement and monitor complex plans, and translate those plans into goals and concrete strategies; ability to operate as an effective tactical as well as strategic thinker.
• Precision in managing detail, procedures, processes and policies.
• A “hands-on” knowledge of how to effectively work with and manage diversity in the workplace.
• Demonstrated ability to manage staff, projects, priorities and programs in a constantly changing environment.
• A positive attitude and the ability to be flexible in light of changing job situations/priorities and motivates staff to do the same.
• Excellent communications (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills, using diplomacy and good judgment.
• Demonstrated ability to set and achieve or exceed goals and meet deadlines.
• Valid Driver’s License, access to a car and proof of insurance for field work is required.

 
 
This position offers a competitive salary with strong benefits. All inquiries will be held in strict confidence.
Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria.  Bickerdike is a drug free workplace
 
 
To Apply
 
This search is being managed by Heather A. Eddy, CFRE, President and CEO of Alford Executive Search.  To apply, candidates must complete the online application at http://alfordexecutivesearch.applicantstack.com/x/openings and thereon submit their cover letter and resume.  No applications will be accepted via email. Questions may be addressed to Kelly Monahan at kmonahan@alfordexecutivesearch.com.
 
Alford Executive Search (www.alfordexecutivesearch.com) is a retained search firm dedicated to providing recruitment services of exceptional quality and strengthening the not-for-profit community through professional staffing solutions.