Adoptions Unlimited Inc. (AUI) is committed to securing and supporting loving families for children in need of permanent homes.  AUI is a leader in Illinois in recruiting families for adoption and foster care, linking interested families and waiting children, providing both pre- and-post-adoption support, and disseminating information about emerging adoption issues to adoptive families, welfare agencies and the general public.
 
AUI currently operates four programs:

The Adoption Information Center of Illinois (AICI)​​                                                                                                                                    
Founded in 1981 and run in partnership with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), AICI is an adoption exchange that   helps connect children who need to be adopted with families who want to adopt.  This program also provides information and referrals for families who want to foster or adopt.

The Recruitment and Kin Connection Project (RKCP)                                                                                                                                  
A five-year cooperative agreement between DCFS and the Children’s Bureau of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, which AUI administers in partnership with DCFS.

Recruitment Response
Serve as the response team for Illinois families who inquire about adoption and foster care in partnership with the Adoption Exchange Association’s AdoptUSKids Recruitment Campaign.

Heart Gallery of Illinois
Run in partnership with DCFS, Governor Pat Quinn and a group of dedicated volunteers, the gallery features beautiful portraits of children in the welfare system who are waiting to be adopted, helping viewers imagine themselves as adoptive parents.

 
AUI has an operating budget of approximately $1.3M and 14 full time employees, including three direct reports to the Executive Director (the senior leadership team).  This dynamic opportunity arises due to the retirement of founding and long-term Executive Director Marilyn Panichi, who, 30 years ago had the foresight to create this agency.  Adoptions Unlimited carries a stellar reputation and has been viewed as an innovative, ever-adapting organization that is willing to take a creative approach to serving children in this constantly changing environment.  The retirement of Ms. Panichi presents an exciting opportunity to grow the organization, continue the innovation, and provide loving homes for Illinois children.
           
 
The Opportunity:  Executive Director
 
The Executive Director is responsible for providing overall leadership and management of Adoption Unlimited, Inc.’s day-to-day activities.  Reporting to the Board of Directors, the selected candidate will provide direction for all organizational affairs and programmatic functions.  In addition to general oversight, the Executive Director will be charged with staying abreast of industry-trends, recent literature, scholarship, and treatment modalities for the ever-changing field of child welfare and adoption, partnering with the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) to implement best practices, continuing to explore new programs and partnerships, and maintaining AUI’s status as the authority on adoption in Illinois. 
 
Performance Objectives
 
General Leadership & Management
 
Organizational and Staff Management

• Promote and foster an organizational culture that creates and sustains a productive and motivated climate for staff, Board Members, and other partners to serve the needs of Adoptions Unlimited.
• Develop and implement strategic plan.
• Design, review, maintain and implement all operational policies of the agency.
• Identify, develop and implement measurable objectives, strategies, budgets, funding strategies and timelines in accordance with the mission of Adoptions Unlimited.
• Oversee the development, preparation and administration of the budget; and ensure that the organization operates within budget guidelines. Regularly monitor budgets, cash flow statements, and line of credit; demonstrate fiscal responsibility and efficient use of all organizational resources.
• Provide executive level strategy and accountability for all financial matters and be able to respond promptly to inquiries for information; and develop monthly financial reports to the Board.  Manage accurate and timely financial records and ensure documents are maintained and are in compliance with all federal, state and local laws.
• Provide leadership, direction, and motivation to the Senior Leadership Team (Finance Manager, RCKP Director and AICI Director) as they execute their responsibilities, holding them accountable for their respective program areas and creating a cohesive leadership team.
• Recruit, interview, and hire personnel, as necessary; with responsibility for staff performance evaluations and salary adjustments. 
• Provide for adequate staff development and growth through relevant professional development opportunities and trainings.

 
Program Management/Oversight

• Oversee program development and implementation ensuring compliance with funding sources.
• Contribute to the use of best practices and programming.
• Provide for appropriate feedback from clients.
• Collaborate with program staff to maintain official and confidential records and documents, and ensure compliance with federal, state and local regulations.

 
Revenue Management and Diversification

• Build and nurture strong, long-term relationships and partnerships with current and prospective key donors (public and private), community leaders, volunteers, and other organizational partners.
• Actively follow public funding trends to remain aware of new programs and opportunities that AUI could pursue.
• Draft, edit and ensure timely submission of all grant requests.
• Work with, and provide training for the Board and senior leadership team to create an overall culture of philanthropy and to enhance non-governmental funding streams.

 
 
Board Relations

• Collaborate with the Board in developing the strategic vision/direction for the organization.
• Empower and encourage maximum input from the Board, seeking to utilize their expertise and existing personal and professional relationships to further the mission and vision of Adoptions Unlimited.
• Communicate effectively and promptly with the Board of Directors; and serve as the strongest link of communication between Board members, staff, and the community at-large/other stakeholders.
• Work with Board President to develop and distribute information for Board meetings, such as agendas, minutes, financial, development, and program reports.

 
 
External & Community Relations

• Serve as an articulate, passionate and visible spokesperson for Adoptions Unlimited, and as the primary face of the organization with all Stakeholders and Constituencies.
• Initiative, enhance and strategically align working relationships with partner organizations/agencies, vendors, and other community stakeholders to advocate on behalf of Adoptions Unlimited and continue to promote its successes.
• Provide strategic leadership to the organization’s efforts to effectively communicate the mission, interests, goals and accomplishments to funding sources, private donors, prospective donors, and the broader community.
• Maintain active membership and a strong presence in professional organizations, community groups, and other spaces relevant to the work of Adoptions Unlimited and its mission.

 
 
 
The Qualified Candidate
 
The ideal candidate will be a visionary and entrepreneurial leader, committed to innovative, client-centered service delivery to lead Adoptions Unlimited into its next era of providing loving homes to children in Illinois.  The next Executive Director will bring a keen awareness of issues that overlap/intersect with Adoption Unlimited’s mission and how they impact the organization’s programs and funding.  The ideal candidate will bring demonstrated success in fundraising and financial stewardship; prior experience in senior staff management and Board level interactions; and knowledge and expertise of the unique issues related to AUI’s involvement with both local, state and federal government funders.
 
 
Specific Requirements Include:
 

• Passion for Adoptions Unlimited and its mission, preferably augmented by demonstrated experience in similar programmatic and mission areas.
• At least 5-7 years of experience of progressive experience in leadership and management, particularly in a not-for-profit organization or related child-welfare field.
• Demonstrated successful experience in managing multiple revenue streams, particularly with government and foundation relations, with additional expertise in private philanthropic programs preferred.
• Successful track record in financial management, stewardship, and developing strategies to successfully increase revenue and cost control.
• Proven ability to build strong external relationships with a variety of constituencies: staff, volunteers, elected officials, partner organizations and other stakeholders.
• Evident ability to develop a highly productive, effective team by training, mentoring, and retaining staff; building teams; and enhancing professionalism within the organization.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication and presentation skills, with the ability to serve as an advocate/spokesperson for the organization.
• Experience with DCFS, as well as other state and federal agencies is strongly preferred.
• An advanced degree is required, with an MSW preferred.

 
This position offers a competitive salary with strong benefits. All inquiries will be held in strict confidence.  Adoptions Unlimited, Inc. 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.
 
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.  To assure confidential tracking of all applicants, 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.