THE PRESIDENT AND CEO
 
Covenant Retirement Communities (CRC) is one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit retirement housing organizations.  Led by an energetic team, motivated by mission, its services span from the core of senior housing to an array of affiliate services, including Covenant Retirement Services. Covenant Care at Home, Covenant Solutions, OnTrac Management Services, a Foundation and CRC’s central services office is located just outside of Chicago.  CRC’s commitment to mission, prudent financial management and forward thinking makes each community, as well as the entire system, a thriving and vibrant choice for residents and employees. 
 
Covenant Retirement Communities (CRC) traces its roots to the Home of Mercy, opened in Chicago in 1886.  Since then, the church became the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC), CRC’s service parent.  Now, more than a century later, CRC has become ECC’s service to senior adults.  The covenant of service kindled on the streets of Chicago burns brightly across the country. CRC welcome those of all faiths and those who do not embrace a faith.
 
CRC’s relationship with its service parent, the Evangelical Covenant Church is a vital one.  Founded in 1885, The Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC) is a rapidly growing, multi-generational, multi-ethnic denomination of churches with 850 congregations in the United States and Canada with ministry partnerships in nearly 40 countries on five continents.   In the US alone, the ECC takes pride in its 27% diversity of membership, far outpacing its sister denominations, with a goal of a Mosaic of membership by 2020 of 35%. 
 
The ECC, through Covenant Ministries of Benevolence (CMB), an outreach arm of the Church, sponsors a number of affiliated ministries to extend the helping hand of Jesus Christ in its mission to nurture the physical, mental and spiritual well-being of the sick, poor, aging, under-served or at risk populations.  CMB administers a large family of ministries, ranging from a full-service hospital to shelters for victims of domestic violence. And we extend the reach of other ministries of the church by contributing financial and intellectual capital.  For more information on the ECC and CMB, visit www.covchurch.org and http://www.covenantbenevolence.org/about/
 
In July 2014, current President and CEO Rick Fisk announced his intention to retire after nearly thirteen years of service in the role, and 17 overall years of service to CRC.  In conjunction with that announcement, the CRC and CMB Boards of Directors formed a Leadership Transition Planning (LTP) committee to clarify how the transition will benefit the organization and maintain balance, and assess the organization’s health, needs, and resources while sharpening its mission, vision, and goals.  This document is the result of the LTP committee’s due diligence in partnership with Alford Executive Search. 
 

The Opportunity:  President and CEO
 
This is an exciting opportunity for a visionary and mission-driven professional to lead Covenant Retirement Communities to the next level of growth, success, and action.  The succeeding President and CEO will join the fifth largest senior living organization, as ranked by the LeadingAge Ziegler 100.  CRC is extremely well-respected within the senior living community and enjoys a very supportive relationship with its service parents (ECC and CMB).  More, CRC was fortunate to maintain strong financial footing following the recession, due to the decisive approach of its leadership team and Board of Directors.  Thus, the next leader is poised for success as CRC enters into its next chapter.
 
The President and CEO reports to the President of Covenant Ministries of Benevolence (CMB) and will work closely with both the CMB Board as well as the Covenant Retirement Communities Board of Directors to bring about visionary and strategic leadership for the organization.  The next leader will also provide revenue management, external relations/community engagement, and general oversight of operations and staff.  The position oversees a senior management team comprised of seasoned and tenured professionals including: the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Operating Officer, the Senior Vice President and General Counsel, and the President of Covenant Retirement Services, which houses the outreach services of CRC outside of its core CCRC campuses, as well as a Director of Administrative Services and the Director of Legacy Giving.  There are approximately 4,800 residents and over 3,300 employees.
 
CRC is looking for an experienced, strategic and visionary executive to provide contemporary leadership to the organization, manage a staff team of dedicated professionals, and develop and nurture a vision for excellence for the future of CRC.  It is imperative that the successful candidate love Christ, and contribute to fostering a work environment and culture that embodies the mission and values of CRC and the Evangelical Covenant Church.
 
Performance Objectives
 
Visionary Leadership & Strategic Growth

• Through personal example, set spiritual and leadership tone for the organization which in turn will set the tone for the residents and staff in fulfilling the CRC mission and attaining its vision.
• In collaboration with the CMB President, and partnership with the CRC and CMB Boards, develop and implement the organization’s strategic plan, which is representative of the mission and the shared vision.
• Foster an organizational culture that creates and sustains a productive and motivated climate for staff, Board Members, residents and other stakeholders.
• Develop and monitor new and existing strategies, particularly those under the Covenant Retirement Services (CRS) umbrella, to ensure the long-term financial viability and mission-alignment of the organization.
• Ensure that CRC continues its leadership position in the senior living industry; maintains current services and facilities and expands/grows service lines as marketplace dictates and economic conditions allow.
• Promote an organizational culture that supports The Mosaic efforts of the Evangelical Covenant Church and ensure that outlook is reflected throughout CRC.

 
Management & Corporate Performance

• Provide leadership and support to the creation of annual operating plans that support strategic direction set by the Board and correlates with annual operating budgets.
• Project, monitor, develop and lead entire financial operations addressing current economic conditions in light of industry changes and projection.  Address trend issues for the next 10-15 years.
• Ensure financial matters are monitored and problems are quickly diagnosed.  In the case of financial issues related to a particular business area, develop appropriate plans to work with leadership to resolve matters.
• Evaluate investments, strategies, and new opportunities as vehicles to both further the mission and assure/ensure financial solvency for the organization
• Build and unify the senior management team (7.5 direct reports) who oversee an entire staff of 3,300+.  Evaluate the organization’s and the staff’s performance on a regular basis.  Develop future leadership within the organization.

 
Governance and Board Relations

• Establish and maintain a strong relationship with the CRC and CMB Boards.  Communicate effectively and promptly with the Boards; and serve as the strongest link of communication between Board members, staff, residents, and the community at-large/other stakeholders.
• Collect and analyze evaluation information that measures the success of the organization’s business lines, and refines or changes programs in response to that information.  Create and maintain procedures for implementing plans approved by the Board of Trustees.
• Promote a culture that reflects the CRC’s core values, encourages good performance, and rewards productivity.  Ensure that the Board has sufficient and up-to-date information.

 
Church and External Relations

• Serve as an articulate, passionate and visible advocate and spokesperson for Covenant Retirement Communities.
• Serve as principal spokesperson and public relations representative for CRC to the Evangelical Covenant Church through local churches, the ministerium and conference superintendents of the ECC.
• Maintain active membership and a strong presence in professional organizations, industry groups, and other spaces relevant to the work of CRC and its mission.

 
Resident and Constituent Engagement

• Establish a corporate presence within CRC’s residential communities and selectively participate in functions and events.  Assure that the organization and its mission, programs, and services are consistently presented in a strong, positive image.
• Serve as a voice for residents, CRS clients and constituents, stakeholders in the industry and within the Covenant as an advocate for emerging and ongoing issues that impact the future for seniors.
• Ensure that the highest quality of standards, care, and excellence are part of the expected norm, with a servant leadership mindset instilled within the culture.
• Provide strategic leadership to the organization’s efforts to effectively package and communicate the mission, goals and accomplishments of CRC to donors, prospective donors, and the broader community through a vibrant and growing philanthropic program.

 
 
The Qualified Candidate
 
The next President and CEO will foster an environment consistent with the vision, mission, and history established by CRC, while simultaneously ensuring consistency of operations and the development of new and existing strategies to ensure CRC maintains its status as a leader in the senior living industry.  The successful candidate will have a demonstrated ability to lead a system with consistent practices, efficient operations, and streamlined processes across all entities of CRC – a multisite, multi-state organization.  
 
Covenant Retirement Communities seeks a dynamic, entrepreneurial and highly accomplished leader and visionary to serve as its President and CEO.  Reporting to the President of Covenant Ministries of Benevolence and with accountability to the CRC and CMB Boards of Directors, this goal-oriented executive will support and demonstrate the values of CRC and the Evangelical Covenant Church throughout all duties performed.  Leadership experience in senior living, aging services, and/or healthcare settings is required.  Familiarity with the Evangelical Covenant Church is ideal, but not required; however, he/she must be Christian with an active faith life.
 
Specific Requirements Include:
 

• 10+ years related senior leadership experience in senior living, aging services and/or healthcare is required.
• Multi-site experience required
• Multi-state experience preferred
  • Relevant advanced degree, either in business or another related field, is required. 
  • Demonstrated passion for and commitment to the vision and mission of Covenant Retirement Communities, coupled with an executive level skill set.
• Committed to an active Christian faith life; ability to fully support the mission of the Evangelical Covenant Church; comfort with the intersection of faith life and professional objectives.
  • Advanced knowledge/understanding of industry best practices from a tactical and strategic viewpoint. Involvement in and with continuing education and industry leadership is preferred. 
  • Strong analytical skills needed to synthesize data, identify trends, and translate them into insightful analysis to equip the Board to make key decisions, along with the ability to relay complex information in an understandable way.
  • Proven ability to lead and mentor a highly productive, effective leadership team.
  • Ability to relate to and interact with all levels of a highly diverse workforce from front line to c-suite as well as organizational trustees and board members.
  • Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills with the ability to serve as the spokesperson for the organization.
  • Team player who can give and take advice and support in order to ensure the fulfillment of CRC’s mission.
• Superior change management skills, exhibiting integrity, good judgment and ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with others.
  • Strong financial acumen and demonstrated ability to provide financial oversight to a complex organization.
  • Entrepreneurial spirit, creative problem solver, and strong collaborator.
  • Excellent project management skills, with an ability to multitask, focus attention to detail while maintaining an understanding of the big picture of the organizational structure and goals.
• Ability to work outside standard work hours and to travel locally and nationally; a current driver’s license is required.

 
To Apply
 
The search is being managed by Heather Eddy, CFRE, President and CEO at Alford Executive Search. To apply, all candidates must submit their cover letter, resume, and complete the online application at https://alfordexecutivesearch.applicantstack.com/x/openings.  No applications will be accepted via email. Questions may be addressed to Kelly Monahan at kmonahan@alfordexecutivesearch.com.
 
Alford Executive Search, a division of KEES (www.alfordexecutivesearch.com) is a retained search firm dedicated to providing recruitment services of exceptional quality and strengthening not-for-profit and public institutions through professional staffing solutions.