Chief Mission Officer

Position Summary

Provides leadership to ensure the organization’s culture, systems, and procedures support overall mission delivery planning and implementation. Leads staff and Governing Board volunteers to institutionalize a culture of philanthropy and mission-centered activities throughout the organization. Works closely with the Senior Leadership Team to accelerate mission delivery and implement wish-related strategies focused on maximizing wish family experiences, staff management, volunteer engagement, and successful wish granting across the chapter territory. Works closely with Development and Operations departments to ensure growth and maintenance of appropriate systems for chapter-wide mission delivery, cross-department collaboration, and timely reporting as needed. Maintains accountability and compliance standards for the entire mission department in both Chapter offices.

Position Responsibilities

• Lead the Mission department with a clear vision and thoughtful approach while demonstrating the ability to create solid strategies and goals to achieve the Chapter’s mission-related objectives.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive plan for the Mission department that combines inspiration and efficiency, outlining goals and benchmarks for each team member.
• Works with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to develop, monitor, and adhere to the Chapter's mission budget to ensure fiscal responsibility while granting the maximum number of wishes possible annually.
• In partnership with the Chief Development Officer (CDO), maximizes collaboration with the revenue team on wish-granting and fundraising opportunities across the Chapter.
• Lead and oversee all mission staff, including recruiting, hiring, supporting, training, coaching, annual goal setting and assessment, and lead the Mission department to tackle the challenges and opportunities to move mission delivery efforts forward.
• Manage the organization’s compliance with Chapter and National Performance Standards for all mission-related activities.
• Ensure that wishes are inspiring, balanced, and equitable to reach all eligible children in the chapter territory.
• Guide and monitor the use of data infrastructure to ensure that all files, contacts, and wish-management steps are entered and processed appropriately in the Salesforce Wish and Volunteer Center database.
• Responsible for creating a cadence of the team’s work and reporting on the work of the department to ensure metrics and goals are being met so that annual goals are achieved or exceeded.
• Oversee medical outreach activities to increase wish referrals and drive sustainable annual mission delivery growth.
• Oversee the volunteer program and wish alum engagement activities to support the work of the mission team.
• Serve as a collaborative member of the Senior Leadership Team by participating in establishing chapter goals, policies, and a culture of collaboration to achieve the organization’s mission.
• Ensure that all wishes are assigned, implemented, and evaluated in a systematic and cost-efficient manner. Monitor and proactively manage the average cash and in-kind costs of a wish to ensure compliance with the fiscal year budget. Coordinate the cultivation and solicitation process of an aggressive in-kind donation program.
• Serve as the Mission Delivery leader and point person for the Governing Board, Regional Councils, and mission-related committees, reporting at meetings and developing proposals on any recommended policy changes.
• Serve as the chapter’s lead for national mission delivery partnerships and initiatives, ensuring active participation, cross-chapter collaboration, and consistent implementation of national resources, tools, and best practices to maintain alignment with Make-A-Wish program standards.
• Adhere to all Make-A-Wish America performance standards and chapter internal controls, policies, and procedures.

Essential Skills and Abilities

• Build Strong Teams: Builds trust at all levels of the organization through a balance of character, knowledge, cultural competency, and connectedness. Assumes the best intentions of colleagues. Invests in, challenges, and actively coaches the team, helping develop the individual's and the team's full potential. Communicates proactively, giving real-time and formal feedback. Actively listens, observes, and asks probing questions.
• Drives Results: Balances vision with execution. Develops smart strategies, written plans, and adjusts accordingly. Keeps a sharp focus and is action-oriented themselves. Has a clear understanding of what needs to be accomplished and actively supports their team, including helping clarify, simplify, and prioritize.
• Accountable: Takes active ownership of their department and our Chapter’s outcomes. Holds their team and others accountable. Gives real-time feedback and asks clarifying questions. Is unafraid to address and resolve challenging situations that impede progress. Insists on excellence at all levels.
• Emotional Intelligence: Navigates people and situations effectively to achieve the best possible outcomes. Communicates effectively and clearly with others. Manages conflict productively. Responds proportionately. Has appropriate situational and strong self-awareness. Open to feedback, keeps things in perspective, and strives for self-improvement.
• Problem-Solver: Is a proactive problem-solver. Uses smart problem-solving techniques and collaborates with other teams and departments. Displays concentrated attention and does not stop until the problem is solved.
• Cultivates Innovation: Has the courage to embrace innovation and challenge the status quo. Willing to take meaningful risks and permit the team to make mistakes to encourage growth. Freely praises and rewards displays of innovation by a member of their team.
• Public Speaker: Confident and clearly deliver mission stories and program impact when presenting in board meetings, wish engagements, and internal/external events.

• Full individual insurance premium coverage for Medical, Dental and Vision care. Optional employee-paid family coverage.
• Health Savings Account options with monthly employer contributions.
• Employer-paid life insurance policy and STD/LTD policies.
• Simple IRA Retirement Savings Plan with 3% employer matching.
• 2 personal days off (PD), birthday day off, 15 accrued paid time off days (PTO), Quarterly Wellness days off, 13 additional paid holidays annually; PTO increases with tenure.
• Monthly business mileage reimbursement
• Paid Parental Leave
• Annual Spanish bilingual stipend available upon successful completion of language proficiency skills test.
• Discounts and special offers with entertainment and travel vendors.

English fluency required

Spanish fluency preferred