Executive Director (Part-Time)

Position:      Executive Director

Reports to:  Palliative Care Work Group Steering Committee

Location:    Virtual, though living within commuting distance to SF is required 

THE ORGANIZATION

The Palliative Care Work Group (PCWG) is a consortium of the City of San Francisco and its health systems, community organizations, foundations, and health plans. Its mission is to ensure that San Francisco seniors and people of all ages with serious illness understand and engage in advance care planning (ACP) and learn how to access palliative care (PC). PCWG also focuses on advancing equity in health care – reducing racial and income disparities and ensuring that cultural values are respected when accessing health care.   

Over the last three years, the PCWG has been implementing a four-part strategic plan centered around: (1) implementing community led and designed educational workshops; (2) strengthening partnerships with community members throughout San Francisco; (3) developing and disseminating culturally appropriate information and tools; and (4) building partnerships with local health systems.

Over the last 18 months, PCWG has made significant headway on the plans first three initiatives via its Learning Journeys project, an initiative that sought - in collaboration with San Francisco’s Black, Chinese, and Latinx communities - to determine barriers and identify facilitators to enable community members to complete advance directives and access end-of-life and palliative care. PCWG now seeks to capitalize on that momentum and work toward its fourth goal which includes evolving from an organization led by a volunteer Steering Committee to one that has its first, dedicated, professional leader.

THE POSITION

PCWG seeks a committed Executive Director with the leadership and organizational skills to build the capacity and profile of the organization over the next several years. The E.D. will be a self-starter motivated by the opportunity to grow an organization that is making a tangible difference in the lives of San Francisco’s diverse community. They will be highly organized, comfortable leading an evolving, multi-faceted process and able to inspire collaboration and build consensus.

The E.D. should have or be able to develop connections throughout the San Francisco community and within the social service and health care sectors. They should have the skills and initiative to develop fruitful community-based partnerships and manage community-based programs.

The E.D. will have a strong understanding of and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, especially as it relates to program development and outreach to underserved populations. The E.D. should care about and be familiar with the issues surrounding serious illness care, advance care planning and palliative care and be skilled at building public will, identifying and mobilizing funding opportunities and managing volunteers.

Reporting to the PCWG Steering Committee, the E.D. will determine the need for additional contract or part-time support as the organization scales. The E.D. role is a wonderful opportunity for an individual who thrives in an entrepreneurial environment and is committed to improving the lives of all San Franciscans.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategy & Program Management

• Design and oversee a multi-year process to implement PCWG’s strategic plan; assess and, as appropriate, modify the plan based on learnings and/or changes in the external environment
• Determine near- and longer-term program priorities; refine Work Group goals and develop an appropriate process and timeline to capitalize on the existing momentum from current programming
• Expand and diversify the PCWG Steering Committee; identify and implement opportunities to develop leadership capacity
• Manage the relationship with PCWG’s fiscal sponsor, collaborating on fund and program management
• Assess the need for, hire and manage program contractors or other staff

Mobilize and manage funding

• Identify and build relationships with potential private and public funders to diversify PCWG’s funding base and secure long-term support
• Draft proposals and provide grant reports and updates as required by funders

Build Public Engagement

• Develop and oversee a community outreach plan, including building and nurturing partnerships with community-based organizations, to provide culturally relevant information re ACP and PC activities and tools and ensure PCWG’s program success
• Create and implement a communications/branding plan to build awareness of ACP, PC, and the PCWG (e.g., website content, social media, PR, newsletters, presentations)

Increase Membership Engagement

• Assume administrative management of PCWG activities, including meetings, workshops, meeting agendas and general membership meetings
• Identify and oversee activities to increase PCWG’s membership as well as communication with and outreach to PCWG members
• Design and promote opportunities for engagement in PCWG projects
• Create a general membership charter, including a path to the Steering Committee

 Establish measurement practices

• In collaboration with the PCWG Steering Committee, develop evaluation measures, both qualitative and quantitative, to monitor progress and increase the likelihood of program success

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION

A Bachelor’s degree is required.

EXPERIENCE

• Experience leading multifaceted projects, programs or organizations
• Experience working with neighborhood organizations, faith communities, senior centers, community clinics and/or San Francisco health and human services sector
• Experience with advance care planning and palliative care, strongly preferred
• Preference for prior fundraising and grant writing and management experience
• Competent with Microsoft Office Suite and basic understanding of tech platforms and social media

COMPETENCIES/ATTRIBUTES

The successful candidate will have or be:

• A visionary mindset and ability to engage diverse groups around common goals
• An entrepreneurial spirit with a high level of initiative, attention to detail and strong organizational and project management skills
• Ability to thrive in an unstructured environment with substantial independent work
• Knowledge of Palliative Care and Advanced Care Planning programs/issues
• Superior communication skills with an ability to articulate a clear and compelling vision and lead others to implementation
• A demonstrated interest in helping to reduce racial and income disparities in health care and improving care for people with serious illness and/or multiple complex chronic illness
• Ability to define problems, gather and interpret data, establish facts and draw conclusions
• Strong interpersonal skills that include the ability to inspire and motivate
• Commitment to promoting a multicultural environment where diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging are embedded into all aspects of operations
• Ability to develop accurate reports that present a clear picture of progress toward PCWG’s program and financial goals

This is a part-time position with an average, flexible work week of 20 hours. Compensation is $75K per year with an initial two-year contract. To be considered for the opportunity or for additional information, please send a resume and cover letter to or contact:

David N. Randall

Principal

Randall Search Associates

415 769 4210

david@randallsearchassociates.com

The San Francisco Department of Disability and Aging Services and the Palliative Care Work Group are Equal Opportunity Employers. We hire the best person for the job regardless of race, gender, religion, sexuality, or physical ability.