Based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the Center for Veterans Issues, Inc. (CVI) is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit veterans administration and management organization. CVI, whose mission is provide housing and supportive services to help improve the quality of life for ALL Veterans, their families, and the communities in which they live and serve. CVI also supports the concerns of veterans by providing information, resources, identification of funding, technical assistance and organizational development to veteran service organizations. CVI also provides transitional housing to homeless veterans, while offering many services to help veterans transition back into the community.

In 1969, seven returning African American Vietnam combat veterans, who were dissatisfied with the lack of attention to their concerns and needs, united to form the Interested Veterans of the Central City (IVOCC) to address the welfare, health, education, employment, rehabilitation and economic development issues of Vietnam veterans as they attempted to adjust back into civilian life in the inner city. In 1973, IVOCC founding members and concerned African American veterans from other eras gathered and changed the name of the organization to the National Association for Black Veterans, Inc. (NABVETS), with the intent to become a national service organization with members nationwide. NABVETS members understood that in order to effectively address the needs of all low-income veterans, the management, administration and technical capability of the organization had to be strengthened. CVI was developed to fulfill such needs in the mid 1980’s by promoting veterans’ issues through program services design, planning and implementation. Since 1994, CVI has also provided supportive services and housing to homeless veterans to obtain employment and a decent place to live.

Every day, the Center for Veterans Issues is veteran-focused helping individuals understand they are not alone in their struggles and that there is support with navigating the rest of their lives as gracefully as is possible. CVI provides a full spectrum of programs and services for veterans wishing to upgrade their interpersonal and job skills, seek benefits from the VA, receive counseling, and much more. CVI is a unique veteran services organization – the largest of its kind in the State of Wisconsin.

To learn more, please visit: www.cvivet.org/

POSITION OVERVIEW

The President and CEO for the Center for Veterans Issues is responsible for the oversight and guidance of financial, administrative, programmatic, operational and strategic plans of the organization to maximize sustainability. Other key responsibilities include developing and maintaining board governance, fundraising, marketing, and community outreach that produces exceptional mission impact and sustained financial health. The position reports directly to the Board of Directors.

The ideal candidate is a financially savvy and politically astute leader with the ability to set clear priorities, delegate duties, and guide investments in people and systems. The new leader will have keen analytic, organization and problem-solving skills, which support and enable sound decision making. The President and CEO will demonstrate excellent coalition building skills with an ability to communicate and work effectively with a variety of internal and external stakeholders. As a persuasive negotiator, the leader will be able to achieve consensus amongst differing opinions. They need to have outstanding presentation and communication skills and the experience and proclivity to be an avid spokesperson, relationship builder, and fundraiser for veteran causes and interests.

Moreover, the President and CEO must have the ability to work with an extremely diverse population to resolve issues and/or prevent conflict. They also must have strong interpersonal skills, an emphasis on military protocols, and the ability to absorb large amounts of information and data to develop a big-picture perspective. Being agile, with a keen ability to manage change is important for this position. The ideal leader will take the current positive momentum of the organization, expand upon it, and move it forward. They will have a significant, positive impact on the lives of the veterans we serve and will cultivate a culture of compassion and responsibility that continuously serves them to the fullest. They serve as a role model to champion the unique needs of diverse individuals by determining appropriate programs and services keeping with CVI’s mission, vision, culture and organizational objectives.

Please apply for this important position if you have the drive to move much needed programs and services for veterans forward in our community. We are looking for an entrepreneurial, engaged collaborative leader who can relate to the past and the present while determining and implementing innovative ways to approach issues into the future.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership and Oversight

• Directs, plans, and implements policies and strategic objectives of organization in accordance with charter and guidance from the Board of Directors; includes creating the vision and advancing the mission of the Center for Veterans Issues, Inc.
• Formulates, implements and monitors the strategic plan guiding the direction of the organization
• Evaluates performance to assure that strategic goals are measurable and that outcomes can be demonstrated in a way that an agreed upon picture is shared by the team
• Confers with Board of Directors, and leads staff members, to establish policies and formulate plans for organization objectives; coordinate functions and operations between divisions, departments and sites; and establishes internal control procedures
• Provides leadership and motivation to staff members in the pursuit of CVI’s established goals and/or works with lead staff to create new goals
• Creates a learning organization that continues to grow and flourish while enhancing the skills and abilities of staff

Fund Development, Program Growth, and Community Relations

• Provides new directions and scale for funding opportunities through collaborations and partnerships with other leaders, community agencies, government entities, businesses, industries and foundations
• Works in partnership with legislators and political stakeholders to discuss legislation, issues and funding that may impact the Center for Veterans Issues and people served
• Represents CVI with a high level of public visibility (be the face of CVI), for civic and professional associations and activities in the community, with the State, and at the national level
• Collaborates with lead staff to identify CVI issues and program directions – short and long term – that will enhance CVI program effectiveness and increase support
• Expands fund development efforts by overseeing short and long-term fund development goals to expand CVI’s overall base of support

Financial Planning and Forecasting

• Collaborates with the Comptroller to establish, implement and monitor annual budgets; analyzes operations to evaluate performance of the CVI and staff and to determine areas of cost reduction and program improvement
• Keeps abreast of services, issues, programs and other environmental dynamics that might influence the veterans and communities served
• Reports key issues and performance metrics to the Board on a regular basis.
• Administer the funds of the organization according to the approved budget and monitor the monthly cash flow
• Works with staff and the Board (Finance Committee) to prepare a comprehensive budget

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• A minimum of ten years of management and/or related leadership experience
• Deep understanding of the dynamics around veterans and unhoused populations
• Military experience strongly preferred
• Experience working with complex budgets
• Ability to fundraise on the local, statewide and national levels
• Knowledge of Veterans Administration regulations governing housing and supportive services, HUD, Department of Labor, employment, training and education and CDBG program funding knowledge strongly preferred
• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s Degree strongly preferred
• Ability to lead, coach and mentor a mission driven staff of 80+ people
• Dedication and commitment to veterans and services that benefit them

COMMITMENTS FROM CVI

CVI offers a client-centered, strength-based approach, diverse programming, and community collaboration to help accomplish our mission.

CVI’s approach is Veteran-focused, with the thought that each Veteran and their family are fully informed and advised of their decisions, and how they achieve their goals.

The salary range for this executive-level position starts at $150K.

CVI Benefits

• 13 Paid Holidays
• Highly Competitive Pay
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Employee Assistance Program
• A Comprehensive Benefits Package
• Vacation, Sick, and Personal Time Off

In addition to a competitive and comprehensive benefits package, CVI offers a culture that embraces diverse thoughts, backgrounds, and experiences. Another aspect of the CVI culture is one of family, when you work here – you are family. If you would like to serve those who have served us – then CVI is the place for you!

Leading Transitions is committed to the vitality and growth of mission-based, nonprofit, philanthropic, and community-centered efforts and organizations, and their leaders. The firm’s inclusive practices provide the flexibility and creativity necessary to adapt to the intricacies and dynamics of any community. We believe that periods of change are transformational and bring new diverse opportunities.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICANTS

Please email all items below, combined into one document, to CVI@leadingtransitions.com no later than 1:00 p.m. CT on October 3, 2024: Letter of interest describing your qualifications for this position and your interest in CVI’s mission, as well as your salary requirements, addressed to: Mindy Lubar Price, Leading Transitions LLC; A detailed and updated résumé; and the names of, your relationship to, and contact information for, three professional references.

• References will not be contacted without candidate permission.