Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Reports to: Board Chair and Board of Directors

Salary: $215,000-$250,000/year

Benefits: Insurance, 401k, PTO

Hours: Full-time, Exempt, 40 hours, Monday – Friday with occasional weekend or evening events.

Location: Portland, Oregon

About Us

VisionGift is a non‑profit organization dedicated to improving lives through eye donation, transplantation, and research. Our mission is to Honor Donors by Advancing Sight for all Humankind, while providing hope and healing to individuals in need of sight restoring procedures. Our vision that Everyone has a Fundamental Right to See is supported through our education of the public and key partners about the importance of eye donation. Since our founding in 1975, we have helped facilitate thousands of corneal transplants and advancements in ocular research, giving recipients of the gift of vision a renewed sense of hope for their future. At VisionGift, we are committed to honoring the gift of donation and making a difference in the lives of those we serve.

About You

Because your work is bigger than just the immediate need, you understand the power of a clear vision, strategic, and fundraising plans to provide the necessary resources to sustain our work, expand our research program. and meet our goals. You get energized from making an impact, running a life‑changing nonprofit, and implementing effective policies and systems that enable your team to thrive.

As you lead your team in the work, you enjoy developing and supporting your team to be successful while ensuring the prioritization of programs and tasks that provide a solid direction when work seems to get overwhelming. You recognize the professional skill and expertise working in your organization and focus on removing obstacles and building successful pathways to achieving success. You are an active mentor and build supportive environments, understanding the importance of your team, and valuing their growth.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO will develop, grow, and enhance the organization by working with the Board to provide strategic leadership and direction to fulfill VisionGift’s objectives and ensure the organization’s financial viability and growth. This position plays a key role in helping to build the Board and identifying prospects that can add critical skills and philanthropic capacity as appropriate.

The CEO will focus on increasing the visibility and awareness of VisionGift and ensure that the organization continues to remain at the forefront in the field, funding cutting‑edge research and community engagement activities, and pursuing opportunities that benefit the eye‑banking community.

A vital priority for VisionGift is identifying and securing financial resources, both public and private, to achieve the organization’s goals. VisionGift is more than 90% funded by fee‑for‑service operations, however we see a great opportunity to expand our impact with traditional fundraising. The CEO will have board support to consider growth opportunities through product development, industry changes, fundraising and contracts. Leading a dynamic staff of seventy‑five plus, the CEO will currently supervise the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Strategy & Operating Officer.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Organizational Leadership & Operations

• Cultivates organizational culture to lead, mentor, and develop staff in all VisionGift locations ensuring optimal performance, professional development, and evaluation processes.
• Establishes objectives, develop strategies, and manage overall operations to ensure ongoing proper delivery of programs, staffing, and financial security.
• Ensures effective metrics are adequately tracking and telling the VisionGift story to staff, board, community, recipients and funders.
• Supervises and evaluates key staff and provide support and leadership in reaching organizational goals.
• Directs compliance with applicable agency standards (FDA, EBAA, OSHA, etc.).
• Oversee maintenance of appropriate industry accreditation and monitors quality systems with appropriate medical officer and eye bank staff.

Board Governance

• Engage the Board in implementation of and updates to the strategic plan and ensure its alignment with VisionGift’s mission.
• Engage the Board and its committees, staff, and key funders in identifying opportunities to assess and build upon the current strengths of VisionGift in response to current and emerging needs.
• Work with the Board of Directors to keep members informed about issues and objectives in order to enable them to effectively form opinions, provide strategic counsel, and make meaningful contributions to the organization.
• Identify and help recruit additional Board members whose talents and commitment are consistent with the needs, mission, and future of the organization.

Fiscal Management and Revenue Generation

• Responsible for the overall fiscal health of the organization, in conjunction with the board of directors.
• Provide oversight and partner with the CFO in developing budgets, analyzing investment strategy and completing audit reviews in a timely manner.
• Responsible for all legal and policy review and overseeing outside counsel as needed.
• Guide sustainability and business planning including individual and grant fundraising as well as earned revenue, contracted services and acquisitions.
• Serve as a front‑line solicitor in carrying and expanding a portfolio of individual and major donors, partners, and foundation relationships.
• Expand VisionGift’s revenue generation and fundraising activities through strategic alliances and innovative business development/program expansion opportunities, including venture philanthropy, acquisition or expanded product development.
• Work collaboratively with the Board and staff to plan and execute innovative strategies and tactics for increasing financial support from individual, foundation, and corporate sources.

Community Relations & Partnerships

• Serve as the main spokesperson and advocate for VisionGift. Communicating with donors, volunteers, researchers, the medical community, government health institutions, legislators, the media and other collaborators to advance and increase the mission of VisionGift.
• Deepen and establish new relationships with the community, elected officials, political partners, service providers both regionally, nationally and internationally.
• Actively participate in local, regional and national organ, eye, and tissue organizations.
• Become familiar with and stay up to date with ongoing and emerging issues and advances in the eye‑banking field.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Business, Hospital or Public Administration or Bachelor’s Degree with 10+ years experience.
• 7+ years of progressive management experience with exposure to non-profit entities.
• 5+ years successful management of financial oversight, budgeting, planning and meeting specific financial targets with demonstrated responsibility for the financial performance of a multimillion‑dollar organization or business unit, including budgeting, forecasting, and achievement of financial objectives.
• Experience working with and in communities navigating health, medical, organ/tissue donation, or related fields.
• Proven track record in revenue growth from a variety of sources.
• Track record of effectively working with boards and staff to lead an outcomes‑based organization.
• Familiarity and/or experience in developing, maintaining and maximizing relationships with a broad and diverse group of constituents.
• Experience leading strategic planning and implementation that enables sustainable maturation and growth of the organization.

Additional Desired Skills & Abilities

• Experience with scientific licensing, IP, technology and research.
• Experience in state/federal advocacy, coalition and alliance building.
• Familiarity and/or experience with quality programs and data‑driven program evaluation.
• Advanced degree in health/healthcare/business/social work and/or other similar fields.

Other Work Requirements

• Travel: up to 25% of time locally, nationally and internationally, as needed.

Benefits:

• Kaiser Health Plan
• Delta Dental
• 401k with 4% match
• Short Term Disability
• Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Plan
• PTO accrued