Job Description

The Organization

Guided by our values, MHY Family Services strengthens families by responding to the individual mental health and learning needs of children.

MHY Family Services (MHY) was founded in 1878 by the women of the United Presbyterian churches of Pittsburgh and Allegheny City (now Pittsburgh’s Northside neighborhood). Opening first with volunteers, the United Presbyterian Orphan’s home served families who, as the result of death or poverty, could no longer care for their children. Within two decades, the United Presbyterian Orphans Home, also known as “The Home”, had grown from volunteers to employing 12 adults to care for 75 children.

In 1929, in response to increased need, the agency purchased an estate in Butler County - the campus MHY occupies today. The organization was reincorporated as Mars Home for Youth in 1996 as the mission continued to evolve to meet the needs of at-risk youth through residential and community-based services. In 2012, as their Community Services programs continued to grow, the current name MHY Family Services was adopted to reflect the ongoing diversification of services. In 2014, MHY earned accreditation through COA, marking excellence in the delivery of human services. Expedited COA re-accreditation was awarded to MHY in 2018 and in 2022, the residential program ceased operation to focus on the needs of commuting/day students and their families.

Today, MHY envisions a world where all children have access to individualized education and mental health services leveraging their strengths to help them reach their full potential. MHY believes that every family deserves the opportunity to have their child grow up healthy, happy and able to be a productive community member. The following pillars of MHY support this vision:

• Longmore Academy: MHY’s Longmore Academy opened its doors in 2000. As a Private Academic School licensed by Pennsylvania Department of Education, Longmore provides education for at-risk youth in grades 1 through 12. Students who attend Longmore Academy benefit from a structured and supportive learning environment that is responsive to behavioral and emotional factors that impede students’ academic success.
• In-Home Treatment: MHY’s In-Home Treatment Programs are proven clinically effective treatment models for children ages 9 to 17 who are demonstrating serious behavioral and mental health symptoms and at risk of being removed from the home. Through MHY’s In-Home Treatment Programs youth and their families experience positive growth and stability in the home, in school and in the community.

• Community Services: MHY’s Community Services Programs are devoted to developing and sustaining effective services to reach at-risk youth and their families. The goal is to prevent youth from being removed from the home and to avoid additional, and sometimes costly, services.

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The Opportunity

MHY Family Services seeks a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) who will be a transformative leader that drives the organization in achieving its mission. The CEO will lead the staff with the full support of the Board to strengthen the core of the mission and programs while upholding the commitments of the Sanctuary Model, including a commitment to Non-violence, Emotional Intelligence, Social Learning, Democracy, Open Communication, Social Responsibility, and Growth and Change. The CEO also works in cooperation with the Trustees of the MHY Foundation, a separate 501(c)(3) that operates for the financial support of MHY.

The CEO is expected to be a highly visible leader in the community for the promotion and inclusion of MHY in the regional behavioral health, education, and health and human services dialogue. The CEO will carry out strategies for revenue generation, marketing, regional partnerships, and advocacy. A decisive leader, the CEO will have the ability to unify, motivate, and inspire the passionate and accomplished staff of MHY. 

The CEO will be primarily responsible for the following:

Leadership & Management

• Oversight of daily operations of the organization, providing executive direction for program strategies and efficiencies, compliance, and quality assurance.
• Identify and address staffing requirements for efficient operations and maintaining a strong work culture that attracts, develops, and retains people while driving to the organization’s mission.
• Delegate with clarity according to individual and team competencies. 
• Effectively guide or assist in identifying and implementing resources for operational and programming needs that sustain the Trauma-informed and Sanctuary informed organizational culture. 
• Ensure that programming strategies are in alignment with organizational goals. 
• Recognize and respond to the competencies needed to enhance programming and services, including a demonstrated proficiency in social service programming delivery.  
• Analyze regulations, industry, and management journals; financial reports and similar business documents; and interpreting new information to enhance programming and services as necessary. 
• Effectively assess fiscal risks and opportunities. 
• Comply with all national, legal, and local regulations.

Advocacy & Community Relations

• Develop and maintain positive relationships with representatives of county, state and federal agencies as appropriate; other organizations; major donors and supporters of MHY; community leaders and the community at large.
• Aggressively seek alternative revenue streams including grants. This includes identifying and building relationships with public and private funders to meet annual budget needs.
• Increase awareness of the organization by being the main spokesperson and liaison with local media.
• Effectively present information to diverse audiences while ensuring a high degree of cultural sensitivity.
• Uphold appropriate parameters of confidential information.
• Participate in local, regional, state, or national organizations and activities relevant to MHY’s mission and its work with youth and families in crisis
• Actively supporting legislative advocacy. Translating mental health and therapeutic “speak” to legislative “speak” in order to advocate for youth mental health funding, policy, and needs in behavioral health in general.

Board Relations & Strategy

• Work closely with the Board of Directors and the Foundation Trustees, as well as their committees, to assess and address issues affecting the organization
• Drive and direct the organization’s strategic plan. 
• Anticipate long-term trends and future opportunities and competition.
• Assess internal operational and program outcomes, identify problems, and recommend appropriate courses of actions. 
• Develop and implement a fundraising strategy in collaboration with the Board of Directors that builds on existing relationships with gift-donor individuals, organizations, corporations, foundations, and other fundraising opportunities.
• Effectively apply concepts of common business math principles in the management, reconciliation and analysis of operating budgets, expenses.  
• Recognize and respond to fiscal shortfalls or discrepancies in a timely manner that mitigates risk to the organization. 
• Maintain a strategic connection between fundraising strategies and programming goals.

The Candidate

The successful candidate for MHY will be a stalwart and experienced leader who can promote a clear vision of the organization to be shared by both the Board and the staff. With strong business acumen and managerial savvy, the CEO will approach the organization with a strong sense of unity while finding new and innovative ways to recruit, retain, and reenergize staff. This position requires a confident, forward-focused leader who has significant history and demonstrated experience in behavioral health/mental health/public health, management, strategic planning, and the ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders while also having a strong understanding of the behavioral health world.

All candidates should have exceptional and proven nonprofit management, leadership, relationship management, and resource development experience , as well as possess a combination of the following skills and attributes:

• Demonstrated passion for and commitment to MHY’s mission and vision.
• Educational background that supports the required skills and competencies. 
• Possess demonstrated management skills and a track record of working well in a team atmosphere. A hands-on manager who is committed to understanding the details of each staff role in order to effectively mentor, train, and supervise.
• Possess an entrepreneurial mindset with an innovative approach to business development and program growth.
• Capable of responding effectively to diverse individual and team professional needs as they impact MHY operations, and effectively encourage input on work-related activities. 
• Demonstrated success working with a Board of Directors including governance, compliance, and fundraising.
• Honor MHY’s legacy with a view to the future to ensure success and sustainability.
• Experience in an accredited environment strongly preferred.
• History of fundraising and budget management for organizational growth and sustainability.
• Knowledge of behavioral health, managed care, special education, and children and youth services.
• Experience researching and even-handedly articulating all sides of an issue, embracing a diversity of viewpoints. A model of integrity, neutrality, and fairness with high ethical standards is critical for this role.
• Strong experience in public relations, marketing, advocacy and fund development.
• Knowledge of leadership and management principles for nonprofit organizations.
• Integrity and trust beyond reproach. Composure in all situations, even when under stress. Adheres to an appropriate and effective set of core values and beliefs.
• Prior experience with property and land management preferred.
• Must have a valid PA Driver’s license with an insurable driving record.
• Must have or be capable of obtaining current Act 33, 34 and FBI Clearances.

Performance Objectives

In the near term, the new CEO will continue to deliver outstanding outcomes while successfully addressing the following in the first 6-12 months:

• Become immersed in the programs and people of MHY. Complete initial evaluation of all current program and fundraising initiatives while cultivating relationships with both staff and stakeholders.
• Work alongside Director of Operations to address retention and turnover concerns, including a compensation and title audit.
• Evaluate MHY’s current strategic plan and use it to inform collaborative goal and vision setting with staff.  

Workplace and Compensation

The CEO role is primarily on-site with the management of a large campus facility and a large staff. Work day/hours flexibility is valued. This position offers a competitive salary range of $180,000 - $200,000 and a progressive benefits package. 

DEI Imperative

MHY Family Services seeks to recruit candidates for employment that represent our diverse community in race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, and ability. Inclusive and equitable in our recruitment and retention practices, we are dedicated to uplifting diverse opinions and backgrounds in order to grow and evolve as a welcoming workplace for all.

How to Apply

MHY Family Services has retained Nonprofit Talent to assist with this important organizational change process. Specific questions related to the position may be emailed to Michelle Pagano Heck, President, at Michelle@NonprofitTalent.com . Please direct all inquiries related to this position to Nonprofit Talent, and do not contact MHY Family Services.

Resume, position-specific cover letter, and salary expectations can be uploaded via this web portal, 

APPLICATIONS ARE DUE BY 5PM ON September 16, 2024

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