(AS871) Abound Communities, CEO

Abound Communities is a leading not-for-profit organisation with a proud 153-year history of excellence in the provision of independent living, home care services, assisted living and residential aged care. It runs four picturesque villages in metropolitan and rural Victoria.

You will work closely with the Council in enhancing sustainability through contemporary leadership and management, in keeping with their Mission, Vision and Values. Representing and promoting Abound Communities, you will ensure a team-based culture of outstanding service delivery and continuous quality improvement.

A values-driven business professional, your success in the human services sector is based on proven commercial acumen and securing funding through stakeholder engagement.

To apply: Please view the Position Profile below and click on “Apply for Job” at the bottom of the page, attaching a tailored CV (Word version) by 5pm Monday 5 September, or call Jeremy Wurm on 0419 529 525 or Lesley Lightfoot on 0429 381 277, to enquire.

Position Profile

Position title: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Position reports to: The Council

Background
Abound Communities is a leading not-for-profit provider of independent living, assisted living and aged care in Victoria.

For over 150 years, Abound Communities has welcomed older Victorians into four villages, encouraging balanced, active, social and healthy living.  The first village was established in Rushall Park, North Fitzroy, after the government gifted an acreage of land to the association.  Formed in 1869 by a group of prominent Melbourne leaders, its foundational purpose was to care for Victorian-based retired and poor actors.  It later became a haven for ‘aged persons and deserving poor’.

Each Village offers a unique location and specialized services:-

• St Helena, Leith Park is modern and stylish with spacious, light-filled homes and beautiful landscaped gardens. Liscombe House is the aged care facility located at Leith Park and provides accommodation and specialised care for residents unable to care for themselves.  It also offers a 12-bed dementia specific facility.
• Berwick, Braeside Park enjoys the convenience of city living and is located next to a main shopping center and a range of medical services, including two hospitals. There is a 24-hour emergency call system and daily cottage checks by staff to ensure residents’ wellbeing. A communal dining room and meal delivery service allows residents to remain living in their homes for as long as they are able, until they require more specialised care.
• North Fitzroy, Rushall Park, is a heritage listed retirement village with stunning feature gardens and a host of domestic support and services. The residents are encouraged to join a variety of committees and interest groups to remain active and engaged in creative pursuits.
• Eurora, Currie Park is located in the foothills of the Strathbogie Ranges close to the Euroa Township and next to the Euroa Bush Nursing Hospital. The village is set in a natural landscaped garden with native trees and water features.  There is a 24-hour emergency call system and daily well-being checks are made by staff.  Both Independent and Serviced Living options are available with a full range of activities designed to keep residents active and engaged in community groups.

Role Statement/ Purpose

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is responsible for ensuring that Abound Communities operates in accordance with its Mission, Vision and Values, and remains a values driven, sustainable and innovative organisation.
The post holder provides effective leadership in the provision and delivery of quality facilities and support for residents through strengthening the organisational metrics that drive performance, culture, reputation and influence.

The CEO is required to have an advanced knowledge of business procedures and the ability to demonstrate a sound knowledge base in the application of knowledge to practice. The CEO is a coordinator and must have excellent communication skills. They will be required to have a close working relationship with the Council and implement and comply with all relevant policies approved by the governing body. They will be required to liaise with other relevant service providers regarding the needs of residents and develop appropriate services to meet the identified needs and to promote and develop the management of the service across the 4 operational sites.

The professional development of staff within the organisation will also be a priority. They will be committed to teamwork and act as a mentor and role model.

Key Responsibilities
Professional/Ethical Practice:

Demonstrates a satisfactory knowledge base for business practice.
 

• Identify realistic outcomes and targets for the business operation each year.
• Management and administrative systems are reviewed on an ongoing basis.
• Financial transactions are authorised or delegated in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Financial planning is carried out with appropriate staff, Council members, bankers and relevant others.
• General and loan accounts are supervised and monitored in consultation with bankers as per board policies.
• Identify sources of public and/or government funding which may be obtained for the benefit of the organisation.

 
Accountability for Practice:
 

• Accepts full responsibility for own actions and omissions.
• Makes informed decisions regarding business issues on a consistent basis.

Functions in accordance with legislation & common law affecting business practice:
 

• Financial practice complies with established accounting principles.
• Ensure the organisation is abiding by all State and Federal legislation that affects business operation and care delivery.
• Changing legal and statutory requirements are monitored and compliance ensured.
• Reporting requirements are followed by self and delegated staff.
• Required time frames are met by self and delegated staff.
• Ensure that the Council is aware of and pays due regard to relevant legislation and is kept advised of current industry trends and best practice.

Conducts business practice in a way that can be ethically justified:
 

• Strict confidentiality is maintained at all times – discussions regarding residents are only carried out with the relevant members of the organisation, and these discussions are only carried out in locations not open to the general public.
• Has the ability to identify situations that have ethical implications for self and the organisation.
• Accepts the allocation of residents regardless of race, culture, religion, gender, sexual preference, physical or mental status.
• Respects and identifies the rights of residents and families.
• Responds appropriately to instances of unprofessional conduct from any member of the organisational staff.

Reflective Practice:
 

• Recognises own abilities and level of professional competence.
• Constantly reviews hisher own level of competence in relation to work allocation.
• Currency of skills and competencies are monitored and maintained.

Acts to enhance the professional development of others and self:
 

• Provides evidence of continuing education through tertiary studies andor regular education sessions.
• Feedback is obtained by participation in formal performance appraisals with the Council.
• Guidance is provided to less experienced staff in clinical decision- making.
• Acts as a positive role model to less experienced staff.
• Participates in and provides in-service sessions on a regular basis.
• Ensures that the direction of the organisation is assisted by the personnel employed to achieve those directions.
• Staff development and training policies and procedures are determined and monitored in consultation.

 
Teamwork:

Collaborates with the health care team.

• Establishes and maintains an effective and cooperative working relationship with colleagues in the organisation.
• Supports and works towards maintaining a team environment.
• Creates a supportive environment for members of the organisation.
• Attempts to resolve situations which threaten the integrity of colleagues and team members.
• Provides support to other staff members following conflict or stressful situations.
• Maintains a good rapport with Direct Reports

Leadership/Management:

Demonstrates managerial skills relevant to the business area.

• Management outcomes and methods are monitored through meetings, consultation and oversight of outcomes.
• Supervise, manage and co-ordinate senior staff to ensure that the aims and aspirations of the organisation are met for all parties and stakeholders.
• Monitors the movement of the budgets developed in conjunction with the Council and reports on variances.
• Required documentation is prepared by self or relevant others.
• Responsibilities for preparation and presentation of Council documents (minutes, agenda’s, etc.) are delegated where required.
• Documentation is checked and issues are clarified.
• Policies and procedures related to financial and health planning and control are developed, monitored and adjusted in consultation with relevant others.
• Manages all staff entitlements as per the Enterprise Bargaining Agreement.

Representation and Promotion of the Organisation:
 

• The interests of the organisation and associated units are identified and monitored.
• Issues requiring lobbying are identified and clarified.
• Lobbying outcomes are monitored and followed up where required.
• Represent and promote the interests of the facility and related units both internally/externally.
• Relevant external activities are identified.

Delivery of quality and safe services:
 

• Champions design, marketing, promotion, delivery and quality of programs and services.
• Plan Abound Communities’ ongoing role in light of changing and emerging health care needs and legislation and review the Strategic Plan on at least a triennial basis.
• Manage the provision of health services as per the Strategic Plan and directions set by the Board of Management.
• Develop and implement policies in keeping with the organisation’s vision, core values, statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Implement appropriate systems that ensure quality and safety are practiced and all accreditation requirements are achieved.

General:

• Oversee the current capital works projects and develop proposals for future capital expenditure needs of Abound Communities.
• Ensure the development and implementation of annual Business Plans to achieve the Strategic Plan.
• Introduce technology which can improve customer service, productivity and efficiency.
• Maintain active participation in relevant professional and industry associations, undertaking professional development activities as appropriate.

Philanthropy/Fundraising:

• Ensure Philanthropic strategy is developed and in action, driving outcomes aligned to the strategic objectives.
• Build strong and sustainable community and government relationships.

 
Continuous Quality Improvement:
 

• Each staff member is expected to demonstrate a commitment to best practice.
• All staff shall take responsibility for their own practice and share responsibility for creating and maintaining a system that provides safe, high quality health care.
• All staff will participate in quality improvement activities aimed at improving patient outcomes and maintaining accreditation standards.
• It is the responsibility of every staff member to be familiar with the organisations’ Policies & Protocols.

 
 
Infection Control:
 

• Each staff member has a responsibility to minimize exposure to incidents of infection/cross infection of clients, residents, staff, visitors and the general public.
• The risk minimization strategies are to be supported by all staff adhering to the Infection Control Manual policies, protocols, procedures and guidelines.

Key Selection Criteria

• Relevant postgraduate qualifications such as business management, health or human services.
• Extensive leadership and executive management experience in NFP organisations, and in social services or related industries, with demonstrable experience in leading strategic planning processes for an organisation and successfully implementing, monitoring and evaluating this plan and its outcomes.
• Excellent understanding of corporate and clinical governance which includes risk management, a sound understanding of aged care governance, and experience working effectively with a Board of Management.
• Evidence of ability to recognise and act upon growth and development opportunities for the organization, with demonstrated ability to strategically scope, analyse, assess and identify risks.
• Good financial management skills and business acumen.
• Good external networks in government and social services.
• Demonstrated knowledge and commitment to quality improvement and best practice, and an ability to translate this to the Board via sound governance principles and practices.
• Working knowledge of the aged care industry.
• A track record of success in financial management in a relevant human services sector, combined with operational ability to maximise ongoing financial position, including planning and management of capital developments, infrastructure and equipment and maintenance plans.
• Demonstrated sound knowledge of human resource management issues.
• High level interpersonal skills including demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective relationships with a broad range of key stakeholders.
• Demonstrated skills and experience in the area of policy development, implementation and evaluation of policies and compliance with legislation for the purpose of achieving organisational goals.
• Demonstrated experience in organisational change management particularly within community services/health/aged care operations.

 
Desirable:

• Experience in the aged care sector and/or retirement village sector.
• Demonstrated ability to attract funding from external bodies (government and non-government).
• Success in attracting philanthropic donations.

Additional Information

• The position is full time.
• A clear police check/criminal record and bankruptcy check is required prior to employment and every three (3) years.
• The contract is for three (3) years and renewable.
• The probationary period for this position is six (6) months.
• Performance review will be undertaken 6-monthly with Board Executive.

Qualifications/Skills/key competencies:
Essential Skills:

• Possession of tertiary qualifications appropriate to the responsibilities of the position or relevant experience.
• High level strategic planning development skills and ability to execute these plans.
• A sound understanding of this government’s aged care agenda/reform.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of human, financial, operational and physical resource management issues.
• Demonstrated success in leading organisational change with integrity, authority and sensitivity.
• Excellent negotiation skills
• Excellent people skills- encourages management and staff input, values their opinions, develops their skills and is motivating, supportive caring and constructively critical.
• An ability to foster and sustain an organisational culture of best practice and the organisation of choice for all stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to develop effective relationship with a wider range of stakeholders including older people, people with a disability and their carers, governments at all levels, funders, business and community partners.
• Sound understanding of governance principles.

Knowledge and Experience:

• Proven experience as a senior executive in a complex organization.
• Proven success in achieving commercial outcomes and growth targets.
• The ability to innovate and grow an organisation in a sustainable manner.
• Experience in working in the Aged Care or not for profit industry.
• Further qualifications such as completion of the Australian Institute of Company Directors course

Values/Attitudes:

• A strategic thinker with highly developed business acumen matched with the demonstrated ability to work within a complex challenging environment
• High level of empathy.
• Gravitas.
• Proven ability to foster and achieve an organisational culture committed to the provision of quality customer focused service.
• Personal values and integrity that are congruent with the values of Abound Communities.
• Resilience and determination to achieve organisational goals in the face of challenges.
• Persuasive.
• Exercises sound judgement, particularly whilst under pressure
• Has emotional intelligence- can empathise and manage relationships with others
• A good communicator who is adaptable, able to write in substance and has a willingness to change the status quo
• Is a team player who gives credit to others and seeks and values their opinions
• A collaborative but assertive leadership style that will create clarity, build trust, develop people in the organisation and delegate power and influence a style that motivates and inspires staff
• Open to feedback