Program Director
Obsessive Compulsive Foundation

Boston, Massachusetts
 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Obsessive Compulsive Foundation, founded in 1986, has been the leader in advocating for those affected by and advancing public awareness of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or “OCD.” As the Foundation enters its third decade of service to those suffering with OCD, it seeks to expand its impact on the community through enhanced programming, timely resources and advocacy for improved treatment. The new Program Director will play a pivotal role in broadening and deepening the understanding of OCD among healthcare providers, stakeholders, family members and the general public through expert management of the Foundation’s signature educational programs. Additionally, s/he will foster deeper member affinity through a comprehensive member recruitment and retention plan. The ideal candidate will bring a compassionate understanding of OCD, expertise and savvy in event management, ability to leverage the potential of a membership based organization through effective member management techniques and the technical skills to execute a comprehensive education program in behavioral health. S/he will minimally hold a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field and have three to five years experience in health education, membership organizations or a related nonprofit setting.

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a serious affliction that dramatically impacts the lives of six million Americans. Strong and omnipresent, OCD’s fears, phobias and rituals impact all aspects of sufferers’ lives with often devastating consequences to individuals and their families. Today, the experience of those living with OCD is being transformed as treatment is readily available and public awareness is growing, largely due to the work of the Obsessive Compulsive Foundation. The Obsessive Compulsive Foundation was founded in 1986 by a dedicated group of individuals who each had struggled with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, for years, battling horrendous treatment regimes, misdiagnoses and often improperly prescribed medications. Driven by a personal desire for improved treatment, these determined individuals joined forces to inform and educate the public that proper treatment and support are available. The Foundation’s first brush with publicity – a feature on the news program, 20/20, and a letter published in Dear Abby – led to an overwhelming 8,000 letters of interest. With a once silent constituency now solidly behind them, the Foundation was birthed as a vehicle to teach the world about the disorder. In 2008, OCF moved to Boston and welcomed a new Executive Director to launch the Foundation as the national leader in providing information, resources, trainings and most of all hope to OCD sufferers, their families and the professionals committed to their care. Energized by this new leadership and a bold and ambitious strategic plan, OCF is seeking a new Program Director to broaden its impact and resources, improving the public perception and plight of those afflicted by this disorder.

MISSION AND PROGRAM INITIATIVES
The Foundation’s work to improve the lives of those suffering from OCD is directed in four primary areas: support to individuals who suffer from OCD and those who care for them; education and information promoting awareness about this biologically based illness; research to deepen the understanding of its causes and the development of effective treatments; and advocacy on behalf of those affected by OCD. Since its founding 22 years ago, the Foundation has experienced tremendous growth. It now boasts 6,000 members and nine affiliates comprised primarily of people with OCD, their families, professionals and other concerned individuals. Guided by a nine-member Board of Directors and a 50-member Scientific Advisory Board, the Foundation’s $1,000,000 budget is raised almost exclusively from individual donors.

Current programming and initiatives include: education via an annual conference, Behavioral Therapy Institutes (BTIs), mini-conferences, symposia, workshops and an OCD in the classroom school program. Research to advance the clinical understanding of OCD is enhanced through the OCF Research Awards and the Genetics Collaborative. The Foundation’s 6,000 members are supported through newsletters, websites and a bookstore, and its Affiliates and Support Groups provide a caring space and resources at the local level to those impacted by the disorder. The Foundation also works in the area of advocacy and government relations ensuring that legislation concerning OCD improves both the vehicles for care delivery and access to treatment for members of the community.

As OCF embarks on its third decade of service to those suffering with OCD, it seeks to expand its impact on the community in the form of programming, resources and advocacy. A recently completed strategic plan highlights six key goals: strengthen internal operations, structure Board governance to build an effective, sustainable organization; build a strong affiliate program; grow OCF membership by enhancing value proposition; leverage the Foundation’s OCD expertise to engender greater understanding, support and action; raise money to support OCF’s programs to further OCD research and to increase public engagement; and promote and support efforts to find more effective treatments and an eventual cure for OCD. OCF moved from Connecticut to downtown Boston in early 2008 strategically positioning itself for national expansion and broadening its scale and scope to better the lives of those with OCD. This is an exciting opportunity for an entrepreneurial leader to capitalize on tremendous programmatic successes and a strong and committed membership base.

More information about the Obsessive Compulsive Foundation may be found at: http://www.ocfoundation.org/

OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FACING THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR
The Program Director will manage all aspects of the Foundation’s public programs and membership activities with particular emphasis on innovative and cutting edge programs to support the well-being of those who suffer from OCD and those who love them. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Program Director will work to transform historically successful educational and membership programs into responsive and dynamic tools for advancing the Foundation’s mission and priorities. S/he will play a key role in transforming the public position of the Foundation through effective and innovative educational and membership programming. In the first 12-18 months, the Program Director will provide key leadership in the following critical areas:

Establish and implement a comprehensive educational program that provides cutting edge program delivery to those afflicted by OCD, their families, advocates, treatment providers and the general public.
Aimed at equipping those on the front lines of treatment and breaking down public perceptions, OCF’s educational programs seek to provide not only high level professional development opportunities but entry points for the general public to build greater understanding about the disorder. The Program Director will develop new delivery tools such as online modules and webinars while building upon existing, well-known and branded educational programs such as the Behavior Therapy Institutes and OCD in the Classroom. In partnership with the Executive Director, the Program Director will expand the Foundation’s educational opportunities to include mini-conferences, symposia and specialized workshops thus broadening the Foundation’s impact and its constituencies’ awareness of OCD.

Coordinate all aspects of planning the Foundation’s annual conference.
In conjunction with the Board Conference Committee and the Executive Director, the Program Director will oversee all aspects of this signature event which gathers leading researchers, medical providers, advocates and stakeholders in the Obsessive Compulsive Disorder community. The Director will implement all programmatic, budgetary and event logistics including contract negotiations, presentation design, pricing, registration, housing, meeting logistics and CEU compliance as well as bookstore and tradeshow oversight. The Program Director will work closely with the Foundation staff to ensure that conference promotion, registration, volunteer management and evaluation maximize the Foundation’s resources and ensure a successful and dynamic event.

Measure current programmatic offerings thorough a comprehensive constituent needs assessment.
The Program Director will thoroughly analyze all educational and conference programming and provide reports and recommendations to the Executive Director and Board on future programmatic direction. S/he will provide mechanisms for member and participant feedback in order to shape and mold future educational programs while being attentive to member needs and educational trends in the field.

Foster a deeper relationship between members and the Foundation through the development of a membership recruitment, relations and retention plan.
The Program Director will build upon a strong and loyal membership base by implementing a comprehensive member relations plan. S/he will work in partnership with the Executive Director to clearly define membership benefits and responsibilities and serve as the primary liaison responding to member inquiries. The Director will lead targeted outreach to key stakeholders such as medical schools, educational entities, corporations and others to increase understanding of OCD.

Develop a communications strategy to deepen the connection of members and affiliates.
In tandem with the member relations plan and organization-wide communications strategy, the Program Director will develop targeted communications vehicles to enhance and strengthen member and affiliate affinity to the Foundation. This may include targeted communications to select constituents within in the membership alongside traditional newsletters and membership bulletins.

Serve as thought partner to the Executive Director for the cultivation of the affiliate program.
Serving as chief liaison to affiliates by providing support and program structure, the Program Director in partnership with the Executive Director will set priorities and direction to ensure greater engagement of affiliates and support groups into OCF’s programs, fundraising and communications efforts. The Program Director will coordinate affiliate programs emphasizing public awareness, support group and referral programs development, branding, community-based fundraising and joint educational programs with regional and chapter directors. S/he will develop outreach, education, training and informational resources to create a self-sustaining affiliate structure congruent with OCF’s goals.

QUALIFICATIONS
The Foundation is poised to enter a new era of service to those who suffer from OCD, their families, and the mental-health community. The new Program Director will manage a full suite of programs and member services ensuring OCF’s position as the leader in OCD resources and information. While no one person will embody all of the qualities enumerated below, the ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional and personal characteristics:

• A Bachelor’s degree in psychology, education, public health, social work or a related field. Clinical knowledge of OCD and/or mental health is helpful but not required.

• Three to five years experience in health education, membership organizations or a related nonprofit setting.

• Expertise and savvy in event planning and management with the drive, motivation and skills to manage multiple projects simultaneously with competing but equally important priorities and deadlines.

• Experience managing a comprehensive health education program for a variety of audiences and the creativity to adapt models for a wide array of settings.

• Familiarity with the structure and workings of membership based organizations and the adeptness to leverage membership resources to maximize organizational capacity.

• Aptitude to utilize communications and retention strategies to build affinity and loyalty amongst members.

• Resourcefulness and professional finesse to represent the Foundation to the OCD community, members, affiliates and other groups and organizations with whom the Foundation works. The ability to interact well with people who turn to the Foundation for information and support.

• Superb oral and written communication skills and the ability to tailor a message to a particular audience including the scientific community, general membership, providers or the public at large.

• A commitment to the treatment and management of OCD and a passion for the potential to change lives by providing resources for individuals, families and caregivers.

• Strong technological skills to assess, create and implement technology-based solutions to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of training and information dissemination.

• A sense of humor, flexibility, adaptability and openness to change. Strong problem solving skills with a team mentality is required.

TO APPLY:
Nominations and applications are due by March 28, 2008. Due to the pace of this search, candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Applications including a cover letter describing your interest and qualifications, your resume (in Word or pdf format), salary history and where you learned of the position should be sent to:

ocf-pd@nonprofitprofessionals.com.

In order to expedite the internal sorting and reviewing process, please type your name (Last, First) as the only contents in the subject line of your e-mail.

Obsessive Compulsive Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.