Armstrong McGuire & Associates Seeks President for Blue Cross and Blue Shield
November 9, 2018 – Non-profit organization management firm Armstrong McGuire & Associates has been selected to find the next president for the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation in Durham, NC.
Senior advisor Beth Briggs is leading the assignment.
The independent, charitable foundation seeks a visionary, strategic professional with proven management and leadership expertise, philanthropic knowledge and acumen, an understanding of how social determinants of health impact healthcare, and a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, said Armstrong McGuire.
The next president of the foundation will be responsible for heading an organization that has evolved into a leading statewide health funder and thought partner in philanthropy, said the search firm.
Many Constituencies
The new leader, who will represent the foundation with multiple constituencies in North Carolina and nationally, will be expected to possess outstanding interpersonal skills. The individual should also be: comfortable working with people of wide-ranging backgrounds; a successful communicator who assesses and responds to the needs of the community, the board and staff, and other key stakeholders; and someone who keeps a focus on the long-term objectives of the organization while balancing strategic and tactical responsibilities.
Responsibilities of the role include ensuring the strategic development and implementation of the foundation mission, bringing clarity vision and values to enhance the impact and outcomes on health in North Carolina; designing, implementing and monitoring statewide health initiatives to build capacity within community centered health initiatives at the local level; and directing the development, implementation and assessment of business planning, grant making strategies and evaluation frameworks to achieve targeted, result-oriented outcomes.
The foundation’s president will also be charged with: identifying and monitoring trends and emerging issues related to communities, health, equity, leadership, non-profits, philanthropy and grant making that move beyond healthcare access to healthcare systems transformation and systems change; working collaboratively with the board of directors to support a strong model of governance and engaging with the board as appropriate on issues related to strategy, values, reputation, communications, community impact and state or national collaborations; and mentoring, coaching, counseling and communicating with staff to position them for growth as incumbents or in subsequent higher-level assignments.
Job Requirements
Requirements for the role include: an undergraduate degree in a related field, with an advanced degree being a plus; significant senior-level or executive experience in philanthropy, foundation or a health-related field, with at least 10 years of leadership experience; and passion, vision, inspiration and enthusiasm for the health and wellness of the citizens of North Carolina. The job also calls for an understanding of the complex health inequity and disparities landscape in North Carolina including inter-relationships among communities, health plans, providers of medical services, Medicaid and uninsured, employers, community clinics, other health care organizations, philanthropy, social services and the public sector, among others.
Why Recruiters Center On Fundraising Skills
Organizations nationwide are under pressure to find leaders who can act as de facto chief fundraisers – and recruiters are in lock step to find talent to satisfy the demand. These leaders need to be strategic thinkers who can motivate the stakeholders whose philanthropy pulls everything together.
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It is preferred that prospects possess broad knowledge of public health policies, trends and a deep understanding of social determinants of health, systems change, philanthropy and equity, said Armstrong McGuire. The position calls for a relationship builder with the various constituencies including the board, the staff, local and federal governments, non-profit agencies, public health interests, advocacy groups, health care providers, and other funders.
Founded in 2000, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation’s mission is to improve the health and well-being of all North Carolinians. The non-profit has invested $130 million in North Carolina communities through more than 975 grants.
Serving Non-Profits
Armstrong McGuire & Associates, established in 2003, is based in Raleigh, NC. A full-service firm, its specialties include fundraising counsel, leadership development, executive recruitment, strategic planning, board training, fundraising training, capital campaigns, organization assessments, board development, feasibility studies and philanthropy.
Ms. Briggs provides service in every facet of non-profit and foundation governance and stewardship: recruiting executive leaders, recruiting and training boards of directors, organizing and motivating volunteer campaign teams, and conducting strategic planning and fundraising workshops.
Previously, she was executive director of Dress for Success, a non-profit helping unemployed and underemployed women find meaningful employment and economic security. Before that, she founded and served as president of Creative Philanthropy, providing grant-making, administrative, strategic planning, emerging trends and issues identification, executive searches and counseling services for corporations, foundations, non-profits and individuals seeking to maximize the impact of their philanthropy.
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor; and Andrew W. Mitchell, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
