Sonrisas Dental Health, Inc. (SDH) is a non-profit dental center dedicated to providing access to quality dental care and oral health education to our community. We provide these services with dignity, respect, and compassion. SDH improves the health of our community members through culturally sensitive, integrated care, with a focus on disease prevention. SDH is a dental home for our patients, providing preventative dental care, mobile dental, general dentistry, geriatric dentistry, pediatric dentistry, sedation dentistry and accommodations for patients with special needs and disabilities. Seventy-five percent of SDH’s patients are low-income.
Sonrisas Organizational Culture
· Mission-based care: Sonrisas was founded by community members who saw a need for access to quality dental care and oral health education for San Mateo County’s low-income residents. That community spirit is embedded in Sonrisas. The work we do is focused on the wellbeing of the community. We center community needs when planning and expanding services. As a safety-net care provider that accepts public insurance, we serve people regardless of financial, physical and development challenges they may face.
· Patient first mentality: We treat our patients as whole individuals and provide assistance with other aspects of their health and wellbeing.
· Employees and our mission: We recognize that our employees are our greatest asset and that delivering our mission relies on them. Sonrisas considers our employees when making decisions and planning for the future of the organization.
· Team work: Our teams collaborate and support each other, working together to deliver on Sonrisas’ mission. We all take responsibility for our work serving the community, regardless of job title.
· Culture of humility and growth: We recognize and welcome the opportunity to constantly learn, evolve, and improve. Sonrisas strives to make the best use of current resources while investing in organizational growth so that we can realize our vision.
· DEIJ (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice): Sonrisas is committed to imbedding principles of DEIJ into all layers of the organization in order to create an environment that attracts and retains employees who are representative of the community we serve.
About the Position
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at SDH is responsible for the strategic direction of the organization, working with the board of directors and staff to deliver excellent dental clinical and community-based programs. SDH’s mission, vision, and values along with the strategic plan are the foundation of the focus of the CEO. The CEO is responsible for overseeing the administration, clinical operations, community outreach programs, fundraising, marketing along with clear and open communications with stakeholders. Stakeholders include the board of directors, staff, funders, donors, community partners and patients.
Personal Attributes of CEO
· Management Style
o A leader who projects a feeling of openness, interest in the opinions of others; approachable, friendly.
o Values strong rapport and professional working relationships at all levels.
o Effective public speaker
· Communication
o Grasps essential information in one-on-one and group discussions and interprets in a way which avoids or resolves problems.
o Establishes communication across the spectrum of Board of Directors, staff, programs, and services.
o Effective in presenting ideas or tasks to individuals and groups. Ability to synthesize complex issues into easily understood messages.
o Understands the communication styles of others and responds appropriately.
o Delegates effectively.
· Problem-Solving/Creativity
o Willing to assume risk and explore creative methods for addressing difficult challenges.
o Manages ambiguous situations well, always bringing focus to the organization’s pursuit of its mission, vision and strategic objectives.
o Thinks quickly and assimilates ideas well in providing direction and leadership to the organization.
o Understands the need for balance between process, structure, and outcomes.
o Promotes fairness, honesty, and compassion in dealing with all constituencies.
o Committed to the mission and vision, and the community served by the organization.
Fundamental Duties
· Internal Operations
o Plans, organizes, manages, evaluates, and regularly reports to key constituents on the critical activities impacting organizational operations. Works closely with Dental Director on clinical operations, including staffing.
o Establishes goals and objectives, both personal and for direct reports, to achieve the strategic objectives defined by the Board of Directors.
o Identifies, develops, and recommends to the Board of Directors the required policies, procedures, and standards necessary to ensure smooth functioning of the organization.
o Develops an organizational structure, with clear lines of opportunity, authority, and accountability.
o Maintains a system of internal controls that safeguard the physical, financial, and human resources of the organization, directing corrective actions, as necessary.
· Leadership Development
o Creates a productive, open communication environment in which all affected parties are motivated to achieve, feel appreciated and work to their highest levels of efficiency and productivity.
o Provides leadership to employees to ensure they understand and are focused on their support of the organization’s mission and vision.
o Ensures that progressive educational programs and training opportunities to ensure effective skill building among employees and the Board of Directors.
o Leads team members in identifying methods and systems for improving quality and productivity in their areas.
· Management
o Assists the Board of Directors in maintaining and developing the organization’s mission, values and vision to serve the dental health improvement needs of the community. Manages performance, productivity and outcomes of Dental Director, Community Engagement Director, and Community Resources Director.
o Ensures that dental clinics and outreach programs have annual operating plans that support the organization’s strategic objectives.
o Demonstrates decisive, visible, and intuitive human relations skills necessary to work with a variety of important constituencies.
o Participates in professional organizations related to local and state activities and initiatives related to oral health.
o Monitors changes outside the organization that impact internal operations and reacts appropriately.
o Holds direct reports accountable for the responsibilities of their positions; regularly measures their performance against established criteria.
o Promotes the organization’s role as a vital community health improvement resource.
o Establishes a culture built around quality, service, and continuous improvement.
o Inspires confidence through personal attitude and performance.
o Monitors key statistical indicators that measure organizational performance, taking timely action as appropriate.
o Analyzes and develops new business opportunities which promote growth, profitability, and service to the community.
o Establishes and revises long-range strategic plans which support the organization’s mission and vision.
· Financial Management
o Uses financial and analytical skills when long-range financial planning and short-term financial decision-making in managing operations to budget.
o Takes quick action to mitigate financial problems and implements required recovery mechanisms.
o Leads management team in determining resource allocations, including budgets, equipment, facilities, and personnel.
o Consistently achieves financial targets as set by the Board of Directors.
o Ensures that capital expenditure budgets reflect the program and service needs of the organization in meeting the dental health improvement needs of the community.
o Effectively negotiates contracts that are advantageous to the organization.
· Community Relations
o Works effectively with the Community Outreach Director and with other health providers in the region to understand and respond to unmet community needs.
o Responds to community dental health care needs, comparing existing services and programs to community needs, designing new programs and services to address unmet needs as appropriate.
o Encourages integration of the organization with the community.
o Seen by community leaders as a resource.
· Board Relations and Development
o Regularly informs and advises the Board of Directors on dental health care trends and other factors impacting organizational performance.
o Ensures continuing education programs for the Board.
· Regulatory Compliance
o Ensures compliance with regulatory agencies governing community dental centers and dental health practitioners.
o Represents the organization in relationships with professional organizations and related dental health agencies impacting the organization.
Desired Experience and Qualifications
· Bachelor’s degree in a health-related field required; Master’s preferred.
· Five or more years in management with at least two years in senior management.
· Nonprofit senior management in a growing organization.
· Healthcare Knowledge, work with an FQHC desirable.
· Hands on leadership.
· Strong organizational abilities including planning, delegating, program development, project management.
· Strong written and oral communication skills.
· Knowledge of fundraising strategies and donor relations unique to the non-profit sector.
· Demonstrated ability to oversee and collaborate with staff.
· Ability to interface and engage diverse volunteer and donor groups.