We are no longer accepting applications for this opportunity.
Missionwell LLC is a $2 million business with over 20 staff and 50 business partners. The organization was formed from the belief that nonprofit organizations should benefit from the same efficiency and expertise as the for-profit sector, despite resource differences. The organization provides nonprofits with services in accounting, financial, payroll, HR, and corporate and board relations. In so doing, Missionwell brings expertise and innovation, makes information transparent, provides practical solutions and supports strong decision making. Most revenue comes from ongoing service contracts, but consulting also provides meaningful income.
The Missionwell President is a newly created position reporting to the Managing Members. The President will drive marketing and sales strategies to enhance business development and ensure growth and profitability. Responsibilities include strategic planning, resource allocation, corporate development, sales and marketing, operational excellence, and maintaining transparent communication with the Managing Members.
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
HISTORY AND PROGRESS
The organization is healthy, and has doubled in revenue since the COVID pandemic. Leadership is excited about the future. Business development has spurred the organization’s growth, especially through referrals, conference talks, e-marketing and automation of sales processes. Moreover, Missionwell has found ways to manage activity spikes when new business coming online with new staffing strategies.
This is a time of succession for the Managing Members, who will leave active staff roles and serve as the “board of directors” for the organization. The President will report to the Managing Members. The Managing Members may consult (internally if asked or externally for assignments fitting their skills) after the president is in place but will not serve as decision makers. The president will lead a team consisting of the Chief Operating Officer (head of Finance and Accounting) and Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). At present, HR reports to the CAO, but over time, it is expected the head of HR will become one of the president’s direct reports. The CAO also is responsible for IT, Missionwell financial analysis, business development process, e-marketing and HR sales, annual contract renewals, customer satisfaction processes.
VISION AND VALUES
Missionwell is known for accurate work, excellent advice and expertise for non-profit and faith-inspired organizations. The organization’s values include:
People: Valuing employees as complete people, committing to teamwork, continuous learning, and growth
Partnerships: Building strong relationships with our business partners and helping them fulfill their mission
Principles: Founding relationships based on trust, integrity, transparency, and responsiveness
Process: Being resourceful and leveraging technology for efficiency.
Missionwell’s people are capable and committed to meet many partners’ business office needs. The organization focuses on equipping, training and empowering new staff. As a result, they have lower-than-industry turnover rates.
WHAT IS NEEDED NOW
The two managing members are dedicated to supporting Missionwell’s business partners and staff. They concentrate on setting strategy and meeting operational goals, combining idealistic and practical approaches when setting direction and solving problems.
The preferred relational and leadership style for the position prioritizes collaboration, transparency, and an inspirational approach. This leader will address issues directly using data and objectivity. The individual possesses financial expertise, represents the organization publicly, and excels in marketing. Desired attributes for the candidate include being persuasive, influential, ethical, strategic, self-aware, humble, eager to learn, and motivated for growth.
The ideal candidate is currently demonstrating their ability to grow an organization. They are possibly in a sales or marketing role, or alternatively, they might be in a commercial position, an Executive Pastor at a large church, a COO in a service-focused organization, or an entrepreneur or business owner who has provided services to churches, ministries, or non-profits.
In the first 90 days, Missionwell’s Managing Members hope the president will present a solid business plan supporting the organization’s top line goals:
Grow the number of business partners (10-15 new, 10+ net annually)
Move profit margins to 15-20% (budget contemplates 7% this year)
Keep voluntary employee turnover <20%, indicating engaged and valued staff
Obtain greater than or equal to 4.5 out of 5 average rating on customer satisfaction, from at least 90% of business partners.
MANAGING MEMBERS
The President will report to the Managing Members, who will become the board of directors. These two Members are Kathleen Swain and Caryn Ryan. Caryn is also the Founder.
Caryn has focused on building Missionwell’s world-class team, setting the company’s vision, and leading growth. She also serves as a financial advisor and senior strategist to select business partners. Caryn has held financial leadership roles in some of the world’s largest institutions including serving as CFO for World Vision International, a $2.5 billion global relief and development organization operating in 80 countries. Prior to World Vision, Caryn held financial roles over two decades with Amoco Corporation (merged with BP plc), including CFO of Amoco’s downstream marketing and retail operations and CFO of BP’s International Oil Trading business. She teaches at the Center for Non-Profit Management and the Christian Leadership Alliance and holds an MBA from Northwestern University and the 2021 Distinguished Alumni Award from her alma mater Albion College. Caryn shares her expertise through leadership roles on numerous nonprofit boards and lives in Pasadena, California. She enjoys travelling, particularly to visit her adult children in Seattle and dear friends in the USA and abroad.
Kathleen serves as the organization’s CFO. She has also served as CFO to William Carey International University and as the Vice President of Internal Audit at Horizon BCBS of New Jersey. She worked for Allstate Insurance Company as the SVP of Internal Audit leading the Enterprise Applications group. Prior to Allstate, she led internal audit for BP Amoco in London. Kathleen received her bachelor's degree from Marquette University and her master's degree from Loyola University of Chicago. Kathy is a Certified Public Accountant and has served on various boards. She lives in Wheaton Il , with her husband Douglas, and as time permits, enjoys her family (particularly her young grandchildren), friends, traveling and quilting.
OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES
Every role in every organization has both opportunities and challenges. We profile these here, based on interviews with those who work closely with this role, to guide candidates who may consider if these are the kinds of opportunities and challenges that suit them best.
OPPORTUNITIES
The president will have opportunities to:
Continue to improve profitability. This allows Missionwell to be sustainable, pay people well, invest in technology and automation, and perhaps open up possibilities of mergers and acquisitions
Enjoy and build upon a culture that is collaborative, values-oriented, and focused on helping each other.
CHALLENGES
Some challenges include the need to:
Keep costs competitive - most of Missionwell’s labor is in California and the West Coast
Balance growth with the ability to “staff up” well and provide great service
Manage the temptation to provide more services than business partner contracts envision
Improve profitability to meet industry standards
Lessen cultural stress that comes from too much work for the time allowed.
POSITION PROFILE
Job Title: President
Reports to: Managing Members who will serve as a “board of directors.”
Location: Southern California preferred, remote is possible. Missionwell has a small office in Pasadena, CA. In Los Angeles County, a 3-bedroom home typically costs between $600,000 and $1.5 million.
PURPOSE
The President will play a pivotal role in driving marketing and sales strategies to enhance business development and ensure the company's growth and profitability.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Vision and Leadership
Collaborate with Managing Members and senior leadership for long-term strategic planning for growth and profitability.
Update annual operating plan aligning budget and staffing with Missionwell’s values.
Oversee resource allocation, including a staffing plan covering skills and competencies for the near future, enabling MW to meet short- and long-term growth targets.
Provide inspirational leadership and establish effective decision-making processes.
Develop clear succession plans for key leadership positions to ensure continuity.
Maintain transparent communication with Managing Members about problems and opportunities. Foster productive weekly/monthly meetings.
Corporate Development
Advocate for nonprofit and religious/church industries, championing outsourced shared services as a solution for an effective and efficient business office.
At the right time, propose mergers, acquisitions, strategic partnerships to Managing Members.
Identify and pursue opportunities for entering new markets and expanding the firm's reach based on market needs and partner feedback.
Sales and Marketing
Develop and execute marketing strategies to increase brand awareness and generate leads.
Design targeted sales campaigns and close deals with significant business partners.
Lead the sales team, set sales targets, and drive revenue growth.
Identify new business opportunities and build relationships with potential clients.
Maintain exceptional customer service focus and ensure successful contract renewals.
Responsible for marketing metrics (brand awareness, lead generation and campaign ROI) and sales KPIs (sales targets, revenue growth, customer acquisition).
Operational Excellence
Leverage technology to improve service delivery and operational efficiency.
Ensure efficient delivery of high-quality, affordable services. Encourage a culture of innovation and ongoing process improvement to adapt to market changes.
Support, motivate, and mentor staff; develop management and senior executive candidates.
Facilitate cross-departmental collaboration and promote a positive, multicultural work environment.
Monitor budget and financial controls, and set financial priorities.
Develop and implement strategies for crisis management and risk mitigation.
Ensure strict adherence to legal standards and regulatory requirements. Make sure operations encompass all standards relevant to nonprofits and faith-inspired organizations.
QUALIFICATIONS
Essential Attributes
Live out the Missionwell values
Strong marketing skills, including digital marketing, market research, and campaign management.
Sales acumen such as negotiation, closing deals, and customer relationship management.
Ability to develop and execute business strategies that align with the company's goals.
Commercially savvy – offer consulting to business partners, support contract negotiations, RFPs, loans, real estate, and other business needs.
Influential with boards and senior leadership; able to foster collaboration and best practices.
Financially savvy leader with clear priority setting, delegation, and investment guidance in people and systems
Keen analytic, organizational, and problem-solving skills for sound decision making
Excellent coalition building, communication, and negotiation skills
Outstanding presentation and communication skills; effective public spokesperson and relationship builder
Strong commitment to professional staff development; successful track record of recruiting and retaining a diverse team
Tech savvy including proficiency in digital tools and platforms, data analysis, and IT management. Able to drive efficiency and ensure cybersecurity and compliance.
Education
Minimum of a bachelors’ degree, with coursework in marketing, accounting, tax, legal, or other business subjects.
MBA or advanced degree in nonprofit management desirable.
Experience
At least 15-20 years' experience, with a service organization
Experienced with sales, fundraising, and marketing
Nonprofit experience desirable
Experience with financial operations, HR and/or governance desirable
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
Salary: $130K–$150K, plus bonus plan participation and ownership opportunities.
Benefits: Medical, dental, vacation, sick time, 401K, and a Section 125 Premium Only Plan (where employees use pre-tax dollars for their portion of benefit premiums)
Job Status: Full-time, exempt
Vacation: Negotiable
Relocation: If needed, up to $10K
Travel: Budget available for conferences, marketing and visits to potential and current business partners. Travel is expected to represent 10% or less of time as the business' operating model is virtual. Many Missionwell business partners are located in Southern California, making visits, if any, efficient.
To learn more about Missionwell, please visit their website at missionwell.com.
After prayerfully reviewing this information, if you sense this position opportunity could be a good fit for you, please click on the APPLY NOW button below. Or if you know someone who may be interested and a fit, please share this opportunity using the social media and email buttons at the top of this page.
The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required and the scope of responsibility but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements.
We are no longer accepting applications for this opportunity.
To learn more about Missionwell, please visit their website at missionwell.com.
After prayerfully reviewing this information, if you sense this position opportunity could be a good fit for you, please click on the APPLY NOW button below. Or if you know someone who may be interested and a fit, please share this opportunity using the social media and email buttons at the top of this page.
The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required and the scope of responsibility but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements.