THE ORGANIZATION

Founded in 1856, the Michigan Dental Association (MDA) is a professional association that represents 5,795 dentists throughout the state of Michigan:  4,312 of them actively practicing dentistry.  The MDA represents 74.4% of the total market share of dentists in the state and is a constituent society of the American Dental Association (ADA). All MDA members are also members of the ADA and their local dental society.

The Michigan Dental Association provides its members with unlimited access to valuable programs and expertise, as well as professional and personal benefits and support. MDA’s variety of benefits help its members save time and money and clear the hurdles that stand in the way of reaching their next professional milestone.

The MDA owns its headquarters in Okemos, Michigan, approximately 10 miles east of Lansing, Michigan’s state capital.  MDA is led by a 15-member Board of Trustees, has 30+ full-time staff, an annual operating budget of $7.5M and healthy reserves. MDA has a for-profit subsidiary, MDA Insurance & Financial Group, with an additional 30 employees and $4-5M budget; and a separate Foundation (MDA Foundation) with a 14-member Board, $500K budget and $1.5M in reserves.

MISSION, VISION & VALUES

Mission

Empowering member dentists, advancing the dental profession, and improving oral health.

Vision

Michigan’s recognized expert on oral health.

Core Values 

• Integrity: We promote ethical behavior and values-informed decision-making.
• Inclusivity: We work to create an environment where all members and the greater dental community are respected and feel a sense of belonging.
• Compassion: We believe that all patients should be treated with empathy and respect.
• Service: We are responsive to the changing needs of members and the profession.
• Evidence-Based: We make decisions based on an understanding of the current best evidence.
• Quality care: We are committed to quality care for all patients.
• Lifelong Learning: We recognize that lifelong learning is key to excellence in patient care.

GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE

The MDA Board of Trustees has authority over all matters of the Association subject to the restrictions imposed by the Bylaws, including financial management and policy setting. The Board of Trustees addresses resolutions adopted by the House of Delegates no later than the second Board of Trustees meeting following the House of Delegates at which the resolution(s) was adopted. The Board is comprised of 15 members (six officers and nine at-large trustees) elected by the House of Delegates.

There are 3 Board Committees (Committee on Finance; Committee on Appeals and Committee on Employee Benefits) and 18 standing committees.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

The MDA CEO/Executive Director reports to the Board of Trustees through the President and is accountable for all management and administrative duties and those of the staff team.  Strong relationships with both staff and organization leaders (Board, Committees, related organizations, etc.) are important qualifications to succeed in the position.

Positions reporting directly to the CEO/Executive Director include Vice President of Advocacy and Professional Relations; Director of Print and Electronic Publications; Director of Membership; Foundation Director; Director of Continuing Dental Education; Chief Financial Officer; Director of Marketing and Communications and Director of Human Resources.

OPPORTUNITIES & CHALLENGES

The MDA has a high-performing professional staff and a Board of Trustees with a strong commitment to ensuring the success of the organization.  The MDA CEO/Executive Director is forward-thinking, with the skill set to do the necessary environmental scanning and continual assessment of the varying needs of its members and the dental profession at the local, state, and national level.

The MDA boasts a strong market share of dentists across the state, but maintaining and strengthening membership value and engagement is an opportunity.  The CEO/Executive Director will also collaborate with the entire dental community to ensure member engagement and a pipeline of future leaders.  The CEO/Executive Director will maintain strong support for advocacy at the state level and will work closely with dental schools and training centers to address workforce shortage.  The CEO/Executive Director will continue to foster and support MDA’s Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee and its commitment to inclusivity. 

THE POSITION

Serves as the CEO/Executive Director of the Michigan Dental Association, responsible for establishing and achieving the operating and financial objectives of the MDA.  Manages the MDA Foundation’s (MDAF) Director of Development and serves as Secretary of the MDA Insurance and Financial Group (IFG) Board.  Recommends and participates in the formulation of new policies and makes decisions with regard to existing Board-approved policies. Plans, organizes, directs, and coordinates staff, programs, activities and resources of the MDA and MDAF to assure that strategic objectives are attained, plans are fulfilled, and members’ needs are met.

Primary Accountabilities:

Board of Directors and Governance

• Is directly responsible to the Board of Trustees
• Is an ex-officio member of the Board of Trustees and the Executive Committee
• Serves as an ex-officio member to all committees and provides liaison between the committees and the Board by assignment of various staff members to assist in the liaison process
• Provides the Board with adequate information to help reach sound decisions and establish policies
• Maintains a strong working relationship with the Board of Trustees and a system for sharing information that enables the Board to effectively carry out its governing role and ensure that the Association meets the needs of its members. Serves as secretary on the Association’s for-profit subsidiary Board MDA Insurance and Financial Group (MDAIFG)
• Serves as consultant to the Michigan Dental Association Foundation (MDAF)
• Serves as consultant to MDA’s Dental PAC
• Serves as Secretary to the MDA’s House of Delegates

Management

• Upholds the policies and procedures of the organization as adopted by the House of Delegates and Board of Trustees
• Initiates and directs the development of policies for Board approval
• Supervises the implementation of all Board policies
• Reports regularly to the Board about progress toward strategic planning objectives, the financial status of the organization, legislative goals and other major programs
• Brings to the attention of the Board any issues of concern and keeps Board apprised of their status
• Is required to spend some time performing duties and responsibilities related to MDA subsidiary functions and activities. Performs oversight and counsel to MDA subsidiary organizations as needed.

Leadership of Staff

• Overall responsibility for hiring, firing, evaluation, discipline and supervision of MDA staff
• Directs executive staff management team in their assignments and duties
• Through executive staff management team, directs all other staff in the performance of their duties and achievement of overall and departmental/functional goals
• Obtains maximum utilization of staff members by defining their duties, establishing performance standards, conducting periodic employee performance reviews and maintaining a competitive salary structure
• Ensures that members have access to appropriate staff and resources to meet their needs

Fiscal Management

• In cooperation with the Board Committee on Finance (BCF), supervises the development of an annual budget. Cooperates with the elected treasurer of the Association toward the fulfillment of those duties ascribed the treasurer in the bylaws
• Approves and directs purchases and expenditures within the limits of the approved budget
• Provides information to the Board and House of Delegates regarding purchases and expenditures
• Ensures that all funds, physical assets and other property of the Association are appropriately safeguarded and administered

Community, Public Relations, and Government Affairs

• Represents the organization as its chief executive officer in all dealings with other organizations, individuals and the general public
• Models highest level of personal and professional trust with members across the organization
• Establishes and grows strategic partnerships across dentistry to facilitate the recruitment and retention of a strong membership base statewide
• Supports and promotes PAC advocacy efforts; establishes liaison with federal and state legislators, appropriate legislative committees and key personnel in related government agencies to ensure that the ongoing interests of the Association are given appropriate attention and to create an ongoing receptivity to recommendations from the Association regarding programs affecting dentists and dental care
• Promotes positive public relations in the community

Strategic Planning

• In cooperation with the Board of Trustees, the CEO/Executive Director supports the Board in setting the vision and goals of the Association, defining objectives, and translating them into clear priorities.
• Aligns resources against areas of highest impact.

Minimum Qualifications & Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in a business-related field
• Strong leadership, decision-making, communication and quantitative skills
• Knowledge and expertise in association management; Certified Association Executive (CAE) preferred
• Knowledge of management principles and practices, and experience in managing both staff and an organization, or a significant functional component of an organization
• Demonstrated capability to interact successfully with executives, Board members, committees and related dental organizations and professions
• Financial acumen and fiscally focused executive decision-maker. Successful record of building, motivating ad mentoring a high-performing staff team.
• Effective interpersonal relationship skills including refined dispute resolution skills
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Experience with strategic planning at the senior management and Board level
• Understanding and comfort level with the use and integration of technology
• Knowledge of the dental profession and related organizations/providers is considered a plus

Place where work is performed:

The CEO/Executive Director’s office is in the MDA’s headquarters in Okemos, Michigan.

APPLICATION PROCESS

This search is being conducted by Jill Christie, President, Tuft & Associates, Inc. Qualified candidates should submit, in confidence, a resume and a cover letter that outlines relevant personal qualifications to:

• Complete the resume submission form below, and include your resume and cover letter.
• Email your resume and cover letter to Jill Christie, President,Tuft & Associates, Inc. at cbabjak@tuftassoc.com.