Executive Director

Executive Director

At Independence Now, we support independence and equality for all people with disabilities. To learn more about us, check us out: Independence Now. Independence Now is part of a nationwide network of Centers for Independent Living. We have the privilege to serve people with disabilities in Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties, Maryland. We work diligently to make our programs the best they can be by constantly learning about resources, building relationships, and going below the surface to ensure consumers achieve their goals. The philosophy of consumer control is thick within the walls of Independence Now. We truly believe that people with disabilities are the best experts on their own needs and choices.

The Board of Directors is searching for a new Executive Director to provide leadership, vision, and direction to support the growth and development of Independence Now. The Executive Director leads the organization’s programs, services, and outreach and ensures smooth and efficient operations. This person also represents Independence Now to the public, leads organizational development and strategic planning, builds partner relationships, and leads a staff of 20 people and a budget of $1.5 million.

The Executive Director will lead initiatives around disability services, housing, access, nursing home outreach, assistive technologies, business partnerships, government relations, and board development - all designed to achieve meaningful, measurable, and systematic improvement in improving the services to support people with disabilities. The Executive Director is appointed by the Board of Directors and serves as a non-voting member of the Board and ensures that the organization is run with integrity and transparency.

If you are a dynamic, innovative, strategic, and forward-thinking leader with a passion for supporting people with disabilities in Montgomery County and Prince George's County, Maryland, we invite you to keep reading to learn more about this exciting opportunity!

Successful candidates for the position will need to demonstrate the following:

• Ability to forge strategic partnerships with agencies, nursing homes, independent living providers, community stakeholders, and volunteers around our key program areas.
• Ability to articulate the vision for Independence Now and create strategies to achieve this vision.
• Experience working with government agencies, nonprofits, businesses, staff, community leaders, and volunteers.
• Superb communication skills.
• Personal commitment to a collaborative and team approach to work.
• Innovative approaches to Independence Now's mission and programs, with financial sustainability in mind.
• Commitment to building programs and a sustainable business model to benefit individuals with disabilities in Maryland.
• Distinguished and appropriate credentials and experience in nonprofit management.

Does this sound like you? Please keep reading and apply today!

Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will be responsible for the following areas:

Operations:

• Plans, organizes, and directs programs that carry out the organization's mission and goals.
• Provides day-to-day management of current programs and staff.
• Maintains appropriate staff structure; oversees recruiting, training, development, mentorship, and evaluation of team members; creates and maintains a working environment that fosters collaboration.
• Leads and motivates a staff of 20 employees and provides them with the tools and resources necessary to successfully operate Independence Now.
• Maintains business systems to ensure effective and efficient operation of the organization.

Program & Event Management:

• Manages Independence Now programs and initiatives to engage people with disabilities.
• Ensures sound program management and recommends improvements.
• Plans the development and implementation of community events.
• Coordinates activities with and directs vendors, contractors, and consultants to assure performance under their agreements in compliance with budget and operational considerations.

Marketing, Community, and Public Relations:

• Serves as the chief spokesperson for Independence Now and represents Independence Now at relevant events and meetings.
• Leads the marketing strategies and implementation to promote Independence Now programming to stakeholders/partners.
• Develops innovative partnerships and projects that support the mission.
• Assures that Independence Now and its mission, programs, and services are consistently presenting a strong, positive image to relevant stakeholders, including leaders in our network, government, business, civic groups, the community, and the media.

Fundraising and Grant Management:

• Oversees fundraising including sponsorships, partnerships, grants, special events, and individual giving.
• Develops new and diverse sources of revenue to support program management.
• Creates a comprehensive sponsorship program including annual and long-term development plans, in consultation with the Board of Directors.

Advocacy and Government Relations:

• Represents the organization to elected officials and advocates for mission-aligned programs and priorities.
• Collaborates with state and local governmental, community, educational, and nonprofit organizations on areas of mutual interest.
• Works closely with and meets elected officials and others to advance the cause of people with disabilities at the State level.
• Meets and deals with the public in a tactful and diplomatic manner, provides transparency, communicates effectively, and objectively evaluates problems and recommends appropriate action.
• Acts as liaison to partner institutions.

Board Leadership and Support:

• Convenes Board and Executive Committee, and develops draft agendas and briefing materials for members.
• In cooperation with the Board, ensures effective financial management, reporting, and compliance of the organization, and prepares and oversees the annual budget.
• Engages with current board members and recruits additional board members, in compliance with board by-laws.
• Guides strategic planning with the Board, staff, and stakeholders and oversees effective design, implementation, and evaluation of programs and initiatives.

Financial, Tax, and Risk Management:

• Creates and recommends yearly budget for board approval, and manages organization's resources within those budget guidelines according to laws and regulations.
• Ensures the overall financial vitality of the organization.
• Ensures data reporting and statistics are prepared for partner institutions as required.
• Oversees and authorizes all expenditures within the limits of the approved budget.
• Informs the Board periodically of the organization's financial position.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in non-profit management or related field OR equivalent in work experience.
• 8-10+ years of senior leadership experience, with 5+ years in a leadership role. Experience working in a nonprofit related to serving people with disabilities a plus.
• Demonstrated aptitude for building and cultivating solid relationships with key stakeholders, and the ability to engage and work effectively with diverse groups of people, schools, and partner organizations.
• Excellent leadership, relationship-building, team-building, and public speaking skills.
• Demonstrated grant writing, fundraising, marketing, and advocacy skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
• Knowledge of Centers for Independent Living , housing and workforce development trends, challenges, and opportunities.
• Understanding of Maryland’s legislative landscape surrounding workforce development is highly desirable.
• The selected candidate should live in Maryland (strongly desired).
• Strongly preferred: The selected candidate will have “living experience” as a person experiencing a disability (or a close family member of an individual with a disability).

The Board of Directors will begin a confidential review of applications immediately and will continue its work until an appointment of an Executive Director is made (with a desired start date of August 2024). For full consideration, applicants must submit the following:

• Letter of interest: Please address how you can lead Independence Now as Executive Director in achieving its mission and strategic initiatives. This letter must be included in your candidacy materials.
• Professional Resume, reflecting qualifications for this position.