Chief Executive Officer

The Arc of Northern Virginia is seeking a visionary and collaborative leader to serve as its next Chief Executive Officer

The Opportunity

For over 60 years, The Arc of Northern Virginia has been a cornerstone of support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, The Arc represents more than 39,000 individuals across Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, and Arlington. Its mission is to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities and ensure their full inclusion in the community.

The Arc provides a comprehensive suite of life-changing programs that meet the evolving needs of individuals with disabilities at every stage of life. In recent years, it has:

• Expanded its programming and reach to better inform, educate, and serve the community.
• Grown into a powerful advocacy force within local and state governments.
• Pioneered innovative tools, such as the Arc2Independence app, to foster greater independence.
• Managed the region’s only pooled Special Needs Trust, helping families secure their financial future without losing essential public benefits.

As The Arc’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), you will lead an organization committed to systemic progress and achieving its vision – “A Life Like Yours” for all Virginians with disabilities and their families.

Essential Responsibilities

The CEO will be a visionary and empathetic leader with a proven record in nonprofit management at a comparable scale and deep commitment to the IDD community. The Arc is seeking a strategic executive who seamlessly balances fiduciary stewardship with bold advocacy, ensuring its organization and programs continue to thrive. The successful candidate will be an expert relationship builder who can authentically represent The Arc of Northern Virginia and the diverse needs of those it serves.

Strategic Leadership: The CEO serves as chief strategist for the organization, collaborating with the Board of Directors to expand The Arc’s reach and redefine what is possible for the IDD community. By aligning long-term vision with mission priorities, the CEO ensures The Arc remains a respected leader in promoting the rights of individuals with IDD and their inclusion throughout the community.

Fiscal Stewardship & Resource Development: The CEO advances the organization’s mission and protects its financial and long-term sustainability. This involves direct oversight of a $3 million annual budget, effective cash flow management, and the leadership of a diversified revenue plan spanning major events, philanthropic donations, grants, and partnerships. In collaboration with the Board Treasurer and external consultants, the CEO champions fiscal transparency by delivering clear monthly financial reports and providing executive leadership for annual independent audits.

Organizational Leadership & Operations: The CEO cultivates an inclusive and high-performance culture among a team of approximately thirty (30) professionals. Through recruitment and active mentorship, the CEO ensures staff at all levels possess the skills and resources required to be leaders in the field and the best at what they do. The CEO also provides executive oversight for all core functions – including Human Resources, Finance, Legal, Marketing, and IT – to maintain a modern, mission-aligned infrastructure.

Programmatic Strategy & Impact: The CEO serves as a strategic advisor for The Arc of Northern Virginia’s programs, ensuring every initiative delivers measurable, life-changing outcomes for the IDD community. This involves leading vision, execution, and continuous optimization for the following areas:

• Advocacy – Driving systemic change at the state and local levels to safeguard human rights and ensure the full community inclusion of Virginians with disabilities.
• DD Waiver Support Coordination – Leading the delivery of critical support coordination for individuals navigating the Developmental Disability Medicaid Waiver system.
• Information and Referrals – Overseeing a high-volume resource hub that manages over 2,000 requests annually, empowering families to overcome the complexities of the disability landscape.
• Public Guardianship – Managing essential guardianship services for indigent individuals, providing a vital safety net for those without traditional family support.
• Special Needs Trust – Directing the region’s only pooled Special Needs Trust, enabling over 2,100 families to secure financial futures while protecting essential public benefits like Medicaid or Social Security.
• Tech for Independent Living – Scaling the use of innovative tools and technologies like the Arc2Independence app to increase independence in work, school, and life.
• Transition POINTS – Guiding individuals with IDD and their families through a comprehensive framework for navigating life’s major milestones from diagnosis through aging.

Advocacy & External Relations: As the primary spokesperson and ambassador for The Arc of Northern Virginia, the CEO mobilizes community and government support to achieve systemic change. This leadership role involves advocacy at local, state, and national levels to shape legislation. Beyond policy, the CEO directs a sophisticated marketing and communications strategy designed to promote The Arc’s mission; expand its organizational reach; and inspire a growing network of donors, volunteers, and corporate partners. The CEO serves as a constant presence at key functions and forums, leveraging every engagement to foster The Arc’s reputation as the region’s leading and most influential advocate for individuals with IDD.

Board Governance & Partnership: The CEO works directly with the Board of Directors for The Arc of Northern Virginia and is responsible for providing sophisticated insights into operational performance, emerging risks, and the evolving landscape of disability services. As a primary advisor, the CEO ensures the Board can safeguard the organization’s health and advance the general welfare of the community The Arc serves.

Foundation Governance & Partnership: The CEO serves as a Trustee of the Foundation for The Arc of Northern Virginia and collaborates with the Foundation Board of Directors to oversee the fiduciary health of a $72 million investment portfolio dedicated to Special Needs Trusts and a $1.7 million endowment for The Arc of Northern Virginia.

Desired Experience and Skills

A successful candidate for the CEO position will bring the following experience and skills:

• A genuine and demonstrated passion for The Arc of Northern Virginia’s mission, with a career commitment to advocating for the rights and inclusion of the IDD community.
• Proven success as the leader of a nonprofit of similar or larger scale, demonstrating the ability to navigate complex organizational structures and community-based service models.
• A substantial amount of senior management experience in disability services, behavioral health, human services, or a related field, with deep knowledge of lifespan-based disability support. As a senior position, at least 10 years of experience and a relevant, advanced degree is preferred.
• Experience developing and executing multi-year, organization-wide strategic plans that measurably enhance and expand high-impact community services.
• A record of excellence in fundraising and the cultivation of diverse revenue streams, including philanthropic partnerships and alternative income sources.
• Experience managing the finances of a comparable organization, including budgeting, forecasting and accounting in accordance with nonprofit best practice and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Demonstrated mastery in hiring, mentoring, and retaining high-performance teams, fostering a culture of leadership and professional growth at all levels.
• Extensive knowledge of a broad range of disabilities across the lifespan, with experience designing and delivering high-quality services for individuals with IDD and their families.
• Experience engaging with governmental, funding, and educational organizations, particularly within the Washington metropolitan region, to influence policy and drive systemic change.
• Refined interpersonal and public speaking skills, with the ability to serve as a persuasive spokesperson and build consensus among diverse stakeholders.
• Success in cultivating productive, transparent relationships with a Board of Directors to ensure sound governance and strategic alignment.

Compensation and Benefits

The CEO position is a full-time position with a target salary of $150,000 to $185,000 per year. The Arc of Northern Virginia offers a benefit package for full-time employees that includes paid time off, paid holidays, medical and dental insurance, health and dependent care flexible spending accounts, and a tax-deferred retirement saving account plan.

Location

The CEO position is based in The Arc of Northern Virginia offices at 3060 Williams Drive, Suite 300 Fairfax, VA 22031. Hybrid work arrangements may be negotiable for unique circumstances.

The Arc of Northern Virginia is an equal opportunity employer.

The Arc of Northern Virginia is committed to treating all applicants and employees fairly based on their knowledge, skills, experience, and achievements without regard to race, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Paid Time Off, Paid Holidays, Other Paid Leave, Medical/Dental/Vision insurance, Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Tax-Deferred Retirement Saving Account plan.