Senior Executive Officer (SEO), Chapter Leadership and Professional Development - The Arc, Washington, DC
Posted: Monday, March 31, 2014
The Arc, the nation's leading nonprofit advocating on behalf of and serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), is seeking an energetic, entrepreneurial, self-motivated and experienced professional to serve as Senior Executive Officer, Chapter Leadership and Professional Development ("SEO"). Working closely with other professional staff on self-managed teams, and tapping knowledge and expertise from throughout The Arc's nationwide network of chapters, The SEO will help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) to be included in their communities throughout their lifetimes by expanding, supporting and sustaining The Arc's network of state and local chapters.
The SEO will promote and advance best practices in the delivery of programs, services and supports for people with I/DD and in governance and management, assuring that chapters of The Arc are effective, responsive, well-managed, responsibly governed and sustainable. The SEO will lead, plan, facilitate and participate in implementation of an expanding portfolio of programs and services that provide chapters of The Arc with the tools they need to provide the highest quality advocacy, information, supports and services to people with I/DD. In addition, the SEO will work closely with and mentor the Director, Chapter Organizing and Advocacy, to plan and execute an effective growth strategy focused on demonstrating the value of affiliation with The Arc, attracting new chapters, and enhancing and expanding the engagement, impact, effectiveness and sustainability of chapters currently in the network.
To apply, send letter of interest, resume, names of three references and two writing samples to [email protected]. EOE. Minorities and persons with disabilities encouraged to apply.
Position Summary
The Senior Executive Officer (SEO) will help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) to be included in their communities throughout their lifetimes by expanding, supporting and sustaining The Arc's network of state and local chapters. The SEO will promote and advance best practices in the delivery of programs, services and supports for people with I/DD and in governance and management, assuring that chapters of The Arc are effective, responsive, well-managed, responsibly governed and sustainable.
The SEO will lead, plan, facilitate and participate in implementation of an expanding portfolio of programs and services that provide chapters of The Arc with the tools they need to provide the highest quality advocacy, information, supports and services to people with I/DD. This will include leading the planning and execution of all professional and leadership development programs for both volunteers and professional staff within our network of about700 state and local chapters. The SEO will lead and facilitate the planning of program for The Arc's National Convention and National Conference of Executives (NCE) annual Leadership Institute. S/he will develop and/or provide resources, online and in-person training and technical assistance to chapter leaders in subject areas including, but not limited to program management and evaluation, board governance, executive leadership, financial and human resources management. S/he will work extensively with The Arc's Standards for Excellence: An Ethics and Accountability Code for the Nonprofit Sector and related educational materials.
The SEO will work closely with and mentor the Director, Chapter Organizing and Advocacy, to plan and execute an effective growth strategy focused on demonstrating the value of affiliation with The Arc, attracting new chapters, and enhancing and expanding the engagement, impact, effectiveness and sustainability of chapters currently in the network. This includes: (a) engaging and sustaining productive, collaborative working relationships with and among state and local executives and board presidents, (b) facilitating the sharing of knowledge, expertise and experience, (c) identifying and advancing opportunities to build a stronger advocacy movement on behalf of people with I/DD, and (d) identifying and advancing opportunities to build a stronger base of financial support for State chapters.
The SEO will work closely with other professional staff of The Arc's national headquarters on self-managed teams, as well as with board members, executives and staff from throughout The Arc's nationwide network of chapters, The SEO reports directly to the CEO of The Arc and is a member of the Management Team.
About The Arc
The Arc is the world's largest nonprofit, community-based organization advocating for and serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), including Down syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, cerebral palsy and other diagnoses. The Arc has a network of about 700 chapters across the country promoting and protecting the human rights of people with I/DD and actively supporting their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes. In addition to individual advocacy and public policy efforts at the local, state and national level, The Arc is the largest provider of services and supports for people with I/DD and their families.
Essential Job Functions
- Provide leadership, strategic direction, program/business design, budget formulation and oversight for all chapter-directed programs, supports and services.
- Facilitate, and actively participate in, implementation of major program initiatives by self-managed teams.
- Develop and launch new program initiatives, including research, design, feasibility assessment, business process documentation, launch and ongoing support.
- Develop and manage relationships with external partners, including state and local chapters of The Arc, clients and customers.
- Works in partnership with colleagues to secure funding to sustain and increase program operations, including assistance with identifying, cultivating and sustaining relationships with foundation and corporate donors, and with proposal development and grant writing.
- Work collaboratively across departments.
- Participate in Management Team of The Arc, including preparation and monitoring of organizational and project budgets, ongoing planning and evaluation.
- Orient, train, mentor and support practice group and team members; provides new information, guidance, support and feedback to increase team member knowledge, skills and abilities.
- Establishes efficient and effective processes across all chapter-directed activities.
- Work closely with other professional staff on self-managed teams, and tap knowledge and expertise from throughout The Arc's nationwide network of chapters.
- Serve as a member of The Arc's management team
- Other duties as assigned.
Job Requirements
- Experience in managing large, complex and multiple projects in a fast-paced environment, working independently and on teams
- Ability to identify strategic solutions to complex challenges, including making connections and identifying solutions among seemingly unrelated issues
- Ability to act decisively, analyzing situations correctly and quickly and using excellent judgment to select and apply effective solutions
- Ability to prioritize and complete work with minimal supervision, manage multiple tasks, set priorities and meet deadlines
- Ability to prepare and manage budgets
- Collegial team player with genuine commitment to working in partnership with colleagues
- Proven, supportive and inspirational mentor and manager for a diverse workforce
- Excellent listener, patient, flexible, respectful
- Ability to understand the needs and expectations of both internal and external stakeholders, including funders
- Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication, and facilitation skills
- Excellent mentoring, self-development, organizational and project planning and performance management skills
- Knowledge of nonprofit governance, management and organizational and leadership development
- Knowledge of services and supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities preferred
- Bachelors degree and at least ten (10) years progressively responsible business or organizational management experience; Masters degree preferred
- Deep interest in issues and concerns of people with I/DD and their families
To apply, send letter of interest, resume, names of three references and two writing samples to [email protected]. EOE. Minorities and persons with disabilities encouraged to apply.