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Position Profile
National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities
Chief Executive Officer

Alexandria, VA 

The National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, based in Alexandria, Virginia, is seeking a dynamic Chief Executive Officer to lead a national network of state and territorial organizations focused on improving the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

The Organization

The National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) is a member-driven 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization consisting of 55 state and territorial Councils. NACDD represents the diverse interests of the Councils and serves as their national voice. NACDD’s purpose is to support the Councils: (1) in their role of implementing the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, (2) in their role in promoting the interests and rights of people with developmental disabilities and their families, and (3) in their role as change agents working towards positive systemic change on behalf of persons with developmental disabilities.

About the Councils: The state and territorial Councils on Developmental Disabilities were formed under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act. The purpose of the Councils is to engage in advocacy, capacity building, and systemic change activities that are consistent with the purpose of the Act, and contribute to a person- and family-directed, comprehensive systems of community services, individualized supports and other forms of assistance. The goal of the Act and the Councils is to enable individuals with developmental disabilities to exercise self-determination, be independent, be productive and be integrated and included in all facets of community life.

The Councils are charged with identifying the most pressing needs of people with developmental disabilities in their state or territory and developing innovative and effective ways to meet those needs in a manner that upholds the human and civil rights of people with developmental disabilities. Each Council develops a state plan that identifies specific five-year goals for its state. Councils implement their state plans by conducting activities such as: outreach, training, technical assistance, supporting and educating communities, interagency collaboration and coordination, barrier elimination, systems design and redesign, coalition development and citizen participation, informing policymakers, and demonstration of new approaches to services and supports. Areas of emphasis include: quality assurance, education and early intervention, child-care, health, employment, housing, transportation, recreation, and other services available or offered to people with developmental disabilities.

An eleven-member Board of Directors governs NACDD. Current staffing includes five positions. The organization’s current budget is $824,000. Funding sources include membership dues, conferences, contracts and contributions. More information on NACDD may be found at www.nacdd.org.

The Position

The Chief Executive Officer manages the programmatic and administrative operations of NACDD to accomplish the goals and objectives of the Association as determined by the Councils. The Chief Executive Officer will provide national leadership to support and strengthen the work of the Councils and coordinate the Councils’ national advocacy efforts on behalf of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

NACDD’s goal areas are:

• Ensure the continued viability of the Councils as agents of systemic change working on behalf of people with disabilities.
• Support the Councils to maximize their performance.
• Increase positive public awareness/public relations - about the councils and the issues they address as well as the national policy agenda.
• Maintain healthy governance, operations and organizational structure.

Toward this end, the Board of Directors has identified the following priorities for the first 12 to 18 months of the incoming Chief Executive Officer’s tenure (not necessarily in order of priority):

• Develop a solid understanding of the work of the Councils.
• Build strong working relationships with leaders of the Councils and our national colleague organizations.
• Assist the NACDD board and membership in refining and implementing a national agenda and vision that represents the collective interests of the Councils.
• Assess and further develop NACDD’s structure, staffing, and funding toward support of its national agenda.

Key Responsibilities: Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer will provide overall management of the organization and staff, and work closely with the Board of Directors and the Councils to chart the future goals and direction of the organization.

Key responsibilities include:

• Work closely and communicate frequently with the Councils to meet their needs for information, education and coordination, including current internal and external developments, promising practices and issues related to their work.
• Direct all operational matters of NACDD, operating within the budget, bylaws, operational plan, and applicable local, state and federal laws.
• Adhere to financial policies and procedures, maintain internal fiscal control, develop and monitor the annual budget and coordinate the annual audit.
• Hire, supervise, support and assess NACDD staff and consultants.
• Support the Board of Directors in their governance functions and respond to their direction.

• Serve as liaison to the public policy, audit, nominations, strategic planning, bylaws and ad hoc marketing teams.
• Represent NACDD and serve as a spokesperson, consistent with bylaws and guidance of the Board of Directors.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with related external organizations.
• Supervise the planning and administration of NACDD conferences and meetings.
• Coordinate the development of board-approved proposals for grants and contracts and assure that all deliverables are completed. Serve as principle investigator or project director where applicable.
• Manage the development, distribution and evaluation of NACDD products and services.

Experience and Attributes: An ideal candidate for this position will bring a variety of experiences and attributes to NACDD, including: 

• A minimum of five years experience in senior organizational management positions, including operational, fiscal and human resources management.
• Experience with membership organizations, ideally with exposure to policies, programs and support of people with developmental disabilities, including policy and practices of inclusiveness. Experience with a Developmental Disabilities Council is a plus.
• A facilitative, consensus-building leadership style with a track record of building and maintaining strong working relationships with internal (staff, board and membership) and external stakeholders. Experience with the Policy Governance model of organizational governance is a plus.
• Strong and effective written and oral communication skills, as well as excellent public-speaking skills.

• High energy and initiative with an ability to exercise prudent, independent judgment.
• Graduate degree in a relevant professional discipline. Five years of increasingly responsible experience may substitute for graduate degree.
• Ability to travel extensively within the Washington, D.C. area and some overnight, out-of-state travel are required.

Salary & Benefits: Salary will be competitive and commensurate with experience. NACDD offers a competitive salary and benefits package that is comparable to other associations with similar size and budget.

Application Process: To apply, email cover letter, resume, and salary requirements to: NACDD@transitionguides.com.

Other inquiries should be addressed to: NACDD Search Committee, c/o TransitionGuides, 1751 Elton Rd, Suite 204, Silver Spring, MD 20903. Phone: (301) 439-6635, Fax: (301) 439-6638.

Closing Date: Resume reviews begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.