Position Profile

The Arc Baltimore is seeking an exceptional Executive Director who has a personal and professional passion and commitment to serving individuals of all ages with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families throughout Baltimore, Maryland. The Executive Director must resonate with The Arc Baltimore’s mission and possess  a commitment to excellence in advancing the organization, providing sound fiscal management, and sustaining positive relationships with the Board of Directors, community partners, and  key constituencies.

 The Organization

Dedicated to providing advocacy and high quality, life-changing supports in Baltimore City and Baltimore County, The Arc Baltimore (The Arc) supports more than 6,000 adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.  Founded in 1949, The Arc Baltimore began as a pioneer in programming through the establishment of a developmental program for young children.

Throughout the years, with several name changes and the development of direct service programs that are now our hallmark, The Arc provides programs and services to accommodate and assist individuals of all ages with developmental and intellectual disabilities and their families. As one of the nation’s largest and most respected organizations of its kind, The Arc Baltimore is an indispensable resource, providing employment and job training, day and residential services, family support and education, treatment foster care, respite care, public policy advocacy, and information and referrals.

Programs and services are based from 100+ owned and leased homes and eight major facilities. These allow individuals with disabilities to live independently in the community, to work in meaningful jobs, enjoy friendships and activity in the community, and to support their families in the challenges they face.  Our programs include:

• Community Living Services:  The Arc assists more than 280 people in homes and apartments across the Baltimore area, with the aim of helping people become full and active members of the communities of their choosing.
• Day Services:  Center-based support programs across Baltimore County and Baltimore City engage more than 500 participants in work or work readiness activities individually and in crews, volunteerism, community engagement, education, and wellness.
• Family Services: The Outreach and Family Services Division offers a variety of support programs for children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families.
• Supported Employment Services: The Arc connects individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities with a wide variety of employment opportunities in the community. Each type of job is intended to allow the person to earn a paycheck and enjoy the satisfaction of a job well done.
• Assistive Technology: The Arc’s Assistive Technology (AT) Services allows opportunities for people to enhance their lives through the use of technology with increased awareness, access, and support.
• Hire our Workforce: Companies can partner with us and employ workers from The Arc Baltimore. Because each company’s personnel needs are different, our employment counselors work with employers to determine specific job requirements and then tailor our services to fulfill those expectations.
• Quality Enhancement: The Arc Baltimore’s Quality Support Division offers a variety of services through nursing, psychology supports, and special opportunities that ensure that each individual lives a meaningful life.

The Arc Baltimore is governed by a 23-member board of directors.  The organization’s current budget is approximately $50M, and The Arc Baltimore employees more than 800 full- and part-time staff at eight major facilities and 100+ owned and leased residential sites in the Baltimore metropolitan area.  The Arc Baltimore is a Standards for Excellence and CARF accredited organization.  For more information, see www.thearcbaltimore.org.

The incoming Executive Director will succeed Stephen H. Morgan who will be retiring from The Arc Baltimore in June 2017 after over 44 years of exceptional leadership and service to the community. His successor will assume the leadership of a passionately-led, exceptionally well-managed, highly-regarded organization with experienced staff and strong leadership team.

The Position

The Executive Director reports to the board of directors, provides direction and leadership for the organization’s mission and vision, represents and speaks for the organization and its work, and oversees the implementation of the organization’s strategic and annual plans.  The next executive will inherit an organization that is well-respected in the community and has committed staff, a strong leadership and senior management team, and a solid governing board. In addition to the Executive Director, the senior management team includes Deputy Executive Director, Chief Advancement Officer, Chief Financial Officer, 5 Assistant Executive Directors leading different service areas, Operations Executive and Human Resources Executive.

The Executive Director will direct the organization’s leadership team and ensure that services and programs are achieved in a financially sound manner. The Executive Director will demonstrate strong personal and strategic leadership and integrity. S/he will have a proven track record of implementing a strategy to assess and meet current community needs, identify evolving needs, and evaluate progress and quality.

The Executive Director will inherit a financially strong organization that has earned and enjoys a stellar reputation in the community.

Key Responsibilities

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will:

• Provide visionary and strategic leadership, and translate that vision into measurable strategies and concrete actions that advance the mission;
• Assure that funding and resources are obtained to meet current organizational and community needs and are allocated properly so that appropriate, relevant services are provided;
• Oversee and lead advocacy and public policy efforts;
• Manage and participate in public relations aimed at advancing the interests of individuals with developmental disabilities and at increasing awareness of the mission and activities of The Arc Baltimore;
• Ensure that all programs and services are properly licensed and certified as required by all applicable local, state and Federal laws and regulations;
• Support the Board of Directors in its governance role, foster its ongoing development, and keep it informed and engaged;
• Lead the administrative and financial functions, and oversee the formulation of all major policies;
• Actively participate in public policy and other activities of The Arc Maryland and The Arc US including conventions and policy seminars;
• Oversee services, ensure service quality and effectiveness are measured and evaluated, and monitor changes across multiple environments that may impact development of future services and programs;
• Develop and maintain professional relationships and serve as a spokesperson for the organization for purposes of informing, fundraising, and working in partnerships;
• Propose annual budget and budget modifications, as well as ensure timely and accurate reporting to board and funders; and
• Maintain a climate that attracts, retains and motivates top quality staff.

The near-term priorities for the first 12-18 months of the new executive’s tenure (not necessarily in priority order) are to:

•  Understand the business model and approach of The Arc Baltimore,  learn the organization structure, culture, and operations including an understanding of services and the needs of individuals and families served;
• Establish internal visibility and an external presence as the new face of The Arc Baltimore;
• Esablish strong working relationships with the Board of Directors, staff, funders, community partners, federal, state, and local officials, and external stakeholders;
• Understand the CMS Final Rule and the Employment First Initiative, their implications for The Arc, and oversee compliance with new requirements and various regulatory agencies in the developmental disabilities field;
• Address employee retention issues and build staff morale;
• Ensure organizational and financial sustainability by addressing budget issues and increasing funding/fiscal resources, and implementing the strategic plan;
• Work with the leadership team to manage staffing while building a team environment; and
• Balance the external and internal responsibilities of the Executive Director.

Experience and Attributes

Ideal candidates for this position will reflect The Arc Baltimore’s core values and will demonstrate an ability to quickly integrate into the community and serve as an engaged, inspiring, innovative, and visionary leader. Candidates will bring a variety of experiences and attributes to The Arc Baltimore, including:

• A strong passion for the mission of The Arc Baltimore, experience in and understanding of intellectual and developmental disabilities, and serving individuals and families;
• Ten or more years’ executive (C-Suite) level nonprofit management experience in a similar environment;
• Exceptional interpersonal and networking skills, strong written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to interact with diverse audiences with an executive presence;
• Business acumen and experience with administrative and fiscal management, budgeting, and operations;
• Visionary, entrepreneurial spirit that engages stakeholders in addressing strategic issues and is open to innovative approaches; ability to navigate and implement impactful change;
• An inspiring, empowering, and inclusive leadership style with a successful track record of collaboratively managing and supporting staff;
• Strong understanding of the CMS Final Rule, Employment First Initiative, and state developmental disabilities agencies; understanding of Maryland State Developmental Disabilities Administration helpful;
• Experience with state and federal funding, Medicaid, and private fundraising;
• Experience working with a Board of Directors and developing engaged and effective governance;
• Charismatic, trustworthy, compassionate, ethical, politically savvy leadership with a sense of humor; and
• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree (or higher) in Business, Health Administration, Mental Health, Education, Social Work, Psychology, Special Education or related field preferred.

Salary will be competitive and commensurate with experience.

 Application Process

To apply, e-mail your resume, a cover letter that explains how your skills align with the requirements above, and salary requirements to: ArcBaltimore@raffa.com  (e-mail applications are required). For other inquiries, contact Ginna Goodenow at ggoodenow@raffa.com. Resume reviews begin immediately.

The Arc Baltimore is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate in hiring on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Women and persons of color are encouraged to apply.