Disability Rights Maryland (DRM) is seeking an experienced disability rights leader and advocate to lead this private, nonprofit, 501(c)(3) law firm and advocacy organization as it creates an integrated and just society by advancing the legal rights of people with disabilities throughout Maryland. DRM is Maryland’s designated Protection & Advocacy (P&A) agency and a member of the National Disability Rights Network. We work with people with disabilities to pursue opportunities to champion their rights to self-determination, dignity, equality, opportunity, and freedom from discrimination and harm. We provide free legal services to persons with disabilities in Maryland and engage in systemic litigation and public policy advocacy to positively impact people’s lives. DRM’s work spans a spectrum of issues including criminal justice and prison reform, education, monitoring facilities to investigate abuse, neglect and rights violations, voting, housing, transportation, assistive technology, health care, and the right to self-determination and appropriate services, among others, on behalf of Marylanders with all types of disabilities. DRM envisions a world where people with disabilities are fully included in all aspects of community life.
The new Executive Director will have the opportunity to lead DRM’s experienced and talented team with a positive, results-oriented style that inspires all staff and broadens the circles of support for DRM’s work. The successful candidate will manage DRM in a manner consistent with this core mission and can relay commitment to the mission both inside and outside the organization while demonstrating the highest ethical standards and operating with integrity and transparency in conducting the business of the organization.
HIGH PRIORITY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
• To serve as the primary public face of DRM with the disability community, the media, public officials, other nonprofits, and the community at large and to represent the organization in its various local, state, and federal networks;
• To lead, encourage, and inspire a staff that is collaborative, talented, collegial and committed to the well-being of the communities we serve and one another;
• To articulate and nurture a vision for DRM’s future;
• To lead DRM’s community advocacy efforts including disseminating important information, making referrals, providing technical assistance, and training, as well as individual representation and systemic advocacy to promote legal rights for people with disabilities;
• To lead DRM in setting priorities and in planning and pursuing creative strategies for addressing future challenges to the disability community and to the organization;
• Develop and guide fundraising strategies which include cultivating and soliciting major gifts, and working alongside the board and staff to develop actionable fundraising plans;
• To effectively and ethically oversee DRM’s finances in compliance with applicable law and DRM’s mission;
• To grow and diversify resources to support DRM’s work;
• To support an engaged Board of Directors in carrying out its responsibilities to the organization.
QUALIFICATIONS:
• A passion for the mission of DRM and its multi-faceted advocacy approach;
• Lived experience as a person with a disability;
• A demonstrated commitment to, and experience with, advancing the rights of persons with disabilities in ways that express the values of inclusion, autonomy, equal access and full participation in community life;
• Experience working with persons with disabilities, including from diverse communities;
• An understanding of the difference between disability rights and disability justice;
• Possession of a Juris Doctor degree and membership in good standing with the Maryland Bar, or ability to obtain membership upon employment; or an advanced degree in an area relevant to DRM’s mission;
• Successful leadership of lawyers and others in a justice-oriented organization;
• Experience managing a similar organization, including staff supervision, budget development, financial oversight, grant and contract compliance, strategic and priority planning, and managing change;
• Experience successfully raising funds from private sources, including foundations and individual donors, and from federal, state and local governments;
• Experience working effectively with multiple organizations and individuals with diverse perspectives, the public, elected and appointed officials, and consumers of services;
• Demonstrated understanding of legislative and executive-level public policy issues and processes, in Baltimore and Maryland a plus;
• Experience working productively with or on an engaged board of directors;
• Interpersonal skills that demonstrate integrity, respect, compassion, collegiality, inclusivity, flexibility, capacity to motivate and thoughtfulness;
• Outstanding communication skills, including written language, with a range of audiences and stakeholders.
SALARY AND BENEFITS:
The salary range is $130,000 to $155,000 depending on experience and special skills. DRM also offers to eligible employees a generous benefits package which includes excellent medical insurance, employer-paid dental, prescription, vision, life, and disability insurance, as well as pre-tax savings plans, and a retirement savings opportunity with generous employer contributions. DRM offers eligible employees reimbursement for the cost of spouse or partner paid health insurance premiums up to an established maximum amount. DRM also offers its employees generous paid time off, including vacation, holidays, sick time, and more. DRM is headquartered in Baltimore and a hybrid work schedule is available upon approval by the Board.
HOW TO APPLY:
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled and will be reviewed as they are received. Serious candidates should submit applications as soon as possible. The priority deadline is March 31, 2023, but applications received after that date will still be considered on a rolling basis. Applications should contain a current resume and a thoughtful cover letter outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position.
Applications should be submitted by email to Christine Griffin (cgriffin@benderconsult.com) and should include “DRM Executive Director Search” in the subject line. Please include in your message how you heard about the search. Only a select number of highly qualified individuals will be invited to participate in the formal interview process. This is a confidential process and will be handled accordingly throughout all phases of the recruitment and selection process.
Materials should be submitted electronically in Microsoft Word or PDF format.
DRM has retained the executive search firm and certified disability-owned business enterprise, Bender Consulting Services, Inc. to conduct this search, www.benderconsult.com. DRM is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified individuals with disabilities including those who are also people of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals and others who contribute to staff diversity are encouraged to apply. DRM provides reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Please notify us if you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and/or hiring process.
ABOUT DISABILITY RIGHTS MARYLAND:
DRM’s advocacy improves the lives of people with disabilities and creates a more inclusive and just society for all, by advancing human rights. We help people with disabilities pursue opportunities to participate fully in all aspects of community life, and champion their rights to self-determination, dignity, equality, opportunity, and freedom from discrimination and harm. DRM provides free legal services to Marylanders with disabilities on matters that are related to their disabilities and fall within our advocacy service areas. DRM’s advocacy services are developed in close collaboration with the community of people we serve, and in compliance with our funding sources.
DRM is Maryland’s designated Protection & Advocacy (P&A) agency and a member of the National Disability Rights Network. As such, DRM is part of a nationwide network of organizations working to advance the rights of people with disabilities. Congress established the P&A System in 1975 in response to squalid conditions in institutional facilities for people with disabilities. In creating and funding the P&As, Congress granted us unique statutory authority to conduct investigations of suspected abuse and neglect of individuals with disabilities in facilities.
DRM currently has a budget of approximately $5 million, and a staff of 45, including 19 attorneys, 3 intake specialists, 14 advocates, and 9 administrative support staff. Among the leadership team members are the Director of Litigation, the Director of Finance, the Deputy Director, and the Executive Director.
DRM receives federal funding from several agencies under the following grants:
• Protection & Advocacy for Developmental Disabilities (PADD), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• Protection & Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• Protection & Advocacy for Individual Rights (PAIR), U.S. Department of Education
• Protection & Advocacy for Assistive Technology (PAAT), U.S. Department of Education
• Protection & Advocacy for Traumatic Brain Injury (PATBI), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• Protection & Advocacy for Voting Access (PAVA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• Protection & Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS), Social Security Administration
In addition, DRM is a grantee of the Maryland Legal Services Corporation. In 2016, DRM was awarded a Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant from the Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention. DRM has received support from private foundations including the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Morton K. and Jane Blaustein Foundation, Open Society Institute, Hoffberger Foundation, Zanvyl and Isabelle Krieger Fund, Fund for Change, Steptoe Foundation, Venable Foundation and the Baltimore Bar Foundation. DRM’s governing Board of Directors financially supports the organization with 100% participation. DRM also relies on charitable contributions from individual donors.
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JOB DESCRIPTION
Disability Rights Maryland (DRM), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) legal advocacy organization, is Maryland’s designated Protection & Advocacy agency, federally mandated to advance the civil rights of people with all types of disabilities, of all ages, statewide.
The Executive Director is responsible to the DRM Board of Directors for all aspects of programmatic and financial management of the nonprofit corporation, and implementation of organizational policies, requirements and goals. The Executive Director serves as the primary point of contact for the organization, with responsibility for oversight, legal compliance, strategic planning and evaluation, resource development, and community and public relations. This is a full-time position.
JOB CLASSIFICATION
This position is classified as Exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act, meaning the individual holding the role will not be entitled to overtime pay for work performed in excess of 40 hours in a workweek.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Collaborate with DRM Board of Directors and staff to formulate and implement organizational goals, plans, policies, and budgets to strengthen DRM’s strategic direction and growth. Oversee development, execution and evaluation of organizational priorities and plans.
2. Provide leadership in public relations and function as spokesperson for DRM and its mission. Develop and maintain effective relationships with federal and other funding entities, partner organizations and allies.
3. Lead, participate, and collaborate with DRM’s management team in planning, implementing and evaluating organizational advocacy goals, budgets, staffing, and organizational policies and procedures, including case management requirements.
4. Develop, implement, and lead fundraising initiatives to in order to raise funds from public and private sources.
5. Ensure organizational compliance with relevant federal, state, and local laws and regulations, and requirements pertinent to public and private funding sources.
6. Support the Board in the preparation and execution of Board and Committee meetings, organizational development activities, fiscal oversight, advocacy services planning, and other Board initiatives.
7. Create, implement, and enforce personnel policies and practices to attract and retain a highly qualified and capable staff, with opportunities for staff development. Maintain a strong organizational staff structure and ensure staff are trained, directed, coordinated and supervised effectively to carry out organizational goals.
8. Ensure timely, accurate and relevant fiscal information is provided to the Board of Directors. Implement, manage and assist in the development of board approved budget.
9. Negotiate and execute contracts on behalf of the organization consistent with goals, policies, plans and budget actions.
10. Supervise and work closely with DRM’s management team, comprised of the Directors of Finance, Legal Advocacy, Litigation and Operations.
11. In collaboration with Board and staff, design and engage in a strategic array of resource development activities.
12. Ensure maintenance of program information necessary for grant applications and mandatory federal, state, and private funding reports, programmatic and fiscal audits, etc., and ensure timely submission of all required grant applications and reports.
13. Participate in and/or supervise public policy advocacy.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
1. Demonstrated commitment to advancing the rights of people with disabilities.
2. Lived experience as a person with disability.
3. Possession of a Juris Doctor degree and membership in good standing with the Maryland Bar, or ability to obtain membership upon employment; or an advanced degree in an area relevant to DRM’s mission;
4. Five years’ progressively responsible experience and demonstrated success in nonprofit leadership, management and development.
5. Demonstrated ability to build, lead, manage and develop proficient and diverse teams of attorneys, advocates and administrative staff.
6. Commitment to social justice and experience working in coalitions with diverse organizations and individuals to achieve social justice goals; strong preference for background in disability law, civil rights, and/or poverty law.
7. Demonstrated ability to build and grow a fundraising apparatus to raise funds from private sources.
8. Demonstrated ability to work within coalitions of community organizations and governmental stakeholders to represent the interests of people with disabilities, and further DRM’s mission.
9. Strong interpersonal skills, and outstanding oral and written communication skills, for use with a wide range of audiences and stakeholders.
10. Ability to read, understand, and explain moderately complex financial and budget information.
11. Ability to analyze complex problems and develop creative solutions.
12. Ability to convey complex information and data in plain language in verbal and written communications.
13. Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment in the handling of all advocacy, supervisory, and management activities.
14. Experience working with and/or sensitivity to people with disabilities and from multi-ethnic communities.
15. Experience working with diverse individuals and organizations, public officials, consumers of services, and the general public.
16. Background in legislative and executive-level public policy advocacy. Demonstrated understanding of public policy issues and processes.
17. General computer literacy and familiarity with Microsoft Office programs.
18. Ability to travel throughout the State of Maryland, as well as out-of-state for conferences and meetings.
19. Ability to work evenings and weekends when necessary.
OTHER HELPFUL QUALIFICATIONS
1. Experience with federal grants and funding sources.
2. Ability to communicate in Spanish, American Sign Language, or another non-English language.
3. Paid or volunteer experience working directly with DRM client populations.
