Executive Director, American Council of the Blind

Job Title

Executive Director     

Location

Alexandria, VA

About Us

The American Council of the Blind (ACB) is a national non-profit organization that aims to increase the independence, security, equality of opportunity, and quality of life for all blind and visually impaired people. ACB was founded in 1961 and has since been actively involved in policy reform, legal advocacy, as well as grassroots program management to meet the needs of its members at every level.

About The Role

The Executive Director manages and oversees the day-to-day operations supporting the programs and services of the ACB in accordance with the policies, procedures, and priorities established by the ACB Membership and the Board of Directors. This role is based in, and supervises the office in Alexandria, Virginia, and remote employees. The Executive Director also provides supervision and oversight to the ACB financial office in Minnesota. The Executive Director must demonstrate leadership in national policy, and legislative and regulatory activities that impact the work of ACB on a national level. The Executive Director demonstrates ACB’s Five Core Values: Integrity and Honesty; Respect; Collaboration; Flexibility; and Initiative.

Responsibilities

ACB Representation

• Represents ACB, or identifies others to effectively represent ACB, before national legislative, regulatory, or other entities affecting national policy toward individuals who are blind or have low vision.

Operational Strategy and Leadership

• Development and maintenance of a structure and process that seeks to grow the organization’s capacity through its people, data, issues, process, and vision.
• Develops the ACB annual operating budget in collaboration with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and the President.
• Manages and coordinates all fiscal management activities in collaboration with the CFO, including budget implementation.
• Develops and implements strategic planning initiatives; monitors and conveys to the ACB Board of Directors trends in policy and best practice for the non-profit field.
• Promotes a Diversity Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) conscious culture throughout the ACB organization.

Public And Corporate Relations

• Collaborates closely with Resource Development staff in representing ACB to individual donors, foundations, corporations, and other entities from which ACB seeks financial support.
• Collaborates with Membership Services staff to connect with state and special interest affiliates and members to promote membership engagement and growth.

Supervision

• Directs all day-to-day employees and contractor functions and services provided by the organization.
• Supervises Information Technology (IT) infrastructure management and strategizes future enhancements.
• Oversees and approves all major outgoing ACB communication, including social media, press releases, newsletters, and other publications.
• Oversees implementation of performance reviews, talent acquisition, and other HR functions.

Performs other related duties as assigned by the President of the ACB Board of Directors.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in public policy, business, communication, management, or related fields.
• Five to seven years of experience in positions of increasing management/leadership responsibility in a nonprofit organization, preferably one serving a national constituency.
• Strong working knowledge of and experience with issues and concerns that impact people who are blind or have low vision.
• Experience in resource development and the cultivation of relationships with foundations, major donors, and corporate sponsors
• Experience in the development and implementation of strategic plans for non-profit organizations
• Experience in the effective utilization of volunteers
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365.

Preferred:

• Master’s or other advanced degree relevant to non-profit management.
• Extensive experience with the blind and low vision community.
• Candidates who are blind or have low vision are strongly encouraged to apply.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

The Executive Director will directly supervise the CFO, heads of all major departments – Advocacy and Governmental Affairs, Membership Services, Resource Development, Communications, and the Administrative Assistant located in the Alexandria office.

Competencies:

• Visionary Leadership
• Written Communication
• Oral Communication
• Strategic Thinking
• Change Management
• Motivation

Salary Range

$130,000 – $150,000/year

Travel Requirements:

15% of this position requires travel outside the Metro Washington D.C. area. Local travel within the Washington D.C. Metro area is more frequent. Events include state and affiliate conferences and conventions, industry and disability conventions and stakeholder events.

Work Environment:

The work environment for this role is predominantly an office setting with sedentary work that mostly involves sitting/standing. Additionally, the Executive Director role does involve a significant amount of local travel and moderate national travel.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job.  It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or physical requirements.  Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Application Process:

Please email your resume and cover letter to hr@acb.org. Additional writing samples are also welcome.

Application Deadline:

January 22, 2024

Relocation Expenses:

Not authorize

                                                                                                                           12/19/2023