Executive Director

Essential Functions & Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic leadership and effective management of the agency including
program planning, compliance, development, budget, performance management, and
financial oversight.
• Build a robust, collaborative culture of transparency, active communication, and trust,
working to envision and implement a cohesive organization where the Board and staff
are clear on the important roles they play in advancing DRLA’s mission and vision. Work
in partnership with the staff union to ensure organizational needs are met and staff are
supported through fostering a positive relationship with union and non-union staff alike.
• Prioritize areas in which DRLA can optimize operations and support staff development
by reviewing existing Human Resources systems and policies and identifying
opportunities for advancement.
• Cultivate a strong working relationship with the Board of Directors through effective
and responsive engagement with all members, both at and between Board meetings,
and ensuring healthy exchange of information between the Board and staff.
• Partner with the Finance Director to lead overall budget and financial management
with a particular focus on compliance and reporting for federal and other funding
streams.
• Along with development staff, explore cultivation of potential grant funding as well as
new donors and stewardship opportunities, identifying and pursuing the potential to
broaden and diversify the funding base beyond the current revenue streams.
• Foster a culture that values diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, ensuring that
those values drive key decisions about organizational goals, practices, and priorities.
• In partnership with the Board of Directors and staff, develop, implement, and
communicate DLRA’s strategic vision among legislators, key partners, and stakeholders
in ways that increase DRLA’s influence and enhance its impact.
• Enhance the capacity of the agency to address and evaluate client and community
needs, service priorities and outcomes, and impact opportunities through building
robust and mutually beneficial relationships in the diverse disability communities of
Louisiana.
• Raise the visibility of DRLA by identifying and cultivating strategic and robust
relationships with cross-sector partners, key decision makers, and other relevant local,
statewide, and national organizations and leaders.
• Guide and support community organizing and advocacy initiatives in partnership with
staff.
• Serve as an ambassador for DRLA internally and externally, inspiring others to take
bold action to address systemic issues facing people with disabilities.
• Directly supervise and mentor the Leadership Team, currently comprised of 9 direct
reports.

Education, Experience, & Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional and personal
abilities, attributes, and experiences:
• An inclusive, compassionate, and transparent executive leader with demonstrated
experience effectively inspiring and empowering staff, Board members, and partners
toward greater impact through effective collaboration and communication.
• Deep appreciation of, and success in carrying out and managing, advocacy, training,
impact legislation, and/or policy change for the rights of people with disabilities.
• Demonstrated leadership in a complex and dynamic organization, including fiscal
oversight, reporting, compliance, budget development experience, revenue
stewardship, and familiarity with fundraising from federal, state, and other sources.
• Experience developing systems to support organizational capacity, with an eye toward
opportunities for process improvement and refinement, particularly as it pertains to
people management.
• Demonstrated success, internally and externally, as a consensus builder and
collaborator who can earn and maintain trusting relationships.
• Excellent writing, analytical, and communication skills.
• A demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, and an
understanding of and deep respect for the distinctive culture of, specific challenges
faced by, and assets unique to people from disability, LGBTQIA+, and BIPOC
communities, including clients and colleagues.
• Sensitivity and low ego as conducive to stepping into an agency that has experienced
significant turnover in senior leadership and seeks stability in service of future growth.
• Ability to represent DRLA to a variety of stakeholders and intermediaries across the
state and around the country in a credible and influential way.
• Self-starter with strong ability to manage a diverse, driven, and successful staff
including those with a long history at the agency and those who have joined more
recently.
• An optimistic outlook, along with the humor, integrity, patience, and perseverance
necessary to support mission-driven staff in challenging but essential work.

Work Environment & Demands:
- Physical requirements include the ability to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally.
- May involve standing or walking for extended periods while some tasks may require
bending, stooping, or reaching.
- Regular use of standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and various
digital devices.
- Capacity to perform repetitive tasks; read, analyze, and interpret data; maintain visual
attention and mental concentration for significant periods of time.

Work Authorization: Must be currently authorized to work in the United States for any
employer.

Disclaimer: Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with
disabilities to perform these essential functions. Please note this job description is not
designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or
responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities,
and activities may change at any time with or without notice. This job description shall
not constitute or be construed as a promise of employment or as a contract between
Disability Rights Louisiana and any of its employees.
Disability Rights Louisiana provides equal employment opportunities to all employees
and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender
identity and/or expression, national origin, age, or disability.