National Association of the Deaf

CEO Profile and Position Description
Chief Executive Officer
National Association of the Deaf

About the NAD
The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) is the nation's premier civil rights organization of, by and for deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the United States of America. Established in 1880, the NAD was shaped by deaf leaders who believed in the right of the American deaf community to use sign language, to congregate on issues important to them, and to have its interests represented at the national level. These beliefs remain true to this day, with American Sign Language as a core value.

The advocacy scope of the NAD is broad, covering a lifetime and impacting future generations in the areas of early intervention, education, employment, health care, technology, telecommunications, youth leadership, and more – improving the lives of millions of deaf and hard of hearing Americans. The NAD also carries out its national advocacy work through coalition efforts with specialized national, state and local deaf and hard of hearing organizations, as well as coalitions representing national cross-disability organizations. On the international front, the NAD represents the United States of America to the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD), an international human rights organization.

Individual and organizational membership makes it possible for the NAD to ensure that the collective interests of the American deaf and hard of community are seen and represented among our nation’s leaders and policy makers at the federal level.

The NAD is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supported by the generosity of individual and organizational donors, including corporations and foundations. Currently NAD operates with a staff of 11 at its headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, a total budget of 2.5 million dollars that includes federal contractual operations in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Information on the NAD can be found at www.nad.org

Position Summary
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) serves as the chief administrative officer of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD). In this capacity, the Chief Executive Officer works with the NAD Board of Directors to administer, manage and direct all operations of the NAD. Primary responsibilities include implementing decisions of the Board, executing the strategic plans, fiscal management of the organization, staff management and development, fundraising, and Board partnerships. The CEO supervises key managers and has oversight responsibility for program development and evaluation, operations, finance, marketing, and public relations. The CEO serves as principal advocate to external constituencies. The CEO reports to the President of the NAD Board of Directors.

Minimum Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree required; graduate degree preferred
• Extensive management and supervisory experience
• Demonstrable expertise in program development and strategic planning
• Knowledge of disability public policy with a concentration on issues impacting deaf and hard of hearing individuals
• Experience with financial oversight (internal accounting controls, program budgeting, and communicating financial information)
• Excellent communication skills
• Knowledge of the deaf community and deaf culture
• Fluency in American Sign Language

Detailed Description of Essential Functions
Key roles and responsibilities of the CEO may include:
• Develop, plan, and implement goals, objectives, and new programs.
• Evaluate effectiveness in accomplishing organizational goals.
• Ensure the financial health and growth of the organization.
• Serve as spokesperson and advocate at events, meetings, and development activities representing NAD before various constituencies.
• Manage marketing and public relations efforts to raise the profile of the NAD in the corporate, non-profit and government sectors, the philanthropic sector, and the broader community of the United States.
• Ensure that the Board is current and well informed about the organization’s programs, finances, fundraising and public relations endeavors.
• Have the authority to engage in fiscal transactions as the official agent of the Association. The Chief Executive Officer shall, at all times, work closely with the Treasurer (Finance Committee Chair), who in turn shall provide timely information to the Board on the NAD Financial status.
• Oversee headquarters programs and contractual operations.
• Represent the NAD on policy-making matters.
• Participate with the Board in developing organizational policy.
• Perform other relevant duties as assigned by the Board.

Compensation is based on experience, plus benefits.

Application Requirements and Deadline
Prospective candidates should send complete application package (cover letter, résumé, profile, and list of references) no later than Monday, March 1, 2010 to the attention of CSC Chair Kirsten Poston at csc@nad.org.

The National Association of the Deaf is an Equal Opportunity Employer.