Mo P&A Executive Director

Reports to: Mo P&A Board of Directors, through the Board Chairperson

Location: Jefferson City, Missouri

Organization: Missouri Protection and Advocacy Services (Mo P&A) is the federally designated

Protection and Advocacy system for the State of Missouri and a member of the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN). Mo P&A is seeking an experienced disability rights leader to lead this private, nonprofit, 501(c)(3) law firm and advocacy organization as it works for an integrated and just society by advancing the legal rights of people with disabilities throughout Missouri. For nearly 50 years (2027 will mark the half century), Mo P&A has provided information and referral, individual case advocacy, systemic advocacy, self-advocacy assistance, technical assistance and training to advance the rights of Missourians with disabilities in the areas of education, voting, housing, employment, guardianship, and public benefits.

Position Summary

The Executive Director is Mo P&A’s highest-ranking employee and serves as the organization’s

primary internal and external leader. The Executive Director is accountable to the Board of

Directors for overseeing, managing and implementing all program services consistent with

Board-approved policy, and for ensuring Mo P&A’s continued achievement of its mission, goals

and financial sustainability. The new Executive Director will have the opportunity to lead and

strengthen Mo P&A’s team with a positive, results-oriented style that inspires all staff and

broadens the circles of support for Mo P&A’s work. This is a non-remote in-office position.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Systems Advocacy Leadership

 Serve as Mo P&A’s primary spokesperson and public face across Missouri’s disability

community, media, government officials and partner organizations.

 Manage systemic and individual advocacy priorities, ensuring Mo P&A fully exercises its federal P&A authority to investigate abuse/neglect and pursue legal, administrative and other remedies.

 Develop and present annual goals, priorities and strategic objectives for Board approval,

consistent with the organization’s federally mandated mission areas (Protection and Advocacy

for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI), Protection and Advocacy for individuals with

Developmental Disabilities (PADD) and related programs).

 Ensure that Mo P&A is effective in pursuing Board-approved goals and objectives to achieve

improvements in service systems and rights protection for affected persons with disabilities.

 Preserve and expand the capacity of Mo P&A to meet its overall mission, assuring quality of

services.

 Focus resources on implementation of program objectives and monitor their performance.

 Ensure that agency services are effective and accountable, that management information

systems capture all data needed for quarterly and annual reporting, and that all required reports

are completed and submitted.

Board Governance & Relations

 Maintain regular, transparent communication with the Board Chairperson and full Board; support Board Committees and governance processes.

 Report on organizational performance, legal/systemic advocacy outcomes, financial status and compliance to the Board on a regular basis.

 Ensure that Board decisions or directives are appropriately carried out.

Financial & Organizational Management

 Develop, propose and manage the annual operating budget; oversee all fiscal operations,

grant/contract compliance and reporting to federal funders.

 Ensure completion and timely submission of all federally required reports and site-visit

preparations.

 Explore and diversify funding streams, including grants, foundation support and individual

contributions

 Ensure that agency operations comply with all applicable laws and regulations

Staff Leadership & Human Resources

 Recruit, supervise and develop a diverse, qualified staff of attorneys, advocates and

administrative personnel; foster an inclusive, mission-driven workplace culture.

 Develops, monitors, presents for board approval, and implements policies and procedures

appropriate to the operations of the agency.

 Ensure organizational personnel policies and procedures comply with all applicable state and

federal employment laws and regulations, and ensure staff compliance with policies and

procedures.

 Serves as the final authority for employee relations and personnel matters; has ultimate authority for all hire/fire decisions, compensation and disciplinary actions.

External Relations & Policy

 Build and steward relationships with state agencies, legislators, disability community

organizations, self-advocates and coalition partners, providing training and technical assistance

as needed.

 Represent Mo P&A before legislative committees, regulatory bodies and public forums on

disability policy issues affecting Missouri.

 Collaborate with NDRN and other state P&A agencies to share best practices and coordinate

cross-state initiatives.

 Develop and maintain a positive agency image and positive relations between agency and key

patrons, vendor and partners.

Minimum Qualifications

 Demonstrated commitment to disability rights values: self-determination, community integration and equal access.

 Minimum 5 years of senior executive/leadership experience in a nonprofit, legal services or

disability advocacy organization; P&A/civil rights law experience strongly preferred.

 Experience working with persons with disabilities and from multicultural communities.

 Demonstrated financial management experience, including budgets of $2.5M+ and grant

contract compliance processes.

 Juris Doctor or legal background a plus but not required if paired with strong nonprofit executive experience and a strong understanding of disability law, civil rights law and/or public policy processes.

 Demonstrated understanding of legislative and executive-level public policy issues and

procedures.

 Successful track record supervising multidisciplinary staff (such as attorneys, advocates,

administrative personnel).

 Excellent written/verbal communication and public representation skills; comfortable as the

public face of an advocacy organization.

 Experience working effectively with multiple organizations and individuals with diverse

perspectives, the public, elected and appointed officials, clients and recipients of services.

 Ability to pass required background/security clearances per federal grantor requirements.

 Willingness to travel throughout Missouri.

Desirable Qualifications

 Advanced degree (JD, MPA, MNA, or related field).

 Familiarity with Missouri’s disability community and organizations

 Experience with federal P&A/NDRN grant structures and reporting requirements.

 Prior fundraising or revenue diversification experience.

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Location

925 South Country Club Drive, Jefferson City, MO, USA38.572317-92.269872USMO65109