Job Description
Executive Director
STAR Inc., Lighting the Way
Norwalk, Connecticut
Organizational Background
STAR Inc., Lighting the Way, is seeking an Executive Director to replace the longtime incumbent. This position is responsible for the success of STAR, ensures STAR’s relevance to the community and champions the STAR mission and vision. The Executive Director charts the direction, drives results of the organization, manages the organization, stewards its resources, and provides accountability of STAR to its diverse constituents.
STAR is a not-for-profit organization serving individuals of all ages who have intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), as well as providing support services to their families. STAR’s mission is to create opportunities for individuals to live full lives with independence, freedom of choice, and personal growth by providing support, services, and advocacy. STAR works to inform and encourage the community to recognize and appreciate the value of all individuals.
STAR was established in 1952 by parents who believed that children with developmental disabilities were entitled to the same basic opportunities in their home community as other children and as an alternative to institutionalization. Today the organization has grown to include a full array of services for over seven hundred individuals with disabilities and their families, from birth to their senior years. STAR has an annual budget of $17,200,000 and employs 250 staff.
STAR offers an array of services including:
- Early Intervention Services
- Family Supports
- Adult Residential Living Services
- High School Transition
- Assistive Technology
- Adult Employment Programs
- Adult Day Supports
- Recreational Programs
- Senior and Memory Care Day Services
The New Executive Director for STAR will need to live within driving distance of Norwalk, CT. The city of Norwalk is located in Fairfield County on Long Island Sound and is approximately forty miles Northeast of New York City. Norwalk, with a population of just over 91,000, offers residents an urban suburban mix with many dining, shopping and recreational opportunities and highly regarded public and private schools. Norwalk is part of both the New York metropolitan area and the Bridgeport metropolitan area.
Responsibilities
Major Responsibilities:
- Displays an overall commitment to the mission and values of the organization.
- Directs, supervises, and coordinates all organization programs and services through Department Heads and managed systems.
- Assists the Board in the development of sound organizational policies.
- Assists the Board in Strategic Planning to meet the current and future needs of people with disabilities and to fulfill the organization’s mission.
- Prepares and operates within a Capital and Operational Budget, which is reviewed by the Finance Committee and approved by the Board of Directors.
- Works with the Director of Philanthropy to seek out grants and other sources of funding which may be available to supplement regular sources of funding.
- Institutes proper and appropriate management controls using best practice. Maintains financial, personnel and other such controls and records as may be required.
- Develops and implements agency consensus planning, gathering input from staff, volunteer leadership and involved public and private agencies.
- Maintains up-to-date statistical and program information essential for effective planning including new directional trends in habilitation services.
- Maintains active and continuing interest in all programs, projects, and activities of the association. Provides direction, coordination and supervision as needed, and develops or has developed new programs as community needs are recognized, both seeking new funding and utilizing resources as they become available.
- Promotes and maintains a working relationship with other personnel, both government and private agencies as well as with state and national associations, involved in direct or indirect service to persons with disabilities and participate community planning for STAR program participants through membership in professional organizations, inter-department, or inter-agency committees.
- Works with the Director of Philanthropy to coordinate all fundraising activities of the agency and The STAR Foundation (as contracted annually) including Annual Fund Drive, Membership, Special Events, Grants and Foundations, and individual solicitation.
- Assumes leadership in fostering legislation at all governmental levels, which will benefit the people with developmental disabilities and disseminating such information to the Board, staff, participants, and membership.
- Actively seeks out and become known to those business and government leaders who can be beneficial to the association.
Other Duties:
- Serves as role model for program participants.
- Safeguards human and civil rights of all program participants under his/her supervision.
- Responsible for the general safety of all staff and program participants under his/her supervision.
Qualifications
Master’s degree in human service administration or related degree and a minimum of five years of related experience with individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities including:
- One (1) year of experience supervising staff providing support to individuals with intellectual disabilities.
- One (1) year of experience in an administrative capacity for an organization that provides day support to individuals with intellectual disabilities.
- One (1) year of experience in an administrative capacity for an organization that provides 24-hour residential settings to individuals residing in a CLA, CRS, CTH or a similar setting and must be knowledgeable of the nature, needs, development and management of programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Ability to provide leadership to both Board of Directors and staff. Knowledge of funding sources, community resources, current best practices in the field, legislation and/or regulations pertinent to the agency.
Compensation
The projected compensation for this position is $200,000.
Compensation is supplemented by a strong benefits package including 401(k), Dental insurance, Health insurance, Health savings account, Paid time off, Tuition reimbursement, and Vision insurance.
Non-Discrimination
STAR is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity. STAR employees and job applicants are evaluated on the basis of their performance on and qualifications for the job, not on their race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, national origin, age, or any other factor prohibited by federal, state, or local law.
“Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer”
How to Apply
Application Process
The search for the Executive Director is being conducted by The Moran Company.
To apply for this position, submit a cover letter and resume to Ann Graff at the Moran Company. Resume should include all professional experience, dates of employment (month and year), position/title, and organization names. APPLY NOW
When applying, mention you saw this opening listed on Disability Scoop.
