Open Opportunities

Reports to: Executive Director

Location: This is a regionally remote work position, where in-person work is required in the Southwest Pennsylvania community and occasional events and meetings in Chicago, IL.

About Disability Lead

Disability Lead is a network of people with disabilities who use our power to create an equitable and inclusive society. Our vision is that people with disabilities will lead with power and influence for full participation and equal opportunity as a vital part of the civic fabric in the Chicago region. And our mission is to increase civic engagement and diverse leadership in the Chicago region by developing and building a network of leaders with disabilities — consistent with the spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

Alongside our Network, we lead with our disability identity to pursue our vision with a voracious belief that creating a more equitable and inclusive society matters and is an obligation of everyone. We believe our disabilities are an asset and that we are most powerful when we are represented by an intersectional voice. We believe our leaders will change the world by delivering disability justice. And our leaders can and will create solutions for our most intractable social problems because they are inherently disability issues.

To feel engaged, connected, and empowered to make a difference, we know our employees must feel valued. We strive to build a culture where inclusion is are flex, not a nice idea. This includes providing accommodations through every phase including application, hiring, onboarding, and working day to day. We strive to create a place where employees can come and feel a deep sense of pride, passion and belonging that transcends any role and is unified in our shared commitment to supporting new leaders and improving our region’s civic life. We hold to be self-evident that creating a space where different ideas, perspectives, and backgrounds can come together to build something new, that we can create a stronger and more creative work environment that delivers results as unique as our program (the only one of its kind in the nation).

‍Position Description

Disability Lead is seeking a dedicated and passionate Regional Director to spearhead the expansion of our leadership program into the Southwest Pennsylvania region. This new role is pivotal in growing our organization’s membership, increasing operational funding, and strengthening relationships with regional partners. The Regional Director, in a collaborative environment working closely with key staff at Disability Lead, will be instrumental in advancing the mission of Disability Lead by leading fundraising efforts, engaging with community leaders, and driving strategic initiatives to deepen our impact in the region.  

Key Responsibilities

‍‍Strategic Planning and Leadership:  

1. Working with senior leadership and local Executive Committee, implement the strategic plan for the Southwest Pennsylvania region, including the development of annual plans and budgets
2. Act as the primary representative of Disability Lead in Southwest Pennsylvania, enhancing the visibility and leadership of the organization within the community.
3. Establish and maintain relationships with key community institutions, elected officials, media representatives, and other stakeholders
4. Maintain and report on metrics to assess fundraising, marketing, membership, and engagement strategies for the region

Fundraising and Development:  

1. Collaborate with the Development Manager to identify and secure funding from new regional and national sources  
2. Ensure the implementation of the region’s philanthropic strategies, meeting or exceeding annual revenue goals
3. Cultivate and manage relationships with existing donors to sustain and increase their support
4. Develop and implement strategies for donor engagement and stewardship, including organizing events and outreach initiatives

Marketing & Communications:

1. Drive the recruitment process to expand the organization’s membership base and Fellows, aligning stakeholders and preparing members to actively invite others.
2. Provide regular updates and content on regional activities to the Communication team for inclusion in web, social media, publications, and press releases

Education & Civic Engagement:

1. Facilitate leader engagement with Disability Lead’s initiatives, including power building and organizing within the disability community
2. Gather, analyze, and apply information about Fellows and Members to leverage new opportunities, expand programs, and improve resources
3. Develop and sustain strategic relationships with key community leaders, organizations, and institutions to create and facilitate leadership opportunities for Disability Lead members and fellows. This includes securing positions on boards of directors, organizing speaking engagements, and identifying career advancement opportunities. Actively work to ensure that our members and fellows are well-positioned and recognized for their leadership potential within the broader community

‍Basic Qualifications

• Proven experience in fundraising, donor relations, and strategic planning, preferably in a non-profit or community-focused setting.
• Strong understanding of disability issues and a commitment to advancing disability leadership
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage projects, teams, and initiatives effectively.
• Experience in community engagement and public representation.
• Strong social justice lens in all aspects of work. 
• A deep commitment to the values of the organization and a passion for the mission.
• Solid independent worker and multi-tasker who enjoys working in a small and collaborative team environment. 

Salary and Benefits 

Disability Leads offers a competitive salary and benefits package that meets industry standards. The pay range is $85,000-$95,000 annually. Pay is commensurate with knowledge and experience.  

Disability Lead follows a flexible remote schedule to reflect the needs of our employees, with mostly 32-hour work weeks. Unlimited flex time and unlimited sick time are available for healthcare needs and does not count toward vacation, floating holidays, or other personal days off. Benefits include health insurance that is largely organization-supported, free vision and dental insurance, paid vacation, personal days, summer break and winter break. Disability Lead provides a Simple IRA with up to 3% matching should employees contribute. All employees of Disability Lead are encouraged to pursue educational and professional development goals. Disability Lead may provide financial support, time off, or flextime for development opportunities. Disability Lead provides employees with equipment that is essential to their job duties, like laptops, headsets, monitors, and docking stations. In addition, and as budget allows, Disability Lead will provide a stipend to help cover the costs of telecommunications (internet, phone, etc.)

Application process

It is the policy of Disability Lead to provide equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants to employment. Disability Lead prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy or childbirth), gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, and age, physical and mental disabilities, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, order of protection status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, and local laws.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position has been filled. The process will include:

1. Initial screening over the phone
2. Virtual interview(s) over Zoom or similar platform
3. In person one day meeting in Pittsburgh with the team

Applications must include the materials below to be considered. Please include your full name in the subject line of the email.

Interested individuals must submit the following materials to application@disabilitylead.org:  

• Cover letter describing your interest in and qualifications for this position  
• Current resume
• 2 business writing samples - one executive communication and one of your choosing
• Contact information for 3 professional references 

For questions regarding this announcement, or to request accommodations to participate in the application process, please contact application@disabilitylead.org.