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New Search! Vice President of Programs with Minute Man Arc

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Overview

Pillar Search & HR Consulting is honored to continue its partnership with Minute Man Arc on the search for the new Vice President of Programs.

Based in Concord, MA, Minute Man Arc is a mission-driven organization with more than 65 years of history and a deep commitment to the individuals and families it serves. This newly created Vice President of Programs role represents an exciting opportunity to shape the strategic direction of a comprehensive, lifespan program portfolio — and to make a lasting impact on a community that depends on Minute Man Arc every day.

About Minute Man Arc for Human Services

Founded in 1958 and headquartered in Concord, MA, Minute Man Arc for Human Services is a well-respected lifespan agency serving more than 1,000 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the greater Concord region and surrounding communities. With over 65 years of experience, Minute Man Arc is the leader in providing a community of innovative, lifelong care — improving the lives of individuals with disabilities by increasing lifelong independence, personal choice, and self-advocacy.

Minute Man Arc’s comprehensive program offerings span the full lifespan and include programs for children and adults including Early Intervention, innovation outdoors programming, residential services, recreation programs, day services including employment services and more.

Minute Man Arc is accredited or licensed by CARF International, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the Department of Developmental Services (DDS), and the state Division of Early Education and Care. The organization’s mission is to improve the lives of children and adults with disabilities through exceptional therapeutic services, meaningful employment, supportive living opportunities, recreation, and active community involvement.

Position Summary

This is a newly created, senior leadership role reflecting Minute Man Arc’s deepened commitment to programmatic excellence and innovation. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the Vice President of Programs holds overall strategic and operational responsibility for the full portfolio of Minute Man Arc’s program areas and service lines.

The Vice President of Programs will provide visionary, hands-on leadership to a team of Program Directors and the Director of Quality, building a culture of accountability, continuous quality improvement, and person-centered service. As a key member of the senior leadership team, this leader will embody Minute Man Arc’s mission and values in every aspect of their work — engaging authentically with individuals served, families, employees, funders, and community partners.

Reporting Structure

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Management: 6 direct reports and 200 FTE’s reporting up through the team of Directors. The direct reports include the Program Directors (across all program areas) and the Director of Quality.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

  • Serve as a key contributor to the organization’s strategic planning and translate strategic priorities into programmatic goals, milestones, and action plans.
  • Identify and pursue opportunities to strengthen, grow, and innovate Minute Man Arc’s program portfolio in alignment with community need and organizational mission.
  • Partner with the CEO and senior leadership team to develop and execute organizational initiatives that advance Minute Man Arc’s impact.

Program Oversight and Operations

  • Provide direct oversight and operational leadership for all program areas, including pediatric services, adult day and employment services, recreation, and residential supports.
  • Establish and monitor clear program goals, performance expectations, and outcome metrics across all service areas.
  • Strengthen programmatic policies, procedures, and infrastructure to ensure consistency, quality, safety, and compliance.
  • Champion a person-centered approach to service delivery across all programs, ensuring individuals’ choices, goals, and rights are at the forefront of all programming.

Quality Assurance and Regulatory Compliance

  • Partner with the Director of Quality to oversee the organization’s continuous quality improvement (CQI) initiatives and training efforts.
  • Ensure full compliance with all applicable federal and state regulatory requirements, including DDS, DPH, DESE, and CARF International standards.
  • Lead and coordinate the organization’s licensure, certification, and re-accreditation processes.
  • Use data collection and analysis to identify trends, service gaps, and opportunities for program enhancement.

Team Leadership and Staff Development

  • Build, develop, and retain a high-performing program leadership team; coach Program Directors and the Director of Quality to expand their leadership capacity and effectiveness.
  • Foster a positive, mission-driven organizational culture grounded in accountability, collaboration, and professional growth.
  • Partner with Human Resources to recruit, onboard, and develop program staff at all levels.
  • Collaborate with the CEO and HR in strategies related to employee relations

Fiscal and Resource Management

  • Partner with the Chief Financial Officer in the development of programmatic budgets and contracts. The current budget is approximately $20 million.
  • Monitor program budgets and ensure responsible stewardship of resources across all service areas.
  • Identify and advocate for the staffing, training, space, and systems infrastructure needed to fulfill Minute Man Arc’s mission.

Stakeholder Relationships and External Partnerships

  • Develop and sustain strong, trusted relationships with individuals served, their families and guardians, DDS, Commonwealth entities, and other external stakeholders.
  • Represent Minute Man Arc in the broader human services community, including with the Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers, The Arc of Massachusetts, and peer organizations.
  • Serve as a key liaison between program areas and Finance, Operations, Human Resources, and funder stakeholders.

Qualifications

Education

  • Graduate degree in a human services, social work, public administration, or related field strongly preferred; equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

Experience

  • Minimum of 15 years of progressive nonprofit leadership experience in organizations serving individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.
  • A skilled leader with a track record of building and leading high-performance teams and leading managers of teams.
  • Demonstrated experience overseeing multiple program areas.
  • Understanding of and experience with managing significant program budgets.
  • Proven track record of leading performance- and outcome-based programs with measurable community impact.
  • Strong background in regulatory compliance, licensure, and quality assurance within a Massachusetts DDS-funded environment.
  • Substantial experience in budget development and fiscal management.

Skills and Competencies

  • Exceptional leadership presence with strong coaching and team development skills.
  • Superior verbal and written communication skills; able to engage effectively across all levels of staff, leadership, families, funders, and community partners.
  • High emotional intelligence; exercises sound judgment, discretion, and confidentiality.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; data-informed approach to program evaluation and decision-making.
  • Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; comfortable working in multicultural environments.
  • Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
  • Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite. Familiarity with Therap preferred.

Other Requirements

  • Valid Massachusetts driver’s license and clean driving record required.
  • Ability to travel to Minute Man Arc program sites throughout the service region.
  • Ability to successfully perform all essential functions of the position, with reasonable accommodations considered.

Working Conditions

This role involves a combination of office-based work and regular, local travel to Minute Man Arc program sites including day programs, residential homes, early intervention sites, and community locations. The position requires the ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods, and to lift up to 30 pounds. Flexible scheduling may be required to meet programmatic needs.

Compensation & Benefits

Minute Man Arc offers a competitive salary and benefits package. The range for this role is $140,000-$150,000 annually.  Benefits include: paid vacation time + 13 paid holidays each year + 3 paid personal days | sick time in accordance with MA state law | health insurance with fully paid health care deductible | prescription drugs with no copays | dental & vision insurance | life, short-term, & long-term disability insurance | employer-sponsored tuition reimbursement.

Apply Today!

Minute Man Arc has partnered with Cindy Joyce, Founder of Pillar Search & HR Consulting on the search for the new VP of Programs. Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit their resume and letter of interest to jo**@**********ch.com.

Minute Man Arc for Human Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in its workforce and programs.

Nonprofit hiring leadership, Remote nonprofit leadership jobs, Sandy Hook Promise careers

New Search! Vice President of Operations with Sandy Hook Promise

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Pillar Search & HR Consulting is honored to continue its partnership with Sandy Hook Promise and announce the search for their Vice President, Operations. This is a new role for the organization.

About Sandy Hook Promise

Sandy Hook Promise (SHP) envisions a future where all children are free from school shootings and other acts of violence. As a national nonprofit organization, SHP’s mission is to educate and empower youth and adults to prevent violence in schools, homes, and communities. Creators of the lifesaving, evidence-informed Know the Signs prevention programs, SHP teaches the warning signs of someone who may be in crisis, socially isolated, or at-risk of hurting themselves or others and how to get help. SHP also advances school safety, youth mental health, and responsible gun ownership at the state and federal levels through nonpartisan policy and partnerships.

SHP is led by several family members whose loved ones were killed in the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012.

Commitment to Belonging, Community, Engagement, and Respect

SHP strives to ensure its culture and work environment reflect the values of belonging, community, engagement and respect. They actively seek to understand and respond to the diverse perspectives and lived experiences of individuals across socioeconomic backgrounds, rural and urban communities, and diversity of thought, in addition to traditional protected categories. They are committed to ensuring that every SHP employee feels heard, valued, and a true sense of belonging. SHP encourages individuals who share their commitment to these core values and to their mission to apply.

This is remote role within the United States.

Role Overview

The Vice President, Operations is a senior operational leader responsible for translating Sandy Hook Promise’s strategy into high-quality, scalable execution across the organization. Reporting to the COO, this role ensures that day-to-day operations, systems, and cross-functional processes are effective, efficient, and aligned to organizational priorities.

This role will work closely with the Chief of Staff, whose role is to focus on strategic alignment, decision stewardship, and leadership effectiveness, while the Vice President, Operations owns operational delivery—ensuring that priorities are executed with discipline, that teams have what they need to perform, and that systems and processes enable scale.

The Vice President of Operations serves as a critical bridge between strategy and execution, working closely with department leaders to drive accountability, remove barriers, and continuously improve how work gets done across the organization.

This role currently manages one direct report, and one indirect report focused on project management.

They are a U.S.-based organization with most staff working remotely. This role is fully remote and requires up to 15% travel as needed.

Core Responsibilities

Operational Execution and Performance

  • Lead the execution of organizational priorities by translating strategy into clear operational plans, milestones, and performance expectations.
  • Drive consistent, high-quality execution across teams by establishing and reinforcing strong operational rhythms, tools, and accountability mechanisms.
  • Ensure day-to-day operations run effectively across functions, proactively identifying and addressing gaps, inefficiencies, or risks.
  • Monitor progress against key organizational goals and ensure timely course correction when performance is off track, in partnership with the COO.

Cross-Functional Integration and Delivery

  • Partner with department leaders/VPs to coordinate complex, cross-functional initiatives and ensure seamless execution.
  • Align workflows, timelines, and dependencies across teams to reduce friction and improve collaboration.
  • Serve as a central point for operational coordination, ensuring that strategic priorities move forward with clarity and cohesion.
  • Step in to support execution on high-priority or at-risk initiatives when additional operational leadership is needed.

Systems, Processes, and Continuous Improvement

  • Design, implement, and refine operational systems and processes that enable scale, consistency, and efficiency.
  • Identify opportunities to improve organizational effectiveness through better use of tools, data, and workflows.
  • Standardize best practices where appropriate, while maintaining flexibility to adapt to evolving needs.
  • Partner with the COO to operationalize large-scale systems and data initiatives across the organization.

Data, Metrics, and Accountability

  • Hold decision-making authority for operational process designs and workflows within strategic workplan priorities.
  • Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) that measure operational health and progress toward strategic goals.
  • Build and maintain dashboards and reporting structures that provide visibility into execution and outcomes.
  • Use both qualitative and quantitative data to inform operations-focused decision-making and improve performance.
  • Foster a culture of accountability where teams understand expectations and are supported in meeting them.

Team Leadership and Operational Culture

  • Lead and develop a high-performing operations function, including directly managing a team of two Project Managers, fostering strong execution, collaboration, and continuous learning.
  • Serve on steering committee for foundational work that supports org-wide core initiatives.
  • Support department leaders (VPs) in strengthening operational discipline within their teams.
  • Reinforce a culture of clarity, ownership, and follow-through across the organization.
  • Model adaptability, problem-solving, and a solutions-oriented mindset in a dynamic environment.

Partnership with COO and Chief of Staff

  • Partner closely with the COO to ensure operational priorities are aligned with organizational strategy and resourced appropriately.
  • Work in close coordination with the Chief of Staff and Senior VP of People to translate strategic decisions and leadership priorities into actionable execution plans.
  • Provide feedback loops to the Chief of Staff and COO on what is working operationally and where adjustments are needed.

Core Competencies

  • Execution excellence: Brings rigor, discipline, and follow-through to complex organizational priorities; ensures work gets done effectively and on time.
  • Operational systems thinking: Understands how people, processes, and tools interact; designs systems that enable scale and reduce friction.
  • Cross-functional leadership: Skilled at coordinating across teams, aligning stakeholders, and driving shared outcomes in complex environments.
  • Data-driven management: Uses metrics, dashboards, and insights to manage performance and guide improvements.
  • Problem-solving orientation: Anticipates challenges, removes barriers, and navigates ambiguity with practical, solutions-focused thinking.
  • Accountability builder: Creates clarity around roles, expectations, and outcomes; holds self and others to high standards.
  • Collaborative partnership: Works effectively with senior leaders, complementing both strategic and operational roles without overstepping.

Qualifications and Experience

  • 10+ years of professional experience, with significant leadership experience in operations, program management, or organizational effectiveness.
  • Demonstrated success managing complex operations and driving execution in mission-driven or high-growth nonprofit organizations.
  • Experience implementing systems, processes, and performance management frameworks at scale.
  • Strong analytical skills, with the ability to translate data into actionable insights.
  • Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and influence outcomes across teams.
  • Experience managing and developing high-performing teams.
  • Deep alignment with the mission of Sandy Hook Promise and a commitment to advancing a culture of prevention.

Benefits and Salary Range  

The salary range for this position is $147,000-$150,000. SHP uses a structured internal rubric to guide salary placement and ensure equitable pay. Typically, new hires are placed at the start of the salary range to ensure equity with current employees, and as a practice, we do not negotiate salaries.

SHP offers a competitive benefits package, including:

  • Unlimited PTO
  • Flexible schedules
  • Paid holidays and 10 days sick leave
  • Paid parental leave
  • Health, dental, and vision
  • Employer paid life insurance and short- and long-term disability
  • 401k match
  • Professional development stipend
  • Wellness & mental health support
  • Employer Paid Employee Assistance Program.

Sandy Hook Promise operates within a distributed workforce, allowing for location flexibility across the country for most positions. They provide remote office support for all staff, which includes a laptop, home office reimbursement, monthly Wi-Fi reimbursement up to $40, and monthly cell phone reimbursement up to $50.

To Apply

The deadline to apply is Monday, June 29, 2024. 

Sandy Hook Promise has partnered with Pillar Search & HR Consulting on the search for its new Vice President of Operations. Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit their resume and cover letter via email to jo**@**********ch.com.

No calls, please.

Equal Opportunity Employment  

SHP is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. They strive to be an employer of choice: where a diverse mix of talented people want to come and do their best work. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. They are focused on promoting diversity, multiculturalism, and inclusion and believe deeply in having a workforce comprised of people of all beliefs and backgrounds who seek to prevent gun violence and stop the tragic loss of life. Members of all under-represented groups are encouraged to apply.

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Search Success: Suzie Murphy Appointed the CEO of Delta Projects!

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Pillar Search & HR Consulting and Delta Projects are pleased to announce the appointment of Suzanne (Suzie) Murphy as Chief Executive Officer. Suzie joined Delta Projects on April 27, 2026.

Suzie brings a longstanding commitment to Delta Projects, having served as both a Board Member and strategic advisor for several years. In these roles, she contributed meaningfully to the organization’s direction and impact. Her deep understanding of Delta Projects’ mission, culture, and community positions her well to lead the organization into its next phase of growth and innovation.

A visionary and strategic nonprofit leader, Suzie has a distinguished track record in strength-based leadership, organizational strategy, change management, and business transformation. As CEO, she will partner closely with the Board of Directors and executive leadership team to set long-term direction, strengthen organizational effectiveness, and advance high-quality, person-centered services for Delta Projects’ residents. She is committed to fostering an inclusive, engaged culture while ensuring continuous improvement in service delivery.

Suzie joins Delta Projects from Wentworth Institute of Technology, where she served as Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer. Prior to that, she was Vice President, Chief People Officer at Simmons University. She began her tenure at Simmons as Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, where she led the expansion of national online programs. Earlier in her career, Suzie worked in Global Human Asset Management at The Monitor Group (now Monitor Deloitte).

Suzie holds an MBA from Boston College and a bachelor’s degree in English from the College of the Holy Cross. She is a Certified Gallup Strengths Coach and has been actively engaged in volunteer service with organizations including Best Buddies International and the American Red Cross.

About Delta Projects: Delta Projects is more than just a non-profit human service agency. They are a community dedicated to supporting adults with intellectual disabilities, traumatic and acquired brain injuries, and other developmental challenges. Their 400+ staff members positively impact the lives of over 200 individuals across 20 communities in Southeastern Massachusetts. Delta Projects was founded in 1976 as an innovative program to help families keep children with intellectual disabilities at home and out of state-run residential programs. That early respite and family training program was soon followed by a community-based residential program which, like all programs of its kind, had its origins in the deinstitutionalization movement of that period. Bringing individuals into the community, rather than segregating and isolating them, was the Delta Projects’ mission. Fifty years later, community inclusion is still the cornerstone of their operating philosophy. Learn more at Delta | Every Individual Counts.

About Pillar Search & HR Consulting: A woman-owned business based in Boston, Pillar Search & HR Consulting provides executive search/recruiting and human resources consulting expertise to nonprofit and mission-driven organizations nationwide, working with senior leaders and the boards of directors to hire and develop the very best talent across all functional areas of the organization. For more information about Pillar, please visit About Pillar Search & HR Consulting – Pillar Search.

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Search Success: Kimberlee Schumacher Joins Minute Man Arc as CEO!

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Pillar Search & HR Consulting and Minute Man Arc are pleased to announce the appointment of Kimberlee Schumacher as Chief Executive Officer.

Kimberlee joined Minute Man Arc on April 27, 2026, and brings more than 20 years of experience leading and advising mission-driven organizations, both as CEO and Interim CEO/Executive Director.

Board President Nadia Nedelcheva shared “She brings both the experience and the heart to lead Minute Man Arc into its next chapter. Kimberlee brings meaningful leadership experience in the nonprofit sector, along with a collaborative and thoughtful approach to navigating today’s evolving landscape. With a background in both business and psychology, she has a strong understanding of the organization’s mission and the importance of person-centered work. The Board warmly welcomes Kimberlee and looks forward to partnering with her as she continues to build strong community relationships and foster connections across the public, nonprofit, and private sectors.”

Kimberlee’s past roles include CEO of Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters, Interim President and CEO of Epilepsy Foundation New England, Interim Executive Director of Boston Society for Architecture, and Vice President, Strategy and Impact Department at Combined Jewish Philanthropies, Across every role, she has brought a collaborative, people-centered approach, helping teams align around a shared vision, grow sustainably, and deepen their impact.

Kimberlee holds an MBA from Northeastern University and is completing her PsyD from William James College.

Kimberlee shares that she is truly honored to join Minute Man Arc as Chief Executive Officer. She is deeply committed to supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in living full, self-directed lives and being recognized as valued members of their communities. Her passion for person-centered services is at the heart of her work, championing dignity, independence, inclusion, and meaningful opportunities for everyone.

About Minute Man Arc: Minute Man Arc is the agency of choice for children and adults with disabilities in the region, providing a community of innovative, lifelong care. Their mission is to improve the lives of children and adults with disabilities by increasing lifelong independence, personal choice, and self-advocacy. They achieve this by delivering exceptional therapeutic services, meaningful employment, supportive living opportunities, recreation, and active community involvement.

Based in Concord, MA, with additional locations in Acton and Maynard and serving individuals in 30 communities, the organization was founded in 1958 by a group of parents in search of services and community for their children with disabilities. Today, they support more than 1,500 children and adults with autism, Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, and other intellectual and physical disabilities, and accept individuals who are blind and/or deaf, providing them with staff members who have some knowledge of American Sign Language. Additionally, they serve people who have physical or emotional disabilities.

With over 67 years of experience, Minute Man Arc is a respected leader in both program development and service delivery. They are accredited or licensed by CARF International (formerly Council of Accredited Rehabilitation Facilities), the Department of Public Health, and the Department of Developmental Services. They collaborate regularly with the Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers, the Arc of Massachusetts, and other local human service organizations. Learn more about this outstanding organization here.

About Pillar Search & HR Consulting: A woman-owned business based in Boston, Pillar Search & HR Consulting provides executive search/recruiting and human resources consulting expertise to nonprofit and mission-driven organizations nationwide, working with senior leaders and the boards of directors to hire and develop the very best talent across all functional areas of the organization. For more information about Pillar, please visit About Pillar Search & HR Consulting – Pillar Search.

Boston nonprofit jobs, nonprofit executive search firm boston, nonprofit leadership job greater boston human services

New Search! Vice President of Programs with Cooperative for Human Services!

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Pillar Search & HR Consulting is honored to continue its partnership with Cooperative for Human Services.

Are you a nonprofit program leader with a passion for what’s possible for those with intellectual and related disabilities? This may be the ideal opportunity for you!

About the Cooperative for Human Services, Inc.

Founded in 1981 with headquarters in Lexington, MA, the Cooperative for Human Services Inc. (CHS) is a multi-service organization that provides residential services, independent living support, and guardianship services for people with intellectual and other related disabilities. Their mission is to empower, support, and expand the knowledge, skill, and natural capacities of the people they serve to direct and live full and meaningful lives within their community.

CHS has a mission to fulfill – to ensure that every person with special needs served by them lives a truly happy and fulfilling life and is a respected citizen of the community.

Learn more about this amazing organization at https://cooperativeforhs.org.

About This Opportunity

This position is open due to internal growth.

Reporting to the CEO, the Vice President of Programs has overall strategic and operational responsibility for all CHS residential and individual supports programs and service areas. The Vice President of Programs is responsible for building a strong team, fostering an organizational culture of accountability, strengthening programs and services, and ensuring an impact is made in the communities that CHS serves. The Vice President of Programs will embody and emulate the organization’s mission, vision, and values through daily hands-on engagement with individuals served, employees, and the management team.

The Vice President of Programs will develop a deep knowledge of each functional area’s projects, program operations, and business plans. Initially, the focus will be on the following areas: programmatic leadership and oversight, operational processes and efficiencies, regulatory compliance, service quality excellence.

The Vice President will demonstrate a consistent quality of problem-solving, communications, attention to detail and creative use of resources. In this role, the incumbent will develop, coach, and retain high performance team members, empowering them to elevate their level of responsibility, span of control, and performance. The Vice President of Programs will provide effective and thoughtful leadership by building strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels of the organization including individuals, families, community partners, volunteers, and Commonwealth entities while continually reinforcing CHS’s mission, vision, and values.

As a member of the senior leadership team, the Vice President of Programs is a key internal liaison between service types, Programs, Finance, Operations, Funder Stakeholders and Employee Relations.

Essential Job Activities and Responsibilities

The Vice President of Programs must be thoroughly committed to the organization’s strategy and mission to support people with disabilities and have a strong desire to provide community service as well as be able to fulfill all of the elements of the responsibilities in this role to the highest standard, while utilizing hands on approach and be able to work well with colleagues in a high energy and collaborative work environment.

They will have the following responsibilities under the direction of the CEO and in collaboration with other senior leadership team members and their staff, including:

Strategic Plan Implementation:

  • Contribute to developing the organization’s strategic vision and implement the strategic plan’s components related to Programs and Services.
  • Ensure programmatic needs such as staffing, training, space, infrastructure and systems are met to more effectively carry out the CHS mission with a focus on continual quality improvement.

Program Oversight and Operations:

  • Strengthen programmatic policies, processes and infrastructure as needed.
  • Through effective communication, create clear program goals and drive to completion.
  • Lead the organization through its license and re-certification processes with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Program Impact & Evaluation:

  • Evaluate programs based upon data collection and analysis to strengthen program service quality, identify trends and organizational gaps, and develop plans that address needs.
  • Work closely with the Chief Financial Officer and Director of Clinical Supports in developing the programmatic contracts with the Commonwealth and associated budgets annually and as needed.

Knowledge Management:

  • Develop the necessary systems, tools and processes to better support collection, facilitation and dissemination of knowledge generated by each service area to various stakeholder groups.
  • Leverage key project outcomes, learnings, and/or enhanced policies for maximum impact to deepen community ties, partnerships and stakeholder relationships.
  • Work collaboratively with other Senior Management to develop effective cross-functional initiatives and positive outcomes.
  • Remain informed of best practices on administration, programs, organization culture, and capacity building.
  • Stay up to date on requirements imposed by Federal and State regulators as it relates to CHS licensure and contracts.

Management:

  • Direct reports currently include the Director of Residential Services, Director of Residential & Supported Living, Director of Individual Supports
  • Collaborate with the CEO & Director of Human Resources in the development of strategies for successful outcomes ahead of union grievances, negotiations and bargaining.
  • Development and management of a strong program team.
  • Coach employees to success.

Internal/External Relationships:

  • Internally, develop and maintain strong, positive working relationships with employees from all departments within the organization.
  • Externally, develop and maintain strong, positive relationships with the individuals served by CHS, their family members/guardians, DDS, service providers, other stakeholders, community members, and others.

Working Conditions

  • Varied and flexible to include office conditions (telephone, computer, etc.), external agencies/ businesses, at the location where the individual is receiving services (homes of the person served, etc.); in local community groups, etc.
  • Local travel to CHS sites required.

Physical & Mental Requirements

  • Ability to deal with a wide range of intellectual problems and practical problems.
  • Ability to utilize excellent judgment in developing sound solutions.
  • Combination of sitting, standing, and walking.
  • Able to lift up to 30 pounds.
  • Ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the position with reasonable accommodations considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education & Experience Qualifications

  • A minimum of 15 years of non-profit professional /leadership expertise in organizations serving people with developmental disabilities.
  • Graduate Degree in related human services field preferred.
  • This role manages a team of 6 direct reports at a senior management experience and a large team (500) reporting to those individuals. As such, this role requires very strong leadership experience of large teams.
  • This leader will have strong coaching skills and the ability to elevate the skills of others, able to convey goals and mission clearly, and motivate the team towards the goal of elevating Cooperative for Human Services.
  • DDS experience desired.
  • Strong emotional intelligence and the ability to exercise good judgment, maintain discretion, and confidentiality as needed.
  • Self-motivated, results driven, detail oriented, and adaptable. Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills, including the ability to influence, engage, motivate, and lead others to new levels of effectiveness and programmatic impact.
  • Hands-on approach in successfully leading a variety of strategic initiatives.
  • Proven track record of effectively leading performance-based and outcome-based, programs and/or services of varying complexity.
  • Knowledge of community-based supports.
  • Strong fiscal budget management.
  • Successful implementation of regulatory standards and the related licensing process required.
  • Valid Massachusetts/Maine/New Hampshire/Rhode Island driver’s license, and clean driving record required.
  • Ability to travel to local CHS locations.
  • Experience in a union environment is helpful, though not required.
  • Demonstrates a high degree of organizational skill and time management for multiple competing priorities.
  • Exceptional communication (verbal & written) and presentation skills with the ability to effectively interface with all levels of management, staff, external stakeholders and solution focused problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to understand and comply with multiple regulatory requirements.
  • Superior project management, organizational, delegation skills.
  • Demonstrated commitment and sensitivity to diversity issues. Comfortable working in multicultural environments.
  • Proficiency using Google Workspace including (Word, Excel, PowerPoint),

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $170,000-$200,000 and organization vehicle provided for local travel.

To Be Considered for This Exciting Opportunity

Cooperative for Human Services has partnered with Cindy Joyce of Pillar Search & HR Consulting on the search for the new Vice President of Programs. Interested candidates are encouraged to submit both a cover letter and resume by email to jo**@**********ch.com.

nonprofit hiring, Sandy Hook Promise careers

New Search! Chief of Staff with Sandy Hook Promise

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Please note: The deadline to apply has passed, and we are no longer accepting applications.

Pillar Search & HR Consulting is honored to continue its partnership with Sandy Hook Promise and announce the search for their Chief of Staff. This is a new role for the organization.

About Sandy Hook Promise

Sandy Hook Promise (SHP) envisions a future where all children are free from school shootings and other acts of violence. As a national nonprofit organization, SHP’s mission is to educate and empower youth and adults to prevent violence in schools, homes, and communities. Creators of the lifesaving, evidence-informed Know the Signs prevention programs, SHP teaches the warning signs of someone who may be in crisis, socially isolated, or at-risk of hurting themselves or others and how to get help. SHP also advances school safety, youth mental health, and responsible gun ownership at the state and federal levels through nonpartisan policy and partnerships.

SHP is led by several family members whose loved ones were killed in the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012.

Commitment to Belonging, Community, Engagement, and Respect

SHP strives to ensure its culture and work environment reflect the values of belonging, community, engagement and respect. They actively seek to understand and respond to the diverse perspectives and lived experiences of individuals across socioeconomic backgrounds, rural and urban communities, and diversity of thought, in addition to traditional protected categories. They are committed to ensuring that every SHP employee feels heard, valued, and a true sense of belonging. SHP encourages individuals who share their commitment to these core values and to their mission to apply.

This is remote role within the United States.

Role Overview

The Chief of Staff is a member of the Executive Leadership Team, reporting directly to the CEO.   The role serves as a senior organizational and strategic partner, responsible for ensuring internal alignment, leadership effectiveness and disciplined decision-making across Sandy Hook Promise.  This role is designed to amplify the CEO’s effectiveness by managing the internal rhythms of the organization, creating the conditions for the leadership team to work well together and for strategic priorities to be executed with clarity and accountability.

The Chief of Staff acts as a trusted extension and occasional proxy for the CEO in internal and operational meetings, holding the line on decisions that advance Sandy Hook Promise’s mission, long-term strategy, and organizational health.  This role does not focus on day-to-day execution; instead, it works with the members of SHP’s leadership team to steward organizational priorities, help guide complex cross-organizational conversations, and ensure the organization makes and sustains high-quality decisions in service of its mission and strategy.

Core Responsibilities

CEO Support and Internal Coordination

  • Serve as an additional thought partner to the CEO on strategy, organizational priorities, and complex decisions.
  • Represent the CEO in internal leadership, operational, and cross-functional meetings, ensuring her perspective, intent, and decision-making framework are clearly understood and adhered to.
  • Prepare the CEO for internal meetings by synthesizing key inputs, flagging decisions that need to be made, and ensuring follow through afterward.
  • At times, represent the CEO with external audiences, which may include partners and stakeholders, as appropriate.
  • Help the CEO maintain focus on the most critical internal opportunities and risks facing the organization by synthesizing cross-organizational insights and elevating issues that require CEO attention or leadership alignment.

Decision Stewardship and Alignment

  • Hold the line on decision-making that aligns with Sandy Hook Promise’s mission, strategy, and values, especially in moments of ambiguity or pressure.
  • Ensure that strategic decisions are well-framed, grounded in shared understanding, and clearly communicated.
  • Surface tensions, tradeoffs, and misalignments early, helping the CEO and leadership teams navigate them constructively.
  • Act as a guardian of organizational clarity, helping prevent mission drift or reactive decision-making.

Organizational Effectiveness and Leadership Enablement

  • Partner with the CEO to shape agendas for senior leadership meetings, ensuring time is used for strategic discussion rather than execution updates.
  • Support the effectiveness of the senior leadership team by reinforcing shared goals, decision norms, and accountability at the strategic level.
  • Identify patterns, themes, and systemic issues across the organization and bring insights forward to inform leadership action.
  • Serve as a connective tissue across teams, without owning execution or operational management, with the exception of leading or coordinating occasional special projects if needed.

Board Partnership and Governance Support

  • Serve as a strategic partner to the CEO in advancing strong Board governance and engagement.
  • Support the CEO in shaping Board agendas to focus on mission, strategy, and long-term impact rather than operational detail.
  • Ensure Board materials are clear, strategically framed, and aligned with organizational priorities.
  • Help track and steward follow-up on key Board decisions and commitments at the strategic level.
  • At times, represent or support the CEO in Board committee meetings, reinforcing alignment between governance and organizational strategy.
  • Act as a connector between Board insights and leadership team priorities, ensuring thoughtful integration without creating additional layers of process.

Core Competencies

  • Strategic altitude: The role operates at the level of organizational direction, decision quality, and leadership effectiveness, not day-to-day execution. This person has a strong instinct for what really matters internally. They listen carefully, synthesize quickly, and know when to ask the hard question that sharpens thinking or reframes a problem. They are trusted because they are consistent, discreet, and deeply grounded in the mission and priorities of SHP.
  • Organizational integrator: The Chief of Staff serves as the connective tissue of the leadership team, ensuring that information flows clearly, decisions are made cleanly, and priorities stay aligned across teams. They are not a second-in-command nor an operational leader, but over time they will be trusted to represent the CEO’s perspective in the room when the CEO cannot be present. They are not attached to owning outcomes or running teams, but they care deeply about the quality of decisions and the integrity of the organization’s direction. Their impact is felt internally in how the organization operates, how the leadership team functions, and how the CEO’s time and attention are protected and used well.
  • Decision stewardship: Rather than driving projects, the role focuses on how decisions are made, who is involved, and how they advance SHP’s mission and strategy.
  • Influence without authority: Success depends on credibility, judgment, and relationship-building rather than formal control over teams or budgets. The ideal Chief of Staff is someone who brings calm clarity to complexity and steady judgment to high-stakes moments. They are deeply comfortable operating behind the scenes, advancing impact through influence rather than visibility or control.
  • Connector across complexity: The role helps leadership see the whole system, surfacing patterns and tensions that might otherwise remain fragmented.

Qualifications and Experience

  • Significant experience in senior-level strategy, management, advisory, or leadership roles, ideally within mission-driven, or complex organizational environments.
  • Demonstrated ability to facilitate complex internal processes, operate as a trusted support to senior leaders, and drive alignment across teams without owning direct authority.
  • Strong strategic judgment and comfort navigating ambiguity, tradeoffs, and sensitive dynamics.
  • Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to influence without authority.
  • Above all, this person believes in the mission and values of Sandy Hook Promise and brings both conviction and humility to the work, knowing when to lead, when to support, and when to step back.

Benefits and Salary Range 

The salary range for this position is $200,000-$210,000 dependent on experience and qualifications. Please note: SHP uses a structured internal rubric to guide salary placement and ensure equitable pay. Typically, new hires are placed at the start of the salary range to ensure equity with current employees, and as a practice, we do not negotiate salaries.

SHP offers a competitive benefits package, including:

  • Unlimited PTO
  • Flexible schedules
  • Paid holidays and 10 days of sick leave
  • Paid parental leave
  • Health, dental, and vision
  • Employer paid life insurance and short- and long-term disability
  • 401k match
  • Professional development stipend
  • Wellness & mental health support
  • Employer Paid Employee Assistance Program.

Sandy Hook Promise operates within a distributed workforce, allowing for location flexibility across the country for most positions. They provide remote office support for all staff, which includes a laptop, home office reimbursement, and monthly cell phone reimbursement up to $50 & internet reimbursement up to $40.

To Apply

Sandy Hook Promise has partnered with Pillar Search & HR Consulting on the search for its new Chief of Staff. Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit their resume and cover letter via email to jo**@**********ch.com. No calls, please.

The deadline to apply is Monday, April 27, 2026.

Equal Opportunity Employment 

SHP is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. They strive to be an employer of choice: where a diverse mix of talented people want to come and do their best work. SHP does not make employment related decisions based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. They are focused on promoting multiculturalism and inclusion so that all SHP employees feel valued and respected. They believe deeply that a diverse workforce comprised of people of all beliefs, backgrounds, and life experiences who seek to prevent gun violence and stop the tragic loss of life will make SHP a stronger, more effective organization.

Nonprofit leadership job Greater Boston, nonprofit recruiter boston, The Arc of Massachusetts

Search Success! Audrey Falk Joins The Arc of Massachusetts as Chief Operating Officer!

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The Arc of Massachusetts and Pillar Search & HR Consulting are pleased to announce the appointment of Audrey Falk, Ed.D., to the position of Chief Operating Officer. Audrey is a visionary and strategic nonprofit leader with a distinguished record of leadership in education, diversity, and social justice.

As Chief Operating Officer, she will streamline internal processes and develop a performance culture among a group of talented and committed employees, consultants, and the 17 chapters of The Arc of Massachusetts. She will work as a trusted partner to the CEO, ensuring organizational priorities are implemented, strengthening relationships with the statewide network of chapters, and overseeing essential operations that support the organization’s success.

Audrey joins The Arc of Massachusetts from Merrimack College, where she was the Founding Director of the Master’s Program in Nonprofit Management and Community Engagement. Notably, Audrey worked for the South Norfolk County Arc (now Lifeworks) earlier in her career as the Director of the Family Support Program and as Director of the Family Autism Center. She began her professional journey as a Peace Corps volunteer in Romania, where she taught at local schools and supported children with disabilities in their homes and youth living in orphanages.

Audrey holds an Ed.M. in Risk and Prevention and an Ed.D. in Administration, Training, and Policy Studies with a specialization in Community Agency Educational Administration and completed a Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Educational Policy Research Involving Students with Disabilities at the University of Maryland, College Park.

About The Arc of Massachusetts: The Arc of Massachusetts is passionate about enhancing the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism, and their families. For over 70 years, through advocacy, programs that promote inclusion, and belonging in the community, The Arc has focused on creating tangible changes in the lives of people with disabilities. The Arc is a nationwide organization with each state running both a statewide chapter and local chapters within the state. The 17 local Chapters of The Arc in Massachusetts work throughout the Commonwealth to provide services and support to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities – such as Down syndrome, Autism, and cerebral palsy – and their families. The mission of The Arc of Massachusetts is to enhance the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism and their families. They fulfill this through advocacy for community support and services that foster social inclusion, self-determination, and equity across all aspects of society. They represent over 250,000 individuals and their families. Learn more at The Arc of Massachusetts – Achieve With Us.

About Pillar Search & HR Consulting: A woman-owned business based in Boston, Pillar Search & HR Consulting provides executive search/recruiting and human resources consulting expertise to nonprofit and mission-driven organizations, working with senior leaders and the boards of directors to hire and develop the very best talent across all functional areas of the organization. For more information about Pillar, please visit About Pillar Search & HR Consulting – Pillar Search. 

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